Odessa Fire Rescue Badge Pinning and Promotion Ceremony

Odessa, Texas/May 31, 2023-Odessa Fire Rescue recently held a Badge Pinning and Promotion Ceremony at the Odessa Central Fire Station and Administration Building. 10 New OFR hires were promoted to ROOKIE status and 11 firefighters received their one-year shield. 

(Jason Cotton, Fire Chief-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas) 

Many young Hispanics in the City of Odessa are choosing a career path towards firefighting/EMT service and joining Odessa Fire Rescue. 

(Jason Cotton, Fire Chief-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa Fire Rescue Rookie, Cesar Hernandez, was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and came to Texas with his family at the age of two. He was eligible for the DACA program and graduated from Odessa High School. 

(Cesar Hernandez, Rookie Firefighter/EMT-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa Fire Rescue frequently make runs to west Odessa in Ector County, that has a large Spanish speaking only population. OFR has bilingual firefighters that are able to bridge the communications gap, and help those residents going through a crisis. 

(Cesar Hernandez, Rookie Firefighter/EMT-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas) 

Odessa Fire Rescue reaches out to local high school students through the Field the Shield Program and also encouraging female students to join the fire service. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera 

 

Mayor Javier Joven’s Drug and Crime Commission Project Graduation- Underage Drinking Operation

Odessa, Texas/May 24, 2023-Mayor Javier Joven’s Drug and Crime Commission spoke on the underage drinking operation for the upcoming graduation weekend. Representatives from all local law enforcement agencies were present at the press event. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa/Texas) 

The Mayor’s Drug and Crime Commission reminds parents to be responsible and not encourage underage drinking, while hosting a graduation party.  

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa/Texas) 

Ector County ISD Police will patrol the City of Odessa and issue any citations, which can be from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars or jail time to those that are caught underage and drinking, and parents who provide alcohol to minors. 

(Jeff Daniels, Ector County ISD Police Chief, Ector County ISD Police Department/Odessa, Texas)

The Odessa Police Department remind families to stay alcohol, drug and gun free at graduations parties celebrated at the home 

(Michael Gerke, Police Chief-Odessa Policed Department/Odessa, Texas) 

All local Law Enforcement Agencies want Graduates celebrate their achievements in a safe environment by attending Project Graduation. 

(Jeff Daniels, Ector County ISD Police Chief, Ector County ISD Police Department/Odessa, Texas) 

(Sara Hinshaw, Program Director-Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse)

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera

Midland ISD Presents Awards to Teachers Totaling $1 5 Million

Midland, Texas/May 23, 2022-During the final week of school, Midland ISD awarded 193 teachers at 33 MISD campuses a total of $1.5 million dollars as part of the Teacher Incentive Allotment. 

(Morgan Robertson, Principal-General Tommy Franks Elementary-MISD/Midland, Texas) 

The Teacher Incentive Allotment program has three levels: The Recognized, The Exemplary and The Master’s.  

(Morgan Robertson, Principal-General Tommy Franks Elementary-MISD/Midland, Texas ) 

Receiving this type award is a motivator for teachers to inspire their students to be better at achieving educational goals, while setting goals for themselves, the teacher as well. 

(Dakota Runnels, 3rd Grade Math/Science Teacher-General Tommy Franks Elementary/MISD-Midland, Texas) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera  

Odessa Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New 3rd Year Texas Tech Medical Students

Odessa, Texas/May 13, 2023-The Odessa Chamber of Commerce and Medical Center Health System hosted a reception for Year 3 Texas Tech Health Science Center medical students. Approximately 30 medical students were welcomed by representatives of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, MCH, and Mayor Javier Joven. 

(Renee Earls, President/CEO-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

The Odessa Chamber is the only non-political organization to host new medical students and welcome them to the Odessa community. With a growing population It is hoped that these medical students will one day return and practice medicine in Odessa. 

(Renee Earls, President/CEO-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

In 2018, Texas had about 54 primary care physicians per 100,000 people. Many Texans live in underserved counties and end up traveling hours for medical care. 

(Austin Rodgers, 3rd Year Texas Tech Medical Student/President-Class of 2025-Texas Tech Health Science Center/Odessa, Texas) 

Each 3rd years medical student received a backpack loaded with information on banking and other businesses, as well as assorted gift cards. 

For DRB Media Communcations Digital News, Danny Barrera 

 

Odessa Police Respond to West Walmart Threat

Odessa, Texas/May 11, 2023-On Thursday, May 11th, at approximately 8:30am, Odessa Police responded to the West Walmart located at 2450 NW Loop 338 after an unknown male subject called Dispatch and said he was at Walmart with a gun. When Odessa Police arrived officers quickly evacuated the store. A source close to the investigation said that the subject was inside a restroom, and eventually exited the restroom, complied with officers’ commands and was taken into custody. There was never an active shooter. There are no reports of any injuries, and the investigation is ongoing. 

This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. 

 

Mayor Javier Joven 2nd Annual 5 Prayers for Odessa Hosted by MCM Elegante Hotel and Conference Center

Odessa, Texas/May 9, 2023-Mayor Javier Joven recently held the 2nd annual 5 prayers for Odessa, hosted by MCM Elegante Hotel and Conference Center. Odessa City Council Members, Greg Connell, District 3 and Denise Swanner, City Councilwoman, City at Large and Mark Matt, District 1 along with multi-church members attended the praise and worship event. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Odessa, Texas) 

First Priority of America Ministry with a chapter in the Permian Basin. Unite church and church leaders and city leaders to make a positive difference in the community.  

 (Marty Mendez, Participant-Inner Court Worship/Midland, Texas) 

Ministry members of Inner Court Worship and First Priority Ministries visit Permian High School from time to time, offering ministry opportunities to students. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.