Odessa College Welding Program Receives close to 300,000 in Industry and Community Support

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(Anchor) DAVID GOMEZ-DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS 

Odessa, Texas/January 23, 2026-This is DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS. Odessa College receives close to 300 thousand dollars in industry and community support. Danny Barrera has the story. 

The Odessa College Welding and Precision Manufacturing Technology Program recently received a significant investment through three donations totaling $285,500 dollars supporting equipment, upgrades and student resources. 

(Syed Muhammad Naqvi, Department Chair-Odessa College) 

“It’s going to take us to a different level where we can provide extra support for our students. So they can be job ready outside for any challenge that is available outside in the, in the industry.” 

Lincoln Electric donated $85,500 for a Lincoln Electric ABB Collaborative Robotic Arm that is one of the latest robotic technologies used in modern manufacturing. 

(James Coffey, Technical Sales Representative-Lincoln Electric Company) 

“In today’s world, we are short hundreds of thousands of welders. So companies have started up having to look at other ways, like what can we do to stay competitive? Part of that is going to robots and cobots, and other automation techniques. Yeah. To stay competitive in the world, there is a shortage of welders. “ 

A donation of $50,000 was made to the OC Welding Program from the Musa Family Living Trust in memory of Jonathan Musa, who was a student in the welding program. 

(Ms. Rakia Musa, Mother to Jonathan Musa-Parramore/The Musa Family Living Trust) 

“Now was his love. I mean, he tried other majors, and then eventually he said, “I’ll try. Well, then I said, okay, I’ll try on the on the sea. Well, then I will go and try on the land first. And we do the welding on the land before you start going to the other places. So, he came here, I loved it. Mohammed had been a great was a great coach for him and you know, and so he, he loved was that was this amount.” 

The Permian Basin Area Foundation donated $150,000 to the Odessa College Program to help expand opportunities, enhance hands-on training to ensure students meet industry standards and workforce demands. 

(Raymond Williams, Grants Officer-Permian Basin Area Foundation) 

“So this contribution was important to us because it’s one of those things that impacts a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. And so, this could be the person fixing your car. This could be the person fixing, you know, plumbing your house welding apparatus, or, you know, the person building an oil rig that’s going to pump out, you know, a hundred barrels a day down. So, it’s just one of those things that really lets us touch a lot of different lives and really multiply our impact across a lot of different areas.” 

Students who have graduated from the OC Welding Program are certified and are able to enter the industry workforce almost immediately and with a high starting salary. 

(Jose Sanchez, Graduate-Odessa College Welding and Precision Manufacturing Technology Program) 

(Roberto Gonzalez, Graduate-Odessa College Welding and Precision Manufacturing Technology Program) 

 “Everything they teach here in this school prepared me for my welding test and was able to get me a job as soon as I graduated.” 

“Yeah. As soon as. As soon as I graduated, I had a job. So, um, I’ve gotten three job offers, and, you know, they’ve been great since I’ve graduated. And the team here, you know, if you can’t find a job, they’ll help you get a job. And all the classmates that graduated with me, they all have jobs.” 

Jonathan Musa, who worked for Ector County in Road and Bridges, passed away in August 30th, 2024, and was a registered organ donor. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

(Anchor) DAVID GOMEZ-DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS 

Follow us on Facebook, X formally, Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS.TV; I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

 

 

 

Odessa Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Pastries and Politics

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Odessa, Texas/January 22, 2026-David Gomez-This is DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce hosted a very special event for the membership. Linda Garcia has the story. 

REPORTER: LINDA GARCIA (Intro) 

Local and State elected officials came together for the 2nd annual Pastries and Politics hosted by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. 

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce membership along with representatives of local institution leadership enjoyed a wide variety of pastries and fruit and conversation with local elected officials. 

(Jeff Meyers, Chairman-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

“We’ve had a great working relationship the chamber has with our state senators, our senators Cruz and Cornyn, on national level. And so excited anytime we get a chance for our members to interact and mingle with them. That’s one of the things the chamber does is help bring those people together.” 

Several State officials along with Senator Ted Cruz’s office engaged in friendly discussions on local, regional and national economies heading in the new year. 

(Bobbi Hanson, West Texas Regional Director for Senator Ted Cruz) 

“We we want to know what’s going on in our communities. A lot of times people think, you know, maybe the federal government doesn’t have as much impact on the local level, but it absolutely does. And we want to make sure that people know how to get those questions answered, how to get help with federal agencies. Anybody that needs our assistance, we’re here. And it’s important to have those relationships so that, uh, I can report back on what’s going on in the community and to stay. So, my boss stays up to date on what’s happening.” 

The goal of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce is to engage with elected officials to promote business and the city’s prosperity. 

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

“The Odessa Chamber is non-partisan. We all must work together regardless of what side of the aisle you are on. We are here to advocate for business, for our community, and we need to to discuss issues. We need to, you know, work together to make sure that positive things are happening in our community.” 

REPORTER LINDA GARCIA (Tag) 

Visit the Odessa Chamber of Commerce online for membership opportunities and upcoming chamber events. For DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS. I’m Linda Garcia. 

