Potlatch Vs. Beloit Trial Starts In Lewiston

Attorneys from law firms in New York, Chicago and San Francisco today begin choosing jurors in a massive $130 million lawsuit in Lewiston that pits the community’s largest employer against a Wisconsin manufacturer.

The case is so large that crews have installed 20 extra electrical outlets in the Nez Perce County Courthouse in Lewiston and copying businesses have hired extra hands to handle the load.

Potlatch Corp. filed the suit in 1995 against Beloit Corp. of Beloit, Wis. Potlatch claims Beloit sold the wood products company defective washers when Potlatch was modernizing its giant pulp mill a few years ago.

In other events this week:

Monday:

Superior Court Judge Kathleen O’Connor hears summary judgment motions at 2:30 p.m. on lawsuits challenging the legality of city’s participation in downtown Spokane’s River Park Square project.

Condemnation trial scheduled to open in Spokane County Superior Court to determine how much taxpayers should pay for private land on south bank of the Spokane River that’s needed for the proposed Lincoln Street Bridge.

Coeur d’Alene Tribe holds public meeting on grass field burning at the tribal bingo hall north of Worley on U.S. Highway 95.

Sixth International World Wide Web conference opens in Santa Clara, Calif.

Federal Reserve releases February consumer credit.

Columbia University in New York announces Pulitzer Prizes.

Tuesday

Consumer Credit Counseling Service presents a workshop on “Home Buying in Today’s Market” at 6 p.m. at 1912 N. Division. Cost: $20. 327-3777.

National Association of Home Builders releases new and existing home prices by metro area for fourth quarter.

Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga., rolls out its new F-22 fighter jet for the Air Force.

Thursday

Business After Hours opens at 5:15 p.m. at Presentation Graphics, 915 W. Second. Cost: $5. Call 459-4111.

Friday

John Morrison, executive director of the Spokane International Airport, speaks at the Good Morning Spokane Area event at 7:30 a.m. at the Shilo Inn. Cost: $10 prepaid; $15 at the door. Call 459-4111.

Mayor Jack Geraghty and a Spokane trade delegation return from week-long trip to Japan.

Washington Department of Agriculture holds public hearing on proposed rules to forbid the sale, transportation and planting of seed lentils from Canadian provinces and states infected with the plant disease, anthracnose, at 1 p.m. at 910 N. Ash St. Call Mary Toohey at 360-902-1907.

Dave Roseleip of the Washington Ag-Forestry Educational Foundation, speaks at noon to the Spokane Ag Bureau at the Stockyards Inn Restaurant, 3827 E. Boone.

Sunday

Scheduled last day of skiing at Schweitzer Resort. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Sales tax receipts

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, April 7: Cover story explains why Toyota Motor Corp.’s $13 billion expansion may turn it into the world’s premier automaker.

Inc. Magazine, April: Cover story critiques Peter van Stolk, founder of Vancouver, B.C.-based Urban Juice & Soda and Jones Soda, and his plans to transform his company into a beverage-brand creator.

Depend on it The 10 most dependable cars and trucks after four or five years of ownership, according to J.D. Power and Associates. 1. Lexus 2. Cadillac 3. Audi 4. Infiniti 5. Lincoln 6. Acura 7. Mercedes-Benz 8. Honda 9. Buick 10. Toyota