Bert Caldwell

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Bargain Hunters Find Wheatland Davenport Bank’s Low Visa Card Interest Rate Triggers Flurry Of Calls

Wed., Oct. 23, 1996

The Internet has snagged little Wheatland Bank. A Visa card offered by the Davenport-based institution turned up last summer on a cyber-list of those charging the least interest and no annual fee.

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Wwp Posts Big Increase In Earnings Wholesale Electricity Sales Help Lift Third-Quarter Profit

Wed., Oct. 23, 1996

Washington Water Power Co.'s wholesale electricity business brightened normally lackluster third-quarter earnings, the utility announced Tuesday. Revenues increased almost 40 percent to $219.8 million, of which $63.5 million was generated in wholesale markets where WWP has emerged as a leading player.

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Uncertainties Spoil Itron’s Party Deregulation Jitters Paralyze Utilities, Slow Orders

Sun., Oct. 20, 1996

Itron Inc. has primped for a party, but finds itself at the window searching for the guests. The Spokane maker of automated meter-reading systems for utility companies has developed state-of-the-art products.

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Local Firm, Eddie Bauer Plan Venture

Wed., Oct. 16, 1996

Fans of Eddie Bauer clothing and gear will soon be able to show off purchases from the famed Seattle outfitter at locales from the Galapagos Islands to the Alps, thanks to a new pact with Spokane-based Ambassador Programs. Eddie Bauer Travel will be launched next month with catalog inserts and direct mailings to the retailer's Vibram-heeled clientele, said Ambassador President Jeff Thomas.

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Karen Marshall International Trade Alliance Director Takes A Global View Of Spokanes’s Potential

Mon., Oct. 14, 1996

Karen Marshall is blazing a trail that could lead the world to Spokane. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

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Aarp Forum To Explore Road To Financial Security

Wed., Oct. 9, 1996

Telemarketing fraud has become a $40 billion industry, and more than half the victims are senior citizens, a former investigator with the Washington Attorney General's Office said Tuesday. Doug Shadel, now an educator with the American Association of Retired Persons' Seattle office, said retirees are targeted because they are easily contacted at their homes, have money and, most importantly, are trusting.

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Eagle, Gold Reserve Top Index; Egghead Takes Fall

Sat., Oct. 5, 1996

Stocks of companies based in the Inland Northwest figured highly and lowly in the Dain Bosworth Pacific Northwest 100 stock index in the quarter that ended Monday. Gold Reserve, which closed at $13.13, polished off the three-month period with a 72 percent increase. The mining company has reported ever higher estimated reserves at its Venezuela concessions.

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New Council May Improve State’s Business Climate Seafirst President Says Agency Could Lessen Political Influence

Fri., Oct. 4, 1996

Insights gleaned from a new Economic Climate Council will help remove some of the politics from decision-making that affects Washington businesses, Seafirst Bank President John Rindlaub said Thursday. And, he told downtown Rotarians, they should help increase the options available to officials trying to attract new businesses or retain old ones.

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New Law Mixed Bag For Thrifts Sterling Will Take Charges

Thu., Oct. 3, 1996

New federal legislation will improve the competitive position of the nation's savings and loan institutions, Sterling Financial Corp. Senior Vice President Heidi Stanley said Wednesday. But there will be near-term pain, she said, as the thrifts take charges against their earnings to cover one-time payments into the fund that insures deposits.

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Local Utilities Rush To Adapt To Competitive Climate

Fri., Sept. 27, 1996

Inland Power & Light Co. members will save an average $10 per month on their electricity bills starting Oct. 1, Assistant Manager Dave Clinton said Thursday. A 12 percent rate decrease - the first in decades - also will position the Spokane-based cooperative for the more competitive energy marketplace that lies ahead, he said.

Fixer-Upper Project Just Keeps Going And Going

Thu., Sept. 26, 1996

Paul Andrews has been busy the past four years expanding and remodeling his home. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

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Qual-Med Changes Will Trim Jobs Here

Wed., Sept. 25, 1996

Restructuring at Qual-Med Health Plan could cut 30 jobs in Spokane, the executive director for Inland Northwest operations said Tuesday. Dave Anderson said Qual-Med, based in Pueblo, Colo., is still reviewing options that could affect operations in several states.

