Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How dangerous is your drying Christmas tree and New Year’s fireworks?

You won't want to miss HS Boys Basketball JV Gold on the Odessa Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Odessa? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How dangerous is your drying Christmas tree and New Year’s fireworks?
  • How the new Wildcatter Trail could change trips between Midland and Odessa
  • Why this HBO Max star keeps talking about growing up in Odessa

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Odessa-Midlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 82 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Sunday: Increasingly windy, temps: high: 75, low: 35.
  • Monday: Very cold; breezy in the a.m., with a high of 40 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Odessa Fire Rescue talks safety as we head towards 2026 (firstalert7.com) — Odessa Fire Rescue is urging residents to quickly remove drying real Christmas trees and dispose of them safely at the city’s recycling center or landfill. Crews also remind you that fireworks are illegal inside Odessa city limits, can bring fines up to $2,000, and should only be used by sober adults well outside town with water ready and a burn ban check beforehand.
   

Find out what's happening in Odessa-Midlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Highlights from 2025 actions by city government and what to expect in 2026 (star-telegram.com) — One of the biggest 2025 moves affecting Odessa is the Wildcatter Trail, now under construction to eventually link Midland with the UTPB Odessa campus for walkers and cyclists. Midland’s busy year also brought airport changes, park renovations, new attractions, and local election results that will shape regional decisions heading into 2026.
   

3. Connor Storrie Addresses His ActorBoy222 YouTube Videos Resurfacing Amid ‘Heated Rivalry' Fame (justjared.com) — A rising TV actor is drawing new attention to Odessa by talking about growing up here in old YouTube videos that recently resurfaced. As his HBO Max series gains popularity, he says he’s unfazed by people digging up his Odessa childhood clips and focuses instead on handling online criticism with perspective and grace.
   

4. Ben Patterson enters transfer portal after third straight All-Conference season (firstalert7.com) — Odessa football fans will see a big change as longtime UT Permian Basin wide receiver Ben Patterson has entered the NCAA transfer portal after five seasons with the Falcons. The two-time Second-Team All-Lone Star Conference standout helped UTPB win its first conference title and DII playoff games, leaving with one year of eligibility remaining.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I first have to say the people on this app have restored my faith in mankind.
    The kindness, concern and all together the helping of strangers that i have seen this Christmas is overwhelming. From my family to each of yours… (Nextdoor E 67th St - E 63rd St)
  • Wishing all of you a very merry Christmas.
    Thank you all for being good and wonderful people. (Nextdoor North of Permian)
  • THANK YOU to our Solid Waste team for working hard during this holiday week! We’ve included the holiday trash schedule again for your convenience. In... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • Merry Christmas from ECISD. Wishing our students, families, staff, and community a joyful and peaceful day. (X: EctorCountyISD)
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Janitor in Odessa. Apply here.
  • USA Jobs posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Odessa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Odessa here.

Ok Odessa! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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