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On September 8th, 2007, Odessa Police Department Corporal Arlie Jones and Corporal Scott Gardner were killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call. This year marks the 15 year anniversary of their passing.
Music: “Afterwards” by Chelsea McGough
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Sam Weaks, a musical artist from Odessa, is known in our community for writing and
producing original music throughout his teenage years. Releasing under the stage name Sam
Allen, he has amassed over 30,000 streams. Now, as a 20-year-old returning to Boston for his
third year at the Berklee College of Music, Sam is releasing a brand new album, entitled
“POLARI.”
Anticipation has been building for the record’s arrival all throughout 2024. Sam released the
lead single “Vibe” in February, followed by the supporting single “Playing God” in April. After
performing in venues from Boston all the way to Spain, Sam spent this past summer playing a
series of eight shows in local venues like Flair Taverna, the Odessa Marriott, Basin Pride
Festival, and more. In his final summer Odessa performance last month, Sam debuted six
brand new unreleased songs, all of which can be heard on the album.
While Sam has written and performed music of many styles from rock to blues, “POLARI”
marks a swift pivot into the pop genre. Sam doesn’t shy away from his signature use of
theatrical themes and experimental sounds, but the record indicates a sharp new style.
Consisting of 18 tracks – with the runtime reaching over an hour – the album tackles struggles
with identity, relationships, and hedonism. The listening experience is designed to invoke a
particular emotional experience, full of personal revelations and anthems worthy of being on
repeat.
A notable song on the record is the eleventh track, “The Playhouse.” Sam sat down to write the
song after learning the news of the Permian Playhouse’s closing in December. As the
Playhouse was a very formative place during his teenage years, Sam hopes that the song will
resonate with members of the community.
Sam is set to headline The POLARI Show at Berklee in Boston this November, where the album
will be performed with Sam’s full crew of bandmates, singers, and dancers. He plans to debut
the filmed concert in Odessa this coming winter
In today’s world, school threats are no joke. In Texas, making a threat against a school is a serious crime with severe consequences. Whether it’s a prank or a false alarm, law enforcement treats these threats with the utmost urgency to protect the safety of students, teachers, and staff.
Texas law considers making a threat, even if it’s not carried out, a felony offense. This can lead to:
– Arrest by law enforcement
– A permanent criminal record
– Heavy fines
– Potential jail time
In addition to legal consequences, students who make these threats can face expulsion, suspension, or other disciplinary actions from their school. Law enforcement in Texas works closely with school officials to ensure that any threat is thoroughly investigated and taken seriously.
Remember, one bad decision can have lifelong consequences. Speak up, stay safe and always report suspicious behavior.
Our schools should be a place for learning, not fear. Let’s work together to keep them safe.
The public can report suspicious behaviors through the iWatch Texas program via the mobile app, online at www.iwatchtx.org (http://www.iwatchtx.org/) or by calling 1-844-643-2251 (tel:1-844-643-2251). All reports are confidential.
The suspect shown in the surveillance footage recently spray-painted racist words and derogatory remarks at DD’s Discounts, Ross Dress for Less, Target, HEB, Rockin’ Q Smokehouse, and Michaels Arts and Crafts. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is encouraged to contact Detective S. Lofton at 432-333-3641 or Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS and reference Case #24-0011435.
ODESSA – This morning, shortly before 7:30, members of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol State Crash Reconstruction Team arrested Laura Lorena Rodriguez, 50, at her home in Odessa, Texas, on charges stemming from the crash that claimed the life of Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez. Rodriquez is now charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Against a Public Servant – a first-degree felony. She was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Ector County Jail.
These charges are connected to the September 17 crash on SH-302 in Ector County. Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, 25, was outside his vehicle investigating an earlier traffic crash along that road with Ector County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Toombs, who was inside his patrol unit. Rodriquez’s vehicle hit Toombs’ patrol vehicle, which struck Trooper Ramirez Vasquez. Deputy Toombs was injured in the crash. Trooper Ramirez Vasquez suffered severe injuries and was taken to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. He was then airlifted to a Lubbock-area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on September 28. This is still an active case, and no additional information is available at this time.
The department would like to remind drivers of the state’s Move Over or Slow Down law, which requires drivers to move over and put a lane between them and emergency personnel on the side of the road or reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when passing law enforcement, first responders, tow trucks, utility vehicles, and TxDOT vehicles stopped with emergency lights activated. Violators face fines of up to $1,250 for a first offense, and there are stricter penalties for drivers who cause serious injuries – including possible jail time and fines up to $4,000.
Additionally, please keep your eyes on the road at all times when you’re behind the wheel and limit distractions like cell phones and other mobile devices. Remember, texting while driving is illegal in Texas, and any use of a mobile device while in a school zone is prohibited. Drivers under the age of 18 are always barred from using cell phones and other mobile devices while operating a vehicle.
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