Tag: DRB Media Communications Digital News

Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony of the Reagan Elementary Outdoor Green Classrooms Honoring Loretta Walker and Robin Gutierrez

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Odessa, Texas/April 22, 2023-The Reagan Elementary Green Team created an outdoor learning space for students to experience other options of learning. The green space was made possible by a grant from the Education Foundation of Odessa, Ector County ISD and community support. 

(Anese Forsyth, First Grade Bilingual Teacher-Reagan Elementary-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

At the completion of the outdoor learning space, Reagan school administration and teaching staff agreed to dedicate the learning space to Loretta Walker and Robin Gutierrez who both passed away from cancer. 

(Anese Forsyth, First Grade Bilingual Teacher-Reagan Elementary-Ector County ISD/Odessa, Texas) 

Loretta Diane Walker taught at Reagan Elementary for 39 years; she was a poet and a musician. Her inspiration for her poetry was her love of life and her students. Loretta passed away from breast cancer on Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, at the age of 63, 

(Loretta Diane Walker, Archive-February 3, 2020(September 5, 1958-July 5, 2022)-Reagan Elementary/Odessa, Texas) 

(Kimberley Price-Shiff, Sister of the late Loretta Walker-Reagan Elementary School Teacher-Reagan Elementary/Odessa, Texas) 

Robin Nanette Gutierrez taught at Reagan Elementary for 25 years. She encouraged her students to develop a lifelong love of learning and to find their true purpose in life. Robin passed away from breast cancer on June 4th, 2021.  

(Rudy Gutierrez, Husband of the late Robin Gutierrez-Reagan Elementary School Teacher-Reagan Elementary/Odessa, Texas) 

Robin Gutierrez enjoyed the outdoors, working in the yard and taking care of her plants. 

(Rudy Gutierrez, Husband of the late Robin Gutierrez-Reagan Elementary School Teacher-Reagan Elementary/Odessa, Texas) 

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at both locations of the outdoor learning center in honor of Loretta Walker and Robin Gutierrez. Reagan Elementary planted trees and will be opening the school’s greenhouse soon. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

United Way of Odessa’s Annual Day of Caring

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Odessa, Texas/April 18, 2023-The United Way of Odessa Recently held their annual Day of Caring. This opportunity allows the United Way to perform a service project for three non-profit organizations that are funded by the United Way of Odessa. This year, Volunteers went to the Odessa Boys & Girls Club, The Permian Basin Mission Center and the Salvation Army. 

(Christina Escobar, Executive Director-United Way of Odessa/Odessa, Texas) 

The CEO of the Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Savanah Morales and her family volunteered to paint and garden at the Boys & Girls Club in central Odessa. 

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

Several representatives of the United Way of Odessa, Mike Adkins, Communications Director at Ector County ISD and other volunteers helped with painting duties at the Permian Basin Mission Center. 

(Kaylae Escontrias, Office Administration-United Way of Odessa/Odessa, Texas) 

Other volunteer teams arrived at the Salvation Army’s Wearhouse to organize and stack boxes with seasonal inventory that is sold throughout the year. 

(Major Luis Melendez, Commanding Office-Salvation Army/Odessa, Texas) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

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.