Faith In Uniform Inaugural Event Honoring Veterans and First Responders

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

This is DRB Media Communications. Crossroads Fellowship Church hosted its first Faith in Uniform community event. Danny Barrera has the story. 

Odessa, Texas/August 17, 2026-Crossroads Fellowship Church held its inaugural Faith in Uniforms event, honoring veterans, local law enforcement officers and first responders. Families came out to enjoy an afternoon of music, free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks. Children also enjoyed jumpers, volleyball and other fun activities. 

(Steven Ramirez, Investigator-Midland County Sheriff’s Office/Group Leader-” Faith In Uniform”) 

“It’s a way to get back to the community for the ones who, who, uh, who backed us and supported us. So, we’re here to give back to the community and just kind of, uh, have, have everybody get together from all the permanent bases. This event is for active and retired military and first responders. So, you’re going to have everybody from, uh, Air Force, military, retired, active; they’re all walking around here. Um, and it’s just a way just, just to say thank you for their service as well.” 

Faith In Uniform is a veteran and first responder Christian-based support group at Crossroads Fellowship Church. The group provides support to veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD, depression and other challenges that can arise following military service or as a result of the demands of their jobs. 

(Trey Hammond, Discipleship of Groups at Crossroads Fellowship Church/Odessa, Texas) 

“As a church we are. For the basin is one of our mantras. It’s our our desire to to reach out to the basin area, uh, to be able to serve our community with different types of outreaches. And this is one of those where we can reach families that are involved in our first responders, you know, military, retired, veteran, active duty, uh, just a chance for us to serve.” 

To find out more about FAITH IN UNIFORM contact Crossroads Fellowship Church.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

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

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Faith In Uniform will have a Special Event Honoring Veterans and First Responders at Crossroads Church

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

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. Faith In Uniform will be having a special event Saturday, August 15th at Crossroads Church. Sgt. Luis Godina with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office has the details. 

(Sgt. Luis Godina, Investigator-Martin County Sheriff’s Office/Group Leader “Faith In Uniform-Crossroads Church) 

Odessa, Texas/August 12, 2026- “So, the purpose behind this event is getting together with the family of all retired and active military first responders, and to kind of just have a outing. You know, we have free food jumpers and kind of like meet and greet everybody to bring that community together that hasn’t really been there. It’s open to the entire community because there might be, you know, a neighbor that someone might not know about the event that they can invite or a family member, you know, that they could bring along as well. And it’s also for the family of the military, first responders, you know, kids, wives, grandparents, parents, you know, everyone just to kind of go and enjoy that Saturday. We do have a faith in uniform event once a month. It’s usually every third Thursday of the month. And we meet there at crossroads. We meet from about six thirty to eight thirty, and we do have a guest speakers every single month. And it’s a different topic every single month. So, some topics you might correlate with and other topics you might not, but it’d be great to have plenty of people go and maybe you see a certain topic that you’re very interested in, and you would like to hear different personalities approaching different, you know, items, the way that they approach it.” 

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

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Ector County ISD New 2026-27 School Year Begins-Adela & Gilbert Vasquez Middle School

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

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. For most ECISD Students, today, August 11th, was the first day of school. Danny Barrera has the story. 

Odessa, Texas-West Ector County/August 11, 2026-Students from Pre-K 3 through sixth grade, along with ninth-grade students, began their first day of school. 

(Keeley Boyer, Superintendent of Schools-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

“Kids are happy, kids are coming and smiling, but they’re sixth graders and sixth graders are nervous on the first day of school. But lots of happy kids today. Staff was also out here greeting kids and families. And so, it’s just a great day for our kids here at Vasquez.” 

The new Adela and Gilbert Vasquez Middle School in West Odessa has opened its doors to students living in West Ector County. The new campus provides students and families in the growing area with a modern educational facility designed to support learning and academic success. 

(Laura Echeveria, Mother who has a son that attends Vasquez Middle School-Resident of West Odessa in West Ector County) 

“Esta escuela es una bendición para todos los del West porque teníamos que viajar hasta la Héctor y aparte que ya estaba muy sobrepoblada esta escuela, pues ahora aquí nos queda bien cerquita, ya no tenemos que viajar hasta allá y los niños van a convivir con niños de su vecindario porque son los del área. Allá la Héctor Pues si van niños más de otros, de otros lugares.” 

The new middle school was named in honor of Adela and Gilbert Vasquez, who both attended schools in the Ector County ISD district before returning to the district as educators. Their dedication to education and service to the community is now being recognized through the school that bears their names. 

