Week in review

Monday

Online retailers are employing a battery of tactics this holiday season to make sure shoppers click the “buy” button when they visit Web sites.

Tuesday

Potlatch Corp. plans to sell off about 100,000 acres of its Idaho timberland during the next decade to cash in on the rising real estate value of that property.

“An explosion destroyed three townhouse units in Allentown, Pa., after a subcontractor hired by Liberty Lake-based Itron Inc. made mistakes while installing automated natural gas metering equipment.

“ The Northwest Mining Association‘s leaders say there’s a good chance the organization will return to Nevada to hold its annual convention in 2008. The NWMA has held its event in Spokane since its inception, but moved the convention to Reno this year to be closer to the nation’s mining activity. It will return to Spokane next year.

Wednesday

F&M Bank, a Spokane institution that celebrated its 100th year in business this year, will be sold to Banner Bank in a stock deal valued at $98.8 million.

“Avista Corp. is selling shares of common stock out of the corporate treasury for the first time in 23 years as part of a financing plan that raised about $220 million.

Thursday

A Boeing Co. laptop containing the names and Social Security numbers of 382,000 workers and retirees has been stolen, putting the employees at risk for identity theft and credit-card fraud.

“Given rising metal prices, the pennies and nickels in your pocket are worth more melted than their face value. The U.S. Mint is putting into place rules to prohibit the melting down of 1-cent and 5-cent coins.

Friday

Soaring corn prices are squeezing meat and milk producers, but consumers will not necessarily see higher prices at the grocery checkout, the U.S. agriculture secretary said.