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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Week in review


More and more people are turning to text messaging with their cell phones as a means of communicating.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review

Monday

Text-messaging via cell phones has become a powerful method of communication, with nearly 65 billion sent in the first half of 2006, nearly double the number sent during the same period last year.

Tuesday

Work has begun on a $1.6 million upgrade to Avista Stadium, home of the Spokane Indians. The improvements will replace aging concrete and replace and repair general-seat bleachers.

Wednesday

Potlatch CEO Mike Covey warned analysts that he’s expecting more shakeout in the wood-products industry, as demand for lumber falls due to a slowdown nationally in the housing market. Covey said mills will have to adjust downward their output; he also said Potlach plans to reduce its log harvest by 5 percent to 10 percent.

“More than one in four Americans say their financial information has been stolen, sometimes by someone they knew, a survey found.

Thursday

Avista Corp. reported a $10.1 million profit for the third quarter, attributing most of the gain to the performance of the company’s energy-trading arm. A year ago, Avista lost $9 million during the same period.

Itron Inc. reported a third-quarter profit of $9.2 million, up 53 percent from the same period last year. Sales increased 17 percent to $164.7 million.

Friday

SRM Development LLC, of Spokane, is in the preliminary planning phases for a two-tower condo project at the YWCA site, north of the Spokane River. While details aren’t finalized and a definitive price tag hasn’t been established, the project is expected to exceed $100 million in cost.