This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

May 7, 1920

Henry H. Becker was arrested and brought before Justice Schoonover Tuesday on the charge of violating the compulsory law that provides that all children under the age of 15 shall attend school regularly. Becker pled guilty and was fined $15 and costs, the fine being remitted providing he sees that all his children attend school regularly the remainder of the school year.

Legion plans smoker. The American Legion at their last meeting planned a smoker to be held at the Legion hall on May 12. Two bouts of boxing and a wrestling match have been scheduled for the smoker and local talent will participate. The first bout will be a three-round contest between Art Schatz and Gus Weber. The second will be three rounds between Ruby Wagner and C.D. Gillespie, both of whom became handy with the mitts while in the service. The main event will be a wrestling match between Charlie Kucera and Herb Kuest.

75 years ago

May 7, 1945

Two definite earthquake shocks were felt this week in Odessa, one on Sunday and the other on Tuesday. The Sunday quake was definite enough to attract notice, and the Tuesday one was lighter.

Commercial rattlesnake hunters were active this week but report that rattlesnakes have been slow coming out of their dens this spring.

John Napier, a local cattle man, acted as judge for the 13 4-H club entries and seven FFA steers shown at the Ritzville fat stock show Saturday. Taking part from Odessa were Wayne Lenhart, who won second in judging, Joan Walter, Mary Ann Schmidt, Bennie Smith, Frankie Groh and Myron Walter.

50 years ago

May 7, 1970

Boy Scouts from Troop 784 in Odessa joined Scouts throughout the Inland Empire for the first combined camporee in 10 years. The special observance of the 60th anniversary of Boy Scouting was celebrated by a total of 2,221 scouts from Lincoln, Adams, Adams, Spokane, Stevens Pend Oreille and Whitman counties and two Canadian units. Those present were Will Keller, Kirk Winfrey, Dick Wraspir, Dean Reihs, Dale Schott, Jay Winfrey, Doug Hemmerling, Bill Weber, Jeff Hardt, Gary Fode, Dave Frick, Mark Winfrey, as well as scoutmaster Harold Keller and assistant scoutmaster Wallace Weishaar.

Marilee Frick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Frick of Marlin, won the right to represent high schools of the Northeast District of Washington state at the National Student Leadership conference to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana June 21-27. She competed against representatives from high schools in Lincoln, Stevens, Ferry and Spokane counties. Three neutral principals determined the winner. Marilee is a 17-year-old junior honors student attending Odessa High. She is Associated Student Body secretary, active in student affairs, band chorus, dramatics and girls track. Her expenses will be paid by the Northeast District Activities Association and will include a day-long tour of Chicago..

25 years ago

May 4, 1995

Effective with this week’s edition of The Odessa Record, printing operations of the newspaper are being moved from Davenport to Ephrata. The Record, like most other weekly newspapers throughout the region, has been printed on the press of Journal News Publishing at its plant in Davenport. Journal News Publishing also has a plant in Ephrata, where several weeklies are printed. In two weeks, the press in Davenport is being moved to a new facility in Cheney. With the move, The Record had the option of taking it newspaper to Cheney, a distance 68 miles, or to Epphrata, which is 45 miles away. Davenport is 38 miles from Odessa.

Dee Ashley of Odessa was the recipient of the Mayor’s Choice Award from Odessa mayor Denny McDaniel at the fourth annual Spring Fling event.

— Compiled by Terrie Schmidt-Crosby