Area Government

Commissioners to vote on airport hangar furnishing

oanews@oaoa.com

As construction of new runways and hangers continues at Odessa-Schlemeyer Field, Ector County Commissioners will discuss rent abatement on one of the hangars in exchange for its furnishing. Ector County Judge Susan Redford said FarMor Aviation Inc....... Full story

Midland sales-tax check strong but pace lags

ODESSA AMERICAN

The city of Odessa got its second largest sales-tax check ever in May, and kept its year-over-over growth streak alive at 25 months. Meanwhile the city of Midland got its third biggest check of all time, but was unable to keep pace with 2011, the...... Full story

City of Andrews partners with gas company for water

BY JOHN CORRALES

ANDREWS The City of Andrews is now leasing 1,044 acres of land in northwest Andrews for the purposes of water development. DCP Midstream LP, a natural gas company with a plant in Andrews, agreed to a long-term water rights lease April 30 with the...... Full story

Ector County Judge Susan Redford welcomes members of the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association to their 83rd annual conference Wednesday morning at the MCM Grandé Hotel Fundome. About 300 officials representing 117 counties are in attendance at the 3-day conference.

Here comes the judge(s)

About 300 came for week-long training

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

More than 300 elected county officials from across West Texas gathered in Ballroom E of the MCM Grandé Hotel and FunDome to listen to Ector County Judge Susan Redford speak at the beginning of the 83rd Annual West Texas County Judges and...... Full story

Growth continues across area

ODESSA AMERICAN

Odessa saw its largest sales-tax check ever for April, as did Midland and the Ector County Hospital District, continuing a monthly trend as businesses and workers continue to flock to the area, spending money. Odessa received $2.7 million for...... Full story

[NR] Midland city pool scheduled to open

NEWS RELEASE

The City of Midland Parks and Recreation Division started filling Doug Russell Pool at the end of March with recently drilled wells. This was to insure that the pools will open this summer, despite the current water situation.The City of Midland...... Full story

Burn ban back on agenda

oanews@oaoa.com

The burn ban in Ector County is up for discussion — again.At Tuesday’s scheduled meeting of the Ector County Commissioners’ Court, officials will again discuss what to do about burning in the county as temperatures begin to rise...... Full story

[AP] City leaders dispute Texas' open meetings law

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON The Texas Open Meetings Act stifles free speech rights and leaves officials open to criminal penalties for mentioning government business in informal settings, an attorney for 15 city leaders challenging the law told an appeals court...... Full story

Food pantry a possibility in Presidio

ODESSA AMERICAN

A group of Presidio residents will hear the final verdict on a potential local food pantry from the Presidio County Commissioner’s Court April 10.While the food pantry’s board members already presented their proposal to the...... Full story

David Brown, a driver for the West Texas Food Bank, makes a delivery Thursday morning to the St. Vincent de Paul Lew Expinosa Food Pantry in Midland. Food Pantry volunteer Monica Ramirez assists Brown as he unloads several pallets. The delivery, along with pick ups at various businesses, is one of many he makes. The need for food is still high and with increasing gasoline prices, the added costs place an addition burden on the food bank's resources.

Amidst oil boom, West Texans still go hungry

BY GABRIELLA LOPEZ

When her husband died unexpectedly in 2010, 68-year-old Ward County resident Sandy didn’t know what she was going to do.Unemployed and not sure where she was going to live, Sandy, who declined to give her last name, relocated from Van Horn to...... Full story

Pecos Courthouse perfectly effective

Government unlikely to shutter facility

BY DAVID A JOHNSON

Although the federal courthouse in Pecos was on the list of 60 nationwide that could be closed to save costs, it’s about as safe as it can get.“I’m not a betting man … but I would say there’s no chance this courthouse...... Full story

Andrews, Wink city attorney to replace Andrews County Attorney

BY JON VANDERLAAN

Nine months before his term was set to end, Andrews County District Attorney John Pool has announced his intention to step down from his position on April 1. And it’s no April fool’s joke, he assured. “I’m ready for a...... Full story

District attorney race features three candidates

Democratic primary set to decide race

BY JON VANDERLAAN

One West Texas district is defying the area’s election norm by hosting three democratic candidates in a single race. Jesse Gonzales Jr., 83rd District Attorney, is up for re-election and is being challenged by former 83rd District Attorney...... Full story

Some West Texas cities looking for solution to water woes

ODESSA AMERICAN

“Water” is the watchword for many West Texas cities these days, but surprisingly some water issues have nothing to do with West Texas’ drought.Aging water infrastructure is forcing some cities to explore costs for replacement and...... Full story

Former DA attempts to regain seat in three-way race

ODESSA AMERICAN

One more Democratic challenger entered the race for the 83rd District Attorney position last week, with just a day to spare. Frank Brown, who formerly held the position until he was defeated in a close 2008 election, said he filed for candidacy...... Full story