Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Odessa residents can change a foster child’s life in 2026

Make time for Winter solstice candle make & take on the Odessa Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Hey there, Odessa! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Odessa residents can change a foster child’s life in 2026
  • How a new Odessa task force could change teens’ futures
  • Why Odessa police say teen crime is suddenly spiking

Also on today's calendar: Winter solstice candle make & take.

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 73 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sunny, windy and very warm, temps: high: 82, low: 37.
  • Sunday: Cooler with plenty of sun, with a high of 67 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Permian Basin leaders urge residents to volunteer with CASA for foster children (firstalert7.com) — Odessa leaders are calling on residents to step up as CASA volunteers to support local children in foster care who need a steady, caring adult in their corner. With backing from State Rep. Brooks Landgraf and Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick, CASA of the Permian Basin is urging community members to consider training in the new year to advocate for vulnerable kids.
   

2. Odessa is working to form a task force after rises in juvenile crimes (yourbasin.com) — Local leaders in Odessa are responding to a recent spike in juvenile crime by working to form a new task force focused on mentoring at-risk teens. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett and community advocate Shawn Carrasco hope to match youth with one-on-one mentors to provide guidance, stability, and a sense of being valued, with a public call for volunteers expected in early January.
   

3. OPD says teen crime has been on the rise (newswest9.com) — Odessa police say teen crime has jumped in recent weeks, with burglaries, attempted auto thefts, and a recent triple homicide all allegedly involving juveniles. Officers and a local counselor point to boredom, poor supervision, and social pressures, urging parents to stay closely involved and secure valuables as auto burglaries remain the most common youth offense.
   

4. UTPB receives $2.55 million Scharbauer Foundation Grant (yourbasin.com) — A major new grant tied to Odessa’s own UTPB is set to boost the region’s teacher and mental health workforce, especially in neighboring Midland. The $2.55 million Scharbauer Foundation award will fund up to 400 scholarships for Midland ISD employees and support behavioral health students’ clinical placements over the next two years.
   

5. ‘The proof is in the pudding': Texas lawmakers, advocates weigh future of 988 funding (houstonpublicmedia.org) — An Odessa-based lawmaker, Rep. Brooks Landgraf, is helping lead a bipartisan push to secure long-term funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline across Texas. With a key federal grant expiring in 2026, legislators have created a state trust fund and are debating options like telecom fees so Texans, including those in Odessa, can keep accessing crisis counselors when they need them most.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Walking out sobriety is so weird sometimes.
    There are days that you feel almost swallowed up by the temptations that seem to come from every direction. Other days it almost as if you’ve never… (Nextdoor Plantation Oaks)
  • My sons puppy is missing!
    Her name is bug and is currently under medical treatment!! Escaped from patio where her puppy pads are. Please if anyone has any info or has seen her… (Nextdoor Tuscany at Faudree)
  • City of Odessa residents: Check out the Holiday Trash Schedule for Christmas Week (Dec. 22–27). Extra dumpsters will be available citywide starting... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • Starbright Village lights up the night sky every evening in December with bright and colorful holiday displays. Folks can enjoy the lights from the... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Parts Specialist in Odessa. Apply here.
  • Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member (Cashier/Sales Associate/Retail) 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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