Blount, Inc. Wins Patent Infringement Suit Against TriLink Saw Chain PORTLAND, Ore. -- U.S. District Court -- A Portland jury has found in favor of Blount, Inc., which makes and sells chainsaw chain, bar and accessories under its Oregon brand, in a patent infringement action against TriLink Saw Chain, LLC, TriLink Global, LLC, Jinhua TriLink Huihuang Co., and Jinhua Huihuang Hardware Co. The jury found claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 5,136,783 to be valid ... [full story]

Oregon can boast about having one of the most diverse agriculture industries of all 50 states, with more than 225 commodities being produced within its borders. A look at the most recent US Census of Agriculture shows a number of crops that grow on a handful of Oregon farms, ranging from specialty fruits and vegetables to more common items traditionally grown in other states. It all adds up to nearly $5 billion in agricultural sales ... [full story]

A year ago, Jeanne Branthover wouldn't think twice of flying business class "almost anywhere." Now, the New York office-managing director of Boyden, the global executive search firm, asks her assistant to scour websites and other sources for the best possible airline and hotel deals. The worldwide financial and economic plunge, she says, "have made me very cost conscious, especially when the client is paying for my travel." She has switched to JetBlue almost exclusively for ... [full story]

SEATTLE - The University of Washington has terminated its licensing agreement with clothing manufacturer The Russell Corp., school officials say. The move to pull the school's logos and icons from the clothier came after reports that Russell, owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) of Omaha, Neb., closed a factory in Honduras after workers started to unionize, something that violates the university's ethical standards, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Wednesday. "Universities have adopted manufacturer codes of conduct ... [full story]

While the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee recently lobbed softball question at CEOs from the nation's biggest banks who pocketed $700 billion in taxpayer bailout dollars, these lenders and credit card companies are quietly doubling interest rates and slashing credit limits even on their best customers. Diane Nissen, an art dealer and educator, who has been charging airline tickets, meals and other travel expenses to her Capital One credit card for past last ... [full story]

The San Francisco Fairmont's new general manager is an old style hotelier with an up-to-the-nanosecond mind-set on how to treat travelers. Give them everything they want even if they have to pay for it, and emblaze your brand of hospitality in their brain so they never forget you. "Businesspeople want recognition, speed, flexibility, security, choice, comfort food, generous beverages and fine dining when they have a meeting," says Tom Klein, a GQ kind of dresser ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- Wireless start-up company RocketBux was voted one of the top presenting companies at the 2008 Dow Jones Wireless Innovations Conference in Redwood City, California, the company announced this week. RocketBux provides mobile phone text message advertising triggered from a credit card swipe. The Dow Jones Wireless Innovations Conference was held April 21-22 to spotlight the 80 best emerging mobile technology companies. RocketBux was named one of the top companies by attendees and ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. - Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., this week announced that it has been recognized for its exemplary safety record and practices by Oregon Trucking Associations (OTA) in a ceremony held in Bend, Oregon. Con-way was awarded a fleet safety plaque for Outstanding Achievement in Highway Safety and received second place honors in the Common Carrier Less-Than-Truckload over 4 Million Miles category. The company received the same award in ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. - Clear Choice Health Plans on Thursday announced it has moved its headquarters to a new facility located at 2965 NE Conners Avenue in Bend, Oregon. The 70,000 square-foot building utilizes environmentally sensitive construction materials and is expected to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Clear Choice-owned building was designed and constructed by BBT Architects, Inc. and Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company of Bend. ... [full story]

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]