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BE Daily Blog

Sep. 5, 2008 at 1:42pm

Speak up: BE wants your opinion

The Business Examiner would like you to take five minutes out of your day to help us grow and improve our BE Daily service.

It is our goal to provide timely and relevant news coverage, while making the BE Daily interesting and valuable for our readers and advertisers.  The information you provide in the survey link below is invaluable in helping us reach that goal.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 5, 2008 at 12:48pm

Business school is now in session at BE

The Business Examiner has added a feature to its Web site that features expert advice from the PBS show Small Business School as well as links to gain free access to full shows featuring a range of business topics. New tips will be added each business day.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 5, 2008 at 9:58am

State disciplines health care workers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions against health care providers in the South Sound.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 5, 2008 at 9:37am

Commercial construction jobs grow, for now

Going against the tide of the nation's rising unemployment rate, the nonresidential construction sector gained 2,900 jobs in August, according to the U.S. Labor Department. But that won't likely last.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 5, 2008 at 7:51am

BE part of the conversation

Comment about the news

Visit BusinessExaminer.com and voice your thoughts on today's news and read comments from other people in the South Sound's business community. The BE blog also offers RSS functions so you can see only the local or industry business news that you want, as it happens.

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Comments (1) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 4, 2008 at 1:48pm

Olympia station now offers enthanol

Wilcox & Flegel Oil Co. has announced its sixth location, offering U.S. Ethanol E85 in the state of Washington, has opened at 3505 Pacific Avenue in Olympia.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:08am

Accounting, IT hiring to be flat

A net 1 percent of chief financial officers in the Puget Sound expect to add accounting and finance staff during the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a recent Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index. While 7 percent of executives surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter, another 6 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The majority of respondents, 85 percent, foresee no change in hiring.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:06am

Jobs was mixed picture in August

Today's National Employment Report from Automatic Data Processing shows employment decreased by 33,000 in August. The report is based on actual payroll data and measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 3, 2008 at 3:02pm

Radiologist suspended pending probe

The license of a Kent radiologic technologist has been immediately suspended for inappropriately touching two minor patients.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, South King County by News Room | Email News


Sep. 3, 2008 at 2:51pm

State’s credit freeze law thaws

Starting this week, Washington residents have even more control over their credit files thanks to changes that are also helping more retailers warm up to the law.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, Law and Legislation, Retirement and Investing, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 3, 2008 at 2:18pm

Spending, inflation on the rise

The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council forecast determined that final sales increased 3.9 percent in the second quarter of the year, following a 0.9 percent gain in the first quarter as inventory accumulation continued to decline.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Sep. 3, 2008 at 10:42am

Boeing union set for strike vote today

Machinists at the Boeing Co. are voting today on the "best and final offer" the aerospace giant is offering them to cover their work for the next three years. Union leaders have recommended their members strike instead of accept the deal by calling it too small when compared to company profits and projected workloads in the coming years.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 29, 2008 at 10:17am

Thun Field taxiway project to begin

Work is scheduled to start Tuesday at Pierce County Airport at Thun Field to realign the taxiway that runs parallel to the runway. The completed project will provide safety and convenience improvements.  

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 29, 2008 at 10:17am

State hammers insurance agents

Insurance agents in Washington can lose their licenses if they are deemed "untrustworthy."

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 28, 2008 at 2:43pm

Truckers have high injury rates

Truck drivers experience some of the highest rates of workplace injuries in Washington, according to a new report from the Department of Labor & Industries.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 28, 2008 at 2:22pm

PSE wants increase in gas rates

Puget Sound Energy today filed a request with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to pass through the higher costs the utility pays for purchasing natural gas supplies for its customers.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 28, 2008 at 1:59pm

Boeing improves contract offer

Boeing today presented what it calls its best – and final – contract offer to almost 27,000 employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Washington, Oregon and Kansas.