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Callers Slamming Phone Companies Long-Distance Users Get Cash For Switching, Then Get Cash To Switch Back

Sun., Sept. 22, 1996

Teddie Howey received a $100 AT&T; check, but didn't change phone companies. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

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Phone Firm Seeks Protection From Rivals

Sun., Sept. 22, 1996

While companies battle for long-distance customers, federal legislation may stifle competition for local telephone service in much of the Inland Northwest. If so, customers may not see the lower rates and other benefits the landmark telecommunications bill is supposed to nurture through deregulation.

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State’s Small Firms Ignore Trade Potential Official Says Many Are Missing Out On Golden Opportunities

Sat., Sept. 21, 1996

Washington's small businesses are missing the boat on international trade, says one of the state's top trade officials. John Anderson, the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development's program director for Canada and Mexico, said too many people think free trade is only for multinational corporations.

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Olivetti Operation Skirts Woes Distance, Profits Insulate Plant From Parent’s Trouble

Wed., Sept. 18, 1996

Distance and steady profitability have insulated Spokane-based Olivetti North America from the woes besetting its Italian parent, Chairman Ted DeMerritt said Tuesday. But concerns about Olivetti SpA's mounting problems have increased, he said, and a previously arranged travel itinerary was expanded to include additional visits with customers.

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Firms Alter Zero-Interest Advertising

Tue., Sept. 17, 1996

Montgomery Ward, Tandy and two other retailers have agreed to pay fines and change their advertising to settle an investigation by 23 states into zero-interest loans the companies offer. Washington will receive $100,000 to pay legal fees and other costs stemming from yearlong negotiations that also involved Best Buy and CompUSA.

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Group Health Discusses Merger With Giant Hmo Joining With Kaiser Permanente Wouldn’t Affect Care, Officials Say

Sat., Sept. 14, 1996

Group Health Northwest would become part of the nation's largest health-maintenance organization if talks disclosed Friday lead to a merger with Kaiser Permanente. But officials said a consolidation, should one occur, would not affect the care received by Group Health members.

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Itron Stock Tumbles 28 Percent Projected Loss For Third Quarter Sparks Massive Sell-Off

Thu., Sept. 12, 1996

Itron Inc. stock plunged Wednesday after the Spokane company said it likely will lose money in the third quarter. The price of a share fell $8 to $21 - a 28 percent drop - on volume of 827,000. That's 10 times the normal trading activity.

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New Wwp Subsidiary Cleared To Market Power Company Gearing Up To Begin Operations By End Of The Year

Thu., Sept. 12, 1996

A new Washington Water Power Co. subsidiary received permission from federal authorities on Wednesday to buy and sell electricity anywhere in the United States. WWP Resource Services Inc. a name change is in the works - will be in business by the end of the year, said Alan Meyers, who is acting as temporary vice president.

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Kathy Miktuk Energetic Advocate Of Conservation Efforts Helps Businesses Earn Green

Mon., Sept. 9, 1996

Kathy Miktuk in front of a video she uses to recruit and inform local businesses about the Green Star program. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

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Capitalism Serves South Korea Well

Sat., Sept. 7, 1996

South Korean Ambassador Kuh Woo Park, center, chats with Davenport Hotel Executive Director Jeffrey Ng, far right, and former Spokane Mayor Sheri Barnard, who now works for the Davenport. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

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Banks Plan To Require Thumbprint New Policy Intended To Deter Attempts To Cash Bad Checks

Sat., Aug. 31, 1996

Washington banks will soon be turning thumbs down on any non-customers who want to cash checks. Starting Sept. 16, U.S. Bank of Washington and KeyBank will require non-customers who submit checks for cashing to place their thumbprint on the back before receiving any money.

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Ladder Keeps Fund Manager At Top Of Heap

Sat., Aug. 31, 1996

Brian McMahon likens his task to that of a quarterback who runs just one play - over and over and over. Boring? Maybe. But according to Morningstar Inc., the mutual fund rating service, McMahon's execution has produced 108 consecutive touchdowns.

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Fuel Supply Is Adequate, Conoco Says

Thu., Aug. 29, 1996

Rumors to the contrary, there is no shortage of fuel or competition among suppliers in the Spokane market, Conoco's manager of supply and distribution for the West said Wednesday. Jennie Baker said Conoco and other companies that provide gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products to the Inland Northwest have increased deliveries by 12 percent in the last 18 months despite disruptions in the pipeline from Billings, Mont.