Hotel occupancy numbers in Tacoma and Pierce County were lower during 2011 than 2010, but managed to eke out a small increase in southwest Washington, which includes Thurston and Lewis counties, according to the latest Trends in the Hotel Industry Report from Wolfgang Rood Hospitality Consulting.

The occupancy rate in Tacoma and Pierce County fell 6.4 percent (65.6 percent vs. 70.1 percent) year over year. For the month of December, occupancy was off 1.6 percent (46.6 percent vs. 47.4 percent. Year over year occupancy rates in southwest Washington increased slightly (63.2 percent vs. 63 percent). For December, the rate fell 10.6 percent (42.6 percent vs. 51.7 percent).

Mason County led the South Sound housing market during January, posting increases in both sales and median prices compared to a year earlier, according to the latest data from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Home sales in Mason County increased from 34 during January 2011 to 40 last month. The median price rose 3.99 percent, from $154,250 to $160,400.

Small, nonfarm businesses in 35 Washington counties and eight neighboring Oregon counties, are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration.  

"These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenue caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, flooding, below normal temperatures, high winds, frosts and freezes occurring Jan. 1 through July, 31, 2011," said Alfred E. Judd, director of SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center – West.

The affiliation between Providence Health & Services and Swedish Health Services is official. While the organizations' names and brands will not be changing and patients won't see any difference in how they access care, by working together, Providence and Swedish can reduce costs and increase quality and access for patients.

Both health systems also will be maintaining their individual identities and heritage. Providence will retain its Catholic identity and name, and Swedish will retain its name and will remain non-religious.

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following South Sound health care providers.

Lewis County

In December, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of registered nursing assistant applicant Lisa J. Sipe. She was convicted of child molestation.

Unemployment was higher throughout the South Sound during December, according to the latest data from the state Employment Security Department.

The jobless rate in Pierce County rose from 8.8 percent during November to 9.1 percent last month.

Business Examiner is hosting Who's Who – South King County from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Cafe Pacific Catering, 4402 Auburn Way North. The cost is $30 and includes a complimentary digital copy of the 2012 Book of Lists (a $35 value). Click here or call (253) 404-0891 for more information.

Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce is hosting Business After Hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan 25 at Heritage Bank, 5119 Olympic Drive NW. Click here to RSVP.

Business Examiner is hosting Who's Who – South King County from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Cafe Pacific Catering, 4402 Auburn Way North. The cost is $30 and includes a complimentary digital copy of the 2012 Book of Lists (a $35 value). Click here or call (253) 404-0891 for more information.

Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce is hosting Business After Hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at Heritage Bank, 5119 Olympic Drive NW. Click here to RSVP.

For sellers and shoppers alike, March 31 could be the biggest garage sale day of this year. Vendors are already claiming booths as the Southwest Washington Fair & Expo Center, located between Chehalis and Centralia, prepares for its annual "Spring Community Garage Sale."

What started eight years ago with 30 vendors in one building, has grown into an event which takes over virtually an entire fairgrounds.

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Business of they Year is Sunbird Shopping Center.

"When you think of an iconic Lewis County business, Sunbird's is what comes to my mind," said 2011 chamber board chair Bob Jackins of Home Depot. "They have meant so much to so many different people, both as employers and retailers. If you live in Lewis County, you've shopped at Sunbird's."

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

Lewis County

In December, the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Michelle I. Eskridge with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to document administration of medication to a patient and failed to follow the medication orders for the patient.

Hotel occupancy rates were down throughout the South Sound during November compared to a year earlier, according to the latest Trends in the Hotel Industry Report from Wolfgang Rood Hospitality Consulting.

Occupancy rates in Tacoma and Pierce County fell from 63.3 percent to 48.3 percent. Year to date the rate was off 6.7 percent, falling from 71.9 percent to 67.1 percent. For Southwest Washington, which includes Thurston and Lewis Counties, rates fell from 59.9 percent to 54 percent. Year to date, however, the occupancy rate ticked up from 64.1 percent to 64.8 percent.

Centralia Outlets will welcome Chico's Outlet to its mix of retailers during March.

Chico's is a women's specialty retailer of private branded, casual-to-dressy clothing, accessories and other non-clothing gift items. The retailer currently operates 590 boutiques and 79 outlet stores.

Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking event from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at Great American Casino, 10117 S. Tacoma Way. Call (253) 582-9400 for more information.

Thurston County Chamber is hosting a state of the community forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11 at Saint Martin's University, 5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey. Click here for more information.

Thurston County Chamber is hosting a state of the community forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11 at Saint Martin's University, 5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey. Click here for more information.

Lewis County EDC is hosting a general membership meeting at 7 a.m. Jan. 12 at Kit Carson Restaurant. George Sharp, executive director of Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau will discuss "Tourism as Economic Development." Click here or call (360) 748-0114 for more information.

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

Lewis County

In December, the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Lindsay C. Watson with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used heroin while on duty. She was convicted of possession of a controlled substance (heroin) on two occasions, physical control of a vehicle under the influence, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Taxable retail sales increased statewide 3.2 percent to $27.3 billion during the third quarter of 2011 compared to year-earlier results, according to the Department of Revenue. Retail trade, a subset of all sales that counts only retail store sales and excludes other sectors such as construction and services, was up 2.4 percent to $12.2 billion.

Taxable retail sales fell 3.3 percent in Pierce County to $2.7 billion and were off 5.1 percent in Thurston County to $952 million. In Lewis County, taxable retail sales rose 9.4 percent to $276 million. Taxable retail sales in Mason County were up 0.2 percent to $135 million.

Under Armour Factory House Store is scheduled to join the retail mix at Centralia Outlets on Feb. 16. The store will be next to the mall's Information Center and across the street from the Coach Factory store. Under Armour develops, markets and distributes performance apparel, footwear and accessories.

Centralia Outlets has more than 30 tenants. Three stores, Christopher and Banks, The Children's Place and Wilsons Leather, opened during 2011.

Home sales during December were mixed in the South Sound, but median prices fell throughout the region, according to the latest numbers from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

In Pierce County, sales rose 12.84 percent compared to December 2010 (791 vs. 701) but the median price fell 18.68 percent ($175,199 vs. $213,450).

Unemployment rates were mostly lower throughout the South Sound during November, according to the latest numbers released by the state Employment Security Department.



Pierce County posted a jobless rate of 8.8 percent, down from 9.1 percent during October.