The Year in Review

A synopsis of the main events of 2012, as reported in The Odessa Record, follows below:

January

At the beginning of January 2012, police were following up and investigating the third break-in at Odessa Drug within the past several months. Narcotic drugs were the target and were the only items taken. This third break-in came early on December 26, 2011, even after proprietor Ted Bruya had installed surveillance cameras in the store. Unfortunately for law enforcement personnel, the picture quality was not good enough for the suspects to be identified. The investigation continued, as police hoped for a break in the case.

Based on the results of the 2010 federal census, the state of Washington underwent a redefinition of its state legislative districts. All of Lincoln County moved from District 4 to District 13, joining more agriculturally similar areas extending from the eastern edge of the county all the way to Yakima/Ellensburg. The new boundaries will be in place for the next 10 years (until the next census is taken in 2020).

Don Strebeck was the Odessa Trading Company’s (OTC) top salesman of Case-IH farm equipment in 2011. As such, he was one of 28 winners of an all-expenses-paid trip to the world’s largest agricultural equipment exhibition, Agritechnica, held in Berlin, Germany. Case-IH was one of only three American companies represented at the show, which covered 121 acres of indoor displays.

A draft floor plan for the proposed community commercial kitchen to be installed in the Odessa Community Center was presented to the Chamber of Commerce by project chairperson Lindsy Starkel.

The Odessa Town Council swore in its newest member Frank White who filled the position vacated by long-time council member Kim Ramm who chose not to run for re-election.

Jesse Berry, Ilan Coberly and Theron Schlomer, Odessa fifth-graders, went to visit the frozen “frog pond” just outside the town limits when they heard the frantic yelping of a dog. Coda, a black lab and the pet of Elizabeth Camp and her daughters, had fallen through the ice and was unable to get himself back onto solid ground or sturdier ice. As Berry went to inform authorities and Schlomer went to find the dog’s owner, Coberly went out onto the ice to help the dog. The ice was not thick enough to support his weight and gave way beneath his feet. He waded in frigid water that came up to his chest, gathered up the shivering dog and got himself and Coda onto dry land. By that time adults had arrived and bundled up boy and dog to get them warmed up.

The Groundwater Management Area project (GWMA) continued its mission of studying and publicizing the results of its studies of groundwater in the Odessa sub-area aquifer. Studies have shown little or no recharging of the aquifer, and various proposals were being considered on how to remedy the situation.

Washington State University held an oilseed workshop at the Odessa Community Center aimed at educating area farmers as to the benefits of adding canola to their crop-rotation strategies. About 65 people attended.

The Lincoln County Economic Development Council (EDC) worked on establishing partnerships with the Chambers of Commerce within the county.

February

Following the retirement of Bank of America manager Carol Bell, a new branch manager from the ranks of the bank’s employees was named. Rebecca Maddock will bear the title of Banking Center Manager in her new position. Maddock has worked for Bank of America for eight years.

The school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), put on a special Valentine’s Day dinner that was also a fundraiser for the commercial kitchen going into the community center.

Spring Fling 2012 involved the usual activities in Odessa of garage and yard sales all over town, a major quilt show in the school gym and a horseshoe tournament. The town of Harrington also scheduled events that complemented Odessa’s and shared publicity costs and activities in an attempt to make Harrington and then Odessa a destination to those looking for interesting things to do over the weekend.

The Marlin and Odessa gun clubs continued their annual participation in the Spokesman-Review’s 94th annual trapshooting competition. Each club has its own clubhouse, but the two clubs combine their scores for the contest, as do other small communities.

March

After five years as the Odessa Town Marshal, Mike Wren tendered his resignation in March. After 23 years in law enforcement, his resignation letter said, it is time to move on. Wren said he planned to remain in Odessa and was looking forward to enjoying his retirement.

The Harrington Opera House Society announced its latest arts season and the lineup of entertainment and educational presentations being offered. The Society continues to bring quality entertainment to the area as it solicits additional funds for completion of the opera house renovation and adds conveniences such as an elevator and air-conditioning.

Electronic medical records have been introduced at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center to comply with federal mandates and keep OMHC current with the latest technology.

A proposal by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to disband the local police force in Odessa and have the county provide policing for the town was ultimately voted down by the town council after almost universal disapproval of the proposed measure was expressed by townspeople.

Elizabeth Hayashi, daughter of Michelle and Jon Hayashi of Odessa, was the first person to notify The Record of having found a buttercup in or around Odessa.

A lease agreement was signed between the Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) and the Odessa Public Development Authority (OPDA). The OPDA will own the meat-processing facility planned for Odessa’s industrial park and will lease it to CPoW under the terms of the agreement.

An electronic reader board was installed on the Festplatz corner at First Avenue and Division Street. The board replaces the old manual board. The Parent-Teacher Organization was responsible for raising funds and getting the board installed and operating.

Odessa Foods was named “Business of the Year” for 2012 by the fellow members of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. “Person of the Year” honors went to Kim King for her work on behalf of the Chamber and several other organizations to which she dedicated her time and effort.

The Odessa High School Knowledge Bowl team placed second in the state during the 1B schools competition held at Spokane Falls Community College. They placed second to Bi-County rival Wilbur in first place, while Seattle’s West Sound High School took third place.

Kim and Mark King announced their intention to return to the southwest, where Mark accepted a job offer from a former employer. He leaves his job at the Odessa Clinic as a certified physician’s assistant to return to Ruidoso, New Mexico, the town they left only a few years earlier.

The Stumpjumpers Motorcycle Club members were arriving in town in preparation for the annual running of the Desert 100 motorcycle race.