Lowe's Cos. (LOW) is shutting 20 stores and greatly slowing future openings in an effort to improve its profitability. The closings affect about 1,950 employees, and the home-improvement retailer will book a related second-quarter charge of $345 million to $415 million, or 17 cents to 20 cents a share. The company now expects to open 10 to 15 stores a year in North America from 2012 forward, down from its prior assumption of about 30 stores a year. Lowe's will open about 25 stores this year, as planned, having already committed to the sites. Lowe's closed 10 stores on Sunday and said it would shut 10 more within a month/Wall Street Journal. More here.

Question: Which box hardware store do you prefer in Coeur d'Alene — Lowe's or Home Depot?

Police say a Spokane Valley man suspected of robbery made it easy for them on Sunday: He let employees copy his driver’s license number before leaving the store.

But Delano Edward Jennings, 47, was ordered released from jail Monday because prosecutors didn’t have the necessary documents from police.

Jennings was arrested after he left Home Depot, 5617 E. Sprague Ave., with a stolen electric fan and carpet shampoo, then punched a security guard in the face when confronted in the parking lot, according to police.

The guard had watched Jennings hand his driver’s license to another employee while exchanging items prior to the theft, police said.

Jennings fled eastbound with the stolen items, but the store still had a copy of his driver’s license number.

Spokane Valley police Officer Mike McNees remembered a domestic violence incident that was investigated at Jennings’ apartment a day earlier and alerted other officers, who located him at the home about 9 p.m.

Jennings was arrested on the robbery charge but left jail because prosecutors didn’t have a probable cause affidavit from police. Superior Court Judge Michael Price warned him that charges likely will eventually be filed.

Jennings is a felon with previous convictions for bail jumping, theft and delivery of cocaine.

It seems that following in the footsteps of greatness, in this case two-time NASCAR champion, Tony Stewart, or any other well-known driver is a tough job. Imagine for a moment being youngster Joey Logano who is closer to falling out of the top-35 guranteed starting positions than winning titles at this point in his career. Motorsports columnist Cathy Elliott gives us reasons to believe time may still be on young Joe’s side.