Jan. 25 / City Council approves impact fees
The Spokane City Council voted 4-2 to impose impact fees on new development, which will be used to pay for street and other infrastructure improvements. Before approving the fees, though, the Council reduced the amount of those fees from what was proposed initially and eliminated some street-improvement projects from a list of those that will be funded with impact-fee revenue. Builders will pay fees that are based on the size and location of the project, with the lowest fees downtown and the highest fees in Northeast Spokane.

Jan. 24 / Coldwater Creek names new leadership
Coldwater Creek Inc., the Sandpoint-based specialty women's fashion retailer, announced that Jill Brown Dean will join the company Feb. 14 as president and chief merchandising officer, succeeding Georgia Shonk Simmons, who is retiring. Dean previously was president of the Limited Too division of Tween Brands Inc., of New Albany, Ohio, and is a former executive with Limited Brands Inc., of Columbus, Ohio. Coldwater Creek also announced the promotion of Jerome Jessup to president and chief creative officer, from executive vice president and creative director, with the company.

Jan. 24 / STA proposes route, driver cuts
The Spokane Transit Authority released a proposal to cut more than $3 million from its annual operating budget by eliminating eight bus routes and 18 driver positions. STA is calling for voluntary resignations to avoid layoffs. Public comment on the cuts will be taken until Feb. 17. The STA board will vote in mid-March on the proposed changes, which would take effect in September.

Jan. 20 / Commissioners consider replacement for McCaslin
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners said it plans to decide by March 4 which of three candidates will temporarily replace state Sen. Bob McCaslin. The Spokane County Republican Party submitted the names of Jeff Baxter, Roy Murry, and state Rep. Matt Shea for the board's consideration. Voters will decide in November who finishes McCaslin's term. McCaslin is retiring after 30 years in the Legislature for health reasons.

Jan. 19 / Employment here falls
About 207,000 people held nonagricultural wage and salary jobs in the Spokane area in December, down 100 from the December 2009 level, and down 1,500 from November 2010, preliminary state figures said. Preliminary results from another state survey put the unemployment rate at 9.1 percent in December, down from 9.3 percent in the year-earlier month.

Jan. 19 / Airport announces director finalists
The Spokane Airport Board announced the names of three candidates recommended by its search committee for final consideration for the Spokane Airports director position. They are: Jim Elwood, director of the Aspen/Pitken County Airport in Colorado; Rebecca Hupp, director of the Bangor International Airport in Maine; and Larry Krauter, interim executive director of Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania. Ryland "Skip" Davis has been serving as interim airport director since Neal Sealock resigned from the position in July. Candidate interviews will be conducted in early February.

Jan. 18 / Fairchild fleet moved for runway repairs
Eight of the Fairchild AFB fleet of KC-135 refueling tankers moved to Spokane International Airport, and about 16 tankers and 200 airmen moved to Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake to allow for Fairchild's 50-year-old runway to be repaired. Improvements to the runway will cost $43 million and are expected to be completed in November, the U.S. Air Force said.

Jan. 18 / Red Lion offers hotels for sale
Red Lion Hotels Corp., of Spokane, offered for sale hotels in downtown Seattle and Denver. Proceeds from sale of the properties will be used to pay down debt, refinance other hotels, and prepare for future growth, the company said. Red Lion said it hopes to keep its brand on the Seattle hotel. The chain has 43 hotels in eight states and Canada.