Week in review
TUESDAY
An Avista proposal would cut natural gas rates for Washington and Idaho customers, if approved by regulators. The proposed rate reduction in Washington would be 6 percent, or about $5.32 per month, for the average customer. In Idaho, the reduction would be about 4.6 percent, or an average of $3.65 per month.
“ Next Generation Zone, a youth employment center for job-seekers aged 16 to 21, planned a Wednesday opening. The job center is located on the second floor of the WorkSource Spokane building at 130 S. Arthur St.
WEDNESDAY
The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 335 points following the Federal Reserve’s half-point interest rate cut. The leap was the biggest one-day gain in nearly five years.
“Forbes magazine Publisher Rich Karlgaard told about 1,000 attendees of Greater Spokane Incorporated’s annual meeting that Spokane may be well-positioned to take advantage of rapid change in today’s business environment.
THURSDAY
Four state lawmakers from Spokane have intervened on behalf of seniors who say they’ve been priced out of their long-term care policies due to numerous rate hikes by Conseco Senior Health Insurance Inc. However, the state’s deputy insurance commissioner said increases were granted because Conseco demonstrated that reserves set aside for claims would run out if rates weren’t increased.
“A California company that checks employment and education histories for background-screening firms has opened a downtown Spokane office and plans to expand. ReferencePro’s office at 9 S. Washington St., employs 10 and may add six more people in coming weeks.
FRIDAY
Spokane planning documents show that a landowner plans to build a free-standing bank and a separate retail building on land across from the Thor Street Fred Meyer store. Additionally, a request has been filed for a zoning change which could pave the way for a 15-story office tower at Mallon Avenue and Adams Street.
Wheat farmers in Eastern Washington and North Idaho are seeing record prices for soft white wheat of about $9 a bushel, nearly a dollar more than last month’s record high.