(Gilbert Vasquez, the husband of the Late Adela Vasquez-Middle School Named in honor of Adela and Gilbert Vasquez) 

“I feel very humbled and very honored. And I’m going to speak on behalf of Adela, who’s up in heaven. Um, I never would have thought that this day would come, that she and I would have been honored by the educational community of Odessa, Texas. Ector County Independent School District to name a facility after her and myself. Um, I’ve been told by some people that they did it because of the seventy-nine years of combined service that we gave to students and staff in Ector County ISD. But the feelings that I’m feeling in my heart right now is just just humbled and honored.” 

Representatives of the Ector County ISD School Board and Odessa City Councilman At-Large Craig Stoker were at Adela and Gilbert Vasquez Middle School to welcome and greet students on their first day of school. 

(Tammy Hawkins, School Board Representative-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

“The teamwork that we have with now with the county. And, you know, Craig Stoker came today from the city. So, we are blessed that the entire community has been a part of this project because, you know, our future is sitting in these classrooms. And so, we’re honored to be a part of this.” 

Adela and Gilbert Vasquez Middle School will have about 75 teachers and 90 staff. Middle school expects around 1100 students.  

(Raquel Rodriguez, Principal, Adela and Gilbert Vazquez Middle School-Ector County ISD) 

“The classrooms are huge. They are very big. They are very spacious. Um, they’re off in their own section, which makes a lot of sense. The bathrooms are very central to each grade level hub. Um, there’s a teacher’s workroom at every grade level hub. Teachers have access to the printer. They have access to the bathroom. They have access to anything that they need. Work wise is right there for them in each grade level hub. You’ll also find the counselor for the grade level, the AP for the grade level, and the attendance clerk. So everybody is very, um, very easily accessible by the grade level.” 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

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

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Odessa Police Department’s 7th Annual Back To School Block Party at the Ector County Coliseum

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

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. The Odessa Police Department held their 7th Annual Back to School Block Party at the Ector County Coliseum. Danny Barrera has the story. 

Odessa, Texas/August 10, 2026-Local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community vendors came together to provide school supplies, giveaways, and other goodies to families as they prepare for the first day of school. The event gave families an opportunity to get much-needed school supplies while enjoying a fun community gathering before the new school year begins. 

(Officer Destiny Jones, Community Relations Officer-Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

“So, our main goal for this entire event is to really relieve that financial burden from parents having to buy school supplies and also set the kids up for success. So, they’re prepared and have what they need. So, they just have to worry about learning. They don’t have to worry about anything else. Um, and then secondly, we also have this so we can build relationships with the community. So, we can build that trust, um, with the kiddos and also have a little one last little fun event before they have to go back to school.” 

The Odessa Police Department provided 500 backpacks, while the Ector County Sheriff’s Office contributed another 300 backpacks, all filled with school supplies to help local students prepare for the upcoming school year. 

(Elina Woods, Grandmother-Attendee/Odessa PD Annual Back to School Block Party) 

“This is a very important and, um, to have this type of events, uh, with all the community coming together, the churches, uh, the police department, the fire department, all the, the military, the swap canines. And, um, I’m very grateful. Even, uh, one of the ladies prayed over me and, uh, over the, uh, for, for my family and the children.” 

Sewell Family of Companies was the title sponsor of the 7th Annual Odessa Polce Department’s Back to School Block Party, as well as providing all the raffle prizes that were given away during the event. 

(Officer Destiny Jones, Community Relations Officer-Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

“So, Ford family of companies sponsored this entire event. They are a sole sponsor for this event, as we really want to thank them for everything that they’ve done. They’ve provided everything here, the raffle prizes that you see, the school supplies, backpacks, this, this wouldn’t be we wouldn’t be able to do this without their support.” 

The Back-to-School Block Party featured various Law Enforcement vehicles and Canine demonstrations and Odessa Fire Rescue giveaways. For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

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

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Odessa Chamber of Commerce Along with Chevron Host 12th Annual New Teacher Welcome

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

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. The Odessa Chamber of Commerce hosted the 12th Annual ECISD New Teacher Welcome and Reception. Danny Barrera has the story. 

Odessa, Texas/August 9, 2026-As the first day of school fast approaches, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce held its 12th Annual New Teacher Welcome at the MCM Grande Hotel and Fundome. 

Chamber-member vendors welcomed new Ector County ISD teachers by providing goodie bags and information about services available throughout the community. Representatives from financial institutions, healthcare providers, retail businesses, and entertainment companies were on hand to introduce teachers to local resources and businesses. 

The annual event gives new teachers an opportunity to connect with the Odessa community as they prepare for the upcoming school year. 

