Week in review

MONDAY

BoomerGirl.com is a new Lawrence, Kan., Web site that offers news, blogs and tips on health, fashion, family, finances and fitness to women over age 40.

• The tiny lines of text stored on your computer when you visit Web sites, called cookies, can be a useful tool when browsing the Internet.

TUESDAY

Radio rivals XM and Sirius announced a plan to merge, which would consolidate the only two subscription-only satellite radio companies. However, the deal faces significant regulatory hurdles.

• Gretchen Borck, a well-known lobbyist and spokeswoman for the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, lost her job as the state’s grain industry groups move toward consolidation.

WEDNESDAY

Empire Aerospace, of Hayden, Idaho, landed a yearlong contract to modify and upgrade 31 Horizon Air-owned turboprop airplanes.

• Spokane film production company North by Northwest Productions was the first beneficiary of a new state fund set up to revitalize filmmaking in the state. The $150,000 grant will help offset some of the costs of an upcoming feature- length film.

• A task force formed by the Spokane Association of Realtors and the Spokane Home Builders Association held its first quarterly meeting to address the issue of affordable housing.

THURSDAY

Driven by higher silver prices, Hecla Mining Co. officials are considering up to a $200 million outlay at the Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho, which could boost silver production by 70 percent.

• A local developer and his wife are purchasing the Fairways Golf Course with plans for a 440-home golf community.

FRIDAY

The Bank of America building in downtown Spokane was sold to a Seattle real estate investment firm for $36 million. Unico Properties LLC is headed by Spokane native Dale Sperling.