Laura Palmer is a fictional character in the Twin Peaks franchise and the primary focus of the series. She is portrayed by Sheryl Lee and was created by the series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost . She first appears in the ABC original series Twin Peaks . A high school student whose death is the catalyst for the events of the series, Palmer is the protagonist in Lynch's prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), which depicts the final week of her life leading up to her murder. Laura also appears in the novels , Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), and a variety of merchandise based on the series.
60-546: Laura (played by Sheryl Lee, who also played her cousin Maddy Ferguson ) was well known and loved in Twin Peaks ; she volunteered at Meals on Wheels , was her school's Homecoming Queen , and was (apparently) the darling of her parents, Sarah ( Grace Zabriskie ) and Leland ( Ray Wise ). However, the series gradually revealed that Laura led a double life: she was a cocaine addict, a victim of child sexual abuse ,
120-463: A 2020 census population of 359,001. The city is famous for being featured in the book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream , and the movie adaption, Friday Night Lights . In 1948, Odessa was also the home of First Lady Barbara Bush , and the onetime home of former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush . Former President George H. W. Bush has been quoted as saying "At Odessa we became Texans and proud of it." Odessa
180-716: A city council of five councillors (elected from geographic districts) and a mayor (elected at-large). The council appoints and directs other city officials, including the city manager , and sets the city's budget, taxes, and other policies. In the 2014 fiscal year, the Odessa government had $ 179.1 million in revenues, $ 146.3 million in expenditures, $ 454 million in total assets, and $ 203 million in total liabilities. The city's major sources of public revenues were fees for services (such as public utilities ), sales taxes , and property taxes , and its major expenses were for public safety and for water and sewer service. On December 14, 2022,
240-415: A dead girl". The local girl ended up being Sheryl Lee. Lynch stated "But no one—not Mark, me, anyone—had any idea that she could act, or that she was going to be so powerful just being dead." And then, while Lynch shot the home movie that James takes of Donna and Laura, he realized that Lee had something special. "She did do another scene—the video with Donna on the picnic—and it was that scene that did it." As
300-571: A feature-length film. The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer , written by Jennifer Lynch (David Lynch's daughter), was published in 1990. The novel portrays Laura falling into a world of prostitution and cocaine abuse, while maintaining the status quo as homecoming queen and high school student. Published during the summer between the original broadcasts of the first and second seasons, the book provided information regarding Laura's veiled personal life, including her knowledge of and/or relationship with BOB. Laura's Ghost , written by Courtenay Stallings,
360-609: A fetish model and, briefly, a prostitute at One Eyed Jacks, a casino / brothel just north of the Canada–US border . Officially involved with Bobby Briggs ( Dana Ashbrook ), the high school football team captain, she was also engaged in a secret relationship with James Hurley ( James Marshall ). She also had sexual encounters with other Twin Peaks citizens, such as businessman Ben Horne ( Richard Beymer ) and trucker/drug dealer Leo Johnson ( Eric Da Re ). The discovery of Laura's body in
420-401: A glowing orb containing Laura's portrait is sent to Earth in 1945 by Senorita Dido, shortly after the creation of BOB during the testing of the first nuclear bomb . In Part 17 , Agent Cooper is sent back in time by Special Agent Phillip Jeffries and saves Laura on the night of her murder; the opening scenes of the first season are revisited thereafter, but Laura's iconic plastic-wrapped body
480-468: A large diurnal temperature range and frequent high winds. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 114,428 people, 41,942 households, and 28,218 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 census , 99,940 people, 35,216 households, and 27,412 families resided in the city. The population density was 2,276.5 inhabitants per square mile (879.0/km ). There were 43,687 housing units at an average density of 995.1 per square mile (384.2/km ). In 2010,
