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. 

Odessa Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Open House 2024

Odessa, Texas/December 13, 2024-The Odessa Chamber of Commerce held their annual Christmas Open House. Members of the chamber and guests took time out from busy schedules to enjoy the festive event. 

(Renee Earls, President/CEO-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

The Christmas Open House featured a wide variety of food cuisines from various local restaurants, Christmas music and other treats. 

(Shem Culpepper, Chairman-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick and City of Odessa Councilman At-Large Craig Stoker attended the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Christmas Open House that was filled with Christmas Spirit and hope for a better and prosperous Odessa. 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

New City of Odessa Council Leaderships Holds November 26th Council Meeting

On Tuesday, November 26th the new leadership of the Odessa City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting. Several items were on the agenda that included a street reconstruction, the demolition and rebuild of the Odessa Police Departments parking garage and the appointment of Councilman At-Large Craig Stoker as Mayor Pro Tem. 

The council convened to an Executive Session to consider the termination of several contracts that are detrimental to the City of Odessa, especially the TGAA contract and others. 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

Contracts for the City Attorney and the City Secretary were re-negotiated to 1-year contracts. The Odessa City Council voted to void the $700,000 and components of the contract payout to former city manager John Beckmeyer. 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The Council voted to hire retired and former Odessa City Manager Richard Morton as Interim City Manager to help the new council navigate through issues that the previous administration may have created. 

(Cal Hendrick, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

(Richard Morton, Retired & Former City Manager-City of Odessa, Texas) 

A court hearing regarding the TRO connected to the Beckmeyer payout is scheduled for December 9th. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera 

 

 

Odessa City Council Approve 5 to 2 Amending Bathroom Ordinance

Odessa, Texas/October 26, 2024-During the recent Odessa City Council meeting, the council discussed amending Section 8-1-6 “Entering restroom of opposite sex” of the city code of ordinances. The amendment would protect the safety and privacy in restroom facilities for women and girls in public buildings. 

(Jonathan Saenz, President & Attorney, Texas Values/Austin, Texas) 

Jonathan Saenz, President & Attorney for Texas Values, a statewide non-profit organization presented to the Odessa City Council, for more than the three minute time limit on the protection of girls in public and private restrooms and the law enforcement of the Bathroom ordinance. 

(Jonathan Saenz, President & Attorney, Texas Values/Austin, Texas) 

Odessa residents and several members of the LGBTQ community voiced their opposition to Agenda Item 13-Bathroom Ordinance. 

(Eric Rogers, Concerned Citizen-Member of the LGBTQ Community/Odessa, Texas) 

The Odessa City Council voted 5 to 2 in favor of amending Entering Restroom of Opposite Sex” city ordinance. After the City Council meeting, a request for an interview with Councilman, District 5 Chris Hanie was declined by councilman Hanie. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

6th Annual Constitution Multi-Cultural Reading Presented by Nehemiah School of Government

Odessa, Texas/September 21, 2024-Nehemiah School of Government held the 6th Annual Constitution Day Multi-Cultural Reading hosted by the City of Odessa at Noel Heritage Plaza. 3 documents are read, one on July 4th, the Declaration of Independence. The second document September 17th  the reading of the ratification of the Constitution. The third document the Mayflower Compact signed November 21st, 1620 was the first framework of government that was written and enacted in the territory that is now the United States, will be read on November 11th. 

(Eliel Rosa, Founder-Nehemiah School of Government/Midland, Texas) 

Celeste Canedo, President of the Cultural Celebrations Council of Odessa, is a retired military veteran who believes in the importance of the US Constitution and the impact it has on American society. 

(Celeste Canedo, President-Cultural Celebrations Council of Odessa) 

Immigrants of various nationalities from across the globe who reside in the City of Odessa came to the special reading event. 

(Javier Joven, Odessa Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The reading of the Texas Declaration of Independence is scheduled for March 2nd, 2025. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.  

West Texas Food Bank Boom Town Showdown

Midland, Texas/September 16, 2024-The West Texas Food Bank recently kicked off Hunger Action Month with the Boom Town Showdown at Ovintiv. Several different oil companies are competing for the King of the Road Trophy. 

(Libby Stephens, Chief Executive Officer-West Texas Food Bank/Midland & Odessa, Texas0 

Officials with Ovintive supports the West Texas Food Bank for what the organization does to provide food for those in need. 

(Sean Lopez, Shared Service-Operation Superintendent-Ovintiv USA Inc/Midland, Texas) 

The Boom Town Showdown aims to make an impact to build a goal of 35,000 boxes for families in need during the holiday season. 

(Brandon Bagwell, Operations Superintendent-Permian Basin-Ovintiv USA Inc/Midland, Texas) 

The Boom Town Showdown continues on September 18 at OXY, American Well Service on the 20th, Pro Petro on the 24th, Conoco Phillips on the 26th, Conterra on the 27th and Fasken on September 30th. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.