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🌱 Patch AM: How Dolly Parton’s legacy is putting free books in Odessa homes

Spotted on the Odessa calendar: Concrete and Jerry Garcia

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Hi Odessa! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Dolly Parton's legacy is putting free books in Odessa homes
  • See who just received major felony sentences in Ector County.
  • Arrest made after Odessa rollover crash leaves man critically injured.

Also on today's calendar: Discover the Energy Within: Aura Photography at Earth, Body, & Soul and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 99 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 96, low: 73.
  • Monday: Sunny and very warm, with a high of 96 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Dolly Parton's literacy legacy continues in thousands of Permian Basin homes (yourbasin.com) — Families in Odessa and across Ector County are rapidly enrolling young children in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, with the Education Foundation of Odessa adding about 400 kids in just one weekend. More than 3,200 local children now receive free monthly books, supporting early literacy, while the foundation also funds teacher grants, field trips, and hands-on learning for ECISD students.
   

2. Ector County Felony Dispositions & Indictments: September 4, 2026 (star-telegram.com) — Ector County has released a new list of felony dispositions and indictments, detailing recent outcomes for serious charges ranging from indecency with a child to intoxication manslaughter. Odessa-area residents can see who received prison terms, deferred adjudication, or dismissals, as well as who has just been indicted on new first- and second-degree charges.
   

3. Man suffers life-threatening injuries, arrest made (oaoa.com) — An Odessa man has been arrested after a July crash at I-20 and West Loop 338 that left another man with life-threatening injuries and multiple fractures. Police say he was speeding, rolled his car, fled the scene, and was later identified by a passenger and vehicle records before being booked into Ector County jail.
   

4. OPD: 18-year-old used Snapchat to lure 12-year-old rape victim (oaoa.com) — Odessa police arrested an 18-year-old man on a warrant accusing him of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he allegedly met through Snapchat. Investigators say digital evidence and account information tied him to the July incident, and he is being held in Ector County jail on a $250,000 bond.
   

5. FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Saturday, September 5th, 2026 (firstalert7.com) — Odessa residents can expect a hot but slightly milder Saturday, with highs near 99 degrees and only a very slim chance of rain around Midland/Odessa. Conditions should stay mostly sunny and dry, and while temperatures may ease a bit next week, the ongoing dry pattern is likely to worsen drought across the region.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Odessa

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Odessa Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday September 5
  • Permian Basin Fair & Expo →
    Ector County Coliseum, 4201 Andrews Hwy, Odessa
    5:00 pm
    • Monday September 7
  • Labor Day/School Closed
    Greenwood ISD Midland, TX 79706
  • Labor Day Holiday
    Ector County ISD Odessa, TX 79760
  • Labor Day - No School
    Midland ISD Midland, TX 79701

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

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOven Bakery is at it again!
    Free cupcakes for the next three Fridays! Corner if 42nd and Grandview. Odessa,Tx (Nextdoor Lawndale)
  • We want to hear from you!
    The City of Odessa is reimagining its website, and your feedback can help shape what comes next. Take the survey: https://forms.gle… (Nextdoor )
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Dock Worker Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Odessa. Apply here.
  • NOV posted a job opening for Machine Operator 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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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