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🌱 Patch AM: What the new Ector County Courthouse means for downtown Odessa

Spotted on the Odessa calendar: The Art of Conscious Leadership - 1 day Workshop in Midland, TX

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Good morning to you Odessa! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What the new Ector County Courthouse means for downtown Odessa
  • How a $6,500 gift is stretching meals for Odessa seniors
  • Recognize this north-side burglary suspect caught on Kent Kwik cameras?

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Sunny and very warm, with a high of 78 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Warm with periods of sun, temps: high: 77, low: 53.
  • Thursday: Very warm with sun and clouds, with a high of 81 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Demolition begins on new Ector County Courthouse project (yourbasin.com) — Work has officially started in Odessa on demolishing buildings to make way for a new Ector County Courthouse, parking garage, and post office as part of a long-planned downtown overhaul. The current downtown Odessa post office will stay open until the new garage is finished, and residents can preview designs and ask questions at a January 27 open house at Odessa College.
   

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

2. Prosperity Bank donation helps Meals on Wheels serve Odessa seniors (firstalert7.com) — Odessa seniors receiving Meals on Wheels deliveries just got a little extra help, thanks to a $6,500 Prosperity Bank donation funding $10 United Supermarkets gift cards. The nonprofit, which serves more than 1,000 local seniors annually, is still juggling a 160-person waiting list and needs more volunteers to expand its 40 daily delivery routes.
   

3. Odessa Police search for suspect in $2,000 auto burglary case, tips needed (yourbasin.com) — Odessa police are asking for your help identifying a suspect in a north-side auto burglary that cost a resident about $2,000 in stolen electronics and a purse. Investigators say the suspect later used the victim’s credit card at the Kent Kwik on North County Road West and are urging anyone who recognizes the person from surveillance images to call Detective A. Reyes or Odessa Crime Stoppers.
   

4. James Ivan McKinney (thepampanews.com) — Family and friends in Odessa are mourning James Ivan McKinney, whose daughters and several grandchildren live here, after his unexpected passing in Pampa at age 60. A memorial service is set for Saturday, December 27, at Christian Community Church of Pampa, with the family suggesting memorials to First Baptist Church of Pampa’s prison ministry.
   

5. UTPB Football ranked top five in multiple year-end polls (firstalert7.com) — UTPB’s Falcons just wrapped up a historic season in Odessa, finishing third in the D2Football.com rankings and fifth in the AFCA poll — the best in program history. After an 11-3 run and a trip to the NCAA Division II semifinals, coaches and players are already looking ahead to building on this momentum in 2026.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog got out of you see her please message me.
    She might run from you she has a collar and tag. Her name is Daisy. She got out on 51st street in Odessa. (Nextdoor Locust Ave)
  • Has anyone else had this happen at Garden Memorial Park ?
    Yesterday I around four to five p.m. I went there just to get some sun and go for a walk. After I got my blanket, I was sitting on rolled up and I… (Nextdoor West Odessa)
  • See something that needs attention? Use the Team Odessa app to report issues, submit requests, or share feedback from potholes to code concerns... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • The ECISD Communications team recently earned a national award for its storytelling on one of Permian High School’s most historic football moments. ⭐... (X: EctorCountyISD)
  • Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham posted a job opening for Hotel Night Auditor in Odessa. Apply here.
  • At Home Decor Superstore posted a job opening for Team Member 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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