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Spokane Washington's Avista Corp. Chooses New President
12/13/2011

'Avista Corp. said Monday it tapped insider Scott Morris to be president and chief operating officer for the electricity and natural-gas provider.'

Avista is headquartered in Spokane Washington.

'Morris, who was most recently senior vice president of the company and president of Avista's utilities unit, will continue to oversee that group, as well operations of the overall corporation.

Morris joined Avista's utilities group in 1981 in its marketing division and has held a variety of management roles within the company, including general manager for Avista's Oregon and California utility business. He has been president of Avista's utilities business since August 2000.'

Spokane Washington's Avista Corp. Chooses New President

Rising interest rates lessened the number of homes sold in the first three months of 2006, compared to a year ago, but the price of homes soared 17 percent in the same period.

The Spokane market was particularly strong, with prices rising 26.4 percent from the year before, to an average of $169,900, the report said.

"It's fairly typical that the Spokane market really heats up three years or so after the Seattle market has caught fire," said Glenn Crellin, director of the Pullman-based center.

After a few years of rising prices in the Puget Sound region, the Spokane market looks like a bargain and buyers swoop in, Crellin said.

The report is produced in conjuction with Washington Realtors.

Crellin said the raising of interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board is the main reason for the flat statewide market.

But he cautioned that the market appears flat only in comparison to the superheated housing sales of recent years.

"The market remains very strong," he said, especially compared to the rest of the country.

Roughly half of Washington's 39 counties reported fewer sales between January 1 and March 31 than a year ago, but the statewide total was only 0.3 percent (120 sales) below the record for a first quarter.

King County, the state's largest, saw the number of homes sold in the first quarter drop 10 percent from the year before. But neighboring Snohomish and Pierce counties each reported roughly 9 percent more sales.

In Eastern Washington, Spokane was the only urban market with rising sales. The number of homes sold in Yakima was down 3.6 percent and in the Tri-Cities was down 5.8 percent. The top performers in Eastern Washington were Kittitas and Walla Walla counties, where sales rates were nearly 50 percent above a year ago.

Statewide, there are only about half the homes on the market required to avoid significant inflationary pressure on housing, Crellin said.

The statewide median price soared to $280,200 during the first quarter, 17.1 percent above a year earlier, but a slower increase than during the fourth quarter.

Grant and Yakima counties were the only areas to report median prices down from a year ago, and only slightly. Sparsely populated Columbia County was the only market in the state reporting a median price below $100,000.

Prices averaged double digit increases in 29 of the 39 counties.

The most costly market in the state was San Juan County, where the median price of $625,500 was 33.8 percent above last year.

King County remained the most expensive urban market, with a median price during the first quarter of $399,500. Yakima was the least expensive urban market, with a median price of $129,400.

Buying a house continues to become more difficult in Washington.

The Housing Affordability Index - which measures the ability of a middle income family to buy a median price home with a 30-year mortgage - slipped further below 100 in the first quarter.

The statewide rate of 93.3 meant that a typical family had only 93 percent of the income required to buy a median-price home. Buyers in seven counties faced index values below 100, with the problem especially big in San Juan, Jefferson and King counties, which had values ranging from 37.1 to 77.1.

At the other extreme, four counties had index values above 150, suggesting the typical family would not have much trouble buying. They were Benton, Columbia, Garfield and Wahkiakum counties.

The first-time buyer affordability index for the first quarter stood at 54.3, the fourth consecutive quarter of record low affordability.

"The biggest challenge is finding affordable starter homes," Crellin said. "Only three counties offer the typical entry-level buyer the opportunity to afford a typical starter home." They are Benton, Columbia and Wahkiakum.'

Spokane Home Prices Surge 26.4 Percent

12/13/2011

The Gonzaga Bulldogs of Spokane, Washington will get their chance to match up against the high caliber Duke Blue Devils later this year.

'Duke and Gonzaga, two of the most successful college basketball programs of the past decade, have never played. Until now.

The Blue Devils will play the "Bulldogs" on Dec. 21 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Where are J.J. Redick and Adam Morrison when we need them?

Gonzaga athletic director Mike Roth said the deal is another sign of the Bulldogs' high national profile.

