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Good morning, Midessa! In today’s edition: Waste-to-energy milestone, a $25 million campus overhaul, a hike with adoptable pets, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Turning landfill waste into assets: Waste Energy Corp. has secured USMCA certification for its waste-to-energy technology, with equipment en route to its Midland facility. Remaining components are scheduled to arrive this week ahead of operations — get all the details.
Campus overhaul specifics revealed: UTPB renovations are underway, with $25 million for a new entrance, parking upgrades, and Mesa Building exterior work. Completion is expected by April 2027, plus $47 million for interior transformation — see what’s planned and funded.
Community support for vulnerable seniors: Prosperity Bank donated $6,500 to Meals on Wheels of Odessa to provide $10 gift cards, supporting seniors choosing between food and heat. The group serves 1,082 on 40 routes — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Key decisions and farewells: The Midland Development Corp. will vote on $650,000 in consulting deals for spaceport and advocacy at its first monthly meeting. The agenda includes a $240,000 contract with DTH Strategies and a $150,000 effort to raise awareness of Midland’s space industries. The board will also bid farewell to three outgoing members. Get all the meeting details.
Where to rally this week: With eight dedicated courts, Bush Tennis Center keeps play brisk and welcoming. Open sessions welcome all levels, and nonmembers can drop in. Rotations help finally settle who’s been talking the most smack in the group chat.
Battery-draining fun: Trampolines, dodgeball, and a foam pit for the kids; VR pods and a comfy lounge for you. When weather or sanity says stay in, Legacy Extreme delivers wall-to-wall action under one roof, an easy place to burn wiggles and watch the chaos from a cushy seat.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🧩 Snapology No-School Day Workshop @ Building Future Innovators | Monday (1/5) at 9:00 AM – Kids home while you’re trying to work? Drop them at Snapology’s no-school day workshop at BFI on Midkiff for LEGO builds, STEM challenges, and teamwork, all in a safe, sanity-saving setup. Half-day or full-day options, limited spots, so book it.
💐 Mini Beaded Bouquets @ The Plot Twist | Monday (1/5) at 6:00 PM – Trade wilted bouquets for beads and bragging rights at this hands-on workshop. Forty bucks gets you supplies for five petite stems, a tiny vase, and a couple hours of peaceful fiddling with friends, which frankly beats wrestling with your yard. Ages 15 and up.
🌱 2026 Master Gardener Program @ Midland County Extension Office | Thursday (1/8) at 9:00 AM – Green-thumb curious? The Master Gardener Program turns your plant obsession into real community good, with training, volunteer projects, and plenty of dirt-under-the-nails wisdom. Learn, share, and help neighbors grow better tomatoes than that one guy on the cul-de-sac.
📚 Author Event: Brandon Thomason @ Ector County Library | Thursday (1/8) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats a book chat at the Ector County Library, especially when the author is one of our own. Brandon Thomason unpacks Of Wolves & Butterflies, the themes, the process, and the real-life grit. Meet him, ask questions, snag a signature, and it’s free.
🥾 Tales & Trails @ Sibley Nature Center | Friday (1/9) at 9:30 AM – August through May, second Friday mornings mean Tales and Trails, a sweet story time for your 2 to 4 year old, their tagalong siblings, and you. Expect books, crafts, games, and a wiggle saving trail walk. Register ahead, $5 per kid, coffee recommended.
📝 Sacred Sips & Journaling for the Soul @ Earth, Body, & Soul | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Whether you meditate daily or your last journal entry was ‘Dear Diary, send help,’ this guided sip-and-scribble night at Earth, Body, & Soul is your reset. Expect calming brews, gentle prompts, and a quiet room where your inner voice finally gets a word in.
🍵 Spill the Tea @ The Desert Hippie & Co | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Bring your open mind, your coffee, and your slightly skeptical inner teenager to this free, low-key hangout for folks into mindfulness, energy work, and actual conversation. No workshops, no performative enlightenment, just neighbors swapping stories, asking questions, and leaving a little lighter.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Midessa report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 77°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 72°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
This house is wild
This 7-bed, 7.5-bath estate layers luxury with comfort across three expansive living areas. A dedicated party room brings the fun with a full bar, built-in storage, and room for game nights. The gourmet kitchen centers the home, with commercial-grade appliances, a massive island, dual sinks, and custom built-ins. In the primary suite, walls of windows frame pool views, a fireplace adds warmth, and a generous walk-in closet keeps things orderly.
The backyard leans resort, with a sparkling pool, outdoor showers, and a full exterior bath for easy post-swim resets. Thoughtful finishes, easy indoor to outdoor flow, and spaces scaled for entertaining make this property stand out.
Take a peek inside →
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