Week in review

Monday

A small but growing segment of businesses and home computer users are turning to private-label ink cartridges for their printers. The trend poses a threat to printer manufacturers, which make more money from selling cartridges than they do selling printers.

Tuesday

Developer Walt Worthy sold his last remaining office building, the Wells Fargo tower in downtown Spokane, leaving him to concentrate on running the Davenport Hotel and finishing construction of the Davenport Tower. Prium Spokane Buildings LLC, of Tacoma, purchased the Wells Fargo building for $25.7 million. The 17-story tower once was the headquarters of the Farm Credit Bank in Spokane, then became the head office of Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities.

Wednesday

A 7.7 percent increase in health insurance premiums nationally was the smallest increase since 1999. But it was likely little comfort to employers and workers who’ve seen premiums rise a cumulative 87 percent since 2000, compared with a 20 percent rise in wages.

Thursday

Spokane law firm Lee & Hayes has helped launch a 20-person consulting company in India that will provde patent-related services to companies developing new products in that country. The new firm is called Bluefile.

Friday

The Spokane Neighborhood Economic Development Alliance and Community Frameworks, both Spokane nonprofits, are forming a new property development company that will rehab multi-story buildings for low-income housing with ground-floor commercial and retail spaces. The groups landed a $700,000 federal grant to jump-start the effort.

“Dereck Starks, Spokane’s airport security chief, has been named federal security chief for Chicago’s Midway Airport. A successor to Starks in Spokane hasn’t been named.