Business briefs: Court says Yelp can lower nonadvertisers’ ratings

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal appeals court says online review site Yelp can lower or raise the rating of a business depending on whether it advertises with the company.

Yelp has denied it does that, saying it uses an automated system to cull reviews that determine ratings.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday in a lawsuit that even if Yelp manipulated reviews to penalize businesses, the practice would not constitute extortion.

The court said businesses do not have a right to positive reviews on Yelp, and that the San Francisco-based company can seek payments for its advertising.

European Central Bank cuts rate, buying assets

The European Central Bank surprised investors Thursday by cutting its benchmark interest rate to a record low and announcing a new stimulus program that involves buying financial assets, a bid to salvage a weak economic recovery.

In a press conference, ECB President Mario Draghi said the bank would start purchases of private sector financial assets in October.

The program aims to make credit cheaper, helping investment and growth at a time when the economy of the 18-country eurozone has stalled. The economy did not grow at all in the second quarter, raising fears of a triple-dip recession.

Idaho Avista rate plan open for comments

Avista’s Idaho customers have until Sept. 15 to comment on the utility’s request to raise electric rates by 4.2 percent on Oct. 1.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is examining the request, which Avista officials say is necessary because the utility spent $7.8 million more on electricity for Idaho customers than it recovered through rates last year.

A six-month outage at the Colstrip coal plant in Montana contributed to higher electricity costs, utility officials said. They also cited costs related to the opening of the Palouse wind farm, a growth in residential electrical demand and the expiration of a rebate.

If the Public Utilities Commission approves Avista’s request, a typical household’s monthly electric bill would rise from $81.88 to $85.83.

Comments will be accepted at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “Case Comment Form,” under the electric heading. The case number (AVU-E-14-06). Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.

INHS chief to retire after 16 years at helm

Tom Fritz, chief executive officer of Inland Northwest Health Services, announced he will retire on Dec. 31.

Fritz has led the nonprofit medical services company for more than 16 years. During his tenure, INHS has grown to more than 1,000 employees.

The organization has a number of units, including air ambulance service Northwest MedStar; St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute; an information resource management group provides consulting and technology services to medical groups and hospitals nationwide; along with Northwest Telehealth and Community Wellness.

Providence Health Care controls the nonprofit INHS. Plans to replace Fritz have not been settled, said Ron Wells, chair of the INHS board of directors.

In a statement, Fritz said, “I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented and committed employees, board members and community partners. This has been a rewarding experience, and I could not think of a better organization to spend the majority of my career in.”