Becky Kramer

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News >  Business

Spokane County home sales rise 22 percent in January

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 12, 2018

Spokane County home sales got off to a rapid start in January, with a 22 percent gain in sales compared to a year ago.

News >  Business

Vandervert Construction permanently closes

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 9, 2018

Vandervert Construction, a Spokane-based general contractor that built hotels, banks and stores throughout the Pacific Northwest, has closed for good.

News >  Spokane

Steve Forbes brings folksy talk on economics to Gonzaga

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 8, 2018

Publisher Steve Forbes gave a folksy talk on economics at Gonzaga University Wednesday night, mixing observations about capitalism and free markets with dating and investment advice for millennials.

News >  Business

Spokane-based Vandervert Construction placed in receivership

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 9, 2018

Vandervert Construction Inc., a Spokane-based general contractor responsible for numerous projects throughout the Pacific Northwest during the past 40 years, has been placed in receivership.

News >  Business

Ag Expo begins three-day run Tuesday at Spokane Convention Center

Sun., Feb. 4, 2018

If you’ve ever wanted to shoot the breeze with some of the region’s farmers, stop by the Spokane Convention Center this week. The three-day

News >  Business

From combines on ice to a lonely buffalo, Myrna O’Leary retiring after overseeing ‘30 great shows’

Sun., Feb. 4, 2018

Myrna O’Leary is retiring this year as director of the Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Farm Forum. She’s been involved with the show for 30 years, which brings about 5,000 farmers, exhibitors and other agricultural experts to town.

News >  Business

Kalispel Tribe buys stake in investment banking company

Wed., Jan. 31, 2018

The Kalispel Tribe is diversifying its holdings by buying a stake in an African-American owned investment banker, Blaylock Van LLC.

News >  Business

Salad dressing maker Litehouse unveils Sandpoint expansion amid continued sales growth

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 2, 2018

On Wednesday, brothers Doug and Edward Hawkins Jr. were back at the site to celebrate Litehouse Inc.’s latest expansion. From humble beginnings, the company has grown into a business with annual sales of more than $280 million, and more than 1,000 employees.

News >  Spokane

Spokane influence played out in recommendation against Vancouver Energy Terminal

Mon., Jan. 29, 2018

Gov. Jay Inslee’s decision to reject a permit for a massive oil-by-rail terminal along the Columbia River was influenced by local residents’ worries about the potential for an oil train derailment in Spokane.

News >  Business

Rate reduction for Avista’s natural gas customers takes effect

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 26, 2018

Avista customers will pay less for natural gas this winter as a result of lower wholesale prices.

News >  Business

Banner Corp. reports 4Q loss, cites one-time tax expense

Thu., Jan. 25, 2018

The parent company of Banner Bank reported $13.5 million in fourth-quarter losses, which officials attributed to a one-time tax expense.

News >  Business

Spokane metro area added more than 5,000 new jobs in 2017

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 23, 2018

For the third year in a row, the Spokane metro area added more than 5,000 new jobs in 2017. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.5 percent.

News >  Business

Providence executive Elaine Couture named to Federal Reserve Bank branch board

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 23, 2018

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has appointed Providence St. Joseph executive Elaine Couture to the board of directors of its Seattle branch.

News >  Business

Spokane-based Ecova rebrands as Engie Insight

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 23, 2018

Ecova, a Spokane company that helps Fortune 500 companies manage their energy and water use, has a new name that more closely aligns with its parent company.

News >  Business

Steve Forbes to speak at Gonzaga in visit sponsored by College Republicans

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 22, 2018

Steve Forbes will speak at Gonzaga University on Feb. 7 in a visit sponsored by the university’s College Republicans.

News >  Business

Kootenai County adds 900 jobs in 2017

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 19, 2018

Kootenai County added 900 jobs last year, a gain that occurred despite skilled labor shortages in the area.

News >  Business

Competitive market for Spokane-area homebuyers will persist into 2018

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 19, 2018

Spokane County’s residential real estate market took home buyers on a wild ride last year. Prices were up; inventory was down. The competitive market will persist into 2018, Realtors predict.

News >  Business

Utility customers could get breaks on electric, gas bills from federal tax reform

Fri., Jan. 19, 2018

State regulators in Washington and Idaho are requiring investor-owned utilities to report anticipated savings from changes in the corporate tax rate. Any savings should be reflected in lower bills for customers, regulators say.

News >  Spokane

Spokane among ‘Cities on the Rise,’ according to National Geographic Traveler magazine

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 16, 2018

Spokane made National Geographic Traveler’s list of best U.S. small cities, earning high marks as a “hipster friendly” and “caffeinated” urban area.

News >  Business

Hard-wired for hardware: John Montandon turned after-school job into a 64-year career

Tue., Jan. 16, 2018

Sherman Hardware, a long-time family business in Coeur d’Alene, will close at the end of January. Owner John Montandon is retiring.

News >  Business

Local banks had strong stock performance in 2017

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 12, 2018

Banks were top performers among local publicly traded companies last year. Rising interest rates and regional business expansion led to growth in the banks’ share prices.

News >  Business

Hecla Mining reports second-highest silver production in history

Wed., Jan. 10, 2018

Hecla Mining company produced the second-highest volume of silver in its 126-year history in 2017, despite an ongoing strike at the Lucky Friday Mine.

News >  Business

Former Fasteners executive denies wire fraud charges, says he didn’t use company money for personal expenses

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 10, 2018

A former executive of Fasteners disputes that he used company money for personal purchases, and says he’ll vigorously defend himself against the allegations in a grand jury indictment.

News >  Business

Spokane County home sales dip in December; prices rise

Tue., Jan. 9, 2018

The inventory of homes for sale in Spokane County remains tight, which is putting pressure on prices. The median sales price in December was $215,000.

News >  Business

Former Fasteners CFO indicted on allegations of using company money for personal use

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 10, 2018

A former employee of Fasteners Inc. has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly using company money to pay for his children’s college tuition, a guided hunting trip and home improvements.