LeAnn Bjerken

City awards projects valued at more than $10 million

Murphy Brothers selected for two largest projects

August 27, 2015

The city of Spokane has awarded Murphy Brothers Inc., of Spokane, a $5.6 million contract for a Monroe Street-Lincoln Street couplet project that's part of more than $10 million worth of work the city has started recently or plans to begin soon.

Five projects start, slated in, near River Park Square

AMC to remodel theaters; new restaurant planned

August 27, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Five projects are planned or underway at River Park Square, the downtown mall located at 808 W. Main. Bryn West, River Park Square's general manager says that AMC Theatres, the Leawood, Kan.-based theater chain, is set to begin a floor-by-floor remode

Giving vets a mission

Farming program provides education, job opportunities

August 27, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

The Spokane Conservation District says it's struggling to raise awareness and generate interest among military veterans in a Vets on the Farm program it launched last May to help veterans transition back into civilian life and careers, specifically in a

Spokane Tribe is eager to begin casino work

Inslee to seek more input before making his decision

August 13, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

The Spokane Tribe of Indians says it's prepared to go ahead on construction of its proposed West Plains casino project should Gov. Jay Inslee announce in its favor. Newly elected tribal chairwoman Carol Evans says, 'With this scale of project, we are

NorthTown Mall, Spokane Valley Mall owner reports big increase in latest-quarter earnings

GGP here also posts gains in rental rates

August 13, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

General Growth Properties Inc., the Chicago-based company that owns and operates NorthTown Mall and Spokane Valley Mall here, has reported a marked increase in second-quarter earnings compared with the year-earlier period. The company posted second-quar

Rockwood Health owner set to spin off 38 hospitals

CHS facilities here aren't among those in transaction

August 13, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Community Health Systems, the Tennessee-based medical facilities operator that owns Rockwood Health System in Spokane, plans to spin off 38 small-market hospitals into a separate company. According to a recent press release, the new company will include

Sky High Sports founders start new bouncy venture

Spinoff to open trampoline parks outside of the U.S

August 13, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

The owners of Sky High Sports Spokane LLC, a five-year company that operates a trampoline facility here, have created a new partnership called Flying Squirrel Sports through which they hope to open trampoline parks in locations throughout Canada and Centr

Spokane Federal sees membership growth spurt

Credit union reports strong gains in consumer loans

August 13, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane Federal Credit Union began in 1956 with just a few hundred dollars and only seven employees who also served as its first members.Â Today, it has approximately 11,500 members, and about $137 million in assets.

Calling all machinists

Improving economy cited as factor in shortage; wages said rising

August 13, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

The demand for machinists in the Spokane area remains high, with a number of companies here advertising openings online.

Firefighting company to add planes in Deer Park

Aero Spray reports record year with busy fire season

July 30, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Aero Spray Inc., an Appleton, Minn.-based aerial firefighting service with a base in Deer Park, says it could expand its operation here during what's been an unusually busy fire season. 'This year's fire season has been a record for the company, th