Inaugural Law Enforcement Torch Run & Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Texas

Posted on      by      Leave a Comment on Inaugural Law Enforcement Torch Run & Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Texas

Odessa, Texas/March 4, 2026-The Odessa Police Department along with the Midland Police Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Office, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ector County ISD Police Department participated in the inaugural Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics of Texas. The event was hosted by the University of Texas. 

(Jerry Cone, Special Olympics Texas-Law Enforcement Torch Run) 

Sponsors, individuals and the UTPB Football team helped raise $25 thousand dollars which provides year-round sports training and competition, along with health and inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in our community. 

(Cody Smith, Officer-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

The annual Polar Plunge supports more than 58,000 athletes across Texas.   

(Zachary Smith, Athlete- Special Olympics Texas) 

(Cpl. Marshall Williams, Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

To donate, go online and visit Special Olympics Texas. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Community Leaders and Volunteers Kick Off Women Build Event in Odessa

Posted on      by      Leave a Comment on Community Leaders and Volunteers Kick Off Women Build Event in Odessa

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

(Melissa Ramos, Reporter-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/March 2. 2026-Permian Basin Habitat for Humanity officially kicked off its Women Build project at the corner of East University and Windsor, bringing volunteers and community supporters together. 

The initiative, organized by Permian Basin Habitat for Humanity, highlights the vital role women play in construction and community leadership. Women Build invites participants of all skill levels to pick up a hammer, learn new skills, and help construct a home that will make a lasting impact on a local family. 

(Kelby Davis, Development Director-Permian Basin Habitat For Humanity) 

“We’re doing a women build this week in Odessa. We’re gonna do it every other year. This year’s Odessa next year will be Midland, and we’re doing it in correlation with International Women Week. Um, which is a really exciting time to get women in our community together, um, for the better of the community to make a change. And so what we’re doing is we’re here at habitat for humanity, and we are building two homes this week here in Odessa, off of university, really close to the YMCA. Um, for a family, two families in our community that are going to have gone through our program and could benefit from affordable housing.” 

Organizers say the project is about more than just raising walls — it’s about raising awareness and empowering women to step confidently into spaces traditionally dominated by men. Volunteers will work side by side over the coming weeks to help turn blueprints into a place a family can proudly call home. 

(Kelby Davis, Development Director-Permian Basin Habitat For Humanity) 

“We have a really awesome construction crew and actually one of our construction crew is female. Her name is Becky and she leads our construction in Odessa. So, this is a cool opportunity for these homes. They are not only funded by women or communities that are supporting women, they are also built by women.” 

Community members interested in volunteering or supporting the effort can contact the Permian Bas Habitat for Humanity organization directly  

 “We have one hundred and fifty volunteers this week that are coming out to build two homes, and by the end of the week, the homes will be done. If we have different volunteers every day, so if anyone’s interested, they should just reach out to the habitat office. And they’re they’re always different volunteer opportunities that are available.” 

(Melissa Ramos, Reporter-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

No construction skills necessary to volunteer. For DRB Media Communications Digital News. Melissa Ramos. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching.
 

Bustin For Badges Annual Clay Shoot 2026-Resigter Now!

Posted on      by      Leave a Comment on Bustin For Badges Annual Clay Shoot 2026-Resigter Now!

(Mateo Shaw, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. The annual Bustin For Badges is coming up in April. Corporal Steve LeSueur of the Odessa Police Department has more information. 

(Corporal Steve LeSueur, Public Information Officer-Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

