🌱 Midland Drug Court Honors 19 Graduates + Fort Stockton Man Arrested

Welcome back, Odessa-Midland. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and breezy. High: 89 Low: 66.
• Thursday: Plenty of sun. High: 88 Low: 67.

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

1. On May 9, the Midland County Drug Court celebrated its Spring Graduation, honoring 19 graduates from various programs aimed at addressing substance abuse disorders and related crimes. The court, which focuses on treating participants as individuals struggling with addiction, aims to reintegrate them as sober and productive community members while also providing cost savings for taxpayers. Judge Elizabeth N. Rainey emphasized the court's commitment to treating participants with dignity and recognizing their battle against addiction. (News West 9)
2. Austin Jake Hernandez, a Fort Stockton man, faces multiple chargesafter allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Midland County. The victim reported the assault to the police, stating that she had been awakened by the assault and confronted the man, later identified as Hernandez, who had entered her apartment without permission. Hernandez was apprehended by officers after they found his belongings at the scene and positively identified by the victim. (Your Basin)
3. Bass Pro Shops is set to open in Midland near highways 191 and 158 in November 2024. A town hall was held to address community concerns, particularly related to increased traffic in the area. The developer of the project, Charles Hodges, expressed optimism about the economic impact and expected sales, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning to address traffic issues beforehand. (News West 9)

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Today and tomorrow in Odessa-Midland:

Wednesday, May 10

• Yoga At The Museum At UT Permian Basin Presidential Archives (8:00 AM)
• Live Music With Michael Harris At Venezia Restaurant (6:00 PM)

Thursday, May 11

• Cooking Demo: Plant-Based Breakfast At West Texas Food Bank (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Texas Historical Commission is offering guided tours of the Bush Family home from May 9 to May 13 in Midland. Tour guides will be dressed to impress in 1950's attire. (Texas Time Travel)
• To raise awareness and improve women's heart health, the Permian Basin will host the American Heart Association Go Red for Women initiative. The annual Go Red for Women luncheon will be held on May 17 at Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, featuring health screenings, vendor booths, a silent auction, and educational sessions on CPR and blood pressure monitoring. (Odessa Online)
• Former Dallas Cowboys player Darren Woodson will be speaking next week at the 2023 Restoration Celebration Dinner. The annual dinner will be held at the Midland Country Club, with all proceeds going toward The Salvation Army for support and ongoing programs. (Odessa Online)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! I'll see you soon.

— 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.