LATEST BUSINESS NEWS
Chrysler defies government, refuses to recall Jeeps
DETROIT — In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler today was expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions. The government says 51 people have suffered fiery deaths in Jeep Grand Cherokees and Libertys with gas tanks mounted behind the rear axles. But Chrysler is expected to stick to its contention that the SUVs are as safe as similar vehicles on the road. The Jeeps, it says, met all federal safety standards when they were built, some more than two decades ago. READ MORE »
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Need a social media tutor?
A Wenatchee Valley social media guru will host a morning workshop next week in Leavenworth on how business folks can best use Facebook and Instagram for fun and profit.
Get business advice from SCORE
A local group of volunteer business advisors continues to offer counseling and workshops for start-up and existing enterprises.
Quickbooks Q&A set for Thursday
A workshop for new and experienced users of Quickbooks, the popular accounting software, will be hosted this week by a local accounting firm.
Area banks, credit unions perform well in first quarter
Banks and credit unions in North Central Washington are generally in good financial shape, according to an independent firm that analyzes the performance of financial institutions nationwide.
New brewery smokin’ with barbecue fare
WENATCHEE — Two classic gotta-have goodies — beer and barbecue — are luring the thirsty, the hungry and the curious to a renovated Wells & Wade warehouse here at the foot of Orondo Avenue. “Microbrews and baby-back ribs — what’s more American than that?” smiled Jim Blair, manager of 6-month-old Badger Mountain Brewing. “It’s a really great combination.”
City to focus on sidewalks and streetlights
WENATCHEE — A federally-funded neighborhood improvement program will expand from south Wenatchee to two other low-income areas of the city this year. But a costly home renovation program will not be back.
Downtown takes a look at which trees to replace or remove
WENATCHEE — Business leaders tied red and green ribbons to downtown trees this week to show which ones should be replaced and which should be permanently removed. The trees were tagged by the Wenatchee Downtown Association on Thursday as part of ongoing planning for a rehabilitation project next spring in the city’s center.
Colvilles to open new Chief Joe hatchery with ‘First Salmon Ceremony’
The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and a host of government agencies will gather at Chief Joseph Dam Thursday to inaugurate a new $50 million fish hatchery.
Overdraft coverage? Great ... if you’re the bank
WASHINGTON — Overdraft protection often is a better deal for banks than for consumers, a new study by a federal watchdog agency reveals. The report, being released today by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, found that consumers who sign up for banks’ optional overdraft coverage on debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals pay higher fees and are more likely to end up with involuntary account closures than those who decline.
Court ruling on raisins could impact all U.S. ag marketing
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court opened the door Monday for California raisin growers to challenge the constitutionality of a Depression-era farming law that requires them to keep part of their annual crop off the market. In a 9-0 ruling, the justices cleared the way for Marvin and Laura Horne from Fresno to argue that this “mandatory reserve” program takes away their private property without just compensation.
Cold Train tastes success (BBQ flavored)
QUINCY — Warm day. Hot barbecue. Cold Train. They all came together here Wednesday when the partnership behind the region’s top refrigerated rail line — the outfit that annually ships thousands of tons of central Washington fruit and produce to Midwest and East Coast markets — hosted an open house for nearly 150 growers, packers, shippers, civic leaders and other customers.
Region’s ag, power industries ripe for growth, says investment advisor
WENATCHEE — The managing director of a Seattle investment bank said Tuesday that market conditions are ripe for eastern Washington’s ag and energy industries to boom as global markets look to the region for food, power and related technologies.
NCW Wine Awards judging Blog: Winemaker’s Journal By Rick Steigmeyer
Eight credentialed wine judges and two facilitators sniffed, tasted, spit and rated about 230 wines from 38 wineries Wednesday during the third annual North Central Washington Wine Awards. The results will be tightly corked until the NCW Wine Gala Aug. 10 at the Town Toyota Center. Full results and stories about the event’s big winners will also be in the August issue of Foothills magazine, distributed statewide.
People & Places
New jobs, new faces Heidi Jacobsen-Myers has joined the commercial banking team at Washington Trust Bank in Wenatchee as vice president and relationship manager. Jacobsen-Myers has a combined 15 years of commercial banking and accounting experience. She most recently was commercial lending manager and team leader with NCW Community Bank/Banner Bank in Wenatchee.
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