Despite a passionate plea from Councilman Chris Hanie to consider the plight of local taxpayers, the Odessa City Council voted Tuesday to raise water, sewer, and property taxes for most Odessans, by a vote of six to one. City Manager John Beckmeyer had previously promised that the City’s use of a new zero-based budget would […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
City Manager’s Political Power Play:
Odessa City Manager John Beckmeyer and his wife, Teresa, are at the center of a growing controversy with questions arising as to if they are using city resources and their influential positions to push a political agenda in the upcoming City Council elections. Recent events indicate that the Beckmeyers may be involved in guiding the […]
Posted inLocal
Mayor Joven Makes Request To ODC To Address Infrastructure Needs
During Thursday’s Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) meeting Odessa Mayor Javier Joven made an urgent plea to the ODC Board to consider ways ODC can use its current fund balance of over $50 million to aid the City in the replacement of aged critical infrastructure. “The current City Council inherited twenty years of infrastructure neglect and […]
Posted inLocal
Flim-Flam Leads To Potential $2 Million Taxpayer Loss on Nacero Project
In October of 2022, the Odessa Development Corporation (ODC) board approved a nearly two million dollar payout of taxpayer money to Nacero despite Nacero having clearly failed to live up to the terms of the economic development agreement signed in June of 2021. The contract executed between Nacero and ODC clearly outlined the investment targets […]
Posted inLocal
Texas Ethics Commission Begins Investigation of Lewis and Ervin
The Texas Ethics Commission has accepted jurisdiction over the previously reported ethics complaints lodged against Ronnie Lewis and Tommy Ervin over their involvement in the recent March 5, 2024 Republican primary elections. The submitted complaints revolve around Lewis and Ervin’s apparent use of an unregistered political action committee (PAC) during the recent election. According to […]
Posted inLocal
Ethics Complaints Filed Against Ronnie Lewis and Tommy Ervin
Recent mailers and newspaper ads listing Ronnie Lewis and Tommy Ervin as their sponsors appear to be clear violations of Texas Ethics Commission rules and could subject both to serious fines. At the bottom of a recently mailed postcard and at the bottom of signs placed around town supporting a slate of candidates the disclaimer […]
Posted inPolitics
Dick Saulsbury Endorses Tisha Crow For Ector County Republican Chair
Dick Saulsbury, who is widely considered to be the patriarch of Ector County Republican Party politics, issued a strong endorsement for current Ector County GOP Chair Tisha Crow in her re-election campaign. I am happy to endorse Tisha Crow for Ector County Republican Chair. and I’m more than pleased with the job Tisha Crow has […]
Posted inLocal
Stringer Still Delinquent On Property Taxes
Despite drawing a taxpayer funded salary of $102,539 per year including benefits and reimbursements, just days before the March 5th primary election County Commissioner Don Stringer continues to owe thousands of dollars in unpaid and delinquent property taxes on his home. During the campaign it was uncovered that Stringer had not paid his 2022 and […]
Posted inElections
Tisha Crow Earns Impressive Roster of High Profile Endorsements
It’s often said that a person is known by the company they keep and if that’s true current Ector County GOP Chair Tisha Crow’s conservative credentials are being given a stamp of approval by a growing list of high profile national, state, and local conservative leaders who are supporting her run for re-election. Gun Owners […]
Posted inLocal
Fake News: OA Reports Are Premature and Misleading
In an apparent effort to limit the damage caused by the reported assault of Carmen Wilhite by Donna Kelm, the Odessa American this afternoon published a misleading article claiming that an OPD report detailed that Kelm was not at fault. The OA article apparently relies on the statements of Linda Hall, one of Kelm’s supporters, […]
Posted inLocal
BREAKING NEWS: Bass Pro Shops Coming To Odessa
While the City of Midland had previously announced that Bass Pro Shops was coming to Midland it appears that the popular outdoor hunting, fishing, and outdoor living chain will be built in Odessa. The announcement came this morning from Bass Pro Shops via a press release which can be read here: Bass Pro Shops, North […]
Posted inPolitics
Ector County Republican Party Issues Press Release Condemning Assault On Campaign Worker
In quick response to today’s assault of a campaign worker at the Ector County Courthouse annex, the Ector County Republican Party has issued a strong condemnation. The incident, which resulted in assault charges against GOP Chair candidate Donna Kelm, has sparked outrage across the community. The Republican Party’s statement emphatically denounces the violence, framing it […]
Posted inPolitics
Commissioner Don Stringer Becomes Physically Aggressive During Republican Candidate Forum
Publisher’s note: Samantha Russell is my daughter-in-law. Forum moderators Eliel Rosas and Marc Christen had their hands full during the Monday night candidate forum featuring candidates for Ector County Justice of the Peace #1 and Ector County Commissioners’ Court candidates #1 and #3. For the convenience of our readers we have uploaded an approximately 12 […]
Posted inLocal
What Are The Real Motives Behind The Push To Overthrow The Local Republican Party?