"A few years ago, it might have been 'Gonzaga gets to play Duke,"' Roth said Thursday. "Now it's Duke versus Gonzaga. Two national powers playing each other."

The match was brokered by Madison Square Garden officials, who signed agreements with both teams, Roth said. He declined to discuss how much Gonzaga will be paid for the game.

This will be the first meeting between the two schools, which were ranked in or near the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 all last season.

Even though Duke is from the storied Atlantic Coast Conference and Gonzaga hails from the lightly regarded West Coast Conference, the teams have been linked in recent years.

Duke and Gonzaga are the only Division 1 teams to have won at least 80 percent of their games in the past six years, and they are the only teams to have avoided a 10-loss season in the past eight years.

In addition, Morrison of Gonzaga and Redick of Duke engaged in a season-long showdown for the national scoring title. Morrison won with an average of 28.1 points per game, while Redick averaged 26.8. But Redick edged out Morrison in most player-of-the-year selections.

Redick has used up his eligibility, while Morrison opted to skip his senior year and declare for the NBA draft.

Gonzaga is 7-1 all-time against ACC teams.

Duke, coached by Mike Krzyzewski, finished the season 32-4 after losing in the third round of the NCAA tournament. Gonzaga, coached by Mark Few, finished 29-4 and also lost in the third round.

Gonzaga may try to schedule another East Coast game during the trip, Roth said. While the schedule for next season has not been released, Gonzaga will play Texas at a tournament in Phoenix, he said.

Game time and ticket information for the Duke game are not yet available, Roth said.

Eric Gelfand, vice president of public relations for Madison Square Garden, told The Spokesman-Review newspaper that the Dec. 21 date was picked in part to give Duke and Gonzaga fans attending the game a chance to experience the Big Apple in its holiday splendor.

"We want fans from both schools to come and enjoy our city," he said. "I hope Gonzaga's fans travel well, because Duke's do. They've played here many times. It's like their home away from home."

Roth said Gonzaga was hoping to charter an airplane for Bulldogs fans wishing to attend the game.

"There is no more beautiful place to be at Christmas than New York City," Roth said.

Gonzaga has played once before in Madison Square Garden, losing to Saint Joseph's 73-66 on Nov. 14, 2003, in Morrison's first college game.'

Spokane's Gonzaga vs Duke In Madison Square Garden

'Wireless Internet, which allows a computer to connect to the Web via radio signals, has recently come online at each branch of the Spokane County Library District, Spokane Valley's new community center and Valley businesses from truck stops to taverns.

"I can sit here and show houses while I tend bar," said Charlie Price, real estate agent and part-time barkeep, on a recent afternoon at the Peking Palace.

The Sprague Avenue restaurant and bar installed a small network about five months ago so patrons can browse on their laptops while they imbibe.

Some business owners have looked at the high-speed connections they maintain for their back offices and decided they may as well run it through wireless equipment as a way to draw customers.

"In a business like this you may as well share it," said Craig Swanson, who owns the Rock Inn. "It's been a good deal."

About a year ago he put up about $500 for a commercial-quality network. It hasn't brought in a lot of people, he said, but now some of the regulars show up with their computers.

Because he helps them advertise, Ptera Wireless Internet Services doesn't charge for the Internet connection itself.

The company hooked up Percy's Cafe Americana at the U-City Mall last week, and Ptera owner Jim Wilson said he has seen wireless networks at businesses become more numerous in the past few years.

"It's easy enough to do these days," he said.

Many laptops come with wireless hardware installed, and most others can be upgraded easily.The rest of the network is simply a special radio transmitter plugged into an Internet connection.

Having a network everyone can access has its drawbacks, though.

"They don't really want people to come into their parking lot and use their Internet," Wilson said. The idea is to bring network customers inside so they will patronize the business.

A more advanced network requires users to log in with a password. Other features also help protect users and the business itself from people accessing files on other computers on the network.

Users can protect themselves with firewall software like the kind that comes with newer versions of Microsoft Windows.

The Spokane County Library District introduced the technology at all 10 of its libraries in April. Although users can't print documents through the connection and librarians aren't trained to handle technical questions, regional manager Ellen Miller said most laptop users she's seen are pretty savvy.

