🌱 Divided Gas Prices + Two-Vehicle Accident Leaves Two Dead

Hi all! Danielle Fallon-O'Leary here with your fresh copy of the Odessa-Midland Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Winds becoming strong. High: 69 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories in Odessa-Midland today:

1. Midland mayor Lori Blong released a statement Thursday following a case dismissal against four Trinity School administrators. The four administrators, accused of failing to report with intent to conceal neglect or abuse, were all arrested in February 2022. According to the statement, the District Court granted the DA’s motion to dismiss the case against the four administrators on Tuesday, Apr. 26, concluding the trial proceedings. (CBS 7)
2. The drivers of a two-vehicle accident died Tuesday morning. The accident happened at the 7200 block of Briarwood around 6:54 a.m. when a Ford Fusion driven by Kyle Lee Nettles, 28, was traveling against traffic headed east in the westbound lane, and James Michael Butts, 25, was traveling westbound in the correct lane in a Toyota Camry. Officials reported that both drivers have died, and the investigation is ongoing. (CBS 7)
3. Gas prices in Odessa-Midland differed by more than 10 cents this week, according to AAA Texas. In Midland, the average price of gas is $3.30, the second-highest in the state and seven cents higher than the state average of $3.23. In Odessa, the average price is $3.19, which is 11 cents lower than Midland and four cents lower than the state average. “After climbing to its highest point in nearly seven months last week, the statewide gas price average has receded slightly,” said AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster in the weekly report. (Subscription: Midland Reporter-Telegram)

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Today in Odessa-Midland:

• Free Community Event At UTPB Softball Complex (5:00 PM)
• Friday Night Live: Pump Handle Vandals At The Destination (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The Odessa Rotary Club inducted its newest member, Christopher Bartlett, to the organization at its weekly meeting on the Odessa College Campus. Bartlett is the Technology Services Coordinator for ECISD and was sponsored into the club by Odessa Rotary Club member Ed Mendez. (Odessa American)
• A new study by Bumper.com found that electric vehicle ‘charging deserts’ – places where charging stations and ports are in short supply – stretch across states, largely divided by economic and racial lines. On average in Texas, there are 2.43 charge ports per 10,000 people. Learn more about EV charging rates in Texas and nationwide at the link. (Bumper.com)
• Midland Community Theatre is holding a “Rock the Basin” concert fundraiser at 8:00 p.m. on Apr. 29 at The Destination. There will be drinks, food, and music, including 80s-style rock music performed by the Loco Motives! (Odessa American)
• Looking for a new home but don't know where to start? Check out the latest five homes to hit Odessa-Midland, including a four-bedroom, four-bathroom house for $395,000. The open house is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 29 at 1:00 p.m. (Odessa-Midland Patch)

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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.