Tag: City Of Odessa

Odessa City Council Special Remembrance of Flash Flood Victims

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Odessa, Texas/July 10, 2025-Before the start of the July 8th Odessa City Council meeting a special moment of silence was held in honor of Odessa Police Office Bailey Martin and those who perished in the flash flood in Central Texas. 

(Michael Gerke, Police Chief/Odessa Police Department) 

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

Odessa City Council members Craig Stoker and Greg Connell along with Ector County Republican Party Chair, Donna Kelm and Former Ector County Judge Debi Hays, volunteers were at Memorial Gardens Park placing green ribbons on trees near the pond in remembrance of Odessa Police Officer Bailey Martin and those that have died and those that are still missing from the flash flood that occurred in the Hill Country particularly around the Guadalupe River in Kerr County over the 4th of July weekend. 

(Debi Hays, Former Ector County Judge/Odessa, Texas) 

(Greg Connell, Councilman District 4/City of Odessa, Texas) 

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

State Senator Kevin Sparks of Texas District 31 and State Representative Brooks Landgraf of Texas District 81 will be heading back to Austin for a special legislative session to work on solutions such as a warning system for flash flood areas. 

(Kevin Sparks, State Senator/Texas District 31) 

(Brooks Landgraf, State Representative/Texas District 81) 

A special candlelight vigil is scheduled for Friday, July 11th at around 6pm at Memorial Garden Park located at 42nd Street and JBS Parkway.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, I’m Jasmin Franks. 

 

 

 

Odessa Downtown Lions Club Parade & City of Odessa’s Firecracker Fandango 2025

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Odessa, Texas/July 6, 2025-The Odessa Downtown Lion’s Club kicked off the 4th of July celebration with the annual Independance Day Parade. Residents enjoyed the vintage military vehicles, decorated floats representing American Freedom. The Odessa Police Department, Odessa Fire Rescue and the Ector County Sheriff’s Office showcased armored vehicles and hardware to the delight of mom’s, dad’s and children. 

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

Around 6pm, Friday, July 4th, the City of Odessa hosted the annual Firecracker Fandango. Several thousand people including children came downtown and engage in activities for families; there were concerts featuring local artists and up and coming country recording artists. Visitors enjoyed a wide selection of delicious food items from various food trucks sprinkled throughout the downtown area. The Firecracker Fandango offered a KID’S ZONE where families could take their kids to enjoy games and jumpers. 

(Craig Stoker, Odessa City Councilman At-Large-City of Odessa/Texas) 

At the finale of Firecracker Fandango visitors were entertained by a drone show and fireworks. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera 

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. 

 

Odessa City Council Approve New City Manager , MLK Jr Street and Hispanic Heritage HOT FUNDS

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Odessa, Texas/April 24, 2025-The Odessa City Council during its regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 22nd approved several key agenda items. The council approved Hispanic Heritage of Odessa’s request for $50 thousand dollars from the hot funds for cultural events for the 2025 season even though the applications for the HOT Funds were out of its traditional cycle. 

(Craig Stoker, Odessa Councilman At-Large-City of Odessa/Texas) 

(Carol Uranga, Executive Director-Hispanic Heritage of Odessa/Odessa, Texas) 

The Council unanimously voted and approved the renaming of East Murphy St to M.L.K., Jr Street in southside Odessa starting at South Grant Avenue & Murphy traveling east to the north service road of I-20 crossing over south Dixie and South Grandview. 

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

(Craig Stoker, Odessa Councilman At-Large-City of Odessa/Texas) 

The Odessa City Council returned from Executive Session at approximately 8:45pm approved the selection of David A. Vela, the current Sweetwater, Texas City Manager as the new Odessa City Manager and voted to begin the contract process.  

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

(David A. Vela, Current Sweetwater, Texas City Manager-New Odessa City Manager/Odesa, Texas) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

City of Odessa Holds Annual Easter Egg Hunt

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Odessa, Texas/April 20, 2025-The City of Odessa held its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Sherwood Park on Saturday, April 19th. The event featured food trucks, Jumpers and a painting activity. Hundreds of children with their moms and dads enjoyed the Easter Egg hunt event that yielded an overabundance of easter eggs filled with candy for many children. 

Children took pictures with the Easter bunny and several Latino radio stations provided easter egg candy and goodies for the kids. 

Follow the City of Odessa online and on social media for upcoming events. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera