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🌱 Patch AM: What police say after central Odessa’s latest late-night auto burglaries

Spotted on the Odessa calendar: Winter solstice candle make & take

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Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
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Greetings Odessa! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What police say after central Odessa’s latest late-night auto burglaries
  • How a former Odessa firefighter ended up with 12 years in prison
  • See what Odessa’s new $200 million courthouse will look like

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.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Odessa? Post it to Odessa photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 70 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 66, low: 38.
  • Friday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 73 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2 teens arrested in connection with Odessa auto burglaries (firstalert7.com) — Two 18-year-olds were arrested after a string of early-morning auto burglaries in central Odessa, where officers recovered a bag filled with stolen IDs and cards. Odessa Police urge residents to remove valuables, firearms, and spare keys from vehicles and to promptly report suspicious activity by calling 432-333-3641.
   

2. Former Odessa Firefighter and Odessa College Instructor pleads guilty to child sex crimes (newswest9.com) — A former Odessa firefighter and Odessa College instructor has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to sexual assault of a minor and possession of child pornography. Odessa police and ECISD police investigated after a local family raised concerns, and authorities say no crimes occurred on school property before the case was turned over to city investigators.
   

3. Ector County Commissioners approve design for new courthouse (newswest9.com) — Ector County has approved the design for a new $200 million courthouse in downtown Odessa, replacing the aging current facility and addressing long-standing safety and infrastructure issues. Construction will start soon with a new parking garage east of the post office, then the post office will relocate into that building so the existing site can be demolished and rebuilt as the modern courthouse.
   

4. Odessa PD shares tips to curb December crime increase (yourbasin.com) — With crime on the rise this month in Odessa, local police are urging residents to park in well-lit areas, use cameras, and closely communicate with their teens. OPD also stresses not leaving firearms, spare keys, or personal documents in vehicles and reporting suspicious activity at 432-333-3641.
   

5. Grant to provide free counseling services for those affected by Texas Hill Country floods (star-telegram.com) — Odessa residents affected by the July Texas Hill Country floods can now access free, unlimited counseling through Centers for Children and Families’ Odessa and Midland offices, thanks to a new $100,000 grant. Services are available in person and virtually, supporting children, adults, and families coping with loss and stress from the disaster.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello guys this is Penny she has been missing since November 28th around Lyndale and Village way area.
    She is a sweet girl she had two pups with her. Im sure she is missing home very much. If yall can give me a message if you know anything about her. (Nextdoor Esmond Estates)
  • Keep your valuables inside and eyes peeled on your vehicles and home.
    We had our car get everything pulled from the trunk at around 2am. By the looks of it, it was a male in a big truck. Cops were already called. Just… (Nextdoor North of Permian)
  • 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)
  • 10th St. Construction Project Start Date: December 22, 2025 Natera Excavation will be working on a Utility project at W. 10th St. from N. Lincoln Ave... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • J. C. Penney Company, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Operations Associate - Music City Mall in Odessa. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Meat Cutter and Wrapper 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. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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