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Mazda 6: Much more than meets the eye

The engineers won. That much is certain. Mazda Motor Corp. embarked on a noble mission — to rethink the entire automobile and to treat form and function as one in … More →

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In Basket: May 13, 2013

Health • The American Society for Dental Ethics has selected Jessica De Bord as its executive director. The society is a section of the American …

‘The season’s begun’: Chinook Pass reopens

CHINOOK PASS — When Ron Myers sees crew members from the state Department of Transportation, he makes sure to thank them for their work clearing …

Apple CEO Tim Cook to propose corporate tax overhaul next week

WASHINGTON — Apple chief executive Tim Cook plans to propose a “dramatic simplification” of corporate tax laws when he testifies for the first time before …

Microsoft Windows 8 update will be free

NEW YORK — Microsoft says a planned update to its Windows 8 operating system will be made available for free later this year. The update …

Frugal Living: Remove stains from baby clothes

Baby clothes collect a lot of food stains. Remove them by using a bar of Fels-Naptha or applying dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon ammonia. Rub …

Surviving spouse acquires the joint checking account

DEAR BRUCE: My sister and her husband had a joint checking account. My sister signed a “paid on death” form and put my name as …

Shop Talk: Catching up with a trio of Enterprise Challenge contestants

For the last three years, the Enterprise Challenge, a business plan competition organized by New Vision, the Yakima County economic development arm, sought out potential …

2014 Acura RLX Advance: A showpiece that doesn’t show off

It is a car beautiful in its simplicity and finish, crowned with jewel-like headlamps that practically sparkle. Its elegantly done interior speaks to luxury without …

Small businesses are the newest reality TV stars

NEW YORK — There’s no business like small business. Mix the high stakes of running a small business with a dash of family drama and …

Windows 8 sells 100 million copies, with big ‘Blue’ update coming

SEATTLE — Reports of the PC’s demise at the hands of Windows 8 are greatly exaggerated, according to Tami Reller, Microsoft’s Windows marketing chief. More …

Bechtel leases storage space at ex-Ace site

YAKIMA, Wash. — A Hanford contractor has signed a lease for 183,000 square feet of space at the former Ace Hardware distribution center in Yakima. …

Congresswoman opposes Indian casino near Spokane

SPOKANE — A congresswoman has joined opponents of a proposed Indian casino near Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane, saying such a large, commercial development …

Consumer credit in U.S. increased less than forecast in March

WASHINGTON — Consumer borrowing in the U.S. climbed less than projected in March as Americans reduced credit-card purchases for the first time this year. The …

Mobile payment firm hopes food industry will eat up its card readers

WASHINGTON — Among those quickest to embrace the funny, square-shaped credit card readers poking out from the top of smartphones or iPads have been independent …

Hanford contractor to fill vacant space in Yakima warehouse

YAKIMA, Wash. — On Monday, I reported on the increasingly robust commercial real estate market in the Yakima Valley. And here’s yet another sign of …

Numbers tell the tale: Commercial real estate is booming

In March 2012, Hogback LLC of Yakima purchased the former Napa Auto Parts property in Toppenish for $450,000. A year later, Hogback sold the property, …

Fed loan officer survey says business loans lead credit thaw

WASHINGTON — U.S. banks eased standards and terms on loans to businesses as commercial lending led a credit thaw, according to a Federal Reserve survey. …

E.U. rules against Google’s Motorola Mobility unit over patent claim

The European Union said Monday that Google’s Motorola Mobility cellphone unit may have violated E.U. antitrust regulations by seeking to block Apple products based on …

Frugal Living: Make copycat recipes

Copycat recipes aren’t the exact secret recipes from stores and restaurants, but they taste close enough to the “real deal” that they are sometimes called …

Smart Money: Dad’s disability check is safe in his divorce

DEAR BRUCE: My dad is getting divorced. He and this wife were married only five years. They have no children together and own no property …

Denny’s, Red Lobster get spiffy new looks

You’ve heard of spring cleaning. Several Yakima Valley businesses have taken that one step further and gone for a complete makeover. Denny’s in Union Gap …

Starbucks aims to re-create coffee klatch online

Back in the social-media stone age, about 2005, customers who yearned to interact with Starbucks could talk to a barista or read quotes on its …

Infiniti M37xS: Thinking too much, in a car that tries too hard

Thinking can ruin a good ride, which is what happened to me during my week with the 2013 Infiniti M37xS sedan. I was distracted by …

