Kissler awarded silver star; town hall for sale; outlook for new year stated

100 years ago

The Odessa Record

January 4, 1920

News updates: D. E. Schimke caught the burglar that entered three Odessa business houses. He was sleeping in the old Salsburg elevator and Mr. Schimke kept watch over him while his son, Tolbert, called Marshal Durland. The burglar, who still had Sol Reiman's automatic in possession, was identified as a man that was wanted in three counties and he was bound over to the superior court.

New officers of the Masonic lodge include A. M. Michaelsen, W. M .; Sol Reiman, S. W .; John A. Schoonover, J. W .; J. Chas. Evans, secretary.

Wheat still remains at the $3.00 mark but an unsteadiness in market is developing and buyers are reluctant to take any wheat. Many local men unloaded their wheat holdings during the past week.

Odessa had perfect weather for New Year and most of the men took part in the rabbit drive west of town.

Christ Becker has moved his chili parlor to new quarters and announces that he will keep his business open to the public at all hours of the day and night.

J. J. Kosanke came from American Falls to spend Christmas with his children.

Fred Smith of Wenatchee has taken the first trick operator position at the depot. E. J. Wachter has resigned and is back with the Odessa Hardware.

It isn't often that a prayer gets an encore, but it happened on Christmas at a Davenport church. The scripture was read by a layman and the minister offered the usual prayer, at the close of which some urchin clapped his hands and was immediately joined by the congregation. A ripple of embarrassed laughter followed.

75 years ago

The Odessa Record

January 4, 1945

Clarence Kissler wins silver star: Sergeant Clarence Kissler, son of Mr. and Mrs. George J. Kissler, who fought in the Tunisian campaign, is still hard at it in France and has recently been awarded the silver star. Headquarters of the seventh army announce his exploit as follows:

"Sergeant Kissler was among the first troops to enter a small village on a reconnaissance when several civilians reported that a German assault gun, with an eight man crew and a wounded American officer was secreted near a house on the outskirts of town. Kissler quickly followed directions toward the suspected position and sure enough, when he came within a few yards he was fired upon.

"Peppering the house with a few rounds from his M-1 Kissler broke through a door, captured a German lieutenant and found the others had escaped through the back. On the floor, grinning his appreciation, was a wounded but much relieved colonel of an American armored division."

Girl scouts hold court of honor: The Girl Scouts held a court of honor and party at their meeting this week, at which time the following badges were presented: Coleen Luiten, foods and needle craft; Marilyn Salo, glass and photograph; Byra Williams, cooking; Darlene Kuest, second class; Elaine Nichols, second class; Sue Phillips, weaving and housekeeping; Mary Ann Totusek, glass, cooking, hostess and housekeeper; Lila Kuest, needle craft, and Marjorie Gust, needle craft.

Recommend sale of city hall: The city council, holding its final meeting with present members, Monday night recommended the sale of the present city hall and construction of a civic building, designed to house fire equipment and city offices, as part of a post-war project made necessary by increased fire protection equipment.

The present structure, which was built 25 years ago, houses the city library, a lodge hall, dance auditorium and clerk's office. Built by public finance the building was finally taken over by the contractor and sold to the city. The structure is now debt free.

The councilmen also audited the annual and monthly reports of the city treasurer, and the quarterly and annual reports of the city clerk.

The new mayor and new councilmen will be sworn into office on Tuesday, January 9, at 7 o'clock, the early hour being to allow members to get to the other meetings scheduled for the night.

50 years ago

The Odessa Record

January 1, 1970

OHS Tigers are 3rd in state: A class B school basketball team that had been placed 4th in the State by sportswriters and broadcasters; a team that upset the odds and garnered a 3rd place position in the State B tournament after nailing down 2nd place in District competition––that team is none other than the Tigers of 1968-69 at Odessa high!

The 12-man force rallied well in its fourth and final State B tournament game Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum to defeat fellow-contender Peshastin-Dryden 63-50. This win, the third of four attempts, gave the Tigers a much-sough-after 3rd place trophy.

Two Whitman county teams––highly-favored St. John and scrappy Oaksdale––fought the final round of the tournament Saturday night to win 1st and 2nd place in the State, respectively. Naselle defeated Wilson Creek Saturday evening the teams placing 4th and 7th. Kittitas was 5th, Peshastin-Dryden 6th, and LaConner 8th.

Budget cuts hit basin project a crippling blow: Budget reductions by the Nixon administration have hit the development of the Columbia Basin Project another crippling blow. Figures announced recently show a $2.2 million cut in funds for the Bacon tunnel and a reduction of $600,000 for construction of a lateral canal system in Block 251 on the Wahluke slope.

This action means a delay in contract awards for the Block 251 work until March of 1970, a report from the Columbia Basin Development League indicates, and that on the tunnel until April, 1970. Both of these dates are contingent upon the availability of continuing financing in the fiscal 1971 budget.

Scholarship and awards presented to graduates: Al Latimer, high school principal, after presenting greetings and best wishes from the administration and faculty at Commencement Exercises Sunday, made a series of awards with which seniors have been recognized.