540-416: A mean income of $ 82,699. Historically, the Odessa economy has been primarily driven by the area's oil industry, booming and busting in response to rises and falls in the crude oil price . Many of the city's largest employers are oilfield supply companies and petrochemical processing companies. In recent decades, city leaders have begun trying to decrease the city's reliance on the energy industry to moderate
600-428: A part of the series but was created by David Lynch so that Lee could have a larger role in the series. In Twin Peaks , Maddy first appears midway through the first season, when she travels to Twin Peaks from her hometown of Missoula, Montana (David Lynch's birthplace). She comes to comfort her uncle and aunt, Leland ( Ray Wise ) and Sarah Palmer ( Grace Zabriskie ), after the death of their daughter Laura. Maddy
660-572: A physician-assistant program. Additionally, TTUHSC Permian Basin includes a school of nursing focusing on primary care and rural health. In June 1999, the Texas Tech Health Center opened as a clinic, providing increased access to primary and specialized health care for the Permian Basin. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin also operates 21 WIC clinics located in nearby small communities. Odessa College
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#1732786663057720-479: A result, Sheryl Lee became a semi-regular addition to the cast, appearing in flashbacks as Laura, as well as Laura's cousin, Maddy Ferguson . Maddy Ferguson Madeleine "Maddy" Ferguson is a fictional character in the Twin Peaks franchise . She was created by the series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost and portrayed by Sheryl Lee . Introduced in the fourth episode of the first season, Maddy
780-585: A vision, and it is implied that she forgives him and welcomes him to the afterlife . Laura appears inside the Black Lodge during the series finale , as both herself and an evil doppelgänger version. Sheryl Lee reprised her role as Laura in Twin Peaks: The Return . In " Part 2 ", Laura Palmer removes her face to reveal a mysterious white light emanating from within her body. She is shortly whisked away by an unseen force. In " Part 8 ",
840-550: Is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Ector County with portions extending into Midland County . Odessa's population was 114,428 at the 2020 census , making it the 34th-most populous city in Texas ; it is the principal city of the Odessa metropolitan statistical area , which includes all of Ector County. The metropolitan area is also a component of the larger Midland–Odessa combined statistical area , which had
900-543: Is a dead man in her living room with a bullet hole in his head. She accompanies Cooper to Washington state. Once they arrive at the Palmer residence, Carrie does not seem to recognize her supposed former home, and Cooper is shocked to find the "Tremond" family living there, having purchased the home from the previous owners, the Chalfonts. As Cooper begins to question the current year, Sarah Palmer's voice calls out "Laura" from
960-710: Is a public, two-year college based in Odessa, serving the people of Ector County and the Permian Basin. It opened in 1952 and currently enrolls about 6,000 annually in its university-parallel and occupational/technical courses, and 11,000 students annually in its basic education, continuing education, and community recreation courses. Odessa College serves most of Midland, as in the parts in Ector County. Parts in Midland County are assigned to Midland College . The Ector County Independent School District serves portions of Odessa in Ector County (the vast majority of
1020-410: Is four years older than Laura, but otherwise looks identical apart from her dark hair and glasses. She remarks that she and Laura used to pretend they were sisters. Despite their resemblance, the innocent and sweet Maddy stands in stark contrast to Laura, whose personal life is steeped in deception. Like Laura's mother and Laura herself, Maddy has premonitions, including one of a bloodstain on the floor of
1080-630: Is located southwest of the city. Odessa has 31 jackrabbits statues, as part of an art project launched in 2004. The Odessa Jackalopes , a Tier ll junior ice hockey team plays its home games at Ector County Coliseum , which was also home to the Indoor Football League ’s Odessa/West Texas Roughnecks , and the West Texas Wildcatters of the Lone Star Football League and currently home to
1140-408: Is nowhere to be found. Laura herself disappears soon after, vanishing from Cooper's grasp as they stroll through the woods of Twin Peaks. In the series finale , Cooper discovers that Carrie Page, a middle-aged woman who looks just like Laura Palmer, is living in an alternative reality Odessa, Texas . Though skeptical of Cooper's claims of her past life as Laura, Carrie is eager to flee town, as there
