Week in review

Monday

About $32 billion worth of goods will be sold online this holiday season, the highest level ever, according to Jupiter Research. New Web tools make buying online safer than ever, online merchants say.

Tuesday

Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling was ordered to serve 24 years and four months in prison, the harshest punishment by far in Enron’s scandalous collapse.

“Signature Genomic Laboratories LLC is moving to the Sirti Technology Center to accommodate the company’s rapid growth.

Wednesday

People who buy certain Windows personal computers this holiday season will be offered free or heavily discounted coupons to upgrade to Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows Vista, in a program designed to spur sales despite Vista’s delay.

Thursday

Life Care Centers of America announced plans to break ground on a $40 million campus in Post Falls that will include a nursing home, an assisted-living center and independent-living apartments.

“Natural gas heating bills will rise $1.19 a month on average across Eastern Washington this winter after Washington regulators approved Avista Corp.’s rate request. Avista reduced its original rate-hike request when the company was able to procure ample fuel supplies at a lower cost than anticipated.

“Lifestream Technologies Inc., of Post Falls, is looking to “wind down” its business and sell its assets, the company announced. Lifestream’s shares also will be delisted from the over-the-counter Bulletin Board.

Friday

Biopol Laboratory Inc., of Spokane, has purchased 12 ½ acres in the Riverbend Commerce Park in Post Falls, where it plans to open a new facility in late 2008 or early 2009.

“The Institute for Systems Medicine released a prospectus detailing how the proposed medical research center could raise the $180 million necessary to sustain the organization for its first five years. ISM hopes to open its doors in early 2008 and eventually employ more than 200 medical researchers and support staff.