Thousands of Netflix customers, including many across Washington and Idaho, were unable to receive mailed DVDs this week as the San Francisco-based company struggled with a technical problem affecting its mailing and processing system.

Company officials say the problem, which was not identified, is affecting most of its 55 processing and distribution centers, including the one at the Spokane Airport Industrial Park.

The problem prevented the entertainment company from sending DVDs to customers and was the most significant technical problem Netflix has had since launching its service nine years ago.

Disks mailed back are being processed normally - the company was able to send out some discs on Wednesday, but shipped none on Tuesday or Thursday. Affected customers were promised a credit to their accounts for the delay.

The glitches didn’t affect Netflix’s Web site or its service for streaming movies and television shows instantly to customers’ computers. (Spokesman Review)

Gasoline prices nationwide have dropped by an average of 33 cents in the past month, but Idaho levels remain near record highs.

AAA Idaho’s Dave Carlson says that the US average price for self-serve regular gas dropped to $3.78 a gallon this week, while Idaho’s is still $4.04 a gallon, the fifth-highest in the nation.

AAA Idaho’s Dave Carlson comments

Idaho isn’t alone, as other Northwest states are also holding at higher levels - Washington’s average price for a gallon of unleaded is $4.03, Montana $4.00 and Oregon $3.97.

Meanwhile, Carlson says the quiet, rapid switchover to ethanol-blended gas has Idahoans wondering where they can buy gasoline without the renewable fuel added. The EPA requires that 7.76 percent of gas products be blended with ethanol, and many stations have switched to a 10 percent blend, making it harder for motorists and recreationists to find-ethanol-free fill-ups.

For more information call Triple-A at 1-800-999-9391 or go online to www.aaaidaho.com.

Home sales continued to drag in Washington during the second quarter, but researchers at Washington State University say the sluggish market translated to better affordability.

Homes sold during the second quarter at an annual rate of 89,380 units statewide, sliding 8.5 percent below the sales rate in the first quarter and 31.7 percent below the same time last year. The sales rate during the quarter was the lowest in over 10 years.

While sales declined compared to a year ago in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties, the market was stronger in the second quarter than in the first in eight counties, and unchanged in several others.

The median price of homes that sold from April to June was just under $292,000, down 7.8 percent from 2007 levels, and the sharpest decline since WSU began producing the statistics in 1994.  Average home prices ranged from $111,000 in Adams County to $570,000 in San Juan County.

Washington’s apple crop is predicted to increase by 4% this year over 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
About 60% of the nation’s apples are grown in the Evergreen State. While the 2008 production estimate of 5.4 billion pounds is up from 2007, this year’s yield is down 3% from 2006. (AP)

Agriculture officials say the amount of sugarbeets being grown in the Idaho this year will likely be down 40% from last year as farmers switch to more lucrative crops like corn, dry beans and grain.
In a report released this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says sugarbeet production in Idaho is expected to be 3.48 million tons – the lowest production in the state since 1984. Additionally, officials say the harvested acreage of sugarbeets in Idaho has dropped to its lowest level since 1977 at 117,000 acres.
While production is down sharply, executives with Amalgamated Sugar Company say there have so far been no layoffs at three Idaho plants that process sugarbeets. (AP)

Potlatch Corp. woodworkers in Lewiston are poised for the picket lines.

Union leaders say an official strike comes after negotiators on Tuesday failed to resolve differences with the timber company over salaries and pension benefits.

The strike involves 265 employees at the company’s sawmill and power boiler, though union officials have not said when the workers will take to the picket lines.

It marks the first strike at the mill since 1948.

The Red River Hot Springs resort is up for sale.

The present owner is asking for $250,000 for the resort located about 85 miles southeast of Grangeville on the Nez Perce National Forest. The land is administered by the Forest Service, but the buildings are privately owned and the business operates through a special-use permit.

A potential caretaker for the resort recently backed out after deciding it requires more work than he originally thought.

A federal mediator is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon with officials from Potlatch Corp. and the union representing Lewiston sawmill and power boiler employees who voted to strike over salary and pension benefits.

The talks are a last-minute attempt for the two sides to find a resolution involving 265 employees. There has been no new offer from Potlatch since union members voted to strike Aug. 5.

If Potlatch does provide a new offer, union representatives would have to take it to its members for a vote.