As the primary election grows near, the tension between the current Ector County Republican Party (ECRP) leadership and the Ronnie Lewis/Donna Kelm faction has continued to draw attention from Ector County voters. Lewis/Kelm and their hand-picked candidates are outspoken in their desire to dismantle the current ECRP and both sides are claiming that they represent […]
Posted inLocal
Letter To The Editor: Patti Kappauf
Dear Editor and fellow Ector County citizens, Have you ever been afraid to speak up about something you thought wasn’t right? Many people in our County tell me stories of retaliation for speaking up about the “wrong” person or issue. I’m told this gets you bullied, intimidated, worried about your personal safety, and/or being reported […]
Posted inLocal
Candidates Turn Their Backs On Voters
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: In the interest of full disclosure I am currently running for re-election as the Ector County Republican Party Chair for Precinct 312 and my daughter-in-law, Samantha Russell, is running for Ector County Commissioner Precinct 3. To say that this local election season continues to be weird would be a gross understatement. While there […]
Posted inLocal
Larry Robinson Runs For Precinct 1 Commissioner In Hopes of Getting Ector County the Recognition It Deserves
Long-time Odessa resident Larry Robinson has thrown his hat in the ring for Ector County Precinct 1 Commissioner. Robinson hopes to highlight rural Ector County and Odessa’s potential and bring attention to the area for its hard-working residents and precious resources. “I don’t run around with politicians. The people I associate with are hard-working people, […]
Posted inLocal
Samantha Russell Is Ready To “Get Things Done” As She Runs for Precinct Three Ector County Commissioner
Publishers note: Odessa Headlines has contacted Russell’s opponent – Don Stringer – multiple times to arrange an interview and so far Stringer has failed to agree to an interview. Samantha Russell is the daughter-in-law of Odessa Headlines publisher Jeff Russell. In early January, Samantha Russell officially announced her run for Ector County Commissioner of Precinct […]
Posted inPolitics
Jennifer Mahan-Woodall Seeks to Restore Unquestionable Integrity if Elected Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Odessa Headlines has contacted the other candidates running for JP 1 and will publish their interviews as they become available. When announcing her run for Justice of the Peace in Ector County’s Precinct 1, Jennifer Mahan-Woodall stated her primary goals in running for this office: “I want to have excellent transparency and a […]
Posted inBorder
Local Republican Leadership Undergo Intense Two-Day Security Training
There is little disagreement that a wave of potential threats is riding the current flood of illegal immigrants into the United States. Currently, Border Patrol and ICE agents are woefully understaffed and under resourced to adequately screen incoming immigrants for criminal backgrounds and health issues potentially compromising public safety and health. Additionally, both in border […]
Posted inBorder
Local Republican Leaders Issue Resolution In Support of Governor Abbott and AG Paxton’s Stand To Secure The Border
Early this morning, local Republican leaders issued a strongly worded resolution in support of Governor Greg Abbott and AG Ken Paxton’s effort to secure the border despite continued opposition from the Biden administration. “We are extremely proud and supportive of Governor Abbott and AG Ken Paxton’s strong stand in the fight to secure the Texas […]
Posted inLocal
Headlines Opinion: What You Should Know About the Downtown Hotel
The following letter was submitted to Odessa Headlines by Midland City Councilman Dan Corrales. Dan Corrales is not against a downtown hotel. However, as a genuine fiscal conservative I am not an advocate of the price tag taxpayers are expected to foot the bill for. So how did we get here? This is the third time […]
Posted inPolitics
Tisha Crow Shows Impressive Record of Accomplishment as Ector County Republican Chair
A few days ago, Tisha Crow began her re-election campaign for Chair of the Ector County Republican Party by touting the significant progress of local Republicans during her tenure. According to Crow, who has served as Chairwoman since 2010, the local Republican party has a record breaking 25 precinct chairs filled, saw a 25% increase […]
Posted inECUD
County Judge Fawcett Keeps Word To West Odessa Residents
Earlier this month West Odessa residents continued pressing the Ector County Commissioners Court to intervene on their behalf with the Ector County Utility District (ECUD), the local municipal water district which serves West Ector County. Despite numerous residents speaking before the Court and the submission of almost 700 petition signatures calling on Commissioners for a […]
Posted inPolitics
Tisha Crow Files For Reelection As Ector County Republican Party Chair