Economic reports hold out hope for employment gains

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans are losing their jobs. Employers are struggling to squeeze more work from their staffs. The U.S. is producing so much oil …

Mobile ads help grow Facebook’s first-quarter revenue

NEW YORK — A year ago Facebook was just testing the waters of mobile advertising, causing plenty of headaches for investors ahead of its massive …

Video: FDA will investigate added caffeine in foods

WASHINGTON — Looking for a new way to get that jolt of caffeine energy? Food companies are betting snacks like potato chips, jelly beans and …

Detroit automakers seen gaining U.S. market share

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — For the first time in two decades, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler pulled off a sweep in the first three months of …

T-Mobile closes acquisition of MetroPCS

NEW YORK — T-Mobile USA, the country’s fourth-largest cellphone carrier, was set to complete its acquisition of MetroPCS after the stock market closed on Tuesday. …

Economic gains may not help Democrats much in 2014

WASHINGTON — Presidents like to take credit for economic recoveries, just as President Barack Obama is angling to do now. He and his allies in …

Despite higher taxes, U.S. consumers keep spending

WASHINGTON — This year got off to a sour start for U.S. workers: Their pay, already gasping to keep pace with inflation, suddenly decreased when …

End of the line for Track 29?

The end may be near for the Track 29 shopping center in downtown Yakima. Tenants in the development, a row of train cars and buildings …

Breaking the chains: You don’t have to venture far to find fresh, local pizza

TIETON — When John Tuttle began making pizza several years ago for his wife, Tammy, he had no clue it would eventually lead to his …

Frugal Living: Use salt and lemon to clean that stainless steel sink

Dear Sara: I have tried cleaning my stainless steel sink with vinegar and with baking soda, but neither worked. Do you have any other suggestions? …

Smart Money: Slow and steady is best way to pay off mortgage

DEAR BRUCE: I have a second mortgage in the amount of $22,000. I am paying 9 percent interest, which is $181 a month. I would …

Chastened banks cut tens of thousands of jobs

NEW YORK — Banks aren’t the big jobs machines they used to be. One after another, major financial firms are trimming their payrolls. In first-quarter …

Shop Talk: Goodbye to the Cookie Cutter, hello to the zombies

My interview with Kay and Janet Hartshom last week at their kitchen store, Cookie Cutter Etc., was interrupted several times as customers came in to …

In Basket: April 29, 2013

Finance • Cashmere Valley Bank has promoted Darlene Picatti to vice president. Picatti has worked for the bank for five years and has served as …

Jaguar’s four-cylinder XF offers easy price, plush ride

Calling a $47,000 car cheap might seem crass. But it’s a rare day to find a Jaguar for less than $50,000, especially one that looks …

Leadership Yakima reunion set as part of graduation activities

YAKIMA — The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce will hold its first Leadership Yakima reunion from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 19 as part …

Apple announces it will dole out $100B to shareholders

NEW YORK — Apple is opening the doors to its bank vault, saying it will distribute $100 billion in cash to its shareholders by the …

Tracking the Vote: April 27, 2013

Y = Yes, N = No, E = Excused, X = Not Voting House Bill 2038 Eliminating tax preferences and making temporary taxes permanent for …

Watch for Part Two of “Our Industrious Valley”

The weekend’s almost here, but before I head out and enjoy this great weather, I wanted to get caught up on a few things. First …

Supreme Court asked to review Noel Canning labor case

The Obama administration on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a recent Court of Appeals decision that could invalidate hundreds of National Labor …

State AG slaps T-Mobile USA for new plans

NEW YORK — Washington state’s chief prosecutor says there’s a catch to T-Mobile’s new cellphone plans, which replace the traditional two-year service contract with an …

New restaurant in Sloppy Slaw space

YAKIMA, Wash. — Once in a while, I get restaurant news from my colleagues. In this case, I learned from my colleague Pat Muir that …

New law allows students to sample wine, beer they’re crafting

YAKIMA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill to allow 18- to 20-year-old students to taste small amounts of alcohol as part of …

Lawyer: Inspectors clear horse slaughterhouse

ROSWELL, N.M. — About 5 miles from this southeastern New Mexico town’s famed UFO museum, tucked between dairy farms, is a nondescript metal building that …

