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Hi Midessa, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Citizen of the year honor, a lifesaving kidney donation, a scholarship banquet with Von Miller, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
From UTEP to industry leadership: Austin Keith, owner of Pinkie’s Inc., was named Odessa Citizen of the Year earlier this month for civic leadership. He was honored at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center — learn about his career path.
Courage behind a lifesaving choice: A 23-year-old Odessa man donated a kidney to the man who raised him, with Dec. 19 surgery in Fort Worth, as the hospital set records for kidney transplants in 2025 — see what drove the surge.
West Texas charm and flavor: Between Abilene and Midland, Sweetwater earns its Wind Turbine Capital title with historic streets, the National WASP WWII Museum, relaxing time at Lake Sweetwater, and standout local restaurants — see what to do.
Hidden havens for homebuyers: Looking to buy without breaking the bank? Eight Texas cities still have homes under 190,000, including Odessa where averages hover near 170,000 and prices are lower than the state average — see the eight Texas cities.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*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
A Valentine’s date idea: The Basin Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival will take place April 11 at the Scharbauer Sports Complex in Midland. Expect plenty of Texas barbecue and a big country lineup, including Whiskey Myers and Wade Bowen. It should be a solid spring outing for Midessa folks. See why it’s a great date.
Scholars shine beyond the classroom: Odessa High School’s Academic Decathlon team clinched first in Division I and will compete at the state competition. Nine students across GPA ranges make up the squad. It is the first state berth under coach Javier Ruiz, with events including written tests, essays, and speeches. Read the full story.
Ranch-to-table comfort, anyone? MMC Half Acre turns Scharbauer Ranch beef into smoky, shareable plates, from legit Texas barbecue to big salads and house-made sides, all rooted in pasture-to-plate care. Unfussy and high-quality, it’s the spot you’ll call “our place” after one visit.
Upgrade your kitchen game: From heavy-duty sheet pans and sauté-ready skillets to those oddly specific gadgets you’ll actually use, Commercial Food Service brings a pro-grade showroom vibe to home cooks. Gear that elevates Tuesday-night tacos… and everything after… so your routine runs smoother, smarter, and a little more delicious.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎭 Catch Us If You Can @ Midland County Downtown Library | Friday (2/27) at 5:30 PM – Downtown, MCT’s Thinking Cap Players serve up a 20-minute original for Pokémon Day, easy to squeeze between errands. Misfits stumble into friendship and a little honor, with jokes for 90s veterans, patience for pint-sized trainers, and no need to remember all 151.
🎬 Screening: High Horse — The Black Cowboy @ Gertrude Bruce Historical Cultural Center | Friday (2/27) at 6:00 PM – After the Juneteenth Rodeo exhibit, skip Netflix for once and catch a free screening of High Horse: The Black Cowboy at Gertrude Bruce Cultural Center, hosted by the Black Cultural Council of Odessa. A stirring look at Black cowboys, with snacks, company, and actual history.
🐶 Scooby-Doo! Saturday Morning Cartoons @ Midland County Centennial Library | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Whether you grew up decoding clues with Scooby and the gang, or you just need an easy win with the kids, head to the Activity Room for classic Saturday morning cartoons and simple crafts. Nostalgia, minimal effort, maximum smiles, and zero soggy cereal cleanup.
🔥 Wildfires & Whiteouts: The West Texas Balancing Act @ Midland County Downtown Library | Saturday (2/28) at 11:30 AM – If you think wildfires wait for summer, head downtown for a Texas A&M AgriLife pro on winter fires and landowner mitigation. Around here, the grass burns while the pipes freeze, so learn defensible space, smart grazing, and simple home hardening.
🎨 Portraiture Workshop @ The Midland Palette Club Art Center | Saturday (2/28) at 1:30 PM – Your stick-figure faces deserve better. Carol Fairlie drops into the Palette Club for one afternoon to whip our portraits into shape with hands-on work on features, skull and proportions, head angles, plus a color demo for natural flesh tones. Bring supplies, check the list, draw along.
📚 Book Making Workshop @ The Ellen Noël Art Museum | Saturday (2/28) at 2:30 PM – Ready to make something that isn’t another to-do list? Learn folding, sewing, and gluing with artist Kate Mahoney at the Museum, and leave with a handmade book fit for a travel journal, photo album, or baby book. $50, 18+, register here: https://secure.lglforms.com/formengine/s/KY-fKMQPPZyTz4uu-I50Q
🎻 West Texas Symphony – Double Trouble @ Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center | Saturday (2/28) at 7:30 PM – Head to Wagner Noël for double trouble, Brahms-style. The symphony serves up the Double Concerto for violin and cello, two soloists trading jabs, then a full-blooded Brahms symphony. Big sound, real craft, no cover bands, and plenty of parking, bless it.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Midessa report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 54.
This house is wild
This 5-bed, 4.5-bath Mission Estates standout spans nearly 5,000 square feet on a 1.5-acre lot. The backyard is a private oasis with an in-ground pool, Jacuzzi, and a large covered outdoor living area with an outdoor kitchen. Inside, find expansive living spaces and incredible custom closets, plus a three-car garage.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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