The contract offers a general wage increase of 11 percent during the next three years, increases to cost-of-living adjustments and adds to the pension program.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 28, 2008 at 1:09pm

Voters like Top 2 primary, survey says

A new statewide poll shows that Washington voters like the new Top 2 Primary and much prefer it to the "pick-a-party" system that required voters to restrict themselves to one party's candidates.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 28, 2008 at 12:46pm

Tacoma Power goes greener

When Washington voters passed Initiative 937 two years ago, they established a law that requires Washington utilities to meet a portion of their customers' power needs with renewable energy. Tacoma Power took a significant step recently toward meeting that requirement by signing a contract with Iberdrola Renewables Inc. for renewable energy credits.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 27, 2008 at 1:08pm

COFFEE BREAK: Class act

With students heading back to school, the Business Examiner would like you to think back to your own classroom days and come up with the best lesson you ever learned during those years. Was it to be organized and do  the work? Was it that cheaters prosper? Was it that geometry is applicable to everyday life?

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 27, 2008 at 10:51am

Washington joins suit against EPA

Washington has joined 12 other states, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York in a suit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency for failing to adopt regulations to control oil refinery emissions that contribute to global warming. The suit alleges that the EPA's refusal to require new or renovated oil refineries to install technologies that control pollution violates the federal Clean Air Act.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Technology by News Room | Email News


Aug. 26, 2008 at 1:36pm

Underground tanks face new rules

The Washington Department of Ecology is starting work on changing the state's rule for preventing leaks of gasoline and diesel fuel from underground storage tanks.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 25, 2008 at 11:10am

PSE to get smaller increase with deal

A proposed pact would mean smaller electric and gas rate increases for Puget Sound Energy customers than those originally requested by the company.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 21, 2008 at 11:55am

'New day' dawns at CVB

Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau formally unveiled its vision for the future of tourism in Pierce County and the region at a breakfast program this morning at the Landmark Convention Center.

"Our new plan is designed to firmly position the TRCVB as the recognized regional leader in effective destination marketing," said Executive Director Tammy Blount. "We are focused on being the catalyst in community and tourism activities, developing local and state partnerships, delivering effective marketing programs and facilitating product development enhancements."

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 20, 2008 at 10:17am

Council approves cost-cutting plan

The Pierce County Council approved a set of initiatives yesterday intended to reduce unnecessary county expenses. The government cost-cutting measures take aim at Pierce County's slowing job market and declining tax receipts.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News


Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:34am

Action taken against health workers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken actions on the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in the South Sound.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:32am

Inflation on the rise

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods jumped 1.2 percent in July, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This increase followed a 1.8 percent jump in June and a 1.4 percent rise in May. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods moved up 2.7 percent in July compared to a 2.1 percent gain in the prior month. The index for crude materials for further processing climbed 4.2 percent subsequent to a 3.7 percent increase in June.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:32am

Tribe retakes land in DuPont

About 12 acres, spread between three locations in DuPont, have changed hands and now belong to the Nisqually Tribe thanks to a settlement agreement with Weyerhaeuser Co.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 18, 2008 at 11:21am

Smoke shop owners plead guilty

Henry Gottfriedson, 61, and Alison Gottfriedson, 56, owners of Frank's Landing Indian Discount Tobacco, have reportedly pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to conspiring to traffic in contraband cigarettes and structuring currency transactions in connection with a scheme to sell contraband cigarettes to the public without paying state taxes.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia by News Room | Email News


Aug. 14, 2008 at 11:39am

CPI inches up

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.5 percent in July, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The July level of 219.964 was 5.6 percent higher than in July 2007.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 14, 2008 at 11:39am

Real earnings falls

Real average weekly earnings around the nation fell by 0.8 percent from June to July after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.A 0.3 percent increase in average hourly earnings was more than offset by a 0.3 percent decrease in average weekly hours and a 0.9 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 13, 2008 at 1:00pm

Wine tasting on aisle 12

The state Liquor Control Board today randomly selected the 15 independently owned grocery stores that will participate in a pilot program that allows on-premise wine and beer tastings in 30 grocery stores across Washington. The pilot runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2009.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, South King County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 13, 2008 at 10:02am

State AGs fight online fraud

The Washington Attorney General's Office is at the frontlines in the fight against online fraud, according to a new report by the Center for American Progress and the Center for Democracy and Technology.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Technology by News Room | Email News


Aug. 13, 2008 at 9:55am

Blog Watch: just bagging it

The Association of Washington Business has a note about TNT columnist Peter Callaghan's thoughts on Seattle's pending rule to add a 20-cent charge on all paper and plastic bags as a way to aid the environment and cut down on litter by lowering the number of disposable bags shoppers carry. The trouble with that plan is that those bags come from wood in Washington. Fewer bags means fewer trees need to be harvested and the timber industry takes another hit.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:51am

Narrows airport purchase hits a snag

Pierce County officials are planning to sell more than 60 acres of land outside of Graham to  raise enough money to purchase the Tacoma Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor from the City of Tacoma.

