Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will your Odessa water bill drop after July’s smelly water?

Also, don't miss Reiki Clinic Day on the Odessa Patch calendar

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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:

  • Will your Odessa water bill drop after July's smelly water?
  • What Odessa parents should know about IDEA's new K–12 Henry campus
  • Can Compass's new offense carry Odessa's Cougars to a deeper playoff run?

Also on today's calendar: Reiki Clinic Day and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 103 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 103, low: 76.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 103 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Odessans may get water bill credit (star-telegram.com) — Odessa residents could see a one-time credit on their water bills after July's smelly, bad-tasting water, if City Council signs off on the plan. Council will also hold a public hearing on the 2026–27 budget, consider a slight property tax rate increase, major street design contracts, and nearly $449,000 to replace aging city radios.
   

2. IDEA executive excited about new year (oaoa.com) — Families in Odessa now have three IDEA Public Schools campuses, including the new K–12 IDEA Henry on Briarwood Avenue, serving roughly 3,000 students across the Permian Basin. Regional leader Erica Matamoros says staff are focused on smooth arrivals and dismissals, strong instruction from extensively trained teachers, and supporting many first-time IDEA educators as they launch a unique full-scale K–12 model.
   

3. Basin Gridiron Training Camp: Compass Cougars (yourbasin.com) — Odessa fans following Compass Academy football get a look at how the Cougars are preparing for a tougher district and a new run-pass-option offense after last year's 9-2 run. Coaches and senior leaders say improved receivers, a deeper defensive playbook, and strong chemistry could fuel a deeper playoff push when they open at Crane on August 28.
   

4. How one organization helps West Texas nonprofits survive & thrive (yourbasin.com) — Nonprofits in Odessa and Midland can tap the Nonprofit Management Center for help with finances, HR, board governance, and long-term planning. The group offers training, technical assistance, and networking so local organizations can stay sustainable and better serve West Texas communities. Leaders can also sign up for future workshops and capital campaign support.
   

📸 Around Odessa

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

🗓 Upcoming Events in Odessa

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 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

    Saturday August 22
  • 50 Years at the Brown-Dorsey Home Celebration
    Midland Chamber of Commerce Brown-Dorsey Historic Home 213 N. Weatherford Midland, TX 79701
    6:30 pm
  • William Lee Martin: Ector Theatre →
    The Ector Theatre, 500 N Texas Ave, Odessa
    7:00 pm
  • Ector Theatre →
    The Ector Theatre, 500 N Texas Ave, Odessa
    7:00 pm
  • William Lee Martin →
    The Ector Theatre, 500 N Texas Ave, Odessa
    7:00 pm

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

  • Join us for Concerts in the Park featuring Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute.
    Enjoy an evening of live music and Taylor Swift favorites while grabbing a bite from a food truck, snapping pictures at our photo area, and making… (Nextdoor )
  • Join us for Concerts in the Park featuring Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute.
    Enjoy an evening of live music and Taylor Swift favorites while grabbing a bite from a food truck, snapping pictures at our photo area, and making… (Nextdoor )
  • Pilot Travel Centers, LLC posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Odessa. Apply here.
  • Goodwin Recruiting posted a job opening for Restaurant Manager 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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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