Lightning Strikes Odessa Downtown Power Outage
A lightning strike hit a downtown Odessa transformer at 6:08 p.m., cutting power to street lights, offices, police and sheriff offices and causing widespread outages in Odessa and parts of Ector and Midland counties. About 6,000 customers lost power, with around 200 remaining without power after 10:20 p.m. Police and sheriff lines were down, hindering calls to public safety services.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Odessa
Midland TV Electric District
LuAnn Morgan
Midland
Morgan
Ector County
Sherry Kay
TV Electric
Ector
Medical Center Hospital
Kathy Gowin
Sheriff's Office
Robert Diaz
Diaz
Flooding Hits Odessa as Severe Thunderstorm Strikes
Flash floods overwhelmed Odessa Friday night with 54 mph winds and .62 inches of rain in under an hour. The Diamond Lanes bowling alley at 2208 Eighth Street lost half its roof and faces $600,000 to $700,000 in damage. No injuries were reported as nearby businesses sustained damage and power was cut or limited at several sites including the police headquarters and gym drainage system.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sheriff
Odessa
Susan Griffin
Weather Service
National Weather Service
Midland
Griffin
Diamond Lanes
Eighth Street
Travis Fisher
Fisher
Stanley Greene
Busby’s
University of Texas
Permian Basin
Energas
West Odessa
Pioneer Furniture Co
S. Grant Ave
Alberson
Bush signs Texas concealed handgun law drawing praise
Area residents applaud the signing of Texas concealed handgun legislation. Gov. George W. Bush says the law helps law abiding citizens, with proponents like Ector County Sheriff O A Brookshire noting the need for self defense on lonely roads. The measure allows qualified adults 21 and older to obtain concealed gun permits after 10 to 15 hours of training.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
George W. Bush
Ector County
O.A
Bob
Brookshire
Gov
Bush
Graduation funding short for chemical free events
Students and supporters of Odes sa and Permian high schools are about 14 000 dollars short of a 22 000 dollar goal for chemical free graduation parties set for June 2 at Odessa College Sports Center for OHS and June 3 for PHS. Randy Beard, chair of the OHS Project Graduation Committee, cites low proceeds from May 6 fundraisers including car washes and a Battle of the Bands. He notes turnout may have suffered from Cinco de Mayo activities and expenses rose due to a donated prize falling through and a rented sound mixer. He says local businesses have been hit hard but cooperation between Permian and Odessa high committees remains strong. GRADUATION on Page 2A.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Odessa
Permian
Randy Beard
OHS Project
OHS
PHS
Odessa College
Beard
Lony
Permian Committee
Odessa High Committees
Bush Signs Telecom Bill Aimed at Texas Schools
Governor George W. Bush touted a new Texas telecommunications law as a boost to schools libraries and hospitals. The measure partially deregulates the industry imposes a 1.5 billion dollar 10 year funding plan for high tech equipment and requires fiber optic links. It opens local markets to competition allows long distance firms access to networks and freezes basic local rates for four years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Bush
Also Mentioned on This Page
The
Odessa American
Matt Brunwonh
South Grant Avenue
Cpl
F.M. Beam
Beam
Energas Co
Dan Alberson
Matt Brunworth
Juan Arias
Ivan Bursiaga
Angel Valenzuela
Muskingum
Dotsy Avenue
Ken Brodnax