The county operates a maintenance facility along Highway 7 that it hopes would sell for $17.5 million. The Pierce County Council is set to formally approve the sale this afternoon.
Tacoma-based Managing Green is set to buy the Elks Plain site, which is zoned for mixed use.

The trouble is that residents near the property are mounting a campaign to halt the sale. More than 100 people have signed a petition in opposition to the sale.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:50am

Unemployment rate inches up

Washington's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.7 percent in July, up from June's revised rate of 5.4 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:48am

Tax agents doing well on collections

Department of Revenue is doing an excellent job managing state debt collections, according to a performance audit issued today by State Auditor Brian Sonntag.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 11, 2008 at 2:39pm

Revenue collections still weakening

General Fund tax payments to state coffers continued to weaken during the July-to-August collection period. Receipts for the month were $59.9 million, or 5.0 percent, lower than expected. All  revenue categories except for estate taxes, DOL revenues and "other" came in below their forecasts.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 11, 2008 at 9:47am

State settles false advertising cases

Department of Financial Institutions officials have entered into Consent Orders with two firms previously charged with false advertising.

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Comments (8) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 11, 2008 at 9:25am

Car dealer responds to AG claims

McCann Motors, a Cadillac, Hummer and Saab automotive dealer based in Fife, took steps to clarify statements made in a Washington State Attorney General announcement about an investigation regarding cars it bought at auction after they were flagged as having possible defects. The state charged that the dealership sold the cars without providing all of the disclosure documentation required by state law. 

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 8, 2008 at 12:50pm

Lemon law costs Fife dealership

McCann Motors must make amends with 79 car buyers whose secondhand Hummers and Cadillac Escalades didn't come with a mandatory notice that the cars had been reacquired by their manufacturer under California's Lemon Law then resold in Washington.

"The price of prestige probably was too high for some of these buyers who paid up to $50,000 for luxury cars, but may have negotiated differently had they received the required Lemon Law disclosures," said Consumer Protection Division Chief Doug Walsh.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 8, 2008 at 11:57am

Cleanup nears end in Lewis flood zone

After eight months of sustained effort, Washington Department of Ecology and Washington Conservation Corps crews are wrapping up recovery efforts in the areas where flooding devastated Lewis County early last winter.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 8, 2008 at 11:56am

UWT master plan to be discussed

Members of the Tacoma City Council are scheduled to meet at noon Aug. 12 to receive an update from University of Washington, Tacoma staffers about the campus and its master plan which will include phase one and phase two alternatives.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:13am

Prisons want to do business

The Department of Corrections is looking for businesses to operate in prisons and provide offenders with job skills that help them live crime-free lives after they return to their communities.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 6, 2008 at 11:38am

State wage growth edged out inflation

Washington workers earned 5 percent more in 2007 than they did in 2006, while inflation grew by only 3.9 percent, according to a new report released by the state Employment Security Department. 

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Law and Legislation, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 6, 2008 at 10:13am

Research center named after Russell

The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted a ceremony to break ground on the organization's new headquarters at the University of Washington in Seattle. The building will be named after George F. Russell Jr. in honor of his work as chairman.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 6, 2008 at 9:44am

LeMay sells to Waste Connections

California-based refuse company Waste Connections has announced that it has bought Harold LeMay Enterprises, Incorporated, the refuse services provider for much of the South Sound. 

