Take a look at the news in and around Odessa on Wednesday, May 23. Find complete local news coverage in the Odessa American every day, online at oaoa.com and our daily E-Edition at myoaoa.com.

1. First there were seven candidates, then two, and after the runoff election Tuesday, Missi Walden was elected to become the next justice of the peace for precinct 2 of Ector County in a landslide.


2. The Odessa City Council unanimously approved commissioning a long-term transportation plan, reasoning that the $445,000 expense is worthwhile because the result should save money on costly transportation projects such as road maintenance and construction.


3. Ector County Commissioners are hoping to give county employees raises during the next budget cycle due to a slight increase in tax revenue.


4. Local gas prices are rising ahead of Memorial Day weekend, potentially deterring summer travel.


5. A new Chick-fil-A opens Thursday at 106 E. University Blvd., near Odessa College, in what will be the franchises second location in Odessa.


6. BONUS: Odessa police and area officers participated alongside El Paso representatives on their way through the city on the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday morning, on the torch’s way to Special Olympics Texas’ 2018 Summer Games coming up this weekend at UT-Arlington.