Week in review
Monday
Researchers in Japan have developed a robot that can “taste” wine by analyzing its chemical composition using a beam of infrared light. Potential uses could be to determine whether old wine is still good without having to uncork it.
Tuesday
Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co. mailed out the first checks to thousands of people burned by Spokane’s worst corporate financial failure. Metropolitan investors received about 9 cents on the dollar, while investors in Met’s sister company, Summit Securities, received about 6 cents on the dollar.
“Area motorists, sick of paying gas prices that are among the highest in the nation, are questioning why Eastern Washington’s gas prices are over $3 a gallon, when the national average is 40 cents cheaper. Some experts frankly suspect price gouging, while others say it’s more a function of supply and demand.
“Outdoor goods retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse is building a 49,000-square-foot store in Coeur d’Alene. The fast-growing Utah chain also operates a store at the Spokane Valley Mall and is considering another outlet on Spokane’s north side.
Wednesday
The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and Spokane Area Economic Development Council should complete their merger by the end of October, including coming up with a new name for the combined organization and naming a CEO and governing board.
“Cena, a meal- assembly company based in Spokane, has sold 11 franchises, with franchisees planning to open a total of 20 new locations nationwide.
Thursday
Plans continue to move forward for a retail complex anchored by a new Yoke’s Fresh Market on the South Hill in the Moran Prairie neighborhood, with a meeting scheduled to release results of a traffic study. The site is at the southeast corner of 57th Avenue and Palouse Highway.
Friday
Segway Inc. is recalling all 23,500 of the self-balancing scooters it has shipped because of a software glitch that can make its wheels unexpectedly reverse direction, throwing off the rider – and in at least one incident, break some teeth.