Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Who still holds the secret to this West Odessa babysitter’s murder?

Also, don't miss Read to Felix on the Odessa Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 25th Patch AM
Thursday December 25th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Odessa! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Who still holds the secret to this West Odessa babysitter’s murder?
  • Why UTPB’s winningest football coach is leaving Odessa for Division I
  • How one Odessa vet kept caring for animals for 70 years

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Very warm with sun and clouds, with a high of 81 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunny and very warm, temps: high: 80, low: 53.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 79 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• The much-beloved babysitter: The unsolved Odessa murder of Mary Kathleen Rodriguez (yourbasin.com) — An unsolved 1990 murder in West Odessa is back in the spotlight as Odessa Crime Stoppers renews its plea for tips in the killing of 26-year-old babysitter Mary Kathleen Rodriguez. The story revisits the brutal crime, the complicated investigation around the Bryant home, and how her family and local advocates still seek answers. Anyone with information can contact Odessa Crime Stoppers anonymously for a possible cash reward.
   

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

• INTERVIEW: Kris McCullough leaves UTPB for Gardner-Webb Football (firstalert7.com) — Odessa football fans will see a big change as UTPB’s record-setting head coach Kris McCullough departs for the Division I Gardner-Webb program in North Carolina. In a sit-down with KOSA’s sports director, he reflects on transforming the Falcons from never having a winning season into a consistent winner and explains why he felt called to make the move now.
   

• Odessa veterinarian retires after seven decades (star-telegram.com) — Odessa pet owners are saying goodbye to a familiar face as 92-year-old veterinarian Dr. Thomas Elrod retires after 70 years of caring for animals from his local clinics. The longtime Odessa practitioner balanced long days treating everything from ranch livestock to family pets while remaining active in his church, community boards, and family life, and now plans to focus on ranch work and volunteer service.
   

📸 Around Odessa

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Odessa Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Odessa PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Found in Chick-fil-A parking lot.
    Please share and repost to help find this baby’s family. (Nextdoor University Park)
  • Our little chihuahua is missing.
    She has seizures and is shy. I have been looking and have not had any luck as of yet. (Nextdoor Sherwood Park)
  • City of Odessa residents, please review the Holiday Trash Collection schedule for Christmas Week (Dec 22-27). Additional dumpsters will be placed... (X: CityofOdessa)
  • 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)
  • Glazer's Beer and Beverage, LLC posted a job opening for Delivery Helper in Odessa. Apply here.
  • Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Odessa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Odessa here.

🗞 Nearby News

Midland

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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Odessa-Midland