Good morning, Odessa.

Texas Leadership Charter Academy hosted breakfast for first responders to honor their service and acknowledge the risks they take—Rep. Tom Craddick noted the significant dangers involved in their work.

Designer registration is now open for the 9th annual Permian Basin Recycle Fashion Show—hosted by Keep Odessa Beautiful—and will be held Friday, Oct.

17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center where designers of all ages will showcase outfits crafted entirely from recycled or repurposed materials.

The Texas Commission on the Arts approved the designation of the Odessa Arts District as an official Cultural District.

The district runs from the Globe Theatre at Odessa College to the Ector Theatre in Downtown Odessa— a move expected to attract visitors and boost local economic activity.

Ector County ISD held its College Night at The University of Texas Permian Basin—bringing together colleges, universities, and military recruiters to guide students on future education paths.

Odessa College announced a memorial run to honor fallen student athlete Gage Broomall.

The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 and all donations will support the Gage Broomall Scholarship.

Odessa College will hold a memorial 5k run and set up a scholarship to honor late cross-country runner Gage Broomall, who died at practice last week.

The run—beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20—will start at the track, loop around campus, and finish back at the track.

Odessa College will offer a new part-time Licensed Vocational Nursing Program designed to help working parents and others balance school with daily responsibilities—students will be able to enroll this fall to suit their unique schedules.

Today, the Odessa City Council approved a budget for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and kept water, sewer and waste rates steady to ease costs, while a small property tax increase will add about 71 cents per month for a typical home—efforts aimed at balancing fiscal management with taxpayer relief.

After a 3-3 deadlock on Tuesday when one board member was absent, the Ector County Hospital District board did not approve the 64.11% tax rate measure.

They will vote on a new proposed tax rate of 0.133344 per $100 assessed—about a 62.88% increase—and the vote is set for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Medical Center Hospital boardroom.

Midland Health Services confirmed a Midland County resident tested positive for West Nile virus — the first case this year, spread by mosquitoes after feeding on infected birds.

Residents are urged to use EPA-registered repellent and take other precautions to avoid bites.

Odessa College Volleyball team, the Wranglers, is now ranked ninth nationally after achieving 11 wins and 1 loss—an impressive start to the season.

They will play upcoming matches to further improve their national standing.

Autumn Blaze 5K Run

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. — McKinney Park — $40 Registration Fee — Experience a scenic 5K run through beautiful park views to welcome the autumn season.

Brincos Dieras Comedy Show

8-9:30 p.m. — Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the whimsical comedy of Brincos Dieras, the irreverent clown of Latin America.

Mr. Gnome Concert

2:00 – 9:30 PM — Ector County Library — Cost info not provided — Experience the vibrant sounds of Mr. Gnome with special guests The Talking Hours.

Paula DeAnda & Amanda Perez Concert

7-10 p.m. — The Ector Theatre — Cost TBD — Experience a memorable night of music with Paula DeAnda and Amanda Perez.