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Comments (8) | Posted in Lacey, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 6, 2008 at 9:43am

State counsel opposes PSE sale

The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General's Office has recommended that the state Utilities and Transportation Commission not approve a settlement that would allow acquisition of Puget Sound Energy by a consortium of private equity investors. Expert testimony filed by Public Counsel suggests the settlement provisions do not do enough to address public interest concerns with the sale.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 6, 2008 at 9:40am

Blog Watch: Talk of the town

The downtown Tacoma blog has an item about what's in the works for Tollefson Plaza now that the city and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber have signed an operations deal. Events anticipated to activate the space include: Friday lunch markets, big screen movie nights, annual holiday festivities such as a Holiday Tree Lighting and a New Year's celebration and a Harvest Festival. The addition of tables, chairs, and all weather covering along with other aesthetic improvements, promise to create a more inviting environment.

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Comments (8) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 6, 2008 at 9:39am

COFFEE BREAK: Local matters?

The Business Examiner would like to know what kinds of things you are doing to either control your health care spending at your home or business or cover the increases  through cuts elsewhere.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 5, 2008 at 11:27am

Locals selected for state boards

Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced South Sound appointments to the following boards and commissions:

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 5, 2008 at 11:24am

PSE reports quarterly financials

Puget Energy has reported net income of $33.7 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter 2008 compared to $38.6 million, or 33 cents per share, in the second quarter 2007. Net income from Puget Energy's regulated electric and gas utility subsidiary, Puget Sound Energy, was $39.1 million, or 30 cents per share, in the second quarter 2008, compared to $38.4 million, or 33 cents per share, in the second quarter 2007.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 4, 2008 at 10:53am

Thurston jail bid awarded

Thurston County Commissioners this morning awarded the contract for construction of a new corrections facility, the Accountability and Restitution Center, to Pease Construction of Lakewood. 

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County, Tumwater by News Room | Email News


Aug. 4, 2008 at 9:47am

GROW tool provides primary data

As the Top 2 primary on Aug. 19 approaches, Enterprise Washington is encouraging voters to make sure they are ready to vote by providing them with key statistics about who their candidates are and where they stand on issues that affect their families, their workplace and individual prosperity. 

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by News Room | Email News


Aug. 1, 2008 at 12:27pm

Share your thoughts on health care reform

Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System has partnered with grassroots organization Code Blue Now to encourage South Sound residents to express their suggestions and goals for national health care reform via an online questionnaire. The Code Blue Now survey can be found on the Franciscan Web site at www.FHShealth.org. The questionnaire can be completed in 15 minutes or less, and responses are confidential.

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Comments (2) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County by Paul Schrag | Email Paul


Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:49am

State ranks high on Forbes list

In a national study released today, Forbes ranked Washington as the third "best state for business." Washington moved up from its fifth place ranking in Forbes' 50-state survey last year, and up from 12th place in 2006.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:48am

Retailers support e-fencing laws

The National Retail Federation today welcomed the introduction of legislation in Congress that would help prevent electronic fencing of stolen merchandise through Internet auctions.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:47am

Commercial construction grows

Nonresidential construction reached another record high in June, according to a recent construction spending report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Spending hit $408.1 billion, a 0.8 percent increase from May, on a monthly, seasonally-adjusted basis.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 31, 2008 at 2:33pm

Thurston tanker spill fined $7,000

The Washington Department of Ecology this week penalized Hoquiam-based Pettit Oil $7,000 for a June 2007 trailer truck crash that caused some 2,0000 gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline to spill and ignite along Highway 8, near the Thurston and Grays Harbor county border.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 31, 2008 at 10:58am

GDP is up but lagging, report finds

Real nonresidential fixed investment, which includes the purchase of nonresidential structures for investments or commercial uses, increased 2.3 percent during the second quarter of 2008 compared with a 2.4 percent increase in the previous quarter, according to data released today by the U.S. Commerce Department on the nation's Gross Domestic Product.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:29pm

Blog Watch: technology

Andrew Fry gives a glimpse of what to expect at the annual South Sound Technology Conference in the fall. The umbrella topic this year will be "Innovation and Technology."

The AWB has an item about "checkbook voters" and what they think about the economy.