“Yeah. So, the thirteenth annual bus for Badgers Clay shoot is right around the corner. It’s coming up. It’s going to be Wednesday, April twenty ninth, Thursday, April thirtieth, and Friday, May first at Windwalker Farmer’s Market County. As you know, this clay shoot tournament that we do every year is a law enforcement fundraiser. It’s actually the largest law enforcement fundraiser in the nation. It goes to good cause. It helps pay for equipment. It benefits the Odessa Police Department, the police department, Midland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ector County Sheriff’s Office. Um, and it really is an excellent way to give back to the community. So, if anyone’s interested in registering, they can go to Boston for badges dot com. It’s f and then badges dot com. Every year we you know it’s held at Walker Farms and maybe like half half the people that go out there don’t even shoot. It’s just a fun time. Uh, you know, if you really want to meet your local first responders, you know, in a different light. Um, this is this is the time to do it. We have lots of sponsors. Of course. ExxonMobil is our presenting sponsor. And then, uh, you know, so Ford and Diamondback Energy are are always one of our larger sponsors as well. So this year are three main raffle ticket items are going to be a UTV courtesy of Family Powersports a rifle courtesy of MMI tactical. So each of those first two that I mentioned are about ten thousand dollars value. And then the third prize is going to be a gas card and oil changes. I believe it’s about twenty hundred dollars value. Uh, so ten thousand dollars UTV, uh, ten thousand dollars rifle, again courtesy of MMI tactical. And then that, uh, Kennewick gas card. So three excellent prizes. I mean, you can’t go wrong. Uh, those raffle tickets are sold for twenty dollars each, and they can be purchased right here at the Odessa Police Department.” 

(Mateo Shaw, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m Mateo Shaw. Thanks for watching. 

Odessa College Wranglers NIRA Rodeo Preview

Posted on      by      Leave a Comment on Odessa College Wranglers NIRA Rodeo Preview

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/February 26, 2026-This is DRB Media Communications. The Odessa College Wrangles Rodeo team gave a preview of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association competition at the Ector County Coliseum. 

The Wrangler Rodeo is the first rodeo of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region Spring schedule that features outstanding college rodeo student athletes. The Southwest Region is made up of 18 schools from West Texas and New Mexico. 

(Hayden Welsh, NIRA-Student Athlete-Odessa College Rodeo) 

“We stay in the gym. You know, lately I’ve been eating really healthy. Just, you know, as of right now, I’m a little bit sore and kind of going through a little bit of pain with my knee. So I’m trying to stay in the gym and do everything right, from taking the right supplements to eating right and just staying in that gym and staying mobile, you know, mobile stretching and just continuing to do what you need to do to keep your body up to one hundred percent so you can compete to one hundred percent is, you know, very important.” 

Odessa College had a strong showing over the five rodeos this fall. The Wrangler Men sit in 5th in the team standings. In Bull Riding.  

(Trinity Bear, NIRA-Student Athlete-Odessa College Rodeo) 

“You know, always trying to improve my, my mindset just, you know, every little thing I can do, just try to better myself, you know, try to stay positive, not knock it down and, you know, know what I can do and just trust myself.” 

Each night will include top competitions in Saddle Bronc, Bareback, and Bull Riding, in addition to Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying. 

(Jake Deudnay, NIRA-Student Athlete-Odessa College Rodeo) 

“You’re either up on a Thursday or Friday, so you run your first head and then if you make it back in the top ten, you’re up in the short round on Saturday night. Last year I was just just out of the college finals, but this year I hope to try and better myself and make it there. But I’ve been doing a few PRCA rodeos too, so it’s a good college is a good chance for like us Australians to come over here and pro rodeo as well.” 

This year, the Wrangler Rodeo will partner with The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+ streaming the entire rodeo. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Follow us on Facebook, X Formally Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and visit drbmediacommunicationsdigitalnews.tv. I’m David Gomez. Thanks for watching. 

Ector County Republican Women Host Meet & Greet the Candidates at the MCM Elegante

Posted on      by      Leave a Comment on Ector County Republican Women Host Meet & Greet the Candidates at the MCM Elegante

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/February 24,2026-The Ector County Republican Women recently hosted a special Meet & Greet the Candidates event at the MCM Elegante Hotel and Conference Center, bringing together voters and local candidates for an evening of conversation and connection. 

Among those in attendance was Amanda Snyder, who is running for Ector County Treasurer. Snyder shared her vision for the office and expressed confidence that her campaign is gaining strong momentum. With a positive outlook and steady engagement from supporters, she said she feels encouraged by the response she’s receiving from voters across the county. 

