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 

Richard Herrera Medical Center Hospital District Board Member, District 3 Seeks Re-Election

Odessa, Texas/May 1, 2025-Richard Herrera the current Medical Center Hospital District board member representing District 3 and the incumbent is seeking re-election. Once re-elected Mr. Herrera plans to revitalize the MCH Primary clinic in west Odessa at West University Blvd and FM 1936 due to the growing population and the need of medical services in that area. 

(Richard Herrera, Board Member, District 3-Medical Center Hospital District/Odessa, Texas) 

Medical Center Health System severs 17 counties and parts of Southeastern New Mexico. Herrera wants to push for an expansion of the emergency room facility and diversify emergency services at MCH benefitting Odessa residents as well as emergency services in West Odessa. 

(Richard Herrera, Board Member, District 3-Medical Center Hospital District/Odessa, Texas) 

Medical Center Hospital District, board member Richard Herrera is being challenged by Sylvia Sanchez for District 3. Election Day is Saturday, May 3rd. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

   

Odessa Family YMCA Healthy Kids Day 2025

Odessa, Texas/April 28, 2025-On Saturday, April 26th, the Odessa Family YMCA Held their annual Healthy Kids Day. The family fun event was moved indoors due to the forecast of rain. Families and their children enjoyed games, snacks and drinks and other fun activities. 

(Crissy Medina, CEO-Odessa Family YMCA/Odessa, Texas) 

Kids enjoyed all the goodie bags that were given out by various agencies including local law enforcement, kids advocacy groups and non-profit organizations. Kids got to play puppies and enjoyed getting their face painted. 

(Crissy Medina, CEO-Odessa Family YMCA/Odessa, Texas) 

The Odessa Family YMCA has fundraisers throughout the year to provide funding for various programs like kids sports, child daycare, exercise programs for seniors and other programs that promote health and education. 

(Tara Crouch, Community Relations Director/Odessa Family YMCA/Odessa, Texas) 

For more information on Odessa Family YMCA programs and memberships contact the Odessa Family YMCA. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.