David Gomez-Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEW.TV. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin 1st Annual MLK Chili Cookoff

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Odessa, Texas/January 18, 2026-The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin held their Inaugural MLK Chili Cookoff this past Saturday hosted by the Woodson Boys and Girls Club. Competitors created their homemade chili from recipes handed down from one generation to the next. The money raised from the cookoff will benefit community organizations that are part of the BCCPB. 

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

“The money raised from the event is intended to benefit different organizations. Specifically, they will be able to help organizations that have joined their chamber and are “lacking in funds” with a donation.” 

Several candidates running for local political office took advantage of the MLK Chili Cookoff by sponsoring the event, setting up informational tables, and connecting directly with visitors throughout the day. 

(Crystal Zorano Rios, Candidate for Ector County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4) 

“I’m just here just to get my name out there. And because I am running for justice of the peace number four, and I’m just here for the to help the people.” 

Judges had a hard time deciding which was the best Chili. After the tally, the MLK Chili Cookoff awarded trophies and plaques for 1st Place to 6th Place. 

(Chris Harris, Judge-1st Annual MLK Chili Cookoff) 

The MLK Chili Cookoff is one of many events scheduled by the Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin. 

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

“The next event mentioned is the Black History Month billboard display, where a different individual will be featured each day for the entire month of February.” 

The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin was overwhelmed by the success of the Chili Cookoff, which drew a large crowd and strong community support. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Odessa Junior Leadership hosted by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce at ORMC

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Odessa, Texas/January 14, 2026-The Odessa Chamber of Commerce recently kicked off Junior Leadership Odessa hosted by Odessa Regional Medical Center. 44 Odessa High School Juniors engaged in an intensive program learning about the inner workings of their community including local government, healthcare, business and other social services. 

(Allison Gray, Marketing and Communications, Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

“It’s for juniors across the community. We have representatives from all the schools across the area. Um, and so they get to see the back ends of Odessa and really get to see how, um, we run, and you know, how our community thrives”. 

The Junior Leadership program helps Junior class High School Students to break out of their comfort zone and brings them to work together on projects collectively. 

(Rebecca Tepe, Odessa Junior Leadership Program) 

“It helps people get out of their shell and get to know different people. And I’ve seen it so far of, you know; you can kind of tell the ones that are a little laid back, kind of quiet, and I see them getting involved, and that’s great. You know, a lot of times kids need that little extra courage. Um, so they have been doing amazing all day”. 

(Kaleah Lewis, Oceans Healthcare-YPO/Odessa) 

“So, leadership is all about being able to work together as a team, and you got to get out of your comfort zone. You get to meet new people. You get to learn how they think and how they’re able to structure things. You get to ask the hard questions, and it just brings you together to be a better leader. It’s not about one person; it’s about a team of people to create the leadership”. 

The 2026 Junior Leadership Odessa Program is made possible through the support of the Permian Basin Area Foundation and the local business community, that enables local students an opportunity to participate in this leadership development program. 

(Mallory Hough, Odessa Collegiate Academy 11th Grade Student/Odessa, Texas) 

“Getting into this program was really I was like looking at the itinerary. It’s like education, law, medical. So, it’s everything that I’m kind of like, what if? So being able to put my feet in and be like, oh my gosh, that really drew my interest or that really drew my interest, I think it will really help me in furthering my career”. 

For more information on the Junior Leadership Odessa Program, contact the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

New Hispanic Female Owned Notary & Tax Firm in Southside Odessa

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Odessa, Texas/January 10, 2026-A new Tax and Notary service has opened its doors at the former Carol’s Ambulance building located at 126 S. Dixie Blvd. In Odessa. Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick, City Councilman at Large Craig Stoker and City Councilman, District One Eddie Mitchell welcomed the new minority owned business to Odessa. 

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

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

Hispanic Heritage of Odessa, LULAC and the Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a special ribbon cutting ceremony to introduce the new Alejandra Loera Notary and Tax Firm and her staff to guests. 

(Alejandra Loera, Owner/Operator-Alejandra Loera Notary and Tax Firm/Odessa, Texas) 

Several Hispanic nonprofit organizations like ENTRE GUERRERAS, UNA MANO AMIGA, THE PEACE ACADEMY OF WEST TEXAS attended the special ceremony. 

(Rocio Marti -Founder-Entre Guerreras-Nonprofit Organization) 

As the tax season begins, Alejandra Loera Notary and Tax Firm will handle individual and business tax returns. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Odessa Arts & the BCCO Presents Soul Circuit Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas

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Odessa, Texas/January 7, 2026-Odessa Arts and the Black Cultural Council of Odessa present Soul Circuit Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas. During the late 70’s, Black Communities across Texas organized their own local rodeos for cowboys and cowgirls who were excluded from white-sponsored events. 

(Jo Ann Davenport Littleton, Executive Director-Black Cultural Council of Odessa) 

The Soul Circuit Juneteenth Rodeos in Texas are powerful black and white photographs by Sarah Bird reflect a jubilant time of small-town rodeos for Black cowboys across America. 

(Maggie Marmolejo, Interim Executive Director-Odessa Arts/Odessa, Texas) 

The Exhibition features 43 dynamic photographs of Juneteenth rodeos from early-morning preparations to late-night celebrations. The Gallery is going on now through January 15th at the Gertrude Bruce Cultural Center located at 1020 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, in Odessa, Texas.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera