The situation began as a Secure when a report of someone with a weapon ran from police and ran inside OHS. Law Enforcement immediately responded to the situation on campus.

Odessa, Texas/April 16, 2025-On Wednesday, April16th at around 2:53pm Odessa High School went into Lockdown. The situation began as a Secure when a report of someone with a weapon ran from police and ran inside OHS. Law Enforcement immediately responded to the situation on campus. 

(Mike Atkins, Chief Communications Officer-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

Around 3pm it was reported by a school official that Odessa High School was no longer in a Lockdown. ECISD Police located the student who allegedly had a weapon. 

(Mike Atkins, Chief Communications Officer-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

Officers began clearing the OHS Campus close to the end of the school day. Parents were informed through ECISD email that it would take some time before parents or visitors to enter the campus. 

(Mike Atkins, Chief Communications Officer-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

There were no reports of any injuries, however Odessa Fire Rescue did arrive on campus and transported a person to a local hospital. The investigation to this incident iso ngoing. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News Danny Barrera. 

 

 

 

Chick Fil A Awards 15 Team Members over $27,000 in Scholarships

Odessa, Texas/April 16, 2025-Odessa Family YMCA hosted Chick-Fil-A Restaurant’s scholarship award ceremony for 15 team members. Chick Fil-A restaurants in Odessa awarded scholarship award totaling 37, 500 dollars. 

(Nate Saxton, Owner/Operator-Chick-Fil-A/East 42nd Street and West University Blvd./Odessa, Texas) 

Many of the Odessa Chick-Fil-A team members are students that attend Permian High School, Odessa High and other ECISD High Schools. 

(Nate Saxton, Owner/Operator-Chick-Fil-A/East 42nd Street and West University Blvd./Odessa, Texas) 

Students that received the scholarships are very grateful to Chick-Fil-A for investing in their higher learning. 

(Julietta Lozano/Flor Lozano-Certified Team Members/Chick-Fil-A/Odessa, Texas) 

For the last 30 years Chick-Fil-A Corporation has awarded over 20 million dollars in scholarships to its team members. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Communities in Schools Permian Basin Announce Annual Fundraising Event

Midland, Texas/April 15, 2025-Communities in Schools recently announced their annual Kentucky Derby themed fundraising event called JOCKEY, JULEPS & ALL THAT JAZZ. Funds raised are used to provide various services to “At-Risk” students in the Permian Basin. 

(Eliseo Elizondo, Executive Director-Communities in Schools/Permian Basin) 

Communities in Schools have licensed councilors to help students navigate issues ranging from anxiety, depression trauma and other issues that will affect the student’s ability to stay in school. 

(Crystal Ruiz, Program Manager -Communities in Schools/Permian Basin) 

Jockeys, Juleps & All that Jazz fundraising event is May 2nd for more information call (432)205-1364 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center National Library Week

Odessa, Texas/April 13, 2025-Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center recently held an event for the community in celebration of National Library Week. Book Mobiles from the Ector County Library and Midland County Library set up in the north parking lot of the health sciences center for the special event. 

(Kristalee Kennedy, Assistant Library Director-Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center/Permian Basin) 

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Medical students and staff can find out more of what the library in Odessa and Midland offer to their families. 

(Howard Marks, Library Director-Ector County Library/Odessa, Texas) 

National Library Week 2025 was from April 6th to April 12th and was first celebrated in 1958. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

H E B celebrates Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge at Noel Elementary

Odessa, Texas/April 13, 2025-On Friday, April 11th, H-E-B, Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick and city Councilman At-Large Graig Stoker celebrated with students, teachers and staff at Noel Elementary for the annual Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge and community cleanup. Students in classrooms across the state of Texas collected thousands of pounds of plastic bags in replicas of HEB’s recycling bins located in front-of-store. 

(Jessicka Gonzales, Public Relations-West Texas H-E-B/Texas) 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick read from a children’s book titled Recycling Day produced and distributed by H-E-B. The book will be placed in the Noel Elementary Library for students to check out and read. 

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

The Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, March 4th with a record breaking 792 schools participating in the challenge. 

(Jennie Chavez, Principal-Noel Elementary-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

H-E-B is offering shoppers free reusable bags in celebration of Earth Day coming up on April 22nd. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

  

Odessa Chamber of Commerce Host 3rd Annual Civics Bee at Odessa College

Odessa, Texas/April 7, 2025-On Saturday, April 5th, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce hosted the Third Annual National Civics Bee. 6th, 7th as well as 8th grade students from Odessa and Midland and from the Permian Basin participated in the event. 93 students submitted an essay to identify problems facing the community. 

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

The National Civic’s Bee is aimed at encouraging young students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

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

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce was chosen out of 150 Chamber of Commerce organizations across the nation by the U.S. Chamber to host the annual National Civics Bee. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.