Ector County ISD Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for new Middle School in West Odessa

West Odessa/West Ector County/January 16, 2025-The Ector County Independent School District held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new middle school that will be located in the area of South Tripp Ave and Hutson in West Ector County in West Odessa. ECISD School Board Trustees and officials with Ector County participated in the special ceremony. 

(Dr. Keylee Boyer, Interim Superintendent, Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

Several elementary schools in West Ector County Murray Fly, G.E. Buddy West Elementary, Cavazos, Edward K. Downing Elementary will be feeding into the new middle School 

(Dr. Keylee Boyer, Interim Superintendent, Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

The new middle school is part of Bond 2023’s Proposition A and will be the first middle school built outside of Loop 338 and the first middle school built since 1981. 

(Sara Moore, Co-Chair Bond PAC-Odessans For A Brighter Future) 

The new middle school will be approximately 194,794 square feet. The estimated cost of the school is about $120 million dollars, and will serve several thousand students.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Odessa City Council Holds Special Staurday Work Session at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Odessa, Texas/January 12, 2025-On Saturday, January 11th, the Odessa City Council held a special work session at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and conference Center. Every
department within city government presented updates to the council. The
common issue is a shortage of workers and staff and a low PayScale and problems with building infrastructure.

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas)
The 2023 audit that has caused an issue for the City of Odessa was discussed during the work session. 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas)
The City’s IT department during their presentation assured the Odessa City Council that the Cyber-attack was contained and the City of Odessa is secure.
(Richard Morton, Interim City Manager- City of Odessa, Texas)
 The City’s Utilities Director presented to the city council the water plant and other water issues currently affecting the city as well as projects that the city of Odessa is engaged in. 

(Craig Stoker, Odessa City Councilman At-Large-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The Odessa City Council may consider to continue Saturday 

work session to bring the residents and local government together. 

(Eddie Mitchell-Odessa City Councilman, District 1- City of Odessa, Texas) 

 For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

The inaugural class of the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program at Odessa College

Odessa, Texas/January 10, 2025-Odessa College recently held the inaugural class orientation for nineteen students who will soon begin their 12-month program in the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program.  

(Mayowa Ocuada, Program Director-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Odessa College/Odessa, Texas) 

The 19 students already have their RN degrees and will be entering the new BSN program at OC. 

(Tyler Lowrey, RN-Medical Center Hospital in Case Management-BSN Student at Odessa College) 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed to prepare nursing students for practice in a multicultural community with diverse health care needs. 

(Mayowa Ocuada, Program Director-Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Odessa College/Odessa, Texas) 

The graduating BSN students at Odessa College will provide quality and comprehensive health care in a competent, caring and compassionate manner. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Jesus House Providing Blankets And Other Cold Weather Items to Those That Need Them

Odessa, Texas/January 8, 2025-Jesus House in Odessa is now providing free blankets and other weather-related items to those in the community that need them during the cold winter months. 

(Jamie Gill, Properties Manager-Jesus House/Odessa, Texas) 

Business organization, Mom and Pop businesses and individual have donated blankets as well as monetary donations for thermal clothing, gently used coats, new socks and other items. 

(Jamie Gill, Properties Manager-Jesus House/Odessa, Texas) 

Follow Jesus House on Facebook for updates and other information. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin 40th Birthday Black Attire Gala

Odessa, Texas/December 30, 2024-On Saturday, December 28th the Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin celebrated its 40th birthday with a formal black attire gala. Members of the Black Chamber of Commerce along with supporters and guest enjoyed a night of food, drink and dancing. 

(Chris E. Walker, CEO/President-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin-Odessa, Texas) 

The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin had a very productive 2024 and plans are being discussed to increase membership and to add business seminars and other types of entertainment in 2025. 

(Chris E. Walker, CEO/President-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin-Odessa, Texas) 

The Black Chamber of Commers 40th Birthday Black Attire Gala event featured a comedy show with Midland comedian Sho’Nuff. 

(“Sho’Nuff”-Stephanie Cook-Midland Comedian-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin 40th Birthday Black Attire Gala) 

Representatives of the Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian are embracing its rich history and celebrating those who pioneered the organization. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

5th Annual ECISD District Police Operation Blue Santa

Odessa, Texas/December 24, 2024-The ECISD Police along with Student Crime Stoppers and community sponsors held the 5th Annual Blue Santa event. Volunteers helped Blue Santa load up presents into ECISD Police vehicles to make delivers to 11 families. 

(Terry Upchurch, Lieutenant-District Police/Ector County ISD-Odessa, Texas) 

Operation Blue Santa starts the week after Thanksgiving. ECISD Officers begin accepting donations, looking for sponsors and identifying families in need. 

(Terry Upchurch, Lieutenant-District Police/Ector County ISD-Odessa, Texas) 

Blue Santa and his volunteers brought the joy of Christmas to ECISD school age children and family in West Odessa. 

(Blue Santa) 

Operation Blue Santa is a way to bring the magic of Christmas to children of the Ector County Independent School of District. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.