Laura Dennis

Odessa

Editor at Odessa American

Editor of Odessa American.

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Articles

County improving roads near new school site

2 weeks ago | oaoa.com | Laura Dennis

Ector County Commissioners paved the way Tuesday for road improvements near the site of a new ECISD school as well approved the first steps of construction on the juvenile detention facility and coliseum upgrades. Commissioners also:>>>>Approved allowing the City of Odessa to use the HealthDepartment parking lot July 3-4 for their annualFirework Fandango Event; a Certificate of Insurance has already been provided.
Wrangler Dunda fighting back from horrific accident

1 month ago | oaoa.com | Laura Dennis

Many Odessans have cheered on and supported bull riding champ Wrangler Dunda since he was a toddler competing in mutton busting all the way through his pro rodeo bull riding career. Wrangler, 34, has endured six surgeries during the last two weeks and lost both his legs below the knees after being shocked by 400+ volts of electricity while working on a metal building.
A Letter to My Constituents

1 month ago | ngazette.com | Laura Dennis

We live in a time of division, a time when differences seem to overshadow our shared humanity. It is easy to see the fault lines that separate us. Ideologies, parties, backgrounds, and beliefs. But what if, instead of seeing these differences as walls, we viewed them as bridges? What if, rather than fearing what divides us, we celebrated what unites us? History has shown us that our greatest triumphs have come not from division, but from unity.
Changing it up: An attic bath renovation leads to more functionality with ample style

2 months ago | tulsapeople.com | Laura Dennis

Tulsa natives Valerie and Evan Wei-Haas purchased their Florence Park home in 2020. They fell in love with the historic architecture of the 1930s build, but they wanted to add a personal touch to a few things. “The second floor used to be an attic,”Valerie says. “The previous owners converted it into a second story that (became) a bedroom suite, but we wanted to fully enclose and reorient the layout of the bathroom.”The Wei-Haases hired Kirkendall Design for a full upstairs bathroom renovation.
Simmons says bid process wasn’t proper

2 months ago | oaoa.com | Laura Dennis

A longtime Ector County Commissioner accused the County’s top official of essentially trying to rig the bid process for the new county courthouse. Commissioner Greg Simmons called a Tuesday news conference and said he wasn’t contacted for an Odessa American story about last week’s county commissioners meeting and he wanted taxpayers to hear why he voted against moving forward with the firm Butler Cohen to build the courthouse.
County meeting has some courthouse fireworks

Jan 21, 2025 | yahoo.com | Laura Dennis

Jan. 21—Tuesday's Ector County Commissioners Court meeting ended with a 3-1 vote to approve the award of design build services for the new Ector County Courthouse and with some ruffled feathers. The court kicked the can down the road on what to do about the Ector County Annex, which houses a number of county government services. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said the court will convene in a regular or special meeting to discuss the annex in coming weeks.
County meeting has some courthouse fireworks

Jan 21, 2025 | oaoa.com | Laura Dennis

Tuesday’s Ector County Commissioners Court meeting ended with a 3-1 vote to approve the award of design build services for the new Ector County Courthouse and with some ruffled feathers. The court kicked the can down the road on what to do about the Ector County Annex, which houses a number of county government services. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said the court will convene in a regular or special meeting to discuss the annex in coming weeks.
Screening in the New Year: Local health experts say preventative health screenings are critical

Jan 1, 2025 | tulsapeople.com | Laura Dennis

For many of us, the New Year brings with it a roster of self-made promises and the hope and desire for self-improvement. While some might commit to cutting back on sweets or to exercising more often, Dr. Steffen Carey at Oklahoma State University Family Medicine Clinic, says preventative health measures might be the most effective way to take charge of your health in the New Year. “Based on health factors and age, your risk increases for certain illnesses,” he says.
Sweat success: 4 exercise programs that bridge fitness with friendship

Dec 31, 2024 | tulsapeople.com | Laura Dennis

If fitness goals are among your New Year’s resolutions, why not make some new friends with like-minded aspirations while you’re at it? Many local exercise programs prioritize building community while providing you with a full-body workout. YMCA is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community by uplifting youth, enhancing health and well-being for all ages, and inspiring action in and across communities.
Current Post Office will be new courthouse location

Dec 5, 2024 | oaoa.com | Laura Dennis

Ector County Commissioners this week secured the land for a new Ector County Courthouse, which will sit on what is now the downtown U.S. Post Office. The owner of the land agreed Tuesday to sell the land to the County. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said he yelled when a deal was reached for a $4.7 million purchase price. The new courthouse will be funded by $325 million in certificates of obligation issued by county commissioners in November.