"Before we even had a chance to publicize it in any way, people were figuring it out," Miller said. "They're so pleased that it's free and that you don't need a library card to access it."

Free wireless Internet is making its way into other parts of the public sector as well.

Spokane Valley's CenterPlace community center, which opened last fall, has a network. The city even lists as one of its goals for this year to look into what it would take to create a wireless network covering the entire city.

So far, that's just meant looking into costs and available technology and any network would be years off. But the City Council has shown a keen interest in its use as an economic development tool.

In Liberty Lake, laptops are a frequent sight at the Cafe Liberte, and there are even networks accessible from the food court at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Wireless technology has gained an even stronger presence in the hotel industry.

"It's becoming almost a necessity for a lot of the business travelers," said Lee Cameron, general manager at the Mirabeau Park Hotel.

Its wireless Internet has been up since 2003, and extensive renovations will include more advanced networks that will theoretically allow someone to walk through the hotel watching a streaming video without ever losing a connection, he said.

People also use the access in the hotel's Max Restaurant'

Wireless Networks Popping Up In Spokane Washington

'With giant 20-foot posters of three Teutul family members behind them, tourism and business leaders officially announced this summer's arrival of the Orange County Choppers team.

Speakers at the media event kick-started a months-long publicity drive to bring people from throughout the surrounding area to Spokane for the rare off-television appearance by the motorcycle customization crew.

"I'm excited to finally say that, yes, they're coming to Spokane," said Harry Sladich, president of the Spokane Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Today is a great day for Spokane County."

In a video played to assorted business leaders, Paul Teutul Jr. and Mikey Teutul announced their arrival July 28-30, and a somewhat menacing Paul Teutul Sr. told viewers, "Be there."

Orange County Choppers, based in upstate New York, is featured on the Discovery Channel program "American Chopper." The three family members along with a workshop crew build custom motorcycles, and their intra-family arguments are a trademark of the cable television show.

"How cool is this?" asked Kerry Dunne, the show's promoter. "We are going to bring people here to see the bikes and spend money in your community."

Officials at Northern Quest Casino announced a months-long promotion of the "Summer of OCC & NQC," in which an OCC-customized bike will be given away.

There will scarcely be a person from Montana to Seattle who won't know about this event, Sladich said. Several advertisements will begin airing, and officials will visit nearby locations to promote the event.

"There will be literally caravans of people driving here," Sladich said.

A tentative schedule features several live demonstrations by the Teutul family and the entire OCC crew building a Spokane-themed bike that will be given away at the end of the weekend.

Crew members will also be on hand to answer shop questions about bike customization, according to the schedule posted on the tour's Web site. Also, the crew is bringing $30 million worth of custom motorcycles to the show for viewing.

Orange County Choppers is only stopping in four cities this summer as part of its "OCC in America" Tour. Tempe, Ariz., is the only other stop in the West.

Officials there said more than 50,000 people attended that event last year.

Avid fishermen, the Teutul family plans to visit several good holes during their trip, Dunne said.'

OCC Spokane Orange County Choppers Coming

The new 2,000-square-foot SAII center, located in the Health and Education building at Deaconess Medical Center, brings revolutionary imaging technology to the local Spokane medical community. The center will house the first - and only - 3 Tesla (3T) scanner within a 150-mile radius of Spokane.

The Philips 3T is the next-generation high field magnetic resonance scanner and provides the best image quality available in the marketplace today. The 3T scans significantly faster than units currently being used today and possesses the ability to perform a diverse range of scans. Any exam, from neuro, musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging to functional and cardiac studies, contrast-enhanced angiography and spectroscopic imaging, can be completed quickly and more efficiently with a 3T. Additionally, the unit offers clinical versatility and customization capabilities that can be tailored to meet a center's specific needs.

In addition to being home to the most advanced scanner within a 150-mile radius of Spokane, SAII's new state-of-the-art center will boast many features including better scheduling capabilities, faster reporting turnaround times, improved film distribution and expertly designed space to enhance the patient imaging experience.

