Week in review
TUESDAY
A spat erupted with Qwest Communications accusing Comcast Corp. of blocking calls of customers trying to switch their phone service to Qwest, including some customers in the Spokane area. Comcast responded that it had not blocked calls and said Qwest had been aware for years that some failed calls stemmed from network routing issues.
“ Blockbuster Inc. video stores decided to more heavily use high-definition DVDs in the Blu-ray format, dealing a blow to rival format HD DVDs. The move could provide a boost for a Blu-ray disc plant planned for downtown Spokane.
WEDNESDAY
Kaiser Aluminum Corp. will spend an additional $34 million on equipment for its Trentwood rolling mill to increase its heat-treated metal plate production. The upgrades will follow $105 million in additional investments already under way.
“ Liberty Lake-based SprayCool will lay off 52 employees and close offices in Seattle and Pullman. The move follows a round of layoffs that idled 45 workers in March and was tied to a gain of $10 million in funding. Some 30 of the new layoffs will occur at the Liberty Lake site.
“ The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit, accusing Coeur d’Alene Paving Inc. of racial discrimination against two former African-American workers. The company had no comment.
THURSDAY
Biopol Laboratories, which produces pollens and other raw materials for allergy vaccines, will break ground Wednesday on a $30 million facility in Post Falls, consolidating five scattered office and lab sites around Spokane.
“ Cuda Buffalo Apparel has gained approval from the Collegiate Licensing Co. to target more colleges and universities with its logo-adorned merchandise. The Spokane Valley company has previously been limited to regional schools.
FRIDAY
Segments of Spokane and Kootenai counties’ residential housing markets are showing signs of slowing down, with sales of homes in the $300,000-to- $750,000 range in Kootenai County moving more slowly and lower-priced homes in Spokane County following suit. However, other market segments still show strength.
“ Mutual fund giant Fidelity Investments has purchased a 13 percent ownership stake in Itron Inc., the Liberty Lake market leader in automated meter reading technology and equipment sales.