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

“So, we have new teachers coming from across the world, across the United States. We have new teachers who are coming from parts of Texas or even the Odessa area, regardless of where they’re coming from. We want them to know that they’re appreciated. They’re valued. If they are moving here from another community, they need to know what dentists they’re going to use, what doctor, what bank, what insurance company. All of our members here have different resources for these new teachers. And they’re not only walking away with a bag full of goodies, but also some contacts for any of those services they may need.” 

Ector County ISD welcomes teachers from across the country and around the world who bring their knowledge, experience, and diverse perspectives to the classroom. These educators play an important role in helping ECISD students succeed while making a lasting difference in their academic careers. 

(Keeley Boyer, Superintendent of Schools-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

“We have around seventy international teachers. The majority of our international teachers do come from Spain, but we also get quite a few teachers from the Philippines and we get some from Africa. And so, we do have a wide variety, um, in terms of where our teachers come from, from other countries.” 

Several international teachers have applied for a special program that allows educators from other countries to come to Odessa for one year and teach students in Ector County ISD. The program gives ECISD an opportunity to welcome experienced educators from around the world while providing students with exposure to different cultures and perspectives. 

(International Educators) 

“It’s very exciting. Yeah. We are honored to be here to impact positively in the lives of the kids.” 

(International Educators) 

“I came here with the program. With the assistant program, uh, with my boyfriend. So, he’s Spanish, and we got the program and me, I came because I’m. I got the nationality of America. So, I came with him. We didn’t choose Odessa. We didn’t really, we didn’t really care where in the United States. When they told us Odessa, we didn’t know the the city. But we are really grateful to have the opportunity to know Texas and to know the city.” 

Diego Romero, originally from Madrid, Spain, will be teaching at Pease Elementary School. Romero chose Ector County ISD in part because he wanted to be close to his sister, who has been teaching with ECISD for the past 10 years. 

(Diego Romero, From Madrid, Spain-Pease Elementary/ECISD) 

“Mi hermana vino como yo hace diez años como profesora internacional y después de esos cinco años consiguió cambiar su visado y ser profesora certificada en Texas y está en PISA Elementary School y mi hermana siempre me me me dijo que tomara esta oportunidad, que viniera para aquí para vivir la experiencia con mi familia y con mis hijas y por eso decidí aplicar para Texas y en Odessa. Yo quería venir aquí.” 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera 

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

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Ector County Republican Women Kick Off the Inaugural PATRIOT CAMP

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

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. The Ector County Republican Women kicked off the Inaugural Patriot Camp. Danny Barrera has the story. 

Odessa, Texas/August 3, 2026-In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Ector County Republican Women held its inaugural Patriot Camp for school-age children. The educational event took place in the community room at the 87th Street Apartments. Children who attended the camp participated in interactive activities designed to teach them about the importance of voting and civic engagement. 

(Donna Kelm, Party Chair-Ector County Republican Party/Odessa, Texas) 

“These little kids don’t understand. You know, they do do know we have a president, but they don’t really understand the dynamics of voting. But if you ask them, do you like Whataburger, French fries or McDonald’s French fries? Then you get to find out what the you know, they understand what voting is all about. And then as they go through school, they will learn more about voting, but it just builds them up for the importance of voting for president. Local city, city council, county commissioners, and all the way up to state.” 

Former Ector County Judge Debi Hays presented an abbreviated, kid-participatory historical presentation about the Boston Tea Party. The interactive activity introduced the children to an important chapter in American history. 

(Debi Hays, Board Chair-Ector County Republican Women-” Patriot Camp”) 

“This idea was kind of introduced at a convention, and the idea of putting together Patriot camps. And so, there are other communities across the state that they’ve been doing this for several years. And it was laid upon my heart that this is an event and a camp for patriots, for volunteers to be able to learn some of our history. And while during that period, I served as your county judge, then I went off to serve to help the West Odessa citizens get water and my life got busy, but God continued to lay it on my heart. And so this year, I was so excited to try to put it together for our kids, for your kids, so that they would learn about the flag and the freedoms that your dads, your brothers and your grandfathers and before them have fought for. So, it’s been my privilege to be able to put this camp together today for your community.” 

The PATRIOT CAMP educated children about the creation of the American flag, including the story of Betsy Ross and the significance of the 13 original colonies. The historical presentation was led by members of the Ector County Republican Women. 

The second Annual Patriot Camp will be scheduled for the summer of 2027. Visit the Ector County Republican Women on Facebook and other social media for updates and upcoming community events . For DRB MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL NEWS, Danny Barrera. 

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

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