Good morning, Odessa.

On October 3rd at First Friday in Downtown, Odessa College held its first Once Upon a Fall book drive and asked locals to donate new or gently used books for children.

The donations will be given to Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center+ help support literacy and provide an escape for kids dealing with tough times.

The rig count in the Permian Basin fell by two this week, with Baker Hughes reporting 251 active rigs compared to 304 a year ago.

The regional oil price dropped to $57.36 per barrel—down $4.84—while the national rig count stayed unchanged.

UTPB invites veterans to join the Mending Mental Gaps program in Odessa starting October 6—this program uses relaxed discussions about literature to examine topics like honor, trauma, and the transition to civilian life.

The initiative, backed by a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, also will be offered in Midland and San Antonio and aims to include over 30 participants without pressure for tests or lengthy commitments.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told officials in Odessa, La Marque, Tom Bean and Whitesboro to pause tax hikes—his office is checking if cities missed key audit deadlines under a new law.

City leaders say the law should only affect future audits and dispute Paxton's early actions.

Today, the City of Odessa's Parks and Recreation Department is installing 44 new parking and entrance signs across all city parks — the first major update since the mid-1990s.

The department also plans to add wayfinding signs and QR codes that will link to park details—improving visitor directions while it upgrades irrigation in 15 parks and proposes a new softball complex at McKinney Park.

Angry residents filed a class action lawsuit over high water bills after meters recorded unusually high usage.

The opinion piece argues the meter project was set in motion in April 2023 by former officials—prompting concerns about sealed bids and urging critics to stop blaming the current council.

On Thursday afternoon, the Odessa City Council approved giving City Manager David Vela authority to sign a revised contract with Sports Med for a new $140 million multi-sport complex—changes include a 140,000 square foot building with specific field sizes and penalties for missed deadlines, with final details set by next week. The complex will feature multiple courts and fields and is projected to generate about $4.6 million in earnings during its first year.

Urban Air Odessa partnered with Special Olympics Texas on Thursday at Music City Mall to host an athlete registration event that allowed athletes from across the state to sign up for the Fall Classic, which opened Friday at Astound Broadband Stadium—organizers said volunteers were still needed for upcoming games.

Energy City Race

12 PM — Fasken Oil and Ranch, ltd. — Entry fees vary — Celebrate 11 years of running excitement at this popular half marathon and more in West Texas.

Zach Rushing Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — The Ector Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the enchantment of classical music with Zach Rushing's mesmerizing performances.