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Comments (4) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:08pm

State disciplines local health worker

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against a health care provider in the South Sound.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:07pm

Western governors align for waterways

The governors of California, Oregon and Washington have launched an action plan to address challenging ocean and coastal management issues along the West Coast.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:06pm

SBA revises small business standards

The Small Business Administration has revised its small business size standards for small businesses in the heating oil and petroleum dealers  industries and restores small business status to those firms that may have exceeded their existing size standards due to higher receipts generated by higher oil prices.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Startups/Minority Businesses by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 29, 2008 at 11:20am

Cross Base to break ground

Washington State Department of Transportation officials will break ground tomorrow on the first segment of State Route 704 in Pierce County. Better known at the Cross Base Highway, the road will directly link Spanaway to Interstate 5.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 29, 2008 at 9:56am

Bridge report shows need

Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond today said that while Washington's bridge preservation program is among the nation's leaders, the state and nation must continue to invest in our transportation infrastructure.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 29, 2008 at 9:52am

Revenue agents offers aid at office

The state Department of Revenue has made it easier for taxpayers without computers to access resources on the department's Web site as well as at self-service computer workstations in each of its 12 field offices, including Tacoma.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 28, 2008 at 12:02pm

PSE completes Sumas plant purchase

Puget Sound Energy today announced that it has completed the purchase of a 125-megawatt power plant in northwest Washington to help meet its customers' steadily growing electricity demands.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 28, 2008 at 11:59am

Street concept under consideration

Members of the Tacoma City Council are scheduled to host a joint study session tomorrow with members of the Joint Municipal Action Committee to discuss the concept of collaborating on possible improvements and setting a strategic long-term plan for the properties in the 19th and Tyler Street area, near Foss High School, Cheney Stadium and Metro Parks Tacoma headquarters.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 28, 2008 at 11:58am

Weyerhaeuser to sell another Canadian mill

Following the trend of recent months of Weyerhaeuser Co. shedding under-performing mills, the Federal Way company has  announced its intention to sell its hardwood mill in Delta, British Columbia.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 28, 2008 at 11:57am

Oakland Bay study continued

The Washington Department of Ecology has extended the time frame for public input on its planned study of possible contamination in Mason County's Oakland Bay. The comment period will now end Aug. 11. 

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Mason County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 25, 2008 at 1:47pm

Liquor agents raid Puyallup shop

Washington State Liquor Control Board Tobacco Tax Unit agents seized an estimated $200,000 of cigarettes and sales records today during a raid of the Indian Country Store, located at 908 River Rd. in Puyallup. The raid comes after an investigation that determined the store had reportedly been selling unstamped cigarettes and selling cigarettes without a license.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 25, 2008 at 12:43pm

ST announces new transit package

The Sound Transit Board has unanimously approved placing a 15-year mass transit package on the November ballot. The plan rapidly increases express bus and commuter rail service and creates a 53-mile regional light rail system — all with a lower price tag, faster delivery dates and more public accountability than last year's roads-and-transit package.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma by Paul Schrag | Email Paul


Jul. 24, 2008 at 10:36am

Regulatory burdens gets hearing

The House of Representatives' Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade will hold a hearing entitled the "Regulatory Burdens on Small Firms: What Rules Need Reform?" The hearing will be held in the nation's capital next week.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 24, 2008 at 10:32am

PSE named solar power leader

Despite the Northwest's reputation for cloudy skies, Puget Sound Energy is receiving high marks for its work in developing solar energy resources. According to rankings released by the Solar Electric Power Association today, PSE merits a "Top 10 Solar Ranking" among all utilities across the country.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 23, 2008 at 11:24am

BE's 40 Under Forty photos are online

The Business Examiner's sold out 40 Under Forty event last night recognized outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40.

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Comments (8) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 23, 2008 at 10:35am

State targets mortgage broker

An examination conducted by the Department of Financial Institutions concluded that Paramount Equity Mortgage, Inc., a licensed mortgage broker headquartered in California, has reportedly engaged in a number of deceptive lending practices. As a result of the findings, DFI has given notice that it intends to revoke Paramount's license to do business in Washington, fine the firm $500,000 and require restitution for borrowers.