Monica Deife was presented a $50 scholarship from the local Homemakers club. Janet Richardson and Linda Schafer received $150 scholarships, each, from the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for nursing. Miss Richardson also received $200 from the Lincoln County TB Association.

Gwen Larson received scholarships from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, for honors at admission and for academic and music talent.

Leadership awards were presented to Tom Wacker and Patsy Hoefel for their talents and efforts in this capacity through high school years, the Principal stated. The faculty selected Tom Frick and Patsy Hoefel for outstanding citizen awards.

Named outstanding senior by her classmates was Jane Zagelow. She has been active this year in student council, honor society through her secondary years and with efforts to raise funds for lighting the ball field, now totaling $2,400, the principal stated.

Bob Engle, manager of the Krupp Union Grain Co-op, Marlin, presented Linda Deife with a $100 check from an essay contest conducted annually by the grain warehousing firm.

Dale Shetler, music instructor, presented Arion awards to two seniors active in band and choir, Linda Deife and Gwen Larson. He noted the awards are listed nationally for colleges and are based upon the student's ability to work and lead others in the music department, as well as for their scholastic ability. Voted best musician by band and choir members was Craig Holman who was been assisting Mr. Shetler this year.

25 years ago

The Odessa Record

January 5, 1995

Agriculture, commerce, tourism are bright spots: By Donald E. Walter

As 1995 begins, there is hope and optimism in every phase of the economy which keeps Odessa going.

After a favorable set of circumstances last year which gave agriculture a boost-- there was an excellent wheat crop and price went up to $4 a bushel-- it looks like there could be a repeat of the same.

Most of the winter wheat is up and looking good. Fall rains and an early winter snow put plenty of moisture into the ground. Clouding the picture just a bit this week was a cold snap after snow had melted. This hadn't damaged the wheat any so far, but if temperatures dip some more without snow cover there could be trouble.

"We need snow," said Odessa Union Warehouse Cooperative manager Marvin Greenwalt on Tuesday. "Wheat can endure this much cold, but if temperatures go to 16 degrees below zero it doesn't have a chance without snow cover."

Greenwalt said a new wheat variety, Eltan, has been planted in the past two years by some Odessa area farmers. It is hardier than others and better able to survive severe winters. Greenwalt agreed that prospects are good for Odessa agriculture. He expects the wheat price to hold at its present level and cites a continuing high demand for eastern Washington's soft white wheat in overseas markets as a factor. Canada is cutting wheat production in favor of canola, he said, and Australia is experiencing a drought. These conditions should contribute to a stable U. S. wheat market if there is a minimum of government interference, he said.

Odessa can look forward to a prosperous new year as a result of gains in other aspects of its economy.

Healthy agriculture stimulates sales among Odessa's implement dealers and repair shops. Although Odessa business hasn't reaped the benefits-- there are no automobile dealers-- hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent of the bright new pickups and cars which have made their appearance on the streets here this winter.

Downtown retail sales were in their second year of a comeback, at least during the holiday shopping season. A survey of merchants and business operators by The Odessa Record as the year ended indicated they had done about as well as they had a year ago, when the first upturn in several years was noted.

The trend is expected to continue, due in part to the efforts of the Odessa Economic Development Committee. For five years, the EDC has bolstered commerce in Odessa by encouraging new business and promoting tourism, a vehicle which brings new dollars to town.

During the coming year, the EDC will continue to emphasize the Channeled Scablands as a tourist attraction, said Kathy Valenta, the committee's new project director.

Activities at Lakeview have become an important feature of Odessa's annual spring celebration. Valenta is presently arranging for the United States Cycling Federation to bring its on-road/off-road rally to the ranch of April 29.

Valenta's principal task at the moment is to coordinate Phase III of Odessa's senior housing project. The plan to establish 30 to 35 apartments for independent and assisted living for seniors has now developed to the point where financing must be obtained and architectural services and building contractors engaged.

Senior housing will be a major boost to Odessa's economy. Seniors moving into the apartments will free single dwellings which are short supply and in great demand by prospective residents, many of them retirees hoping to escape the pressures of large cities.

Also adding promise to Odessa's future are the efforts of the Big Bend Water Resource Committee. Its members have been successful in obtaining county, state and federal support, if not financially at least in spirit.

At the beginning of the new legislative session, Water Resource delegates will be in Olympia to seek funding for feasibility and engineering of their water re-use project, which would rehydrate lakes and streams north of Odessa, reestablishing the outdoor recreational potential of the area.

Valenta, a relative newcomer to Odessa, was appointed to her post last fall. She has all the enthusiasm for Washington's dry side as any transplant from the Coast. She sees the Scablands as a focal point for tourist activity. These include recreational and educational at the Bureau of Land Management's Lakeview Ranch, where this year it is expected an arena will be built for 4-H activities, including horsemanship. Progress on a proposed educational center, utilizing the ranch house at Lakeview, has been slow. However, it could possibly be in operation, welcoming students from schools in the region and others interested in exploring the Scablands.