"With the opening of SAII's first center, the Spokane community will no longer have to travel far to undergo this type of advanced testing. Previously, patients had to travel in excess of 250 miles to Seattle to receive this type of superior scan. The advanced scanner will enable patients and their referring physicians access to the latest advances in neuro-vascular and functional imaging. We are pleased to bring this technology to Spokane, and look forward to ways in which it will change the face of local healthcare here," commented Steve Case, marketing manager for SAII.

Ron Cocchiarella, MD, president at SRC, added: "This technology will offer our medical community a choice to obtain more detailed imaging than any existing product in this region. We expect the added benefits to result in more specific diagnoses, shorter exam times, and enhance Spokane's tertiary medical status."

"Our 25-year relationship with SRC serves as an excellent springboard as we unveil our newest capability to the Spokane medical community. In addition to providing the latest innovation in technology, our patients will also witness many other benefits of the 3T. Its versatility enhances center workflow and therefore, will expedite the time patients spend at the center. The new center and 3T unit will prove invaluable to so many throughout Spokane and the surrounding communities," stated Bruce Butler, Deaconess Medical Center.

SAII is a leading the way in medical imaging technology through its pioneering facilities in Spokane. Please visit www.spokaneadvancedimaging.com to learn more.

Bellevue, Wash.-based National Medical Development Inc. specializes in the analysis, development, marketing and operation of outpatient medical facilities that span the healthcare spectrum including those in diagnostic imaging, cardiology, endoscopy and surgery centers. NMDI's strategy is centered on building productive, cooperative relationships between local hospitals and physician groups. Founded in 1991, the privately held NMDI currently operates centers located primarily in the western U.S. The company has developed more than 40 projects with a total capitalization in excess of $100 million. For more information, go to www.natmed.net.

Deaconess Medical Center is a fully accredited, 388-bed hospital located in the heart of downtown Spokane, and serves a four-state area including eastern Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana and northern Oregon. Deaconess Medical Center, with a staff of more than 650 physicians and 175 consulting doctors and health professionals, is a Level II trauma center and also a leader in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases, cancer and services for mothers and their newborn babies. Additional details about Deaconess Medical Center can be found at www.deaconessmc.org.

SRC is a radiology consulting practice that has operated within Spokane for 25 years. Over the last two decades, the group of six physicians has provided consulting serves directly to Deaconess Medical Center, Valley medical Center and outpatient imaging centers throughout Spokane.'

New Imaging Center Welcomed In Spokane Washington

'Sterling Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Sterling Savings Bank, which provides community banking services to small- and medium-sized businesses, and individuals.'

'Commenting on the first quarter results, Harold Gilkey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "It's always nice to start the year with solid performance in line with our previous guidance. We are particularly pleased with the first quarter results. Within the core bank operations, we saw strong continuation of the key trends that drove our record growth in total assets in 2005. The 12 percent increase in total assets, year-over-year, was driven by 30 percent growth in loan originations. Deposits also demonstrated robust growth, increasing 24 percent over the same period last year. The growth in deposits reflects our strength in commercial and retail delivery networks and the expansion of branching over the past few years."'

'Mr. Gilkey stated, "Sterling's loan portfolio is well positioned with a mix of variable rate loans as we wrap up the first quarter of 2006, further positioning us to pursue various growth initiatives, expanding our commercial bank footprint. Additionally, this mix provides further opportunities as we prepare for our acquisition of Lynnwood Financial Group, Inc., which we expect to occur early in the third quarter of 2006."'

'Commenting on non-interest expenses and efficiency, Mr. Gilkey stated, "A number of factors contributed to Sterling's growth in non-interest expenses during the quarter. These included the opening of new branches in Kirkland and Mercer Island, Washington, and the addition of staff for new offices that we are planning to open in 2006. In addition, we added a number of staff members in existing offices and various corporate positions as part of our efforts to accelerate growth in our existing offices and to build the personnel infrastructure necessary to support significant future growth. Given the financial and competitive position we presently enjoy and the talent now available to us, we believe it is in the best long-term interest of our shareholders to continue pursuing initiatives that are designed to contribute to Sterling's growth and expansion."'

Sterling Financial Corporation of Spokane Washington Announces Earnings

12/13/2011

Nurses gathering around donning scrub caps of many colors to support a worthy cause. That site would be a nice reality. Children are our most precious items. When they get sick our hearts are torn.