1200-699: Is primarily served by Midland International Air and Space Port ( IATA : MAF , ICAO : KMAF ) which served 47,088 passengers in February 2023. It is located in Midland County , within the city limits of the City of Midland but halfway between Downtown Midland and Downtown Odessa. An alternative airport is Odessa-Schlemeyer Field ( IATA : ODO , ICAO : KODO ), which is located within the city limits of Odessa, being only 5 miles northeast and 10 miles west from MAF. The Federal Aviation Administration categories
1260-686: Is said to have been named after Odesa , a coastal city in Southern Ukraine , (historically spelled Odessa ) because of the local shortgrass prairie's resemblance to Ukraine's steppe landscape. Odessa is located along the southwestern edge of the Llano Estacado in West Texas . It is situated above the Permian Basin , a large sedimentary deposit that contains significant reserves of oil and natural gas. According to
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#17327866630571320-411: Is the older cousin of Laura Palmer (also played by Lee) who comes to Twin Peaks to help her aunt and uncle cope with the death of their daughter. Over the course of the series, Maddy forms a close friendship with Donna Hayward ( Lara Flynn Boyle ) and James Hurley ( James Marshall ), Laura's closest friends, and assists them in their investigation into her death. Originally, she was not intended to be
1380-638: Is trapped in the Lodge and cannot leave. When she wakes up, Laura sees the ring in her hand. The next evening, Laura goes to the Bang Bang Bar to meet her drug connections and have sex with strangers. Unexpectedly, the normally chaste Donna shows up. They all go to the Pink Room. When she sees a topless Donna making out with a stranger, a distraught Laura takes her home and begs her friend to not become like her. The next morning, Leland drives Laura home. On
1440-804: The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo ), Rainey School of Montessori, Sherwood Christian Academy, and Zion Christian Academy. Odessa is also home to five charter schools: Compass Academy Charter School, UTPB STEM Academy, Harmony Science Academy-Odessa, Embassy Academy, and Richard Milburn Academy-Odessa. The city's main daily broadsheet newspaper is the Odessa American . A total of 124 listed radio stations broadcast in West Texas , which includes Midland/Odessa, Abilene, San Angelo and Alpine. Most notable broadcasts in Odessa are KFZX Classic Rock (102.1 FM ), KMRK My Country (96.1 FM) and KXWT Marfa Public Radio (91.3 FM). Odessa
1500-490: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 44.0 square miles (114 km ); 43.9 square miles (114 km ) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km ) (0.05%) is covered by water. Odessa has a hot semiarid climate typical of West Texas. Summers are hot and sunny, while winters are cool and dry. Most rainfall occurs in late spring and summer; snowfall is rare. The area exhibits
1560-748: The West Texas Desert Hawks indoor football team and member of the National Arena League. High-school football is held at Ratliff Stadium , which was featured in the movie Friday Night Lights . It is home to the Odessa Bronchos and the Permian Panthers . It is one of the largest high-school stadiums in the state, listed as seventh in capacity within Texas. Odessa has a council–manager government , with
1620-585: The pilot episode of Twin Peaks brings Special Agent Dale Cooper ( Kyle MacLachlan ) to investigate her death. Her murder and its effect on those around her propel the first season and the first eight episodes of the second season. Laura remains a prominent character afterward, as her death exposes many secrets related to her, and also, in some cases, unrelated, such as the Packard mill conspiracy. Laura also appears in Cooper's dreams, offering cryptic clues as to
1680-540: The racial makeup of the city was 75.4% White, 5.7% Black, 1.1% Asian, 1.0% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 14.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race was 50.6%. By 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup was 32.68% non-Hispanic white, 6.12% African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 0.31% some other race, 2.01% multiracial, and 56.14% Hispanic or Latino of any race, reflecting state and nationwide trends of greater diversification. Of
1740-412: The 35,216 households in 2010, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were not families. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65, and the average family size
