Author: Danny Barrera

Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 38th Annual Mex Tex Family Fiesta

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Midland, Texas/June 5, 2025-The Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently held their 38th annually Mex-Tex Family Fiesta.  

Over a thousand people attended the annual event. Visitors enjoyed events throughout the day that included healthcare booths, a variety of Permian Basin industry and vendors selling a wide selection of items 

(Savanah Morales, President/CEO-Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/Midland, Texas) 

During the Mex-Tex Family Fiesta the traditional menudo cookoff was held, an art competition, dancers and other vendors selling exotic jewelry for women and men. 

(Vendors) 

The Mex-Tex Family Fiesta ended with a concert from Tejano artists. It is estimated that this year’s event raised close to 90 thousand dollars. For DRB Media Communications, I’m Sophie Wagner. 

City of Odessa Introduces David A Vela, the new City Manager to Employees and Staff

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Odessa, Texas/June 2, 2025-The City of Odessa held a special press conference to formally introduce David Vela the new city manager to employees and staff and to the citizens and residents of Odessa. The Odessa City Council under the leadership of Mayor Cal Henrick, voted unanimously for David Vela for the city manager position. 

(David Vela, City Manager-City of Odessa/Texas) 

David Vela has a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and is finalizing his Doctorate studies related to government, with the discipline study on local government. 

(David Vela, City Manager-City of Odessa/Texas 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick along with members of the City Council are excited and hopeful for a new and better direction for Odessa. 

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

David Vela started day one as city manager visiting departments and staff and acquainting himself with city of Odessa protocols. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Farewell Reception in Honor of Richard Morton, Interim Odessa City Manager

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Odessa, Texas/May 30, 2025-Hispanic Heritage of Odessa held a farewell event for interim City Manager, Richard Morton at Ajuua’s Mexican Food Restuarant. City of Odessa staff including members of the city council, Eddie Mitchell, District 1, Greg Connell, District 4 and Gilbert Vasquez of District 3 attended the special event. Representatives with Hispanic Heritage of Odessa say that Richard Morton had a major impact on reshaping city government and building relationships with the Hispanic community. 

(Liliana Marquez, President-Hispanic Heritage of Odessa/Odessa, Texas) 

Richard Morton had been in Odessa for about 20 years and served as City Manager from 2002 to 2017. In early 2025 the new Odessa City Council asked for his help in finding a qualified city manager. 

(Richard Morton, Interim City Manager-City of Odessa/Texas) 

David Vela is now the new Odessa City Manager and will begin his duties on Monday, June 2nd. 

 

Memorial Day Weekend Part 1

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The Memorial Day Weekend kicked off with the annual motorcycle run headed to Monahans to escort the Traveling Memorial Wall for a special ceremony at Music City Mall. 

(Music) 

The motorcycle caravan arrived at the QT truck stop in Monahans after the 45-minute trip and were greeted by Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

(Music) 

After a brief meet and greet Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety led the escort back to Odessa with the Traveling Memorial Wall and the bikers on I-20. 

The motorcycle caravan arrived at Music City Mall. 

(Music) 

Officers with the Odessa Police Department, Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety and other volunteers helped bring into the mall all the work parts that would be assembled to showcase the entire Traveling Memorial Wall. 

(Music) 

Ater the wall was assembled a special remembrance ceremony Remembering Our Heros was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. 

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. 

Project Graduation 2025 & Social Host Ordinance

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Odessa, Texas/May 23, 2025-The Odessa Police Department, the Ector County Sheriff’s Office along with ECISD Police and other law enforcement agencies and Craig Stoker, Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Odessa, gathered to let the public know of Project Graduation and other non-alcohol and drug free events for 2025 Graduates. Representatives with Basin Lighthouse provided information on the importance of restraining from drinking as graduates celebrate a new chapter in their lives. 

(Sara Hinshaw, CPS, Director of Prevention Programs-Basin Lighthouse/Odessa, Texas) 

Ector County ISD Police will be part of the Task Force monitoring and gathering information of underage drinking parties that are being hosted by a parent or parents. 

(Lt. Chancey Westfall, ECISD Police-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick, presented a video congratulating the Class of 2025 

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

If someone is caught violating the Social Host Ordinance, fines can reach up to 2 thousand dollars. 

(Michael Gerke, Odessa Polce Chief-Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera 

Masa Bakery in Odessa, Texas Celebrates End of the School Year with Free Hot Dogs and Drinks

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Odessa, Texas/May 22, 2025-MASA BAKERY in Odessa celebrated the end of the school year with kids and parents with free hot dogs and drinks. Children from Lamar Pre-School and other surrounding ECISD elementary schools came out to the celebration. MASA BAKERY staff and volunteers helped prepare the yummy hot dogs several hours before school let out for the summer break. 

(Daniel Morales, Owner and Operator-Masa Bakery/519 Jefferson Ave/Odessa, Texas) 

Moms and some dads were delighted to have a quick break with their school age children for the tasty hot dogs and purchasing pan dulce. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.