
Local news
Odessa
Ector County, Texas


‘It changes how you view the importance of duty’: Odessa and Midland veterans recognized on Veterans Day
Odessa recognized local veterans on Veterans Day, while Midland County Justice of the Peace John W. Barton was also honored for his military service. Barton served as a sergeant in the Texas Army National Guard and…
Family of motorcyclist killed in Oct. 23 crash asks community for support
The family of Dominique Mancha is seeking community support following his death in a motorcycle accident on October 23. According to KOSA, the collision occurred at the intersection of Faudree and Santa Fe Drive after a…

Odessa College to host Turkey Trot Nov. 21
Odessa College will host its 2026 Turkey Trot on Saturday, Nov. 21, at James Segrest Stadium. The event includes a 5K run starting at 8 a.m. and a 1.7K walk at 8:15 a.m., with gates opening at 7 a.m. Registration costs…

Eastbound I-20 in Ector County at complete stop
Eastbound traffic on Interstate 20 came to a complete stop in Ector County, Texas, according to the state transportation department. TxDOT reported the stoppage, but the cause and expected duration were not immediately…

FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Tuesday, November 10th, 2026
KOSA’s forecast calls for patchy dense fog around sunrise Tuesday across West Texas, with visibility briefly falling below a quarter-mile in some low-lying areas. The fog is expected to clear quickly, giving way to…
Odessa police find missing woman
The Odessa Police Department says Obisleydi Garcia Cartaya, who had been reported missing, has been found. Police thanked the public for helping with the investigation. No further details about where she was located or…

Ector County Sheriff’s Office to hold active shooter training at Odessa school
The Ector County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a multiagency active-shooter response exercise at Buddy West Elementary School in Odessa on Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Officials say residents should expect emergency…

Odessa College to honor veterans with special events Nov. 11
Odessa College will mark Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with a flag-raising ceremony, a flag retirement ceremony, a free concert and a special dinner. The ceremonies and concert are open to the public at no charge…

New video shows scene of MCM Grande Hotel shooting
New video footage has emerged showing the scene of a shooting at the MCM Grande Hotel in Odessa, Texas, which occurred late Saturday night. Police report that suspect Santiago Valencia shot a victim in the face…

Warrant issued for man in MCM Grande Hotel shooting in Odessa
Detectives in Odessa have issued an arrest warrant for 20-year-old Santiago Valencia following a shooting at the MCM Grande Hotel. Police report that Valencia shot a victim in the face during an argument on Saturday…

Heavy police presence at MCM Grande Hotel and Fun Dome area in Odessa
A heavy police presence has been reported at the MCM Grande Hotel and Fun Dome area in Odessa, Texas. Local law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety are currently on the scene. While a drone was observed…

Johnson Sets Central Rushing Record in Loss to Permian
Despite a 31-8 loss to the undefeated Permian Panthers, Central Bobcats running back Zey Johnson made history by setting a new single-season rushing record. Johnson surpassed the previous record of 1,701 yards set in…

FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Saturday, November 7th, 2026
The First Alert 7 forecast for Saturday, November 7, 2026, predicts widespread rain showers and cooler temperatures across West Texas and the Permian Basin. Showers are expected to begin after sunrise, continuing…

Junior League of Odessa hosts 43rd annual Merry Marketplace Nov. 5-8
The Junior League of Odessa is hosting its 43rd annual Merry Marketplace at the Ector County Coliseum from November 5 to 8. The event features local and regional merchants selling holiday decor, apparel, jewelry, and…

Watch Week 11 of the Friday Night Blitz 2026 here
Viewers can watch the 11th week of the 'Friday Night Blitz' live on Friday, November 6. The broadcast, hosted by KOSA, provides coverage of local high school football scores and highlights. Following the main show, the…

‘He chose to pull the council member card’: Odessa mother describes councilman’s visit to her door
An Odessa mother has filed a police report following a confrontation at her home with City Councilman Eddie Mitchell. The resident claims the councilman arrived on a Sunday morning, threatened to tow her vehicle, and…

Odessa teen sentenced to 25 years in prison for 2023 murder
Akias Kwentae Clarrett, an Odessa teen, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the 2023 murder of 16-year-old Gonzalo Diaz Jr. Clarrett pleaded guilty to the charge following a shooting at an apartment…

FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Friday, November 6th, 2026
West Texas and southeast New Mexico are bracing for a cool, rainy weekend following a mild Friday. Temperatures in Midland and Odessa are expected to drop into the 50s on Saturday as rain showers spread across the…

Repeated fires at same Odessa property worry neighbors
Residents in Odessa are expressing concern following a series of repeated fires at the same property near West County Road this year. Neighbors fear that the recurring incidents, which have occurred multiple times…
Merry Marketplace heralds the holiday season
The 43rd annual Merry Marketplace begins today at the Ector County Coliseum, marking the start of the holiday season. The event features a wide array of vendors, live music, food, and special activities including…

Ector County to offer bulky item and tire drop-off Saturday for Fall Basin Action Day
Ector County is hosting a Fall Basin Action Day this Saturday, November 7, to encourage community cleanup and responsible waste disposal. Residents can drop off bulky household items and tires at four designated…

Jesse Porras III wins Ector County Commissioner Precinct 4 race
Democrat Jesse Porras III has won the race for Ector County Commissioner in Precinct 4, defeating Republican incumbent Billy Hall. Porras, a business owner and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, secured 54.3% of the vote in the…

La Fiesta Bakery in Odessa turns 62
La Fiesta Bakery in Odessa celebrated its 62nd anniversary this week, marking over six decades of serving the community with family recipes. Originally opened in 1964, the bakery is currently operated by Jesse…

Odessa Police Department is searching for missing 67-year-old woman
The Odessa Police Department is actively searching for 67-year-old Rebecca Cliff, who was last seen in the area of East Fourth Street. Cliff is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 125 pounds…

Central Squares Off With Permian to Round Out 2026 Regular Season
The Central Bobcats are set to conclude their 2026 regular season on Friday with a road game against the undefeated Permian Panthers at Ratliff Stadium. Despite a recent loss to Midland High, Central remains motivated…

FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Thursday, November 5th, 2026
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - FIRST ALERT 7 Forecast for Thursday, November 5th, 2026: It’ll be another beautiful fall day across West Texas and southeast New Mexico with pleasant temperatures, decent sunshine and quiet…

One person taken into custody following police response in Odessa
One person was taken into custody Wednesday night following a police response near 38th Street and Golder Avenue in Odessa, Texas. The incident began when an officer attempted to make contact with an individual who…

Odessa City Council donates 4 surplus fire vehicles to volunteer departments around West Texas
The Odessa City Council has approved the donation of four surplus fire rescue vehicles to volunteer fire departments in the West Texas region. The Gardendale, Goldsmith, and South Ector Volunteer Fire Departments will…

MCH highlights COPD awareness, importance of early screening
November is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month, and Medical Center Hospital in Odessa is emphasizing the importance of early screening. Experts note that COPD, which includes emphysema and…