1800-547: The Black Lodge, warning him to "watch out for my cousin". Maddy is referenced numerous times in Jennifer Lynch 's novel The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer . Originally, Sheryl Lee was only cast to portray Laura Palmer . However, after David Lynch filmed a few scenes with her, he was so impressed that he created the role of Maddy so that Lee could have a larger role in the series. In Cult Pop Culture: How
1860-485: The Cowden Field in 1930, oil became a major draw for new residents. In 1925, the population was just 750; by 1929, it had risen to 5,000. For the rest of the 20th century, the city's population and economy grew rapidly during each of a succession of oil booms (roughly in the 1930s–1950s, 1970s, and 2010s), often with accompanying contractions during the succeeding busts (particularly in the 1960s and 1980s). Odessa
Laura Palmer - Misplaced Pages Continue
1920-635: The Fringe Became Mainstream , Bob Batchelor states "Through Maddy, the audience is given a chance to view a more innocent, less world-weary Laura Palmer, one that is haunted only by the question of which boy to kiss as she tries to help solve the murder." In Twin Peaks FAQ: All That's Left to Know About a Place Both Wonderful and Strange David Bushman and Arthur Smith note the impact of Maddy's death, stating: Odessa, Texas Odessa ( / ˌ oʊ ˈ d ɛ s ə / )
1980-747: The Lone Star Brass, Permian Basin String Quartet, and West Texas Winds. The Globe of the Great Southwest , located on the campus of Odessa College , features a replica of William Shakespeare 's Globe Theatre . It hosts plays, and features an annual Shakespeare festival. Other theaters include the Ector Theater, built in 1951, and the Permian Playhouse. Odessa's Presidential Museum and Leadership Library , on
2040-456: The Maddy of the first season. This causes conflict with Donna and James when James becomes attracted to her and she begins to return his feelings in spite of herself. Later, she is murdered by Leland Palmer, who is possessed by BOB, in a violent recreation of Laura's murder. Maddy's death quickly leads to Leland's arrest. A doppelgänger of Maddy later appears to Dale Cooper ( Kyle MacLachlan ) in
2100-483: The Odessa City Council voted to make Odessa a "sanctuary city for the unborn." In a 6–1 vote, Mayor Javier Joven and council members Denise Swanner, Mark Matta, Gilbert Vasquez, Chris Hanie, and Greg Connell established Odessa as the 62nd city to "outlaw" abortion. The new city ordinance makes a person civilly liable if any person aids, abets, or assists anybody in an abortion operation. In October 2024,
2160-485: The Palmer residence, and Carrie screams in horror. Laura is the protagonist of the prequel film Fire Walk With Me . The film depicts the last week of her life and the events leading up to her murder. Laura is the high school homecoming queen and is best friends with Donna Hayward ( Moira Kelly ). Laura is addicted to cocaine and is cheating on her boyfriend, Bobby Briggs, with the biker James Hurley. After Laura realizes pages are missing from her secret diary, she gives
2220-710: The Palmers' living room and another of BOB ( Frank Silva ), a demonic entity plaguing the town. Maddy quickly befriends Donna Hayward and James Hurley, Laura's closest friends, and helps them in their investigation into Laura's death. At one point, Maddy even wears a blonde wig to lure one of Laura's acquaintances. During the second season, Maddy begins to resemble her cousin more and more: her hair (though still dark) straightens, she stops wearing her glasses, and in her carriage and demeanor she behaves more like Laura as seen in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me than
2280-543: The United States, and 15% of world business schools, have received AACSB accreditation. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Campus opened as a school of medicine in 1979, beginning in the basement of Medical Center Hospital. Since 1994, TTUHSC Permian Basin has included a school of allied health, offering a master's degree in physical therapy. Also, on the campus of Midland College, it offers
2340-480: The boom-bust cycle and develop greater economic sustainability. Odessa has also taken steps to diversify the energy it produces. In 2009, a wind farm has been constructed in northern Ector County. Around the same time, a coal pollution mitigation plant had been announced for a site previously entered in the Futuregen bidding. The plant will be run by Summit Power and will be located near Penwell . This plant
