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 Sponsored By:  Jan. 7, 2009 at 3:05pmRoad closures come with flooding
Major rivers in Washington are rapidly rising, including those adjacent to Interstate 5 in Lewis County. Forecasts indicate that portions of Interstate 5 could be underwater as early as this afternoon. Both Northbound and Southbound off-ramps at Exit 72, north of Napavine, are closed due to high water. [update per WSDOT 2:33 p.m.] Jan. 7, 2009 at 2:21pmFlood warnings for Puyallup valley
National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a flood warning for the Puyallup River at Puyallup from this afternoon to late tomorrow night. Jan. 7, 2009 at 2:21pmMuch of South Sound going under waterHeavy rain around the Olympics and the southwest interior will drive the Wynoochee and Chehalis rivers above flood stage with some above major flood category. The Chehalis at Centralia will be near record levels.  Jan. 7, 2009 at 1:30pmDecember snow impacted airlinesAlaska Airlines reported that just 58.4 percent of its flights arrived
on time in December, a 12.7-point decrease compared to the last month
of 2007. The decline was primarily caused by severe winter storms that
adversely affected operations in Seattle and Portland in the last two
weeks of December. Jan. 7, 2009 at 1:26pmHome loans sneaking upwardThirty-year mortgage rates increased slightly last week for the second
consecutive week. The weekly average rates for 30-year fixed mortgages
increased to 5.10 percent, up from 5.07 percent the week prior,
according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor. Jan. 7, 2009 at 1:16pmKent firm buys into ChinaFlow International Corp., the world's leading developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, announced today that it has completed its $2 million purchase of a minority ownership position in Dardi International Corp, China's leading waterjet manufacturer. Jan. 6, 2009 at 2:10pmDecember snows chill home sales
The unusual weather, when coupled with the expected holiday slowdown, contributed to a 17.6 percent slide in pending sales compared to the same month a year ago, according to figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Jan. 6, 2009 at 11:55amGregoire with the troops
After a mysterious weekend departure to the nation's capital, Gov. Chris Gregoire was reported this morning to be meeting with Washington Army National Guard troops in Iraq. Prior to leaving for the Middle East, the governor and others met with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates at the Pentagon. Jan. 6, 2009 at 11:26amThurston firms invited to file taxes onlineAll businesses in Thurston County will be able to file their Personal Property Listings electronically this year. The Assessor's Office has developed Personal Property eFile to simplify the process and make it more convenient for businesses to file. The site is secure and available to business owners or their accountants. Jan. 6, 2009 at 11:06amIRS gains convictions for Manke fraudBrett M. Smith, 25, of Puyallup, pleaded guilty to Mail Fraud yesterday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for his leadership role in a scheme to embezzle $2.4 million from Manke Lumber Company. He will be sentenced April 10 at 9:30 a.m. |
  
Earth-friendly businesses in building sectorBy Breanne Coats & Paul SchragBusinesses reliant on the building industry have had what may feel like a thousand curve balls thrown their way this past year. With the housing market crashing and the current economic situation, some small businesses are finding it hard not to strike out. However, there are some in the industry who found they can survive during this downturn because they have focused on inventive "Green" products. Recovery 1 and those selling solar energy like Richard Thompson are just a couple examples of how, even during tough times, businesses can still find some ways to hit home runs. Click here for more ... For Rent? Getting inventive with investmentsBy Breanne CoatsThe Puget Sound rental industry, in all of its many permutations, is stepping it up by offering quality service and innovative products to their clients. For the past 18 years, Joe Leith, regional manager of AA Party Rentals, has witnessed the company expand its size and its offerings. People understand that the business rents tables, chairs, covers and silverware for large parties, but Leith said they should take advantage of the smaller quantities of items that can be rented. Click here for more ... Lessons learned from December snowstormsBy Breanne CoatsThe recent Christmas snowstorm hit at a terrible times for retailers around the South Sound. Yet, small business owners learned some valuable lessons from the snowstorm that can be applied to any tough situation, whether caused by the weather or the economy. Click here for more ... Q&A: Cabela's in LaceyJason Hammeren was born in North Dakota and raised in Montana. After graduating from Billings West High School, he went on to earn a bachelors degree in business management and is five classes away from a master's degree. Hammeren has worked in the retail sector for 20 years, 15 of those in sporting goods. He just celebrated his 10-year anniversary with Cabela's and has worked at three stores – Owatonna, Dundee and now Lacey.Click here to read more ... Home values tanked in 2008Homes in the United States lost well over $2 trillion in value during 2008, according to analysis of recent Zillow Real Estate Market Reports. Home values declined 8.4 percent year-over-year during the first three quarters of this year, compared to the same period in 2007.Click here to read more ... Towne Center continues to growBy Breanne CoatsLakewood Towne Center helped transform the city's retail industry. And with the advantages of having a variety of discount retail stores and Lakewood's prime location near both McChord Air Force Base and Ft. Lewis, business continues to come to the center. Click here to read more ... |
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