Take a look at the news in and around Odessa on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Find complete local news coverage in the Odessa American every day, online at oaoa.com and our daily E-Edition at myoaoa.com.
1. The chief organizer of the petition drive seeking to force a May election allowing Odessans to vote on a proposed restructuring of the Odessa City Council says he is confident supporters have already collected the minimum signatures needed. But plans still call for collecting more signatures in the coming weeks throughout the city.
2. The Odessa Police Department charged an Ector County Sheriff’s Office detention center officer Friday morning after he reportedly pushed his wife down a stairwell and began strangling her.
3. Under a revised proposed STEM-based partnership between the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and Ector County Independent School District, Zavala Elementary School and Ector Middle School would become charter schools with a STEM focus.
4. Odessa police charged a man Friday after he reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting a five-year-old boy.
5. IN SPORTS: The Permian Panthers boys basketball team took a big step forward in the District 2-6A boys basketball race Tuesday, defeating the Odessa High Bronchos 62-44 in the first crosstown meeting of the season at the Permian Fieldhouse. The Lady Panthers basketball team took the lead into halftime and never trailed again en route to a 33-30 victory against the Lady Bronchos at the Permian Fieldhouse.