In Basket: April 22, 2013

Construction • Varco-Pruden Buildings has recognized Charlie Eglin of Tri-Ply Construction for 30 years as a builder with the company, which sells steel building systems. …

Yakima County picture brightens: nonag jobs up, jobless rate down

YAKIMA, Wash. — The employment picture in Yakima County brightened in March with a robust increase in nonagricultural jobs and a drop in the unemployment …

Hackers compromise AP Twitter account

LONDON — Hackers have compromised the main Twitter account of The Associated Press, sending out an erroneous tweet about an attack at the White House. …

‘House of Cards’ helps Netflix pass subscriber estimates

SAN FRANCISCO — Netflix Inc., the leading online video-subscription service, posted better-than-expected gains in U.S. subscribers for the first quarter, adding more than 2 million …

Gas prices fall again in Yakima

YAKIMA, Wash. — The average price for gasoline in Yakima fell 3.7 cents over the past week, according to GasBuddy.com. The average price per gallon …

Frugal Living: Try some slow-cooker oatmeal

Boiling water or using a microwave to cook instant oatmeal is fast and easy, but some people don’t have a microwave, and some don’t like …

Smart Money: Homes protected in bankruptcy

DEAR BRUCE: I am a 74-year-old female, divorced. I had to quit my job a few years ago because of poor health and had to …

Ag still the engine that drives the Valley’s economy

In the late 1990s, Red Delicious apples flooded the market, but there was not enough demand for the state’s dominant variety. Consumers wanted new varieties, …

A great car for a one-track mind

BMW’s marketers brag that their company’s new M5 sports sedan was “developed on the racetrack for everyday use.” They are being cheeky. Everyday streets are …

American tries to catch up on flights after system meltdown

DALLAS — American Airlines played catch-up Wednesday, resuming most flights and even adding a handful that were not on the schedule to help passengers stranded …

Commodities drop steeply; Dow has worst day of the year

NEW YORK — Worries about an economic slowdown in China fueled a steep drop in commodity prices Monday, spooking investors and giving the Dow Jones …

In Basket: April 15, 2013

Construction • The American Society of Concrete Contractors’ board of directors has elected Mike Poppoff president for 2013-14. Poppoff, owner and president of Poppoff Inc. …

Frugal Living: Try an alternative to shampoo

Dear Sara: Do you have a recipe for making shampoo? — Rita M., email Dear Rita: I don’t have a recipe for store-bought shampoo. However, …

Shop Talk: National J.C. Penney shoppers’ frustrations mirrored locally

At the end of 2011, I wrote a column about J.C. Penney’s comeback. That was shortly after the retailer filed a building permit application with …

Who says innovation dead in age of crazy cheesy crust pizza?

CHICAGO — Move over, hamburgers and fries. Here come the sweet-chili chicken wraps and bacon-filled tater tots. Looking to lure Americans with the coolest new …

Smart Money: Risk-averse must settle for less

DEAR BRUCE: We are a husband and wife in our 70s, and we are considering selling our residence to move into an apartment. Our home …

2013 Kia Rio SX: The truth of small things

NEW YORK — Tom Libby is a numbers guy, the senior forecasting analyst for R.L. Polk & Co., a research and marketing firm for the …

Investors dump Microsoft, PC stocks on bleak news

SAN FRANCISCO — If fewer people are interested in buying a new personal computer, then fewer investors want to own stakes in companies whose fortunes …

Starbucks drops price of bagged coffee

SEATTLE — Starbucks is lowering the list price of its bagged coffee to stay competitive as commodity costs ease across the industry. The Seattle-based chain …

Automakers launch recalls over air bags that can spray shrapnel

DETROIT — Six automakers, including Toyota, Honda and Nissan, are recalling nearly 3.4 million older-model vehicles worldwide because of defective air bags that can send …

Cybercurrency Bitcoin is on a roller-coaster ride

LONDON — It’s a promising form of electronic cash free from central bankers and beloved by hackers. It — Bitcoin — may also be in …

PC sales plunge as Windows 8 flops

SAN FRANCISCO — The ailing personal computer market is getting weaker, and it’s starting to look like it will never fully recover as a new …

Costco key revenue metric rises 4% in March

ISSAQUAH, Wash. (AP) — Costco Wholesale Corp.’s revenue from established stores rose 4 percent in March, but that was short of Wall Street expectations. The …

Report: Virgin America best US airline in 2012

WASHINGTON — Virgin America did the best job for its customers among leading U.S. airlines last year, a report said Monday, as carriers overall had …