(Amanda Prieto-Snyder, Candidate for County Treasurer-Ector County Texas) 

“So, I think it’s going great. I feel pretty confident. I think the people of Ector County, the taxpayers, are ready for change. Um, not that anything is broken, but there’s always room for improvement. You know, new, new technology to get us, you know, to the future.” 

In Ector County Commissioner Precinct 4, incumbent Billy Hall faces a challenge from Marty Slaton, setting up a head-to-head contest that is expected to draw strong interest from voters across the precinct. Hall, seeking another term, will be defending his record, while Slaton is campaigning on his vision and priorities for the future of Precinct 4. 

Meanwhile, Ector County Commissioner Precinct 2 is seeing a crowded field of five candidates. The open seat comes after longtime commissioner Greg Simmons announced he would not seek re-election, creating an opportunity for new leadership in the precinct. With no incumbent in the race, candidates are working to introduce themselves to voters and outline their plans for infrastructure, budgeting, and county services. 

Both races are expected to play a key role in shaping the direction of county leadership, as commissioners oversee budgets, road projects, and essential services that impact residents throughout Ector County. 

(Grayson Hankins, Candidate for County Commissioner, Precinct 2-Ector County, Texas) 

“We’ve had several years of, uh, not very good communication, uh, between the the commissioner court and the voting public and the or just the public. And I want to do better at that. I think we’ve got some things coming up that are critical to our community, and we need to be able to look at that. But the the voters need to know what’s going on. And they, uh, if it comes to something that we need to spend money and we need to do a bond or something like that, they need to know what’s going on so they can make an informed decision.” 

Midland County Judge Terry Johnson, who is seeking re-election along with candidates running for Midland County Commissioner positions, were invited to ECRW Meet and Greet the Candidates event. 

(Don “Woody” Woodward, Candidate for County Commissioner, Pct. 4-Midland County, Texas) 

“After looking at the budget and several things. Hello young man. Precinct four has got needs better representation, needs better accountability, and needs better transparency. We, uh, my my commissioner is the highest paid commissioner. She makes one hundred and twenty-three thousand dollars a year for two meetings. So, she’s making about ten thousand dollars a month. When the Social Security benefits, uh, the people that have to get those in Midland County, they make one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. So, I think that is way out of line.” 

Carlos Chavez, Ector County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, is seeking re-election, before taking the bench, Judge Chavez spent more than 30 years in law enforcement with the Odessa Police Department, building firsthand knowledge of the legal system from the street level up. During his time as Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace, Chavez reports that his office has generated significant revenue for the county by addressing outstanding warrants and resolving pending legal matters. He credits improved administrative processes and a proactive approach to case management for those results. 

(Carlos Chavez, Running for Re-election-Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1/Ector County, Texas) 

“I teamed up with precinct one, Constable’s and Crime Stoppers to have all these people have warrants to come and pay. And then I issued five thousand three hundred and sixty class C warrants, and we did a revenue of one point eight million. And guess what? Never in the history of precinct has brought that much revenue.” 

The event provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, hear directly from the candidates, and become more informed ahead of the upcoming election. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, I’m Danny Barrera. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-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 Police Investigating Shooting at the 1900 Block of East 42nd St.

Posted on      by      Leave a Comment on Odessa Police Investigating Shooting at the 1900 Block of East 42nd St.

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

Odessa, Texas/February 23, 2026-A shooting occurred near Permian High School that left an18-year-old PHS student in critical condition. Danny Barrera has the story. 

An arrest has been made in connection to the shooting that occurred this morning in the 1900 block of E. 42nd St. Near the Burger King restaurant. 17-year-old A’Zachiah Lee Henson is in custody, and 18-year-old Nathan Gonzalez is currently in critical condition at MCH.

On Monday morning, February 23rd around 8:20am, the Odessa Police Department responded to a gunshot victim in the 1900 block of E. 42nd St. Investigation revealed that two males engaged in a fight when it is believed that Henson pulled out a gun and shot Gonzalez in the chest.

Medical aid was immediately provided to Gonzalez, and he was transported to Medical Center Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Henson fled the scene and was located soon after at a residence in the 4200 block of Bonham. This investigation is ongoing. 

(David Gomez, News Anchor-DRB Media Communications Digital News) 

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