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Comments (12) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 23, 2008 at 10:34am

Blog Watch: military matters

The blog 5views.com has a run down of the Air Expo at McChord this weekend and thoughts about the support of the military in the South Sound.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 23, 2008 at 10:33am

COFFEE BREAK: Legal matters

The Business Examiner would like to know what kinds of laws you would like politicians to pass and which you would like them to repeal. Raising the hands-free calling while driving rule to a primary offense tops my list as long as it would be enforced.

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Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 22, 2008 at 1:52pm

State cites local health workers

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of the following health care providers in the South Sound:

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 22, 2008 at 11:08am

Teamsters picketed freight company

A handful of retirees and union officials picketed outside Oak Harbor Freight Lines' headquarters in Auburn yesterday.  At issue is contract negotiations that remain stalled after almost a year of talks. The sticking point is reportedly the regional trucking company's stance of eliminating health care coverage for all of its retirees.

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Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 22, 2008 at 11:06am

PSE reaches deal for merger

Puget Sound Energy, the utility subsidiary of Puget Energy, has announced that it has reached a settlement to resolve all issues with several of the parties involved in the merger that now faces the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission for approval. The UTC must still review the settlement and other evidence in the proceeding and issue its decision on the merger request.

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Comments (4) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 22, 2008 at 11:01am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Meta Dooley is the new senior vice president for strategic planning and business development for Franciscan Health System, one of the largest private employers in the South Puget Sound region that includes St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and hospitals in Federal Way, Lakewood, Enumclaw and Gig Harbor. Her appointment was announced July 15 by Franciscan President and CEO Joe Wilczek. She will direct system-wide strategic planning, business plan development for service lines and facilities, and advocacy for the 6,300-employee organization that is based in Tacoma and has hospitals, medical clinics and other care facilities in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 21, 2008 at 10:20am

Pesticide violation issued locally

During the second quarter of 2008, the state Department of Agriculture issued fines totaling $4,550, and imposed license suspensions for violations of state pesticide laws and rules.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 21, 2008 at 10:14am

State levies $20 million fine

Washington has joined 29 other states in a $20 million national settlement against HealthMarkets Inc. and its affiliated companies, MEGA Life and Health Insurance Co., Mid-West National Life Insurance Co. and Chesapeake Life Insurance Co. The settlement follows a three-year multi-state exam which found multiple problems involving consumer disclosure, oversight and training of agents, claims handling, and complaint handling practices.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 18, 2008 at 12:19pm

Court to decide I-960 suit this fall

The state's "court of last resort" will begin the process of deciding whether a provision of Initiative 960 requiring all tax increases be approved by supermajority vote in both houses is unconstitutional on Sept. 9.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary


Jul. 18, 2008 at 11:48am

Residents are savvy about ID theft

A recent poll conducted by PEMCO Insurance suggests that while the state has one of the highest per-capita rates of identity theft in the nation, Washingtonians are aware of the risks and are taking the precautions necessary to prevent identity fraud.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 16, 2008 at 12:47pm

Competitors needed for forklift rodeo

Professional forklift drivers in the King County area are invited to compete Aug. 23 in a forklift rodeo at the Kent Space Center in Kent. The top seven drivers will win prizes ranging from $50 to $300.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 16, 2008 at 12:46pm

Narrows bridge marks anniversary

 In the shadow of the twin spans at Tacoma's War Memorial Park, Gov. Chris Gregoire commemorated the first anniversary of the new bridge across the Narrows today. The governor was joined at the celebration by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste, Washington State Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Dave Dye, Gig Harbor Mayor Chuck Hunter, Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, and other elected and community leaders.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 16, 2008 at 11:11am

Tacoma's second AIA approved

The state Liquor Control Board today approved a resolution recognizing a second Alcohol Impact Area in Tacoma.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary


Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:16pm

Taxable retail sales increase 1.4 percent

Taxable retail sales reported by Washington businesses increased 1.4 percent to $26.6 billion during the first quarter of 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:15pm

Consumers focus on only needed buys

Although millions of tax rebate checks hit mailboxes in June, consumer spending remained soft. The National Retail Federation reports that retail industry sales for June, which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants, rose only 1.3 percent from last year and increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month. Growth was projected to be much higher from the boost in tax rebate checks.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:15pm

