Spunky Southwest Airlines, the 37-year-old peanut-pushing carrier built on cheap fares and the public relations savvy of bourbon-swigging, chain-smoking former Chief Executive Officer Herb Kelleher, has its first public black eye. Southwest is in a major squabble with the Federal Aviation Administration over the airworthiness of its airplanes after cracks were discovered in aircraft fuselages a year ago. The airline grounded 41 planes on March 12 after admitting it missed required inspections of the aircraft, ... [full story]

REDMOND, Ore. -- Buckboard Murder Mysteries has contracted with Motion Pictures Videography to produce a series of broadcast commercials showcasing the talents and versatility of Central Oregon's finest interactive entertainment troupe. The first two commercials will begin airing in April/May. "Like our shows, our commercials are fun and unique to this market," says Steve Meyer, managing partner, Buckboard Productions. "Our talented troupe brings interactive murder mysteries, game shows and teambuilding events to Central Oregon's public and private audiences. Each murder mystery show has ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- The Bend Fred Meyer store on Highway 97 is carrying a new line of eco-friendly garden products in response to the growing demands for more sustainable, organic products. The products, manufactured by TerraCycle, Inc., are made entirely from waste and school children can earn money by helping collect some of the waste items used to make the products. TerraCycle’s mission is to provide organic and eco-friendly products without charging a premium. The ... [full story]

EUGENE, Ore. – Peter Davidson has joined PacificSource Health Plans as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He joined the executive leadership team of the Eugene, Oregon-based health insurer on March 3, replacing CFO Steve Ord, who will retire in April. Davidson reports to PacificSource president and CEO Ken Provencher.   Peter Davidson - PHP photo  For the past ten years, Davidson served as the chief executive officer of Oregon Medical Group, a regional healthcare company ... [full story]

ALPINE, Calif. - The designer of the Bellagio, Wynn and other huge casino resorts has been chosen to design the $800 million Viejas casino-hotel resort. Las Vegas-based Marnell Corrao Associates will present concept drawings of the proposed resort later this year, and the public will have a chance to comment before the plans are finalized, a Viejas spokesman said. Neighbors have said they're worried about how the proposed resort would affect traffic and water. Viejas ... [full story]

The Chrysler design studio in Carlsbad, Calif., that produced such iconic vehicles as the Plymouth Prowler and the Dodge Challenger concept car will be closed and empty by the end of the week. Chrysler notified the staff Friday at the Pacifica Design Center that the operation would be merged with the company's advanced design facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. About 20 employees will be affected by the closing, Chrysler said, including designers, clay modelers and ... [full story]

SAN DIEGO - Qualcomm has purchased Irish cell phone marketing company Xiam Technologies for $32 million, the San Diego company said at its annual meeting Tuesday. Dublin-based Xiam uses information about online behavior and demographics to send targeted offers to consumers' cell phones. Its acquisition marks Qualcomm's second significant purchase of a mobile commerce firm in less than a year. Qualcomm Chief Executive Paul Jacobs remained upbeat in his presentation to shareholders following a year ... [full story]

When exactly the tip jar became a staple of the decor in coffeehouses, restaurants, bars, or dry cleaners isn't really known. Not even Wikipedia has an entry for the term. But the humble tip jar is at the center of a potentially multimillion-dollar case in San Diego Superior Court involving coffee giant Starbucks and an estimated 120,000 of its baristas, the workers who grind the beans and froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The ... [full story]

All But Five Oregon Counties Report An Increase In Ag Sales Thirty-one of Oregon's 36 counties reported an increase in agricultural sales last year according to preliminary statistics released by Oregon State University. Many counties reported dramatic growth in 2007 buoyed by high prices and good yields. The latest figures continue to emphasize the importance of agriculture to both the local and state economy. Oregon's total agricultural sales for 2007 is up more than 10 ... [full story]

WILSONVILLE, Ore. -- In a unique strategic move, Oregon’s leading winery has moved some of its offices from the winery to the building owned by the Oregon Restaurant Association (ORA). The new Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV) offices are also across the hall from the Northwest Grocer’s Association headquarters. WVV Founder & President Jim Bernau said the two business associations represent more than 90 percent of all fine wine sales in Oregon. He added that the ... [full story]

Noted Oregon Entrepreneur To Share Lessons LearnedBEND, Ore. -- Ray Davis, CEO and President CEO of Umpqua Bank will speak at Central Oregon PubTalk on Thursday, March 20,  from 5-7:30 p.m. at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, in Father Luke’s Foundation Room, 720 Bond Street in Bend.     Ray Davis, Pres. & CEO of Umpqua Bank You'll hear the story of how Davis has built a small company into an $8 billion powerhouse, expanding the Roseburg-based bank ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - U.S. Postmaster General John Potter told a U.S. Senate subcommittee the postal service is on line to lose $1 billion in 2008 due to decreasing business."We would never be able to dig out of that hole," Potter told senators Wednesday. The postal service is threatened by a drop off in first-class mail -- from 98 billion pieces in 2004 to 96 billion in 2007 -- and by increased pressure from states, 18 of which ... [full story]

Avoyelles on the River has a history as colorful and mysterious as Louisiana itself. This cavernous upstairs bar in Baton Rouge used to be the tailoring and mending room for Joan Eddy's Dress Shop back in the early 20th century. You can almost see rows of foot-powered sewing machines and steam pressers, and seamstresses nipping and tucking away, cinching waists and fluffing up bustles. Today, Avoyelles (333 Third St., 225-381-9385; avoyellescafe.com) is probably the best ... [full story]