October 15, 2009 in Business, City A day after Sterling Financial Corp.’s longtime leaders were ousted, the company’s new executives say they’re confident subsidiary Sterling Savings Bank can raise $300 million and meet other demands contained … 8

October 15, 2009 in City, Idaho Three more Spokane County residents have died from swine flu, and a death in North Idaho also is being investigated as a possible H1N1 case, public health officials announced Thursday. … 3

October 15, 2009 in Idaho The 45-year-old rape victim walked to the witness box Thursday leaning on her cane. In a halting, slurred voice, she told the court that she was irreparably damaged by what … 2

October 15, 2009 in Idaho A Naples, Idaho, sawmill employing 93 workers is being shuttered in December and its workers laid off indefinitely. 3

October 15, 2009 in City The judiciary in Washington is exempt from public disclosure requirements under the state’s Public Records Act, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday, creating what a critic called a “huge black … 2

October 15, 2009 in Nation/World Lawmakers are trying to extend and expand an $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers, a stimulus-package tax break that many regard as a significant prop for the still-tottering economy.

October 15, 2009 in City Washington’s secretary of state can release the names and addresses of people who signed petitions calling for a public vote on the state’s expanded benefits for domestic partners, a federal … 2

October 15, 2009 in City Many drivers renewing their license tabs are allowing $5 donations to go to Washington state parks. The state collected $1.4 million in September, the first month the opt-out system took …

October 15, 2009 in Idaho Idaho State Police are asking for witnesses who may have seen a two-vehicle crash late Wednesday at U.S. Highway 95 and Dalton Avenue.

October 15, 2009 in City, Idaho Drier weather today and Friday will give the Inland Northwest a break in a weather pattern that is likely to bring more wet Pacific storms through next week.

October 15, 2009 in City Lindaman’s Gourmet-to-Go, 1235 S. Grand Blvd., was robbed Wednesday night as an employee was leaving to walk home about 10 p.m., Spokane police said. 5

  October 15, 2009 in Idaho Read the Bonner County law enforcement log for Oct. 14 and Oct. 15, 2009.

October 15, 2009 in City on Page A1 Spokane County could lay off as many as 250 employees next year to close a projected $10.5 million gap between expected tax collections and its current budget. County officials are … 5

October 15, 2009 in City on Page A1 The horse may be heading back to the barn. At least Bob Nelson might put it that way. Nelson, owner of Nelson Securities, said Wednesday’s news that the Dow Jones …

October 15, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Wednesday attempted to pre-empt the announcement that Social Security recipients will not see an increase in their benefit checks for the first time in …

October 15, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A2 Fueled by a crackdown on the use of overseas bank accounts as tax havens, about 7,500 people have voluntarily disclosed such accounts to the Internal Revenue Service and agreed to …

October 15, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 BISMARCK, N.D. – The missile wing commander at North Dakota’s Minot Air Force Base was relieved of his command Wednesday after a series of missteps at the unit, including two … 2

October 15, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Days after the insurance lobby began an aggressive campaign against a Senate plan to overhaul the nation’s health-care system, senior Democrats fired back, threatening Wednesday to revoke the …