The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin Holds 2nd Annual Community Clean-Up

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Odessa, Texas/April 17, 2023-The Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin along with Keep Odessa Beautiful held their 2nd Annual Community Clean-Up. Representatives and members of the BCCPB gathered at the Woodson Boys and Girls Club to begin the clean-up project. 

(Chris E. Walker, President/CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin/Odessa, Texas) 

Keep Odessa Beautiful provides information to volunteers and organizations on the health hazards of an unclean community. 

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

(Ashley Lopez, Board Member- Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin/Odessa, Texas) 

Cedric Baty, a student at Sul Ross University who has ties to the south side of Odessa, volunteered his time to make an impact on the community 

(Cedric Baty, Student-Sul Ross University-Volunteer/Community Clean-Up/Black Chamber of Commerce of the Permian Basin 

After the Community Clean-Up, volunteers enjoyed hotdogs, chips and cookies. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

5th Annual University of Texas Permian Basin Kite Fest

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Odessa, Texas/April 16, 2017-UT Permian Basin’s Student Government Association hosted the 5th Annual Kite Fest on Saturday, April 15th. Families came out to the UTPB Park bringing different types of kites, those who did not have a kite got one form UTPB. 

(Emily Lopez, Secretary-Student Government Association, University of Texas Permian Basin-Odessa, Texas) 

Several elaborate and colorful kites were flown over the UTPB Park creating an awesome, fun time for children and parents. 

(Emily Lopez, Secretary-Student Government Association, University of Texas Permian Basin-Odessa, Texas) 

The UTPB Kite Fest hosted approximately 400 visitors and kite flyers. Families enjoyed free snacks and other concessions by sponsors and UTPB. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Medical Center Health System Celebrates Donors in Honor of National Donate Life Month

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Odessa, Texas/April 14, 2023-Medical Center Health System hosted the 3rd annual Donor Memorial Service in honor of National Donate Life Month. Medical Center Hospital recognized several donors from the Midland/Odessa area during the special ceremony. 

(Larissa Guevara, Critical Care Educator Coordinator-Medical Center Health System/Odessa, Texas) 

Being a donor is a way to live through someone else a give someone another chance at life. 

(Larissa Guevara, Critical Care Educator Coordinator-Medical Center Health System/Odessa, Texas) 

Several families were honored at the Donor Memorial Service and recognized two employees at Medical Center Hospital who gave the gift of life to one of their family members. 

(Mary Helen Sanchez, Executive Assistant to the CNO and to the Vice President for Recruiting-Medical Center Health System) 

Ralph Sanchez is a recipient of a Kidney from his sister Mary Helen Sanchez. He explains why he was apprehensive in accepting his sister’s gift of life. 

(Ralph Sanchez, recipient of a Kidney from his sister Mary Helen Sanchez)  

The end of the ceremony featured a powder cannon release in honor of those 2022 donors. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.  

Ector County Will Issue Debit Cards for Jury Duty Beginning Late May or Early June

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Odessa, Texas/April 14, 2023-During the Ector County Commissioners meeting on April 11th, the court approved the use of debit cards for payment instead of mailing out paper checks to those individuals who were summoned for jury duty. The debit cards will be issued towards the end of May or beginning of June. 

(Clarissa Webster, Ector County Clerk, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

The cost of processing a payment with a paper check is between $1.30 and $1.40. The cost to Ector County for issuing a debit card for jury duty will be .99 cents. 

(Clarissa Webster, Ector County Clerk, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

Recently, certain people have tried to pass fraudulent checks through the Ector County’s bank account. The debit card is a better way for the county to prevent fraud. 

(Clarissa Webster, Ector County Clerk, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

When jurors sign in, they still have the option to donate their payment from jury duty to any of the approved charities that have been selected by Ector County. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Odessa College Celebrates Another Spring Record Enrollment

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Odessa,Texas/April 12, 2023-Odessa College celebrated 8082 Spring record enrollment; a 5 percent increase over the 2022 spring semester. OC faculty, staff, board members and stakeholders celebrated at the Amphitheater in the Commons area behind the Saulsbury Campus Center. 

(Dr. Gregory Williams, President-Odessa College/Odessa, Texas) 

OC’s success comes from being part of the community by supporting the students attending Odessa College and being engaged in partnerships that move OC forward and help grow the local economy. 

(Dr. Gregory Williams, President-Odessa College/Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa College has continued to increase its enrollment each year for the last 10 years, while most colleges and universities have seen decreases in enrollment because of the economy and pandemic. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Ector County Commissioners Approve the Sale of E Cigarettes and Pizza to ECDC Inmates

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Odessa, Texas/April 12, 2023-On Tuesday, April 11th, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Ector County Commissioners, the commissioners’ court unanimously approved the sale of e-cigarettes to inmates. 

(Mike Griffis, Ector County Sheriff, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

The e-cigarettes are designed and manufactured exclusively for detention centers and contain a barcode for tracking. 

(Mike Griffis, Ector County Sheriff, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

The Ector County Detention Center does not permit smoking; the sale of e-cigarettes is a privilege extended to the inmates by the Ector County Sheriff’s Office and will be used as a behavioral tool. 

(Mike Griffis, Ector County Sheriff, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

The Ector County Commissioners Court also approved the sale of pizza to inmates at no cost to Ector County. 

(Mike Griffis, Ector County Sheriff, Ector County/Odessa, Texas) 

The e-cigarette and pizza sales to inmates is a creative way the Ector County Sheriff’s Office is fundraising to help with expenditures that are not in sheriff’s office budget. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.