Government

$290 million-plus in public projects to start this year

Bridges, water expected to drive projects despite potential I-976 disruption

January 16, 2020

Even though the passage of Initiative 976 and its subsequent court challenge have left some public projects up in the air, 2020 is expected to be another strong year of public work, with more than $290 million in activity expected to begin this year

U.S.-Japan accord bodes well for wheat farmers

Agricultural markets expected to expand

December 19, 2019

Kevin Blocker

The Washington wheat industry's 2020 forecast received a boost when the Japanese government ratified the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement at the beginning of this month. Also, at the beginning of the month, the state's apple industry went on a global

Outlaw Woman to be converted to Spokane COPS shop

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December 19, 2019

Kevin Blocker

Despite its name, the Outlaw Woman retail store at 1720 N. Ash has always been on the right side of the law. Though her formal education and training was in advertising and finance, business owner Tamra Brannon says she's always had compassion for the

Sanctions against Venezuela hit Gold Reserve hard

Sanctions block company from its operations there

December 19, 2019

Mike McLean

A cloud of uncertainty once again hangs over Gold Reserve Inc., a Canadian mining company with executive offices in Spokane. A quarterly earnings report the company released last month claims a recent escalation of international sanctions bars Gold

Spokane groups establish legislative priorities

Issues surrounding housing, health care to be focal points

December 19, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Issues and opportunities involving housing and health care top the list of priorities for Spokane-area municipalities and organizations as they prepare to make their cases at the 2020 Washington state legislative session. To bolster the housing market

Greater Spokane Incorporated launches Point 09 campaign

GSI-led effort could bring in $11M per year for economic development

December 19, 2019

Virginia Thomas

If Greater Spokane Incorporated gets its way in the next legislative session, Spokane County would receive an additional $11 million a year in economic development funding moving forward. GSI, which acts as Spokane's joint chamber of commerce

Ptera inks broadband contract with Cheney

City to exchange dark fiber access for service

December 5, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Cheney City Council has approved a contract with Liberty Lake-based telecommunications provider Ptera Inc. that will allow the city government to lease inactive fiber-optic lines to the company in exchange for broadband service.

Hayden Homes to award affordable housing grants

Up to $100K available for city, county, others

November 21, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Redmond, Oregon-based homebuilder and developer Hayden Homes LLC has announced an initiative that will award a total of $150,000 in grants to three cities, counties, or agencies in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon

Spokane County, city find site for crisis stabilization center

$4 million in renovations planned at old motor pool garage building

November 21, 2019

Virginia Thomas

Spokane County is transforming its former motor pool garage at 1302 W. Gardner into a crisis stabilization center for those arrested for low-level crimes whose behavior is a symptom of mental illness--or a combination of mental illness

Kindergarten readiness worsens in Spokane area

United Way, others look to lower cost barriers to early learning programs

November 21, 2019

Natasha Nellis

Both locally and statewide, the majority of kids aren't entering public schools 'kindergarten ready,â€ state data show, and the problem appears to be getting worse.