2400-488: The cabin by Leland to an abandoned train car. Laura asks Leland if he is going to kill her, but BOB appears and tells Laura he intends to possess her. MIKE has tracked Leland/BOB to the train, but when Ronette tries to let him in, Leland beats her unconscious. MIKE manages to throw in Teresa's ring. Laura puts it on, which prevents BOB from possessing her. Enraged, Leland/BOB stabs Laura to death. Leland/BOB places Laura's body in
2460-596: The campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin , is dedicated to the office of the Presidency. It also has displays about the presidents of the Republic of Texas . Texon Santa Fe Depot honors the old west and its railroads. The Parker House Museum features the lifestyle of a prominent ranching family in from the early 1900s. Odessa Meteor Crater , an impact crater 550 feet (170 m) in diameter,
Laura Palmer - Misplaced Pages Continue
2520-486: The city gained national attention after voting 5–2 to implement a transgender bathroom ban, in which any transgender person found using a publicly owned bathroom not matching their assigned gender at birth could be charged with trespassing. The ban was particularly notable for creating a private right to sue, under which any cisgender individual may seek damages from the transgender person of at minimum $ 10,000 in addition to attorney and court fees. A month later, they expanded
2580-838: The city). ECISD was established in 1921, in a consolidation of seven area schools. The district now contains 38 campuses. It administers these high schools: Permian High School , Odessa High School , George H. W. Bush New Tech Odessa, OC Techs at Odessa College and Odessa Collegiate Academy, also at Odessa College. The portion of Odessa in Midland County is zoned to the Midland Independent School District . Odessa's private schools include Montessori Mastery School of Odessa, Latter Rain Christian School, Odessa Christian School, Permian Basin Christian School, Faith Community Christian Academy, St. John's Episcopal School, St. Mary's Central Catholic School (of
2640-462: The field as a general aviation airport. Midland International Air and Space Port is being served by Southwest Airlines (25,131 passengers as of March 12, 2024), United Airlines (14,780), American Airlines (13,886); inclusive of their subsidiaries, such as American Eagle . Midland Spaceport is currently not being served by any commercial space companies, although the Texas Chapter of
2700-553: The first university-based research reactor to be built in the US in roughly a decade, and be one of the few HTGR-type reactors in the world. In January 2006, UTPB's School of Business was awarded accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, which is generally regarded as the premier accreditation agency for the world's business schools. According to the university, only 30% of business schools in
2760-423: The identity of her killer. Laura's first diary is uncovered in the first episode , but her 2nd secret diary is not recovered until later. The secret diary contains passages suggesting that she had been sexually abused by a malevolent entity named BOB ( Frank Silva ) since she was a child. In her diary she referred to BOB as a friend of her father's. In the prequel/sequel Fire Walk with Me , Laura's spirit makes
2820-732: The lake. As her corpse drifts away, Leland/BOB enters the Red Room, where he encounters MIKE and the Man from Another Place, who announce they want their share of "garmonbozia", a supernatural substance generated by pain and fear. As Laura's body is found by the Sheriff's department, Cooper comforts her spirit in the Black Lodge. Laura is the protagonist of the 2014 film, Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces , which features deleted scenes from Fire Walk With Me , pieced together to make
2880-494: The largest employers are in the education, government, and healthcare industries. Outside of those areas, the city's major employers are concentrated in the oil industry. According to the city's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were: The Midland–Odessa Symphony and Chorale (MOSC) was founded in 1962, and is the region's largest orchestral organization, presenting both pops and masterworks concerts. The MOSC has three resident chamber ensembles:
2940-572: The law to cover all restrooms public or private, and allow anyone to sue regardless of if they're an Odessa or even Texas resident. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Odessa District Parole Office in Odessa. The United States Postal Service operates three post offices in Odessa: Odessa, Northeast Odessa, and West Odessa. The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) began in 1973. UTPB
