Stories by Thomas Clouse for the Spokesman-Review

News > Business

Maker of iconic Washington candy Aplets and Cotlets to close

UPDATED: Fri., March 19, 2021

The fourth-generation family business that make the iconic Aplets and Cotlets candies will be closing up shop in Cashmere this spring after failing to find a buyer for the company.

News > Business

State completes audit of disputed herd; records show no discrepancies at Easterday operation

UPDATED: Wed., March 17, 2021

A review of state brand inspection records has failed to find any discrepancies that would explain how one of the nation's largest meat packers could have lost 200,000 cattle through business dealings with a Mesa-based rancher.

News > Business

Idaho furniture company opens location in downtown Spokane

UPDATED: Mon., March 15, 2021

A Boise-based commercial furniture dealer has opened a new showroom in Spokane at 408 W. Third Ave.

News > Business

Hurting in the material world: Supply chain, increasing costs creating havoc with construction industry

Sun., March 14, 2021

The same material costs that have plagued homebuilders in the Spokane area also are creating havoc with large-commercial construction companies across the country.

News > Business

Unemployment claims continue to drop in the state, Spokane County

UPDATED: Fri., March 12, 2021

Signs of an economic rebound continued this week as fewer workers in Spokane County and Washington state filed for initial unemployment claims while those with existing benefits also ended the support.

News > Business

Local businesses find success during pandemic chaos

UPDATED: Sat., March 20, 2021

Spiceology CEO Chip Overstreet was getting ready last year to welcome five new employees to the staff of his Spokane-based spice-and-rub company that specializes in finding new and exciting flavors.

News > Business

Washington launches investigation into 200,000 missing cows at center of bankruptcy, legal fight

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 4, 2021

The Washington Department of Agriculture has launched an investigation into how 200,000 cows at the center of a massive fraud allegation made against a Pasco ranching operation may have slipped through its inspection process.

News > Business

Spokane attorney files suit for social media site Parler against Amazon

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 12, 2021

A Spokane attorney is leading the legal fight in federal court by the conservative-friendly social network, Parler, which was booted off the internet over ties to last week's deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol.

News

‘Stop the Steal’ protesters stay peaceful in Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 7, 2021

A Spokane resident stood in the rain Wednesday with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle strapped to his shoulder as a parade of President Donald Trump supporters rolled along Broadway Avenue waving flags, honking and yelling support for each other.

News > Spokane

Women of the Year: Attorney Toni Meacham blends love of the law with love of ranch life

UPDATED: Tue., Oct. 26, 2021

When 73-year-old rancher Walter "Sonny" Riley faced federal officials in 2018 who alleged he was allowing his cattle to graze on public land, he knew the attorney he needed to call: Toni Meacham.

News > Business

Questions remain after settlement with contractors, the second-largest ever at Hanford

UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 23, 2020

When federal prosecutors want to root out fraud from a complex web of contractors and subcontractors that take in the river of money that flows into the decades-old cleanup at Hanford Nuclear Reservation, federal prosecutors turn to a law enacted during the Civil War.

News

Hanford contractors to pay $58 million to settle claims of overbilling federal government

UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 23, 2020

Federal prosecutors from Spokane announced Tuesday they have reached a $58 million settlement with two major contractors who acknowledged they improperly billed the government for thousands of hours not worked at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near Richland.

Whitney Fire grows to 130,000 acres leaving devastation behind

UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 9, 2020

Seventy-six-year old Jim Hoffman fought the smoldering fire Wednesday with a pitchfork. He was trying to keep the 130,000-acre Whitney Fire from crossing Seven Springs Dairy Road.

News

Lincoln County wildfire burned 100,000 acres; blaze still uncontrolled

UPDATED: Wed., Sept. 9, 2020

DAVENPORT – The scene in Lincoln County remained a smoldering mess Tuesday as crews struggled against the massive Whitney Road Fire.

News > Real Estate

Fire rages through Malden, leaving much of the small farming town in ruins

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 2, 2021

Numerous buildings and homes in the town of Malden in northern Whitman County were destroyed Monday as a wildfire raged through the town.

News

First male Asian giant hornet caught in northwest Washington

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 18, 2020

While its lore remains more rampant than its actual spread, the Washington State Department of Agriculture has announced the first capture of a male Asian giant hornet in one of about 450 traps concentrated in the extreme northwest region of the state where other sighting have been confirmed.

News

Spokane doctors’ $191 million bankruptcy denied after judge rules they lied

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 17, 2020

A U.S. Bankruptcy judge last week denied the Chapter 7 petition filed by a pair of Spokane doctors, who initially sought protection for debts they claimed were $191 million, after the couple lied about their finances and the judge ruled that the their "failure to provide accurate information was knowing and fraudulent."

News > Business

Restaurants and hoteliers from Pullman to Spokane to feel sting of no fall football

Sun., Aug. 16, 2020

PULLMAN – Teresa Becker stood Thursday in front of the rows of empty rooms, painted gray with crimson doors, that just days before had been full with students and parents trying to navigate Washington State University’s start of a school year that mostly will include no students in classrooms.

News > Business

Pandemic hammers Spokane hotel industry

UPDATED: Fri., July 31, 2020

With coronavirus cases continuing to climb, one of the hardest hit industries in the Spokane region has again begun to shed employees who are not needed for empty rooms, unused ballrooms and canceled events that are no longer bringing visitors to the Lilac City.

News > Business

Small airports in Idaho and Washington get federal funds

UPDATED: Wed., July 1, 2020

Several small area airports, from Wilbur to Bonners Ferry, will receive federal grants for upgrades, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

News > Business

Congressional changes to payroll program come late in process for some

UPDATED: Tue., June 9, 2020

Congress last week approved changes sought by small business advocates to give owners more flexibility about how they could use the Payroll Protection Program money. However, those changes came just as some local business owners reached the deadline for spending the funding.

News > Spokane

White Elephant owners ending 74-year legacy in Spokane

Sun., June 7, 2020

The history of the White Elephant stores mirrors the story of Spokane: A somewhat unconventional place that provides nearly everything that matters, at an affordable price. The owners are closing the iconic stores.

News > Business

Bloem exits River Park Square for new location in Spokane

Wed., June 3, 2020

One of the founding tenants of River Park Square has set up shop at a new downtown location that will allow the owners of Bloem Flowers, Chocolates and Paperie to write a new chapter for their 43-year-old family business.

News > Spokane

Asian giant hornet found this week in Northwest Washington

Fri., May 29, 2020

Washington agriculture officials announced Friday that the state has its first confirmed siting of the Asian giant hornet this year.

News > Washington

Asian giant hornet found this week in Northwest Washington

UPDATED: Fri., May 29, 2020

Washington agriculture officials announced Friday that the state has its first confirmed sighting of the Asian giant hornet this year.

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