CEO switch prompts speculation over J.C. Penney’s future

YAKIMA — The buzz of the retail world came late yesterday when J.C. Penney announced it was firing CEO Ron Johnson. The retailer then announced …

J.C. Penney looks to former CEO to secure future

NEW YORK (AP) — J.C. Penney is hoping its former CEO can revive the retailer after a risky turnaround strategy backfired and led to massive …

Yakima planners addressing traffic, design concerns for proposed downtown McDonald’s

YAKIMA, Wash. — Citing potential traffic impacts, city planning officials said they are seeking additional information before starting a review of the proposed McDonald’s in …

Gas prices are going down — and the trend could continue

The extra weekly cash incentive that Brad Hurd receives as a courier is tied to gas prices. When gas prices were going up, his boss …

Frugal Living: Remove detergent residue from clothes

Dear Sara: I have lots of used clothing I want to give to a close friend, but she is chemically sensitive and unable to wear …

Smart Money: Lottery winner giving up inheritance

DEAR BRUCE: We are trying to settle my in-laws’ estate in Florida since they both are deceased. One of the siblings won a lottery last …

Want a business that lasts? Start one with family

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — If you want to go into business during tough economic times, you might want to do it with family. At Sokol Blosser …

Reviewing the first quarter: Lowe’s, the mall, Track 29 ... and candy!

It seems like more companies participated in April Fools’ Day pranks this year. There were blogs and Facebook posts about REI selling an outdoor gear …

In Basket: April 8, 2013

Environment • Jeremy Lynn, a hydrogeologist with Fulcrum Environmental Consulting Inc. in Yakima, completed a project management course in Seattle held by PSMJ Resources. The …

Fair-trade cocoa fairly booming

Theo Chocolate used to be small enough that when TV crews and others needed quiet while taking a tour, it could shut off machines for …

Discouraged Americans increasingly leave labor force

WASHINGTON — After a full year of fruitless job hunting, Natasha Baebler just gave up. She’d already abandoned hope of getting work in her field, …

2013 Hyundai Sonata: Would higher price make it a better car?

NEW YORK — The concept of luxury historically has resided in notions of exclusivity. The more exclusive something is the more desirable it becomes. Exclusivity, …

KFC to offer easy-to-eat boneless chicken

NEW YORK — In case Americans want to scarf down their fast-food even faster, KFC is stripping the bones out of its chicken. The fast-food …

Sun worshipers urged to visit the Valley — just not right now

Mother Nature has decided to rain on the parade recently launched by the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. As the Valley enjoyed summer-like weather …

As Facebook matures, is it losing its edge?

NEW YORK — To see what Facebook has become, look no further than the Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer. Sometime last year, people began sharing tongue-in-cheek …

Some design ideas for McDonald’s

YAKIMA, Wash. — As the city of Yakima’s planning department continues to look over a land-use application for a proposed McDonald’s in downtown Yakima, here’s …

The mobile phone turns 40

YAKIMA, Wash. — The mobile phone’s officially middle-aged. The first mobile phone call was made 40 years ago today. Back then, mobile phones were huge …

Stocks rise on strong auto sales, factory orders

The Dow Jones industrial average touched another record high Tuesday following strong reports on auto sales and factory orders, the latest evidence that the U.S. …

Yakima realty owner known for professionalism, philanthropy

YAKIMA, Wash. — Joanne Almon, a fixture in the Yakima Valley real estate community, died Monday night after a long illness. Almon, who was 68, …

In Basket: April 1, 2013

Health • Community Health of Central Washington has hired Troy Fleenor as director of information technology and Lana Barnes as director of patient accounts. Fleenor …

More taxpayers are waiting to file, but experts say now is the time

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The mad dash for April 15 is especially crowded with procrastinating taxpayers this year. More Americans than usual have waited until …

U.S. Supreme Court rejects review of new airline fare rule

YAKIMA, Wash. — First of all, I don’t do April Fool’s jokes. You will not be seeing any joke posts on this blog. I’m sure …

Frugal Living: You can make your on washing soda

Readers sometimes have trouble finding Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda for purchase. If you’re unable to find a nearby retailer through armandhammer.com, you can …

Smart Money: Party spot in the woods is a liability risk

DEAR BRUCE: Our home is situated on three acres, two of which have been kept in their natural state. Now the property has been discovered …