To the Editor: I am thrilled to announce my run for re-election as Chairwoman of the Ector County Republican Party. I am a lifelong citizen of Odessa and Ector County and I am a graduate of Permian High School and Odessa College (go Wranglers!). In 1996 my husband, Kris, and I earned our degrees from […]
Posted inPolitics
March Election Primary Shaping Up To Be Busy
After a busy final day of filing, Ector County Republican Chair Tisha Crow provided the following list of local candidates that have filed for the March primary election. IMPORTANT NOTE: Two lists are presented below – one is the certified list provided by the Texas Secretary of State which lists all of the candidates that […]
Posted inPolitics
Ronnie Lewis Recruiting Democrats to Vote Odessa Republican Leaders Out of Office
For many months, former bar owner Ronnie Lewis has partnered with the left-leaning newspaper to publish his crusade against the Ector County Republican Party. Now, Lewis is filing to run for Republican Precinct Chair, and has drafted a candidate to run against GOP Chairwoman Tisha Crow, who has been the focus of his anger. Lewis […]
Posted inEctor County Utility District
West Odessans Express Continued Frustration With ECUD Board of Directors
In a plea for help, West Odessa residents asked the Ector County Commissioners Court last week to remove and reset the five member Ector County Utility District (ECUD) Board of Directors due to continued legal violations by the ECUD Board and ongoing concerns about ECUD operations. Citizens who spoke addressed concerns about the lack of […]
Posted inEducation
ECISD Proposition A Passes By Wide Margin
Ector County voters went to the polls Tuesday to vote on a number of State Constitutional amendments as well as three ECISD bond proposals. By a 57% to 43% margin Ector County voters approved the largest ever school bond proposal of almost $450,000,000. Notably, this bond will be used to fund the construction of a […]
Posted inECISD
ECISD Seems To Lack A Well Thought Out Plan
As I have researched ECISD over the past several months I have come to the conclusion that our school district does not have a well thought out plan for the future but rather seems to lurch from project to project, bond to bond, and idea to idea. Currently, we have three new school board members […]
Posted inEducation
My Vote Against The 2023 ECISD Bond Comes Down To One Word: TRUST
Ector County voters are once again faced with a massive ECISD bond on this November’s ballot- this one for almost half a billion dollars in total. As Headlines readers know, I served on this bond committee as I have served on two previous bond committees. While this proposed bond is much better designed than the […]
Posted inECUD
City of Odessa Says Water Delivery Contract With ECUD Is Void
Early this month the City of Odessa informed ECUD that their November 2020 contract for water delivery from the City is void as it was signed by convicted felon Tommy Ervin who is ineligible under Texas law to hold public office. ECUD, which services areas in west Ector County, relies on the City to provide […]
Posted inODC
Cost Of Living Index Shows Odessa Below National Averages
While many Odessans feel the continued pinch of inflation sparked by Bidenomics, a recent study by The Council For Community And Economic Research shows that Odessa is fairing better than many areas of the country in terms of living affordability. Each quarter The Council gathers information from 274 urban areas. Locally, the Odessa Development Corporation […]
Posted inKen Paxton
Ector County Republican Party Delivers Strong Rebuke to State Senator Kevin Sparks Over Impeachment Votes
Last week the Ector County Republican Party voted to approve a strongly worded “RESOLUTION OF CONDEMNATION OF TEXAS STATE SENATOR KEVIN SPARKS” over his early votes to allow the impeachment proceedings of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to proceed. According to the resolution, Sparks voted twelve times to allow the Paxton trial to proceed despite […]
Posted inEducation
ECISD Trustees Punt On School Safety and Security
Texas House Bill 3 makes several significant changes to school safety laws, including requiring districts to assign armed personnel at every campus. While each school board can determine the appropriate number of armed security officers for each district campus, the law mandates that at least one armed security officer – specifically a commissioned peace officer […]
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Local Democrat Operatives Continue to Spread Misinformation
Confusion and misinformation continues to be spread about the Ector County Republican Party and the role and duties of local precinct chairs. In an effort to set the record straight I would like to respond to the many false narratives filling social media. Basically, the role of local precinct chairs is to inform, mobilize, and […]
Posted inFeatured
After Months of Stalling, Oil and Gas Workers Association Releases Financial Records Raising More Questions
