Odessa American

Santa Claus knows kids would be lining up to see him at Starbright Village tonight. But because of the dangerous road conditions he's decided to take the night off to keep everyone safe at home. Full Story »

Due to inclement weather Friday, closing arguments in the capital murder trial of Daniel Subia Orona have been postponed until 9 a.m. Monday, Judge Bill McCoy said. Full Story »

Enjoying the snow? Show us by sending us your snow day pictures. Take a great snow picture? CLICK HERE to upload it to our website. You must be registered to upload pictures. Full Story »

The Ector County Independent School District has canceled classes for Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 because of the snowy conditions. The National Weather Service is predicting snow to continue until 9 a.m. Full Story »

Ector County Justice Of The Peace, Precinct 1 Terry Lange has announced that he has filed as a candidate for re-election with the Ector County Republican Party Chairman. Full Story »

The Commemorative Air Force Airpower Museum is giving visitors a chance to meet an astronaut. The 2009 "Above and Beyond" series has scheduled veteran astronaut Bernard Harris at 2 p.m. Saturday at the CAF. Full Story »

ODESSA Victor J. Nabarrette Jr., 50, of Odessa passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 at his resi-dence after a short illness. He was born on January 17, 1959 in Odessa, Texas. Full Story »

An Odessa man police say kidnapped his estranged wife at gunpoint Sunday night is in the custody of Mexican law enforcement, authorities said Thursday. Full Story »

ECISD needs musical instruments and community members can help by donating used instruments. Full Story »

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center said Thursday it has suspended its practice of purchasing feral cats from the Odessa Animal Control for use in its emergency response training. Full Story »

It’s officially Christmas time in Odessa. The city’s holiday tree was lit last night in McKinney Park kicking off the vast approaching Christmas season and the start of 2010. Full Story »

Odessa College trustees held their final meeting of the 2009 Thursday night. “All I can say is that we are very financially stable and that’s a very good thing” May said. Full Story »

If freezing temperatures haven’t brought the holiday spirit to the Permian Basin, there will be little doubt it’s Christmas time at 6:30 p.m. Saturday when the Heritage Holiday Parade of Lights rolls through downtown Odessa. Full Story »

Big Spring police arrested a 16-year-old boy Wednesday in connection with two burglaries last week at the Big Spring YMCA. The juvenile, whose name was not released, confessed to both cases, police said. Full Story »

Rep. Mike Conaway is seeking a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Conaway filed for re-election Thursday afternoon, according to a news release. Full Story »

Will you go to the Feast of Sharing? Yeah, it’s so nice to celebrate the season with the community. No, there’s too much to do before Christmas. I feel awkward going to it. Full Story »

DALLAS (AP) — Two workers doing maintenance on the roof of towering Cowboys Stadium slipped and tumbled at least 50 feet Thursday morning before coming to a stop atop a rain gutter that rings the structure, authorities said. Both suffered injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Full Story »

HOUSTON (AP) — Retail gasoline prices held firm this week in Texas. The AAA Texas price survey released Thursday shows the average price of regular-grade gasoline remained unchanged from last week at $2.50 per gallon. Meanwhile, the average price nationally fell a penny to $2.63 per gallon. Full Story »

Editor's note: The Orona trial is happening live. These updates are coming from a reporter at the trial. Alex Medrano, brother of Hector Medrano, took the stand today and admitted he could not place Daniel Subia Orona at the scene of the murder. Full Story »

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Republican Gov. Rick Perry has filed for re-election as candidates running for office in 2010 start making their election plans official. Full Story »

MIDLAND The Midland Health and Senior Services has scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at 303 W. Illinois Ave. Free H1N1 shots will be given to people ages 6 months to 64 years. Medicare and Medicaid will be accepted. Full Story »

With only 15 more days to raise a goal of $75,000 the Salvation Army Empty Stocking Fund sits at just $70. The fund helps people like Hannah, not her real name. She is a grandmother raising her grandson because both of his parents are in prison. They live off of Hannah’s Social Security. Full Story »

Do you think minors should be prosecuted for sending nude or provocative pictures to other minors? It depends on the circumstance. Full Story »

Oil prices rose above $77 a barrel Thursday as the effects of a weak dollar offset the news that U.S. crude and gasoline supplies have jumped, suggesting demand remains sluggish. Full Story »

Tommy Clark, right, and his wife Tonya, left, place a net of Christmas lights on one of their plants as their daughter Teagan, 11, watches Saturday at their home on Kirkwood Drive. Full Story »