Week in review

Monday

The volume of spam e-mails grows despite advances in combatting it. Symantec says the volume has grown 22 percent in the last four months alone.

Tuesday

Comcast Corp. announced that cable television rates paid by Spokane-area customers would rise by an average of 6 percent next year. Rates for different levels of service will rise by different amounts, or in some cases, not at all. Comcast said it will notify customers of the new rates for the specific services they receive.

“The Spokane Society of Young Professionals, founded two years ago, now has about 200 members.

Wednesday

Beginning Jan. 23, travelers who are flying into the United States from Mexico, Canada or Bermuda will require a passport. Travel agents are recommending, however, that travelers who will be taking cruises originating in U.S. waters obtain passports as well, in case they have to fly home in an emergency.

“Some regional shopping malls reported strong sales the day after Thanksgiving, the traditional kick-off of the holiday shopping season. The J.C. Penney store at Spokane Valley Mall experienced the highest sales for a single day since the store opened a decade ago.

“A Spokane-based satellite television service, Regal Satellite, and an affiliated cancer charity must pay almost $20,000 in state fines and fees for violating telemarketing laws.

Thursday

A Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for Pullman is getting another round of judicial reviews. The Pullman Alliance for Responsible Development has filed a second appeal of the city’s approval of plans for the 223,000-square-foot store.

Friday

Owners of the Village Centre Cinemas at Wandermere are planning an 8- or 10-screen cinema complex in the West Plains area. The new cinema could be built on land on the south side of U.S. Highway 2, near Airway Heights’ eastern border. A decision will be made in the spring on whether the project will move forward.