Hello Odessa! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Colors of Autumn Market and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Odessa Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Odessa Patch AM possible.
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1. Ector County ISD awarded Outstanding STEM Initiative (newswest9.com) — Ector County ISD in Odessa has been honored with the Outstanding STEM Initiative award for its hands-on science program that's boosting student performance across key STAAR categories. District leaders credit real-world, sensory-rich lessons and digital tools that help multilingual learners fully participate in science classes.
2. Ector County ISD bus crash damages multiple vehicles in Odessa (star-telegram.com) — An Ector County ISD school bus crash in Odessa on Thursday damaged several vehicles but caused no serious injuries to students, pedestrians, or the driver. District officials say the veteran driver, who has over 20 years' experience, was checked at the hospital and released, and will undergo retraining and recertification if cleared to return to driving.
3. Odessa teacher wins national contest, brings $20,000 to Harmony school (star-telegram.com) — An Odessa elementary teacher at Harmony Science Academy has won a national "Stock Your School" contest, bringing nearly $20,000 in supplies and grants directly to her campus. Students and staff will receive reusable water bottles, teacher Getaway Bags, and extra classroom and schoolwide resources, with administrators praising the community support that helped secure the win.
4. FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Friday, September 18th, 2026 (firstalert7.com) — If you're in Odessa, expect a hot, sunny Friday with highs near 95 degrees before a cool front brings more comfortable 80s and increasing rain chances later this weekend into next week. Most areas stay dry to end the workweek, but keep an eye out for more frequent showers in the days ahead.
5. Woman accused of striking acquaintance with bat (oaoa.com) — Odessa police arrested a 35-year-old woman after another woman reported being struck in the head with a wooden bat and having her car windshield smashed during a dispute on Santa Rosa. Officers found the victim bleeding and a damaged Buick, and a witness backed up the account, leading to aggravated assault and criminal mischief charges and her release on bond the next day.
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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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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