Controversy continues to surround Oil and Gas Workers Association (OGWA) Founder and President Matt Coday, with the embattled activist finally releasing a spreadsheet summary of his non-profit’s financial records after illegally refusing to disclose them for seven months, but only after final notice that criminal charges would be filed regarding his willful refusal to follow […]
Posted inEvents
Mayor Joven Announces May 5th Prayer Event
On Friday, May 5th, 2023 Mayor Javier Joven will host the second annual “Five Prayers For Our City” event at the MCM Elegante Hotel. “Last year’s prayer event which coincided with the National Day of Prayer was a very successful and well attended event” stated Joven. “We wanted to keep the momentum going and bring […]
Posted inEducation
Ethical Leadership Missing From OEL Candidate Forum
Thursday night, Odessans For Ethical Leadership (OEL) hosted a forum at the Odessa College Saulsbury room for Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) candidates for the upcoming May 6th, 2023 election. The forum was hosted by OEL and was led by Angie Hurt King and was moderated by KOSA reporter Mary Kate Hamilton. Hamilton worked […]
Posted inEducation
Landgraf Remains Silent On School Choice
The school choice debate has heated up in the Texas House and Senate. A variety of bills have recently been introduced in both houses but it appears that SB8 and its companion House Bill HB5261 are the frontrunners and are receiving the most backing from Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick. The key proposal in […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
Steady Progress Being Made At City Hall
Following the appointment of interim City Manager Agape Bernal and City Attorney Dan Jones, the first quarter of 2023 has seen many changes in the governance of the City Of Odessa. “While change is never easy, City staff is responding well to the new administrative leadership and we’re seeing many positive signs telling us that […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
Casey Hallmark’s Accusations Against Odessa Council Crumble After Investigation
During two previous Odessa City Council meetings, former Downtown Odessa, Inc. (DOI) Director Casey Hallmark alleged numerous instances of bullying and intimidation by Odessa Mayor Joven and Odessa City Councilmen Mark Matta and Chris Haney. As a result of Hallmark’s allegations, the city hired Tommy Sheen, a Lubbock based attorney, to conduct a thorough independent […]
Posted inLocal
A Second Look at the DNOW/Toby Eoff Lawsuit
Publisher’s note: Last week, Odessa Headlines published a story about the verdict in a lawsuit brought by Distribution Now (DNOW) against Odessan Toby Eoff and others. When news of the verdict broke we were, quite frankly, surprised as there had been no local information regarding the case. In our initial investigation, we obtained the bulk […]
Posted inLocal
Nearly $9M Jury Verdict awarded against Odessan Toby Eoff
A unanimous Fort Bend County jury late Wednesday, February 22, 2023, found that prominent Odessa businessman Toby Eoff willfully and maliciously conspired with other former employees of DistributionNOW (DNOW) to steal the energy sector giant’s trade secrets. The verdict included a finding that Mr. Eoff breached his fiduciary duty to Houston-based DNOW when he conspired […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
Swanner Working To Improve City Permitting and Inspection
Councilmember Denise Swanner is carrying through on her campaign promise to improve the permitting and inspection process for city residents and is focused on customer service within the department.
Posted inOdessa City Council
Joven, Swanner & Matta Advocate For Odessa With State Legislature
Odessa and Midland joined together today at the Texas State Capital to advocate for the needs of West Texas at the annual Midland And Odessa Legislative Days. Beginning early this morning elected officials and local advocates met with various state officials and held round table discussions to push for additional state support for the West […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
F-Bombs, Coconuts & Other Bad Behavior
It seems like some type of bad behavior fever has infected some Odessa citizens’ public comments and behavior during recent City Council meetings. It all began with local family law and self proclaimed civil rights attorney Gavin Norris’ attempts to disrupt the December 13, 2022 City Council meeting. On the agenda that night was the […]
Posted inOdessa City Council
Texas Bar Ethics Complaint Filed Against Former Odessa City Attorney Brooks
Odessa Headlines learned today that Odessa City Councilwoman Denise Swanner has lodged a formal ethics complaint with the State Bar of Texas against former Odessa City Attorney Natasha Brooks over her role in the illegal backdating of Councilman Steve Thompson’s conflict of interest forms in 2020. The State Bar of Texas is an agency of […]
Posted inLocal
Documents Show City of Odessa Officials Backdated Conflict of Interest Affidavits
“I did not feel comfortable about backdating the affidavit,” Councilman Thompson wrote.
