Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How three ECISD teachers just boosted Odessa classrooms and their paychecks

Coming up: Winter solstice candle make & take on the Odessa Patch calendar

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Good day Odessa! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How three ECISD teachers just boosted Odessa classrooms and their paychecks
  • How Odessa residents can help abused kids this Christmas week
  • How will fewer Permian rigs and cheaper oil hit Odessa?

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 the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 58 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 71, low: 36.
  • Wednesday: Warm with sunshine, with a high of 70 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 3 ECISD teachers achieve prestigious National Board Certification (star-telegram.com) — Odessa residents can celebrate three more ECISD teachers, including an Odessa High School social studies teacher, earning prestigious National Board Certification, bringing the district’s three‑year total to 15. The rigorous, grant-supported process can qualify teachers for a sizable Teacher Incentive Allotment, strengthening both classroom quality and educator pay in local schools.
   

2. Organization fundraises to support nonprofits (star-telegram.com) — A local MMA gym in Odessa is collecting toys, clothing, and essentials for abused pre-teen children through Team Seven’s annual Christmas fundraiser, founded by Odessa resident Tryann Stevenson. Donations benefit groups like Harmony Home, Safe Place of the Permian Basin, and the Crisis Center of West Texas, and can be dropped off weekday evenings at Ruffhouse MMA on East Eighth Street.
   

3. Basin rig count down two as prices fall (star-telegram.com) — Oil activity in the Permian Basin slipped again this week, with the rig count dropping by two to 249 active rigs as crude prices also fell. For Odessa-area residents and businesses tied to the oil patch, that’s a notable decline from 304 rigs a year ago, alongside lower Plains-WTI and national WTI benchmark prices compared with last week.
   

4. Infrastructure, city code highlight packed City Council agenda (mrt.com) — Midland officials are set to consider changes to a regional radio communications agreement that directly involves Odessa, Midland County, and Ector County, shaping how first responders coordinate across the Permian Basin. The packed year-end agenda also covers millions in road, water, airport, and park projects, plus updates to city code and budget amendments that could indirectly affect regional services Odessa residents rely on.
   

5. The 12 Best Football Movies We've Ever Seen (moviemaker.com) — One standout pick on this football movie list is Friday Night Lights, which vividly portrays high school football life in Odessa and the emotional highs and lows it brings. While the roundup spans classic films from Rudy to Any Given Sunday, Odessa’s gridiron culture gets special attention for its intensity and heart.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi, my name is Jimmy Martinez.
    I’m 13 and I’m offering free help around my community. I’m just trying to help people who need an extra hand — no money, no catch. I can help with:… (Nextdoor North of Permian)
  • Hello, we lost our small, teacup Yorkie this evening.
    His name is Oliver and my little daughter and I are frantically trying to find him. Can you please let us know if you see him? We live at 1921 Boise… (Nextdoor Desert-Ridge Estates)
  • Take the next step & join our amazing team! We are currently looking for: Solid Waste Driver Utilities Field Crew Leader Journeyman Plumber Building... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • A huge turnout — and even Santa made an appearance — at the annual Holiday Open House Party hosted by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. The festive... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • Asset Living posted a job opening for Porter in Odessa. Apply here.
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Janitor 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 know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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