'Sacred Heart Children's Hospital is honored by the support two incredible men, Ken Pickens and Doug Lee, and their goal to bring a cinema to the Children's Hospital. The cinema will provide a place where seriously ill children can be " just like other kids" and go to the movies with their family. In order to create this theatre experience money has to be raised. Ken and Doug are hard at work raising $100,000. Their goal is to complete the project by December of this year. Many community fundraising events are in the works to build this special place and Ken and Doug welcome your help!'

How would it look if nurses and doctors were to help with the fundraiser? I'm sure the children would be very happy.

Nurses Should Support Spokane Children's Hospital Cinema

This independent film stars Samuel L. Jackson and rap artist 50 cent. Primarily dealing with the subject of the transition of a soldiers life on the battlefront to life at home, it keys in on present day reality. While such films as Born on the 4th of July touched on the life of a soldiers return after the Vietnam war; Home of the Brave will use the presnt Iraq war.

50 cent used his own life experience to act in the role.

'While surviving shootings (nine, his notorious backstory goes) and stabbings in New York, as he did during his youth as a drug-dealing player, is not like trying to stay alive in Iraq, 50 Cent said he could empathize with what the soldiers go through. A trip to Iraq to perform for the soldiers only reinforced his feelings.'

Home of the Brave filmed in Spokane stars 50 cent

There, amid the smell of fresh cedar shavings and the sounds of lowing cattle, bleating sheep and squealing pigs, 600 kids from grades three to 12 are waking up at 6 a.m. and going to bed at midnight. Almost every moment between is dedicated to preparing their livestock for judging, cleaning work areas and learning during the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane.

"It's a lot more than bringing a hog to the show," said Treva Norris, executive director for Junior Show, which is now in its 70th year. "It's the building of character. The show is such a good opportunity for young people."

On a perfect-temperature Wednesday, a third-grader blow-dried an enormous steer twice her height for an hour. A boy, dressed in rain gear, shared a steel cage with a hog as he tried to wash the squealing beast. A team of 4-H members hung signs above a row of pens, only to discover their sheep found a way to stand higher and tear down the posters. Here, parents are expressly forbidden from doing the work, and youngsters take on adult responsibilities.

Men with handlebar mustaches and cowboy hats talked to high-schoolers wearing baseball caps and sneakers about the price per pound for beef this weekend, and tours of preschool children wandered the clean-swept aisles pointing at the animals.

Barely taller than the hog pens surrounding her, and holding a large push broom, 10-year-old Jessica Magers swept cedar shavings away from the fronts of the Greenacres 4-H Club pens. She bought her pigs in January and has been up every morning feeding them ever since.

"The best part is getting to spend time with them," she said of her two hogs, weighing 262 and 266 pounds, named Petunia and Zelda. Last year, Magers won the Grand Champion award in her division for Fitting and Showing techniques, which involves the 68-pound-girl washing and trimming an animal four times heavier than she, and then displaying it before a judge.

While proud of that award, the end result for Magers' animals was the same as it is for all the livestock at the Junior Show. All animals – from the champion steer to the lamb that was a best friend for months – go up for sale at the end of the show. Months of hard work are auctioned in front of a crowd, then put on a truck for the meat-packing plant.

It's Magers' third year at the show, and she's cried both times before when she sold her hogs. Will she do it again?

Sheepishly, she said, "Yeah," but soon followed with a quick, "I hope not, though."

Included on most young people's schedules are hours of "pen duty," when aisles are swept spotlessly clean and pens are tidied. Different clubs compete for the best-kept pen areas.

Representing Waitsburg, Wash., Brad Grende, a high school senior and Future Farmers of America member, knows that the show offers a chance to learn – and a chance to get out of learning.'

Spokane Washington Junior Livestock Show Begins

'For the first time, women in Spokane Valley can find services for detecting and treating breast cancer in one place, under one roof.

Before, patients had to travel from building to building in the Valley Hospital and Medical Center's sprawling campus.

But the new Women's Imaging Center, which opened last month, can now handle almost all breast cancer treatment and prevention needs.

"There's an emotional impact of getting everything taken care of at once in one place," said Kathy Holiday, the manager of imaging services for the hospital.

