Week in review

MONDAY

Dozens of regional firms have had to enlist legal assistance to protect trademarked Web addresses, including mountaingear.com and redlionhotels.com.

TUESDAY

Goodrich Corp. will pay $510,000 in fines after a pollution investigation by state and local regulators found the company’s Spokane factory flushed dangerous chemicals into sewers and failed to secure proper permits.

WEDNESDAY

The Air Force, which plans to replace some of its aging KC-135 tankers, released specifications on the new aircraft it would like to purchase. The two most likely competitors for the $100 billion contract are the Boeing Co. and a consortium including Northrop Grumman and a U.S. subsidiary of the company that makes Airbus.

THURSDAY

Empire Health Services will freeze its pension plan on April 1 and offer a larger dollar-match for its tax-deferred savings accounts as part of a retirement plan overhaul. Some 2,500 employees will be affected.

“ The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and Spokane Area Economic Development Council have officially merged into a new organization named Greater Spokane Incorporated.

“ Spokane is the focus of a special section in the in-flight magazines of both Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines throughout February.

FRIDAY

Three men accused of fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of what federal investigators say were corrupt real estate deals at the now-bankrupt Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co. have settled their lawsuits.

“ New food, beverage and retail concessions at the Spokane International Airport are expected to bring in about $1 million annually for the airport.

“ An Omak, Wash., plywood plant devastated by fire in June is reopening and expanding.