Briefcase

Cascade Windows, Empire Pacific merge

Spokane-based Cascade Windows has merged with Empire Pacific Windows of Tualatin, Ore., leaving Cascade the surviving entity.

Terms of the transaction were not released. Empire Window management will have an ownership in Window Products Inc., the holding company created as part of the merger.

Cascade will operate Empire Pacific’s Tualatin plant as well as its existing Spokane, Salt Lake City and Troutdale, Ore., plants, with a work force of 400.

Bert Caldwell

Borders bookstores may file bankruptcy

NEW YORK – Borders Group may file for bankruptcy reorganization as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The No. 2 traditional bookstore in the U.S. also plans to close about 200 of its 674 stores and cut thousands of jobs, the newspaper reported, citing sources it did not name.

A Borders spokeswoman says the company is not prepared to report on the course of action it will pursue.

Associated Press

U.S. gasoline prices hit mid-February record

NEW YORK – U.S. gasoline prices have jumped to the highest levels ever for the middle of February. The national average hit $3.127 per gallon on Friday, about 50 cents above a year ago.

The price is about 6 percent higher than on this date in 2008. The next day, pump prices began a string of 32 gains over 34 days. They rose 39 percent over five months, eventually hitting an all-time high of $4.11 in July.

Although gas prices are expected to rise, most experts aren’t expecting a reprise of 2008, when the price spike forced many drivers to join car pools and trade in gas-guzzling SUVs for fuel-efficient cars.

“It would be a mistake to think we’re going to have that all over again,” said oil analyst Tom Kloza.

Associated Press