All connected by a few hallways, several devices for detecting breast cancer are located within walking distance of one another.

The center has a mammogram machine and an MRI scanner, as well as several X-ray and ultrasound devices.

Before, when the machines were housed in various buildings, a patient who required a certain procedure might have to get a wire inserted in her breast, then travel across a parking lot in a hospital gown to get a scan.

"Now, from start to finish, they can have almost everything they need right here," said Cheryl Irick, a mammography technologist in the center.

The new imaging center is the only such facility between Coeur d'Alene and downtown Spokane, Holiday said.

Currently, because the center is fairly new, many people can walk in to have tests done, said DeeAnn Towne, the coordinator for mammography services at the center.

Doctors recommend women have a mammogram every one or two years after age 40.

Along with housing the equipment under one roof, some of the machines received upgrades during the move, Holiday said.

Much of the center's costs were paid by a more than $67,000 grant from the Safeway Corp.

And there's always another incentive to using the Valley Hospital's new imaging center, Towne said.

"You don't have to look for parking."'

Cancer Center Opens In Spokane Washington

Police say that the victim died of blunt force trauma to his head.

Detectives arrested 18-year-old Kevin D. Stevens shortly after the body was discovered in the basement of his home. Stevens has been charged with first degree murder.

Police say friends of the suspect went into the home looking for a possible victim after Stevens made a comment during an out-of-town construction job that he had to return to Spokane because he had a body in his basement.

Joseph's mother had filed a missing person report with the Spokane Police Department on April 11th. In the report, she said her son had been missing since March 29th.'

Spokane Washington Murder Victim Died From Head Trauma

Searchers found Mark Tuggle's body Sunday morning.

News4 talked with a close friend of Tuggle Monday afternoon. His friend, Ken Frederick, described Tuggle as an experienced skier.

Frederick says the area where Tuggle died was a favorite place for them to ski, after resorts in the area closed down for the season.

Frederick says Tuggle was one of a kind, a thrill seeker, and will be deeply missed.

Plans are being made for a memorial service. Frederick expects hundreds of people will attend.'

Spokane Washington Avalanche Victim Remembered

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it will perform a quick Superfund cleanup of 400 acres in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin to provide a safe place for birds to rest and feed in the mountainous region.

"Public and private interests have come together in Idaho on behalf of waterfowl and other wildlife," said Michael Bogert, the EPA regional administrator in Seattle.

More than a century of mining and smelting of silver and other minerals have left extensive heavy metals pollution in the narrow Silver Valley, 60 miles east of Spokane. The area is in the midst of an on-going Superfund cleanup campaign that is three decades from completion.

High concentrations of cadmium, lead, zinc and other metals have been found in the river, adjacent lakes and wetlands and flood plains.

Birds that land in the Silver Valley frequently eat lead-contaminated sediment and suffer serious toxic effects or die. An annual "die-off" of waterfowl has occurred in the area for decades.

The problem is so pervasive that the Spokane chapter of the Sierra Club periodically presents the Dead Swan Award to a politician who helps polluters. The award is named for tundra swans that migrate through the Coeur d'Alene basin each spring and die of lead poisoning.

Amber Waldref of The Lands Council, a "Spokane environmental group", said the announcement of a new safe haven for birds is good news.

"We assume birds will use this area and not go to areas still contaminated," she said.

The EPA said it had reached an agreement with the state of Idaho, the Coeur d'Alene Indian tribe, Ducks Unlimited and a private property owner to create a safe passageway for birds.

The "conservation easement" agreement covers about 400 acres of private land in the valley near Medimont, Idaho.

Under its terms, the EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a Superfund cleanup action over the coming months, converting existing agricultural land to clean wetland waterfowl feeding habitat.

By returning the area to a more natural state, the partnership contends it will become an attractive feeding ground and provide safer habitat for both resident and migratory waterfowl.

The property will continue to be owned by the private owner and will not be open to the public.'

Birds Superfund Cleanup Near Spokane Washington

With the soccer team out of commission for the 2006 season and possibly for good the Spokane soccer scene has lost perhaps its top representative, and, outside of the school season, fans now have few options for where to watch high-level soccer.

