By D. Patrick JonesMosteveryone knows that the tech pulse is strong in the Tri-Cities. The problem is,it’s hard to find the pulse in official data. The same challenge applies for presenceof the technology sector in Benton-Franklin Trends.Where in the trends site might we find some coverage? Consider data from the...
By George HefterOn Jan. 14, 2020, three widely-used Windows Operating Systems reach the end of their useful lives and will no longer receive updates and security patches from Microsoft: Windows 7, Server 2008 and Small Business Server 2011 (which is based on Server 2008). This so-called “end-of-support” doesn’t mean that...
By Andrew KirkSeven members of Jim Godfrey’s family were workingtogether at a family-owned business—but not their family’s. It was time to rectify that, he said, so he opened HornRapids RV Service & Sales Inc. on July 12. All three of Godfrey’s sons started working with himwhen they were 14 at...
By Andrew KirkA woman from Hawaii recently bought a home in Tri-Cities with cash and outbid other buyers by $10,000. Realestate shoppers from Seattle, Portland, California and beyond are a growingtrend in Tri-Cities, said Dave Shinabarger, president of the Tri-CityAssociation of Realtors.LanceKenmore of the Kenmore Team in Kennewick said his...
By Kris JohnsonWe hear about skyrocketing home prices in places like Seattle, San Francisco and New York and shake our heads. Modest three-bedroom ramblers going for $1 million or more. Hopeful homebuyers engaging in bidding wars, sometimes buying houses sight-unseen, or skipping inspections to ensure someone else doesn’t close the...
By Kris JohnsonThousands of professional salaried employees in Washington could be converted into hourly workers if a new proposal from the state Department of Labor and Industries goes into effect.For individual workers, thechange may or may not result in a pay cut. In some cases, employees might endup making about...
By Don C. Brunell Whenmy parents graduated from high school in 1936, a college education was tooexpensive for the son of a copper miner and the daughter of a plumber.Eighty years ago, ourcountry was in the middle of the Great Depression and teens took odd jobs tohelp put food on...
By Virginia Thomas / Spokane Journal of BusinessWashington financial institutions and regulators say they’re closely watching several pieces of federal legislation regarding cannabis that could impact how banks and credit unions handle banking for the cannabis industry.Some, however, aren’t optimistic that such legislation willmake it through the legislative process. Washington...
By D. Patrick JonesNearly every reader of this column has a relationship with a bank, credit union, mortgage lender or maybe a combination. The financial system of the U.S. is widely celebrated for contributing to our country’s economic success. What’s true nationally is true locally.D. Patrick Jones, Eastern Washington University’s...
By Beau RuffWe have all been there. We take a vacation to Florida, Hawaii, Arizona or Mexico, and we are presented with the deal of a lifetime: a timeshare. Proponents of thetimeshare declare it is an affordable way to own a slice of a dream property.Furthermore, the owners often can...