Fuel, materials costs 'clobber' budgets

Surging prices for diesel fuel, asphalt, steel, plastics, gypsum and other materials are battering construction company budgets, according to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of the state of the industry. The research came after the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on the Producer Price Index.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:13pm

PPI jumps 1.8 percent

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods increased 1.8 percent in June, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor has reported.  This increase followed advances of 1.4 percent in May and 0.2 percent in April.  At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by producers of  intermediate goods rose 2.1 percent in June after moving up 2.9 percent in the prior month, and the crude index increased 3.7 percent following a 6.7 percent gain in May.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:12pm

Kent nursing assistant suspended

A King County nursing assistant's credential has been suspended on charges of sexual misconduct.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 15, 2008 at 12:07pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Cornerstone Financial Strategies LLC, a financial planning and investment management firm in University Place, has hired J.B. Wilson. A recent business graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Wilson completed a year-long internship with Cornerstone before joining the firm full-time as client service manager.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 14, 2008 at 1:53pm

Transit plan means more service, faster

The Sound Transit Board has discussed a 15-year option for expanding mass transit around Puget Sound. The new option heeds the call for further light rail extensions while delivering a series of significant Sounder commuter rail and ST Express regional bus service expansions between 2009 and 2023.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 14, 2008 at 11:20am

PSE wind farms reach milestone

Puget Sound Energy, the private utility that provides power to thousands of homes and businesses around the South Sound, has announced that its Hopkins Ridge and Wild Horse wind facilities have both reached milestones, with each facility now having produced more than 1 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity since entering service in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 11, 2008 at 11:29am

City's alcohol plan set for decision

The state Liquor Control Board will soon decide on a request by Tacoma officials to create an Alcohol Impact Area in the city's Lincoln District. The board will meet at 10 a.m. on July 16 at the board's headquarters, located at 3000 Pacific Ave. S.E. in Olympia.

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Comments (8) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 11, 2008 at 9:29am

Group cites troubles at local center

A report called "Voices from Detention: A Report on Human Rights Violations at the Northwest Detention Center," is set to be released next week but its contents are already being announced.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Law and Legislation, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 11, 2008 at 9:24am

BE's 40 Under Forty event is sold out

Read about honorees on line

The Business Examiner's 40 Under Forty event, scheduled for later this month, is sold out. The event will recognize outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 10, 2008 at 10:52am

Lakewood motel cited for roof hazard

The danger of a roof collapse has led to restrictions on the motel license of Lakewood's Biltmore Motel. The Department of Health has instructed the motel owner not to allow guests to stay in about 10 rooms where the roof is unstable.

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 10, 2008 at 10:50am

Confidence holds steady, report finds

The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, which declined in the first quarter of 2008, inched up a point to 39 in the second quarter. Although confidence is up, it is still pessimistic since a reading of less than 50 points reflects negative outlook of conditions. The last time the measure fell below 38 was in the final quarter of 2000, when it was at 31.

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Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 10, 2008 at 10:48am

Payroll grows as revenue shrinks

The Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast released today reports a rise in payroll around the state by 1.6 percent for the first quarter of 2008, following a 2.4 percent increase in the fourth quarter of 2007. 

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Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve


Jul. 10, 2008 at 10:43am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

At its annual meeting in June, the board of directors of The Nonprofit Center named its officers. Elected to the position of president was Dick Pickett, vice president of Business Banking for Rainier Pacific Bank. Board vice president is John Doan, city administrator for the City of Sumner, and Secretary-Treasurer is Dianne Stoehr, CPA. Other members of the board are: Joanne Bamford, community member; John Hickey, associate vice president at the University of Puget Sound; Linda Ishem, acting assistant professor at the University of Washington Tacoma; Tracy Kahlo, vice president of the National Eating Disorders Association; David Petrich, attorney with Eisenhower & Carlson PLLC; and Barbara Serry, assistant planner at the City of Sumner. The Nonprofit Center, itself a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, works with other nonprofits throughout the South Puget Sound region to assist in the development of management and leadership skills. The Center presents more than twenty seminars on nonprofit management each year, and they host the Washington State Nonprofit Governance Conference, the o