"The biggest downside is throughout the summer months there is no place for the fan base to go watch good quality soccer," said Kieran Barton, who was set to coach the team this season for the second consecutive season and who also had two playing stints with the Shadow.

Andy Billig, a vice president at Brett Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Shadow, said the void will also be felt beyond the sidelines.

"There is a significant loss for community, as a family-friendly entertainment venue," Billig said. "From fireworks nights to feeding frenzies with kids, it was a nice place to come and bring out the family."

Formerly a member of the Northwest Division of the United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League, the Shadow had been in Spokane since their inception in 1995. In 1996, Brett Sports bought the Shadow and operated the team until closing shop March 27 after stating an unwillingness to play on the artificial turf surface at Joe Albi Stadium (the city of Spokane and the Spokane and Mead school districts have since announced a plan to replace the turf).

But if and when Albi gets a new playing surface, Billig said, it is still too early to determine the Shadow's fate for 2007 and beyond.

"It's really premature for us to make any decisions about next year," Billig said. "We have no idea what is happening with the turf at Albi. We have not received any word from the city about the turf. (Coming back) is one of the options, but that may be difficult for a variety of reasons."

Over their decade of existence, the team had sent multiple players on to play at higher levels, including Billy Sleeth, a Ferris grad who was drafted by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire and played with the Colorado Rapids; Zach Kingsley, a Shadle Park grad who played with the Rapids; Craig Waibel, a Lewis and Clark grad who plays with the Houston Dynamo; and Brian Ching, a Gonzaga University graduate who plays with the Dynamo and is pushing for a spot on the U.S. World Cup roster.

Spokane Washington Soccer Scene Demise

The tower would be the tallest building in the city, rising another 12 stories over the bank of America Building, which sits at 20 stories tall. Plans call for it to be built on property Brewster owns near the corner of Riverside and Browne on the eastern edge of the City's downtown area.

Brewster says his biggest challenge will be persuading the City to remove the height restrictions so he can build 32 stories. Brewster says the downtown area needs new housing units, and he has support for his project.

"Downtown high-density living is a reality. And so we think it's great to have more density and more people living in downtown," said Brewster. "And we want to obviously manage the growth the right way, but we think it's a good thing to encourage downtown housing."

The top 12 stories of the building will be condominiums. The rest will be apartments - 275 of them in all. Brewster says he also plans to incorporate 18,000 square feet of retail space as well and build a parking garage to accommodate 380 cars.

In addition to asking the City of Spokane to waive height restrictions, Brewster says he will also ask the City and the State to waive some fees totaling about $600,000.'

Tallest Building In Spokane Washington Proposed

The win improved the Cougars to 27-15 on the year and evened the season series against Gonzaga at 3-3. The Bulldogs fell to 26-16.

The Cougars struck in their first at-bat as Ryan Krauser led off with a four-pitch walk. Following a hit and sacrifice, Krauser scored on Jared Prince's sharp single to left. In the second another leadoff walk produced the Cougars second run. Jeff Miller earned a 10-pitch walk and advanced to third on Zach McAngus' single to right. A balk by Bulldog starter Bobby McEwen brought home Miller then McAngus scored on an error by second baseman Scott Campbell, extending the WSU lead to 3-0.

Gonzaga found the scoreboard in the bottom of the second when Bobby Carlson led off with a double to left then scored on Shawn Wayt's two-out, infield single to short.

The scoring continued for WSU in the third as Miller's single to center brought home Paul Gran, who was on second after a one-out double to left. In the bottom of the third Gonzaga struck for three runs to tie the game at 4-4. Ryan Wiegand had an RBI groundout and with two outs, Aaron McGuinness hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in left.

The Cougars added four runs in the fifth as with two outs and the bases loaded, Greg Lagreid hit a single over the third baseman, bringing home Prince and Gran. Following a pitching change, Scott Suttmeier walked and Travis Coulter followed with a two-run single to center.

Gonzaga hit three home runs in the game as Jackson Brennan and Bobby Carlson each had solo shots to go with McGuinness' two-run homer.

WSU added an insurance run in the ninth as Scott Suttmeier's single over a drawn-in infield brought home Kyle Hinrichs with the final run of the game.

