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🌱 Patch AM: How Odessa is honoring firefighter Eric Handlin after his sudden passing

Make time for Livingston Forge Hammer-In on the Odessa Patch calendar

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Hey there, Odessa! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Odessa is honoring firefighter Eric Handlin after his sudden passing
  • How an Odessa plant is turning old solar panels into opportunity
  • How Discover Odessa's award-winning campaigns could boost the city's economy

Also on today's calendar: Livingston Forge Hammer-In and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 94 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: Sunny and very warm, temps: high: 96, low: 74.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 95 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Odessa Firefighter passes away aged 53, city says (yourbasin.com) — Odessa residents are mourning longtime Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic Eric Handlin, who died Friday night after weeks on life support following a mid-August medical emergency at Fire House 8. City officials plan to announce a memorial service soon, and Odessa Fire & Rescue is encouraging anyone wishing to help his family to donate through The Yard Foundation.
   

2. US solar recyclers cash in on recovered metals as low-silver panels threaten the model (thecooldown.com) — A solar panel recycling plant in Odessa is helping tackle the growing waste from damaged and retired solar modules, recovering valuable materials like glass, aluminum, and silicon. The story explains how changing panel designs and lower silver content could challenge recyclers' business models, while new technologies in Texas and other states aim to keep panels out of landfills and strengthen clean‑energy supply chains.
   

3. Discover Odessa earns four Destination Texas Awards, including two first-place honors (star-telegram.com) — Odessa's tourism arm, Discover Odessa, just brought home four Destination Texas Awards, including top honors for a cinematic "Discover Your Story" campaign and a football-themed sports promotion inviting fans to spend weekends in town. The group also earned recognition for convention and leisure tourism efforts tied to major events like the Permian Basin International Oil Show, underscoring Odessa's growing visitor economy and professionalized tourism team.
   

4. Jury dismissed as judge declares mistrial in 2019 Odessa murder case (newswest9.com) — A high-profile Odessa murder case ended in a mistrial after an Ector County judge dismissed the jury following days of deliberation over the 2019 killing of Brandon Swinney. Jurors heard sharply different arguments about digital evidence, phone records, and suspect Roman Alvarado Jr.'s interviews, and it's now unclear whether prosecutors will seek a retrial or what comes next in the case.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Odessa

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📣 Odessa Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday September 7
  • Labor Day - No School
    Midland ISD Midland, TX 79701
  • Labor Day/School Closed
    Greenwood ISD Midland, TX 79706
  • Labor Day Holiday
    Ector County ISD Odessa, TX 79760
    • Tuesday September 8
  • Professional Development (No School for Students)
    Ector County ISD Odessa, TX 79760

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

  • Honoring Odessa's First Responders
    A big thank you to Traditionally Texas, LLC and La Margarita Mexican Food for showing their appreciation for the men and women who serve our… (Nextdoor )
  • Sweet puppy found off of 158 about a mile from the kwick-Kent in Gardendale.
    Sister can't keep it. Please let me know if you can Foster it or if this is your dog you know who it belongs to. He is very sweet. (Nextdoor Lawndale)
  • TechnipFMC, plc posted a job opening for Inventory Material Handler in Odessa. Apply here.
  • Weatherford International plc posted a job opening for Operations Coordinator / Line Hangers 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: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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