Bellingham-based grocery store chain Haggen announced in December an agreement to acquire 146 new stores, including the Liberty Lake Safeway. The Liberty Lake location is the only Safeway in Spokane County included in the agreement.

The company release said all store employees "will have the opportunity to become employees of Haggen as their individual stores are transitioned to the Haggen banner," including plans to retain store management teams.

In a separate press release, Albertsons and Safeway confirmed the agreement. Divestiture of these stores is being undertaken in order to gain Federal Trade Commission approval of the companies' proposed merger, which was announced last March and expected to close this month.

For more, go to www.haggen.com/press-releases/haggen-expands.

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce recently announced the hiring of Dusty Wetzler as director of membership. After serving eight years in the banking industry and the past few years as a Chamber ambassador, Wetzler started his new role on Dec. 16.

"Dusty comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience only eclipsed by his abundant passion and enthusiasm for the Greater Spokane Valley that will serve our community well," Chamber President and CEO Katherine Morgan said.

Wetzler graduated from Spokane Community College and is currently enrolled in Leadership Spokane. 

Telect was honored with the 2014 Family Business Award for Transformation during the Nov. 18 Washington Family Business Awards at Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle. 

Bill and Judi Williams founded Telect in Spokane in 1982. Their son, Wayne Williams, became President in 1994 and continues to lead the company as President and CEO. Bill and Judi Williams are now retired but serve on the Telect board. 

Michael Begley recently opened Caring Transitions of Spokane, a resource for managing senior relocations, downsizing and estate liquidations. In addition to providing organizing, packing and moving oversight, Caring Transitions handles on-site and online estate sales and liquidations. 

The local franchise serves Liberty Lake, Spokane, Spokane Valley, South Hill, Millwood Veradale and other surrounding areas. For more, visit www.caringtransitionsspokane.com.