Odessa American

MIDLAND In white lettering, the four-by-eight foot green sign, unveiled Wednesday, read: “Nadine & Tom Craddick Highway.” Full Story »

Odessa’s sales tax check for December was better than getting coal in a stocking, but not much better. The less-than-stellar sales tax check for Odessa came just a day after the City Council decided to tighten belts by keeping salaries the same for five council-appointed positions. Full Story »

>> An Odessa man reported someone took his $2,000 television from his home sometime between 6 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. Tuesday in the unit block of Teak Drive. Full Story »

A Hobbs, N.M., man was killed Tuesday in a rollover crash in Andrews County. Authorities said icy conditions could have contributed to the death of 45-year-old Martin Alaniz-Velasquez. Full Story »

MIDLAND A 20-year-old Midland man was stabbed in the face early Tuesday after leaving a nightclub, authorities said. The man’ injuries are not life threatening, police said. Full Story »

The flames needed just minutes to incinerate the Christmas tree, destroy part of the living room and displace Linda Rascon and her family. The cleanup and repair, however, took a week of hard work and several helping hands. Full Story »

An early morning fire destroyed a house on West Blair Street in West Odessa Thursday. Mobile home fire in West Odessa. Full Story »

A familiar face will no longer lead Odessa’s Fourth of July Parade — patriot Salvador Guerrero has died. Guerrero, 90, led the parade for almost two decades. His exceptional volunteerism and love of his country are his legacy, VFW Post 4372 Commander Roger Langford said Wednesday. Full Story »

Frank Martinez, from left, Fernando Lozano and Jose Nieto with Clovis Sign Service prepare to install 7-Eleven signs Wednesday at the former Valero gas station at 1364 E. Eighth St. Full Story »

Corey Metcalf, left, 17, a senior at Permian High, plays violin for Bonnie Foster during a performance of the Satin Strings Wednesday at the Northside Senior Center. Full Story »

Raul Ramirez with the City of Odessa Parks and Recreation department removes the anchors from the frame of the City Christmas Tree, Wednesday at McKinney Park. Full Story »

Several generous donations pushed the Empty Stocking total to $7,590 – but with only eight days left to go to help 600 needy Odessa families our fund is in dire need. Full Story »

Come listen to the sounds of the season as Michael Martin Murphey, largely known for his hit song "Wildfire," sings his "Cowboy Christmas" songs in Odessa. Full Story »

The registration deadline for the annual Texas Leadership Forum has been extended to Tuesday. The forum is limited to 150 participants age 21 and over. The cost is $250. Full Story »

On the first day of Christmas … how about a puppy? Midland Animal Services is hoping residents do just that this holiday. Beginning today until Dec. 23 they will offer $25 adoptions for pets. Animal Services will also be open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. Saturdays. Full Story »

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The University Interscholastic League is entering a deal to make Nike the official brand for the governing body of public high school sports in Texas. Full Story »

Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance can add Outstanding Texas Leader to his resume. Hance was chosen as the 2010 Outstanding Texsa Leader given by the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute. Full Story »

After an hour and 51-minute closed session, Mayor Larry Melton and the rest of the Odessa City Council emerged to announce that salaries for the five council appointee positions would remain the same. Full Story »

Paul Tadlock works on the Odessa Peace Officer Memorial Sculpture Thursday in his Gruene workshop. The sculpture is scheduled to be finished before the dedication in September 2010. Full Story »

Heavy winds gusted through the Permian Basin Tuesday downing power lines, snapping trees and leaving hundreds without power for much of the evening. Full Story »

To describe it in football terms, it was a matter of inches that separated the Odessa College Law Enforcement Academy from holding on to its license and the right to train peace officers in the Permian Basin. Full Story »

Numbered addresses of crime victims’ private residences and locations where crimes occur are rounded to the nearest hundred block. >> Watermill Express, 4631 Oakwood Drive, reported someone took two coin boxes containing $660 and damaged a steel door sometime between 10 a.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday in the 4600 block of Oakwood Drive. Full Story »

The Ector County Hospital District met Tuesday and unanimously approved management for the new Mission Fitness gym complex at the Center for Health and Wellness. Full Story »

Blowing dust expected through the Permian Basin as damaging winds move across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas this afternoon, a release issued by Texas Department of Transportation public information officer Glen Larum said. Full Story »

MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Nestled in with the airsickness bags and passenger safety instructions will soon be a bit of promotion for the Odessa-Midland economy. Full Story »