Take a look at the news in and around Odessa on Wednesday, March 14. Find complete local news coverage in the Odessa American every day, online at oaoa.com and our daily E-Edition at myoaoa.com.
1. Odessa police will soon begin writing traffic tickets electronically, after the Odessa City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of a new software system for the department with a goal of cutting down on the length of traffic stops and freeing officers to move more quickly to other calls.
2. Robert Brescia, the executive director of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute, has left his post after five years.
3. There’s a new dog who will be patrolling the streets with the Ector County Sheriff’s Office soon, working to help deputies sniff out suspects and narcotics.
4. One of the last unspoiled areas in Midland County, the I-20 Wildlife Preserve and Jenna Welch Nature Study Center offers teachers a place to bring students to learn about local natural wonders.
5. IN SPORTS: The Permian Lady Panthers soccer team (14-6-1 overall, 3-4-0-1 district, 10 points) clinched a playoff berth with a victory over Amarillo Tascosa on Tuesday. The Odessa High girls soccer team (15-6-0 overall, 5-2-1-0 district, 17 points) leapfrogged Midland High for second place in the district standings with a win Tuesday against Midland Lee.