Ross Humes started for WSU and went three innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Reese Baker came on to start the fourth and after allowing a home run to Brennan, surrendered just one more hit in his two innings of work. In all six Cougar pitchers saw action, with Baker picking up his first win and Travis Webb earning his sixth save.

In addition to Coulter and Prince, Suttmeier, who entered the game as a pinch hitter in the fourth, had a pair of hits, as did Lagreid and McAngus.

Gonzaga was led by Carlson and Colclough with two hits each. The Bulldogs used five pitchers on the evening with Josh Monroe suffering the loss.

The Cougars are next in action Friday when they begin a Pacific-10 Conference home series against USC at Bailey-Brayton Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.'

WSU Baseball Beats Gonzaga In Spokane Washington

Fox's body was recovered by the Kootenai County Sheriff Department Dive Rescue Team at approximately 11:30 AM from Carlin Bay. Using both a side scan sonar and a remotely operated vehicle, divers were able to locate retrieve Fox.

A previous attempt to recover him Tuesday was aborted due to adverse weather conditions and lower visibility underwater.

An autopsy will be scheduled Wednesday afternoon to determine cause of death.

Gary Fox and his wife were headed to an event at the Maverick Yacht Club on last Friday when he fell off his boat. His wife said she twice threw him a rope, but he couldn't reach it, then slipped below the surface.'

Spokane Washington Businessman Missing Body Found By Divers

On Thursday, the YMCA announced its building will be sold and demolished for a 14-story condominium tower.

Meanwhile, a massive, 80-acre development north of downtown Spokane has been given the green light by Mayor Dennis Hession despite concerns raised by city and state planners.

Hession said Kendall Yards is the largest project of its type the city has ever seen. The Spokane Area Economic Development Council has estimated the 20-year residential and commercial project, intended to build 2,600 residences downtown, will ultimately have an economic impact of $3 billion.

"I committed to becoming involved in this project because it is the most substantial project that has ever occurred in the city of Spokane," Hession said, noting that the developer has verbally agreed to address the issues raised by planners.

"You have to remember that this project is very unique in that it is a huge project within the central core of the city," he added.

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The Kendall Yards project application has been declared "technically complete." That means it's been scheduled for a public hearing before the hearing examiner, who has final say to approve or deny it.

The mayor's actions had a Washington State Department of Transportation planner wondering whether traffic concerns would be fully addressed.

"I was made aware that the city has deemed the Kendall Yards project technically complete without the traffic issues that we had discussed at our June 6th meeting being addressed or mitigation being proposed," wrote Greg Figg, a WSDOT planner, in an e-mail to the city's traffic engineer.

"This is a significant concern to us given the traffic volumes that will be added to the Maple/Ash I-90 ramp terminals," he said.

In the YMCA deal, a developer will pay the group $5.3 million for its property in Riverfront Park on the Spokane River.

Developer Mark Pinch is proposing a $50 million tower with up to 80 residential units and two levels of parking.

The condominiums would start in the $300,000 range, he said.

"We're going to develop that as good stewards of the park and good stewards of the river and provide Spokane with a dynamite project," Pinch said. "At the same time, we'll provide people who aren't residents in those homes with great access and great views."

The purchase and sale agreement, announced Thursday by Pinch and YMCA President Rig Riggins, allows the YMCA to move closer to its goal of co-location with the YWCA on 3.5 acres the YWCA announced Wednesday it planned to purchase.

The announcement also triggers the Spokane Park Board's 30-day right of first refusal to purchase the YMCA property, which it plans to exercise. What remains to be seen is how the park board would raise the money to match the $5.3 million offer by July 28.

"We would like that piece of property as part of the park, not as a high-rise building," said Ron Rector, vice president of the Park Board. "We just feel it should be part of the park and part of the view. It's got the best view of the river."'

Spokane condos

Information for Mount Vernon, Washington

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Spokane Washington's Avista Corp. Chooses New President
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Information for Mount Vernon, Washington

Mount Vernon, WA

Homes - Schools - Census Data - Jobs - Maps

Latitude: 48.420137 -- Longitude: -122.32598

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Spokane Washington's Avista Corp. Chooses New President 12/13/2011

Spokane Washington's Avista Corp. Chooses New President
12/13/2011