3000-415: The median income for a family was $ 36,869. Males had a median income of $ 31,115 versus $ 21,743 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,096. About 16.0% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over. The 2020 American community Survey estimated the median household income increased to $ 63,829 with
3060-547: The rest of the diary to Harold Smith ( Lenny Von Dohlen ), her agoraphobic friend. She has a dream about entering the Black Lodge. Cooper and the Man from Another Place ( Michael J. Anderson ) appear in her dream. The Man from Another Place tells Cooper that he is "the arm" and offers Teresa's ring to Laura, but Cooper tells her not to take it. Laura finds Annie Blackburn ( Heather Graham ) next to her in bed, covered in blood. Annie tells Laura to write in her diary that "the good Dale"
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#17327866630573120-465: The transition to the afterlife when an angel appears to her, showing that her nightmare is finally over. During the second season, the identity of her murderer was revealed: her father, Leland, who had sexually abused her for years while being possessed by BOB. Before his death in police custody, Leland tells Cooper and the others that he had not been aware of his own actions during the times BOB possessed him. As Leland dies, Laura appears before him in
3180-531: The way home, Philip Gerard/MIKE ( Al Strobel ), a one-armed man who is also possessed by a demon, pulls up alongside Leland's car and shouts at Leland that "the thread will be torn". He shows Teresa's ring to Laura, but she and Leland become frightened and drive away. The next night, BOB comes through Laura's window and begins raping her, only to transform into Leland. The next morning she warns Leland to stay away from her. Upset, Laura uses more cocaine and has trouble concentrating at school. When Bobby realizes Laura
3240-400: Was 3.21. The population was distributed as 29.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $ 31,209, and
3300-563: Was an upper level and graduate university until the Texas Legislature passed a bill in spring 1991 to allow the university to accept freshmen and sophomores. As of 2006, the university was holding discussions with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about the construction of a new High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor, which if successful, would finish licensing and construction around 2012. It would be
3360-703: Was found dead in Teal's Pond in Sand Lake, New York and the story of which Mark Frost was told by his grandmother Betty Calhoun. This story is told in David Bushman and Mark T. Givens' Murder at Teal's Pond: Hazel Drew and the Mystery That Inspired Twin Peaks (2022) which includes an introduction by Frost explaining the connection. Due to budget constraints, Lynch intended to cast a local girl from Seattle , reportedly "just to play
3420-521: Was founded in 1881 as a water stop and cattle-shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway . The first post office opened in 1885. Odessa became the county seat of Ector County in 1891 when the county was first organized. It was incorporated as a city in 1927, after oil was discovered in Ector County on the Connell Ranch southwest of Odessa. With the opening of the Penn Field in 1929, and
3480-497: Was only using him to score cocaine, he breaks off their relationship. Subsequently, Laura breaks up with James, then goes to a cabin in the woods to have an orgy with Leo, One-Eyed Jack's poker dealer Jacques Renault ( Walter Olkewicz ), and prostitute Ronette Pulaski ( Phoebe Augustine ). Leland has followed her there; he attacks Jacques, leaving him incapacitated. Leo finds Jacques and promptly leaves. Both girls, having been tied up during their trysts with Jacques and Leo, are taken from
3540-425: Was published in 2020 and features interviews from Sheryl Lee, Grace Zabriskie, and Jennifer Lynch. The book examines Laura Palmer's character and her influence on pop culture and women's lives. Funko has released Pop! vinyl and reaction figures of Laura wrapped in plastic and a Pop! vinyl figure of Laura's Black Lodge counterpart. Laura's murder was possibly inspired by the unsolved death of Hazel Irene Drew, who
3600-539: Was supposed to lead to the creation of 8,000 jobs in the area. Plans were also in place for a small nuclear reactor called the High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor to be run as a test and teaching facility in conjunction with the nuclear engineering department at University of Texas of the Permian Basin . Odessa's main enclosed shopping mall, Music City Mall , used to include an indoor ice skating rink. As in many municipalities, some of
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