City of Odessa, Texas

IDK Wins Fall Sand Volleyball League The team “IDK” took home first place in the City of Odessa’s Fall Recreational Sand Volleyball League. “We’re all competitive,” said Steve Johnson, a member of the IDK team. “We’re just trying to win and have a good time.” The final game was Thursday night at Sherwood Park, hosted by the City of Odessa’s Parks and Recreation Department. “I love that this is a community event where we can play with friends and meet new people,” said Roddy Poindexter, who played on another team. “Big thanks to the Parks and Rec Department for putting this together.” IDK beat “Let’s Go Boys” 11–8 to claim the championship. Other teams in the league included WTX Heat, Kiss My Pass, and the Chewblockas. The city has two volleyball leagues. They include one for competitive players and one recreational so everyone can join in, have fun, and stay active. Parks & Rec Department 432-368-3548 www.odessatxparks.org

Appreciation Luncheon This Thanksgiving season is a time of showing appreciation! We are so thankful for the hundreds of volunteers that turned out for "Basin Action Day." This week, Keep Odessa Beautiful held a special luncheon to thank them. “I’m very grateful,” said Keep Odessa Beautiful's Executive Director Claudia Ortega. For the first time, the City of Odessa, City of Midland, Ector County, and Midland County teamed up for a great cause! Claudia went on to say, “To see everybody come together to make a difference in our community, words can’t explain how I feel. This is the people that make it happen. Without them, KOB would not exist.” “To have a turnout like that is very encouraging,” said Treasurer for the Keep Odessa Beautiful Board of Directors Lennerd Byrd. “It shows that people still care. They just need an outlet. They need to know where to go and what to do. That’s what we do [at KOB]. We direct them to places where they’re needed, and give them supplies and information that helps them keep the city beautiful.” Keep Odessa Beautiful 432-335-4686 https://lnkd.in/gQ3XZZnu

Team Odessa App Stay connected on the go! Download the Team Odessa app today and keep City services at your fingertips. Apple Store: https://lnkd.in/dnWTWzdN Google Play: https://lnkd.in/gSymEc73

***Tomorrow*** TAKE ME FISHING FREE FAMILY FUN! Register Here: https://lnkd.in/guYR_z7U Buy your fishing license here: https://tpwd.texas.gov Parks & Rec Department 432-368-3548 www.odessatxparks.org

Meet Princess A sweet and loyal pup with a golden heart, spending her days spreading joy to everyone she meets. Princess isn’t just a dog. She is a little queen with a wagging tail full of love. Please remember: vaccinate your pets, have them spayed or neutered, keep them safe with secure fencing, and microchip them so they always find their way home. Adoptable Animals: https://lnkd.in/guXkJau8 Animal Services: 432-368-3527 910 W. 42nd Odessa, TX 79764

Take the next step in your journey, join our amazing team! We are currently looking for: Water Plant Operator Utilities Equipment Operator Traffic Signs/Marking Technician Tire Technician Plans Examiner Take a look at the job openings: https://lnkd.in/gsEvTDr9

***SATURDAY*** TAKE ME FISHING FREE FAMILY FUN! Register Here: https://lnkd.in/guYR_z7U Buy your fishing license here: https://lnkd.in/gVu9bkSe Parks & Rec Department 432-368-3548 www.odessatxparks.org

Practice Squad played like the best team all season during Odessa Parks and Recreation’s Fall Competitive Sand Volleyball League, and wrapped up a perfect 21-0 season record during Tuesday’s championship sweep against The Outsiders at Sherwood Park’s courts. The field featured 12 teams during the eight-week season, and all the squads competed in a combined 11 matches during Tuesday night’s championship playoff. The victorious Practice Squad swept all three matches that it played on Tuesday as it leaned on the play and teamwork of captain Enedina Minjarez and fellow roster players Jose Gonzalez, Marc Minjarez, Paul Covert, Mario Rayos, Azlaiah Rayos, James Skiles, Lilyana Garcia, and Ebani Minjarez. “It was really good,” Enedina Minjarez said of her team’s championship-level play this season. “I’m really proud of our team. We played really hard this year. We had really good communication. I think everybody did really well. It was really fun this year.” Enedina Minjarez and Jose Gonzalez were among the players that played in Odessa’s league in past seasons. They both noticed notable improvements this fall, and are encouraged by the growth and competitiveness of the league. “It was definitely more organized [this year],” said Jose Gonzalez. “It was [also] longer, which was good for the money. It was worth it and enjoyable. We will be back next season for sure.” That's why both athletes are looking forward to defending their crown and hitting the court again in 2026. “We always like to play,” said Enedina Minjarez. “We always get excited every time we sign up to play this.” The Odessa volleyball scene will now turn its attention to its other division play when Thursday’s Fall Recreational Sand Volleyball League championship playoff starts at 7 p.m. from the same Sherwood Park site.

Honoring our Hardworking Employees Quality Service Awards recognize City of Odessa Employees who go above and beyond. Today, several teams and individuals were honored. They included: Billing & Collection Customer Service Team The Customer Service team for B&C displays resilience as they work tirelessly to offer support to the citizens and their colleagues. This team handles challenging situations with professionalism. “This is my first time experiencing anything like this, so I’m still taking it all in,” Katina Batie said of her City of Odessa Billing & Collection Team being recognized. “I think it’s really cool. It’s neat to see different aspects and entities in the city [honored]. We all have different jobs [and] we all play a part.” Risk Management Team The team at Risk stepped up as a cohesive unit to provide a positive experience during Open Enrollment. They organized an event to not only help staff navigate the process but also to foster camaraderie. Carolyn Fears, Claims Coordinator As a member of the Risk team, Carolyn played a vital role during the Open Enrollment event. She took it upon herself to negotiate with Domino’s to provide lunch for all the event attendees. And, not wanting to negatively affect the department budget, she funded the initiative herself, demonstrating dedication and a willingness to go above and beyond. Octavio Hueta, Financial Services During the salary update implementations, Octo created a data transfer process to ensure accuracy and accessibility. This initiative, along with his expertise and commitment, played a sizeable role in the success of the process. Sean Rogers, Information Technology (IT) Along with the IT team, Sean was tasked with finding an alternate host to store vital data. Although not part of his typical duties, Sean took the task at hand and recreated the database. His solution was not only structurally sound but also cost-efficient. His initiative saved over $1 million in potential hosting fees. “It feels incredible to be recognized for it,” said City of Odessa software system analyst Sean Rogers. “If I was recognized or not, I would’ve done this either way. The department needed help, and that’s why I’m here.” Deston Crane & Oscar Alvarado, Traffic Division These two gentlemen embody the example of “above and beyond.” Odessa Fire Rescue is grateful for their professionalism, courage, and willingness to step up during a life-threatening emergency and save a man from a burning building. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your dedication to make our city a better place!

We are looking for dedicated and friendly volunteers to serve as Golf Course Marshals at Ratliff Ranch Golf Course. This is a great opportunity to stay involved with the game you love while helping us provide an outstanding experience for all our players.