Year in Review

January

The end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 saw the Odessa biodiesel manufacturing facility, Inland Empire Oilseeds (IEO), hit a rocky patch on its way to successful, long-term operation. Just prior to Christmas, the majority of the “permanent” staff was laid off. It was then learned that on December 27, 2012, IEO had filed a petition requesting Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.

Odessa’s town government saw changes in early 2013, as Gail Kiesz was sworn in as the new town clerk during the first town council meeting of the new year. Long-time town clerk Linda Burghard retired at the end of 2012. Councilman Lynn Schmidt resigned his position on the council due to a change of residence. He no longer resides within the town limits and can therefore no longer hold the position.

Two Odessa High School graduates, Jessica and Natasha Heimbigner, wrote about their travels to the African nation of Kenya where they worked under the umbrella of an organization called 410 Bridge. The work focused on five core principles: water, education, health care, entrepreneurship and spiritual health.

A group of citizens met to talk about the Old Town Hall in Odessa and what to do with the aging structure. The building is still widely used as a meeting place for several civic groups.

Odessa High School English teacher, Dr. Duane Pitts, announced that he would retire at the end of the 2012/2013 academic year. The majority of his 42 years in secondary-school education were spent in Odessa.

February

Ground was broken on a livestock handling facility being built at the Odessa Industrial Park south of town. The plant is another project of the Odessa Public Development Authority and will process meat from cattle, swine, goats and sheep. Local livestock operations will now have a local facility that can process their products. As a result of shorter shipping times and distances, local producers will save money and their animals will be subjected to less stress.

Odessa High School members of the FBLA won 19 awards for various projects presented at the winter conference held in Spokane.

Three candidates vied for the open town council position: Landon Lobe, Kelly Watkins and Dave McClanahan. Following interviews, Lobe was selected by the council as its newest member.

Experience Quilts! opened its doors as Odessa’s newest business. Lise Ott and JoEllen Wollman purchased the former Quilt Crossing from Ardis Wraspir, who shut her doors in mid-December. The new owners cleaned, painted, rearranged the space and stocked the store with new inventory and held a grand opening.

Accompanied by principal Ken Schutz, high school seniors Kendall Todd and Koralynne Kuch traveled to Olympia to testify before the state legislature opposing proposed legislation which would make community service a prerequisite for graduation. The two young women maintained that community service, or volunteerism, should not be mandated.

The boys varsity basketball team, coached by Travis Schuh and Larry Weber, took the 1B District 7 championship by defeating Cusick and then Wellpinit.

Clay and Jewel Floch visited Odessa with their adopted daughter, Elizabeth. The Flochs have been living and working in China.

Progress continued on the community kitchen project of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce under the supervision of chairperson Lindsy Starkel. Fundraisers were held, and volunteers worked hard to complete the renovation.