Week in review

Monday

A Spokane grandfather has turned to YouTube to maintain a connection with his far-away grandkids, filming short videos and posting them to that popular Web site. Ray Tansy calls his efforts “Gramp-a-Grams.”

Tuesday

An increasing number of the nation’s largest retailers are looking to squeeze impulse buys out of customers by offering candy, gum and mints at their cash registers. Home Depot just joined those ranks, giving a boost to the candy industry’s efforts to open what it calls “alternative” channels.

•The federal government filed civil charges against former Fannie Mae chief Franklin Raines and two other top executives, accusing them of misconduct costing shareholders billions of dollars.

Wednesday

The region’s three largest hospitals have written off patient bills totaling $77 million so far this year, either through charity care for which they expected no payment or for bad debt. Those bills are a financial drag on hospitals, even as the region’s economy surges.

•Following a Washington Department of Labor and Industries audit, the Spokane Public Facilities District is on the hook for $135,000 because of underpayment of wages by a janitorial contractor.

•Spokane-based Potlatch Corp. will buy 76,000 acres of forestland in Wisconsin in a $64.5 million sale expected to close early next year.

Thursday

Avista Corp. is ready to comply with new state laws mandating that large utilities procure 15 percent of their power from renewable energy sources. The problem is that the price of those megawatts is rising quickly and will ultimately deep a deeper hole into the pockets of ratepayers, a company spokesman said.

•A consulting group that worked with Sacred Heart Medical Center to restructure the way its emergency room works is joining with the hospital on a new academy that will offer training to hospital leaders from across the country.

Friday

U.S. Products, a Coeur d’Alene manufacturer of commercial carpet-cleaning equipment, has been sold to a Danish firm, a move that will help the company sustain its rapid growth. U.S. Products’ sales have quadrupled to $12 million in the past eight years.

■ Moran Vista is building a $10 million addition that will expand its offerings to include apartments for seniors living independently.