Briefcase

Home sales improve in Spokane County

Homes sales in Spokane County surged in March compared with February, but remained behind the level for March 2009, when a federal homebuyer tax credit was available.

Buyers closed on 307 sales compared with 190 in February, according to the Spokane Association of Realtors. The average price was $162,187, down from $166,418 in February and $182,234 a year earlier.

The median price was $154,000, ahead of the $150,000 for February but below the $160,000 of a year ago.

Sales and prices were down for the first quarter compared with the 2009 period, when the tax credit was stimulating sales.

So far this year 681 homes have sold, a 14 percent drop from 2009, and average and median prices both declined.

The number of listings increased slightly over February, to 2,738, but were still down significantly from the 3,335 of a year ago.

Bert Caldwell

Session to explore growth for health science industry

LaunchPad Inland Northwest, in partnership with several area groups, will host a Tuesday session to look at growth opportunities for the region’s health science industry.

The event will run 1 to 5 p.m. at the South Campus Facility Court of the Riverpoint Higher Education Center, 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. A networking event will follow until 7 p.m.

From 1 to 2:30 p.m., former Spokesman-Review business reporter Luke Timmerman will give a keynote talk on health science innovations.

Reservations are required, with admission costing $15.

For further information, go to www.launchpadinw.com/events.

Tom Sowa

Rescue loans for Portugal estimated at $114 billion

GODOLLO, Hungary – Europe’s top financial officials said Friday that Portugal will need around $114 billion in rescue loans, but a tense election campaign in the debt-ridden country is set to complicate reaching a deal with opposing political parties.

A full-fledged adjustment program should be in place by mid-May, allowing Portugal to meet huge bond repayments in June.

Associated Press

Johnson & Johnson settles charges for $70 million

WASHINGTON – Health care giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $70 million to settle civil and criminal charges of bribing doctors in Europe and paying kickbacks to the Iraqi government to illegally obtain business.

The Securities and Exchange Commission said Friday that the company settled the charges with the agency and the Justice Department without admitting or denying guilt.

Associated Press

Toyota blames earthquake for one-day shutdowns

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday that it will suspend production at its North American plants in a series of one-day shutdowns this month as a result of parts shortages caused by the earthquake that hit Japan.

The temporary shutdowns will affect 25,000 workers, but there will be no layoffs.

Associated Press