Odessa, Texas/May 11, 2025-Medical Center Health System recently held an Open House for the newly renovated MCH ProCare Cardiovascular Services Clinic inside the Wheatley Stewart Medical Pavillion. 

(Eric Gonzales, Divisional Director of Cardiology-Medical Center Health System/Odessa, Texas) 

This allows for the continuous delivery of high-quality care for patients in a more comfortable and efficient setting. It will house cutting-edge cardiology, electrophysiology and vascular service lines. 

(Eric Gonzales, Divisional Director of Cardiology-Medical Center Health System/Odessa, Texas) 

There is an increase of cardiovascular issues among the local Hispanic population due to unhealthy eating habits and the lack of physical exercise. 

(Eric Gonzales, Divisional Director of Cardiology-Medical Center Health System/Odessa, Texas) 

 

 

Odessa, Texas/May 11, 2025-On Thursday, May 8th the Odessa Police Department along with the Ector County Sheriff’s Office, Midland Police Department, the Midland County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Odessa Fire Rescue held the annual Police Memorial at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. Officers with Ector County ISD Police and other agencies gathered to remember Law Enforcement Officers who were killed in the line of duty. Government Officials with the City of Odessa and Midland and Ector County presented proclamations in remembrance of the Police Memorial-Honoring the live of Our Fallen Heroes. 

(Mike Griffis, Ector County Sheriff-Ector County Sheriff’s Office/Odessa, Texas) 

Police Memorial events continued outside on the cemetery grounds that included prayer and special music from the OFR Drum and Fife Corp. 

(Mike Gerke, Odessa Police Chief, Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day. This year, May 11th through May 17th has been designated as National Police Week. 

(Cpl. Steve LeSeuer, Public Information Officer-Odessa Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital news Danny Barrera. 

Every Traveler at the Airport Security Checkpoint Must Have a REAL ID

Midland, Texas/May 8, 2025-May 7th, was the deadline for every traveler who comes to an airport security checkpoint will be required to present a REAL ID. The 911 commission recommended REAL ID as an additional layer of security for travelers at TSA checkpoints. 

(Patricia Mancha, Media Spokesperson-TSA/Government)  

REAL ID requires that each person verify their identity when purchasing a ticket. All documents with an expiration date are considered REAL ID compliant. 

(Patricia Mancha, Media Spokesperson-TSA/Government) 

If you do not have a REAL ID driver license you must arrive approximately 7 hours before your flight for TSA to verify your identity. However, it is not guaranteed that you would be able to make you board your flight. 

(Patricia Mancha, Media Spokesperson-TSA/Government) 

For a comprehensive list and requirement or for more information go to tsa.gov or on TSA social media platforms. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

 

Odessa City Councilman District 1, Eddie Mitchell Makes Public Apology Over Comments

Odessa, Texas/May 6, 2025-Eddie Mitchell, Odessa City Councilman, District 1, held a short press conference in the council chambers at Odessa City Hall over comments he had made regarding a proposed revision to zoning city ordinance involving trailer homes and manufactured homes. 

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

Several residents that attended the short press conference were outraged that they were not able to ask questions 

(Alexander Andrews, Concerned Citizen-Odessa, Texas) 

Councilman Mitchell did say that the proposed revision to the zoning ordinance reflecting Mobil Home and Manufacturing homes would be tabled. 

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

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in the Heart of Southside Odessa

Odessa, Texas/May 4, 2025-Hispanic Heritage of Odessa and L.U.L.A.C. held the Cinco de Mayo kick-off at the Police Athletic League facility at Floyd Gwin Park on Friday, May 2nd. The kick-off celebration featured a reading of a City of Odessa proclamation by Mayor Cal Hendrick and a Welcome by Odessa Councilman At-Large Craig Stroker. Traditional and popular Mexican songs were performed by the Mariachi from La Universidad Autonama de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. Several awards were handed out to those Hispanics who have made an impact in education, business and in media including radio, broadcast television and in digital news gathering outlets. 

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

This year’s billboards featuring local American Mexican icons were unveiled at the finale of the Cinco de Mayo Kick-off celebration. 

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

The Cinco de Mayo Kick-off celebration continued at Ajuua’s Mexican Restaurant featuring a historical presentation of the Mexican Army’s victory over France at the Battle at Puebla on May 5th, 1862, by Gamaliel Bustillos Munoz, the Mexican Consulate, Consul de Mexico located in the city of Presidio, Texas. Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick welcomed the Mexican Consulate and extended gifts of friendship during the special presentation. 

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

On Saturday, May 3rd, Hispanic Heritage of Odessa, L.U.L.A.C. and Jesse Porras Productions presented the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade in the heart of southside Odessa. 

(Nat Sound) 

The parade ended at La Margarita Festival Grounds, where the festivities continued hosted by the Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A wide variety of venders participated in the event featuring jewelry, advertising items, t-shirts and caps, wide selection of novelty items and a wide selection food menu items. Nonprofit organizations as well as banking institutions were at the event providing information to visitors. 

(Esperanza Garcia, Chair-Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

On Monday, Cinco de Mayo, Liliana Marquez, President of Hispanic Heritage will be honored as LULAC’s Woman of the Year for her contributions to the Hispanic and Odessa Community at 6pm at the Odessa Marriott. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Young Men’s Leadership Conference Hosted by L.U. L.A.C. & Hispanic Heritage of Odessa

Odessa, Texas/May 1, 2025-LULAC and Hispanic Heritage of Odessa held a men’s leadership conference for ECISD High School students. 9th grade thru the senior class heard commentary from Sheriff Mike Griffis with the Ector County Sheriff’s, Detective Alex Reyes with the Odessa Police Department as well from Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick. 

Dr. Gregory Williams, President of Odessa College presented information to the Young Men’s Leadership class on the bond proposal that will impact future students and the local workforce. 

(Carol Uranga, Executive Director, Hispanic Heritage of Odessa/L.U.L.A.C-Odessa, Texas) 

Participating students at the Young Men’s Leadership training were bussed to the westside of Odessa near Walmart between West 16th street and West 22nd help Keep Odessa Beautiful pick up trash as part of the leadership training to beautify the city. 

(Sunshine Thompson, President-Keep Odessa Beautiful-Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick and First Lady Amy Hendrick were on location with students demonstrating through actions, the importance of community involvement to be a part of the solution in making the Odessa community a better place to live. 

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

(Gilbert Vasquez-Councilman, District 3-City of Odessa/Texas) 

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick celebrated with ECISD High School students after a successful leadership cleanup activity. 

(Nat Sound) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera