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One local company is bringing a bit of the Far East to northwestern Odessa.

Mike Smith said he learned about the lean manufacturing model while working for previous companies. The program is taken from the Toyota manufacturing system and emphasizes creating value with less work.

Now he’s bringing it to Miether Bearing Products Inc.

"The companies are more profitable, because you have less overtime to do the same amount of work," said Smith, who is also the president of Miether Bearing Products.

Sales tax returns are still down for the City of Odessa, but things are looking up.

"It is a much better number then the previous month," Assistant City Manager James Zentner said. "So getting a little bit better and hopefully that will continue in the next few months."

For the month of April Odessa received a sales tax check of $1,613,228.39. The amount includes the Economic Development sales tax of ¼ cent. The total amount is down 3.32 percent from April 2009’s check of $1,668,546.12.

Louis Rochester stood with perfect attention; his head held high, as he listened to Grow Odessa president Toby Eoff list his accomplishments.

Rochester has been involved in every facet of life in Odessa since he moved here in 1929. He has served as the chairman of more than 30 different organizations and been an ardent supporter of education.