Looking Back

100 years ago

Lincoln County Commissioners have decided to purchase a quarter section of land adjoining the poor farm. This will be funded by the sale of wheat from the previous two years.

The Odessa High Debate team was victorious over Harrington recently. The topic of the debate was the independence of the Philippine Islands. Speakers for Odessa were Lenora Richardson and Henry Praetorius and the Harrington speakers were May Starlin and Edward Ring.

75 years ago

Fred Stumpf and his children got caught in a blizzard while returning home from Ritzville. After the car they were in went in the ditch they set out for home on foot. The children got separated from their father and did not survive. Mr. Stumpf was taken to the hospital in critical condition due to the exposure and frostbite.

Reardan is not getting mail service due to the weather conditions. Rail section foreman Gerald Schroutz says crews are trying to keep the tracks and switches free of snow and ice.

50 years ago

A new auto shop opened in Odessa the first of this year. Dick’s Automotive and Parts is owned and operated by Dick Kirstein. All types of automotive and pick-up repair is available as well as towing service.

A group of concerned mothers attended the recent school board meeting in an attempt to get the board to move the 7th and 8th grades back to the grade school building. The group feels that the exposure to high school students is too much too soon for the younger students.

25 years ago

For the first time in over a decade a baby was born in Odessa, not in the hospital though. Troy David Eldridge II was born en route to the hospital in Grand Coulee. He is Odessa’s first millennium baby and since his parents both live in Odessa he is considered an Odessa native, a rare distinction.

The Harrington School board is considering options in the face of projected declining student numbers. Current enrollment of 142 is expected to drop by 15 in the next couple of years.

10 years ago

The Lincoln County Economic Development Council is studying the lack of available childcare in the county and the impact it is having on local business being able to hire and retain employees.

The Titan Boys Basketball team had one heck of a week. They beat St. John Endicott 63 to 40, Northport 61 to 56 and Curlew 65 to 59. Carsen Weber, Shane Whitaker and Sam Schafer were the leading scorers in the 3 games.