Paul Read

Maker of credit union software plans call center here

Enhanced Software wants to field telephone inquiries from customers' members

July 30, 2009

Enhanced Software Products Inc., a 13-year-old Spokane Valley developer of software for credit unions, says it plans to open a call center here that would handle, on behalf of the credit unions it serves, customer-service calls from their the also

Elder-care expert writes book on senior housing

July 16, 2009

Paul Read

Spokane elder-care veteran Pamela Pierson has written a book aimed at helping seniors and their families navigate the process of selecting senior housing.The book, "The Pocket Guide to Senior Housing: What They Don't Tell You and What You Need a

Economy puts brakes on exec pay

Overall compensation falls 3.6 percent; base pay drops sharply

July 2, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

Executive pay at publicly traded companies here fell last year for the first time since 2000, as the beleaguered economy caused corporate performance—now a bigger factor in how execs are paid—to swoon.Many public companies now base pay

EWU unit extends its reach with community indicators

Institute builds online data sites for Wenatchee area, Walla Walla, plans more

May 7, 2009

Paul Read

An Eastern Washington University institute that developed a Web-based data bank that tracks indicators about the Spokane area is using its expertise to compile similar trend information for other Inland Northwest communities. It launched two such a

Say hello to Clearwater

Newest publicly traded company here has expansive operations

April 23, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

On Dec. 16, Spokane quietly became home to a new billion-dollar company, as Spokane-based Potlatch Corp. completed a spin-off of its expansive pulp and paperboard operations.Although the new enterprise, Clearwater Paper Corp., employs just 25 at

A mining concern's fight for life

Gold Reserve executive gives rare glimpse inside hostile takeover attempt

April 9, 2009

Paul Read and Paul Read

The call came in at about 1:30 on a Friday afternoon, Dec. 12. It was an attorney for a Canadian mining concern and its financial adviser, and he was calling to deliver an ultimatum to Gold Reserve Inc. that would launch the Spokane-based company a

Red Lion shareholder calls for sale

Seattle investment fund upset with hotel chain's shareholder rights plan

March 12, 2009

Paul Read

A Seattle-based investment company that has amassed nearly 13 percent of the stock in Spokane-based Red Lion Hotels Corp. has sent a letter to Red Lion's board asserting that the hospitality company's growth strategy is flawed and that its assets a

Miners hope for turnaround

December 18, 2008

Paul Read

What a difference a year makes, unfortunately for the mining industry. Last year at this time, mining executives were giddy, with metals prices rising, demand soaring, and enough capital available to fuel aggressive exploration and then, prices and

Hunkered down, with hope on the horizon

Industry-sector observers here expect flat year in 2009, with chance of second-half recovery

December 18, 2008

Paul Read

As one might expect given the national recession, nearly every sector of the Inland Northwest economy is expecting a challenging year in 2009. Some perspective, however, is in order. The contraction seen in most industries here hasn't been anywhere

Minera Andes posts net loss of $3.5 million in quarter

December 4, 2008

Paul Read

Minera Andes Inc., a small Spokane-based mining company, has reported a third-quarter net loss of $3.5 million, or 2 cents a share, compared with a loss of $979,000, or 1 cent a share, in the year-earlier quarter.For the nine months ended Sept.