Posted inEducation
ECISD Priorities At Odds With Local Voters
With the opening of Texas’ 2023 legislative session earlier this month, the legislative priorities unanimously passed by the Ector County ISD Board of Trustees last year are receiving renewed scrutiny. As recently reported in statewide and nationwide media the controversy centers on the District’s positions on school choice and bringing back Chapter 313 tax breaks. […]
Posted inFeatured
What Happened And Why?
Social media and local media outlets have been buzzing over the termination of appointed positions within the City of Odessa. During the December 13, 2022, Odessa City Council Meeting the Council brought forth an agenda item regarding the employment of then City Manager Michael Marrero, and City Attorney Natasha Brooks. Theories regarding the terminations and […]
Posted inUncategorized
H-E-B kicks off holiday season in Odessa with 20th Annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing celebration
On Friday, December 9th, thousands of Odessa residents will give thanks together and share a festive holiday meal during the 20th Annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing dinner. This year will once again feature in-person dinners. Hundreds of H-E-B and community volunteers will serve a free meal to more than 5,000 people at the Odessa dinner. […]
Posted inPolitics
HEADLINES INVESTIGATION: “We’ll Never Regain Public Trust” — Inside the City’s Tax-Rate Cover-Up
The Spark: A Citizen and a Law the City Wanted to Ignore When Odessan Kris Crow stood before the Odessa City Council on September 17, 2025, he wasn’t just voicing a concern — he had already filed a formal complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, asserting that the city was in violation of Senate […]
Posted inLocal
Landgraf Breaks With Republican Party In Texas House Speaker Race
The race for the Texas House Speaker has intensified following Speaker Dade Phelan’s withdrawal from his re-election bid amid internal party pressures. The Republican Caucus convened and nominated Representative David Cook of Mansfield as their candidate for the position. However, Representative Dustin Burrows, who was one of Phelan’s top lieutenants, has declared that he has […]
Posted inLocal
Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett and Commissioners Blast Citizens With Highest Debt Load in Texas
During the last Commissioners Court meeting on November 29th, Ector County Commissioners, led by Judge Dustin Fawcett, unanimously approved issuing $325 million in the COs to be used to build a new courthouse and juvenile detention center. Unlike traditional bonds, which require voter approval, COs can be approved with a simple majority vote from the […]
Posted inUncategorized
More Fallout and Bombshells From City Hall
In an exclusive interview with Odessa Headlines, former Equipment Services Director Chris Adams, who was terminated yesterday by City Manager John Beckmeyer, shared documents and insights, claiming his dismissal was due to his efforts to expose corruption at City Hall. The documents include a City of Odessa “GRIEVANCE FORM” that Adams filed on October 14, […]
Posted inLocal
Team A? Team B? What About Team C?
Over the past twenty years, I have been transparent about my political beliefs. At my core, I am a conservative Christian who believes in low taxes, limited government, government accountability, and moral absolutes rooted in God’s Word. I’ve worked hard to align myself with others who share these values, particularly in local politics where I […]
Posted inUncategorized
SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Following a series of public hearings and an Odessa Headlines investigation which involved filing a number of public information requests (PIR) we’ve come to conclusion that the Odessa City Council and the city management team continues to have a poor grasp on the city’s financial situation and doesn’t understand that the city is currently sitting […]
Posted inLocal
No Voter Approval Needed: $325 Million Debt Issuance On Commissioners’ Court Agenda
The upcoming Commissioners’ Court meeting, set for Tuesday at 10:00 AM at the Courthouse Annex (1010 East 8th Street), includes an agenda item to “consider and take action on a resolution approving and authorizing publication and posting of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation.” This signals their intent to issue up to $325 […]
Posted inLocal
ECUD Candidates Announce Press Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/4/24For More Information Contact: Virgie Martin virgiemartinodsa@gmail.com 432-349-3564 Three passionate community members have officially announced their candidacies for the Ector County Utility District (ECUD) Board of Directors. Jesus Sanchez for Seat 1, Darrell Pando for Seat 3, and John Kelley for Seat 4, are each committed to bringing fresh perspectives, integrity, and […]