Rachel Fortunato

Odessa, United States

Multimedia Journalist at KTVH-TV (Helena, MT)

Previous Multimedia Journalist for @KTVHNews | @Cronkite_ASU alumni | AZ➡️MT |

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Articles

The new Ector County Courthouse has an official location

4 days ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - In November of 2024, $250 million was allocated to build a new Ector County courthouse. On Tuesday, June 24, the Ector County Commissioners officially finalized the location of the new courthouse. The new Ector County courthouse has an official home on the current downtown post office site, 200 North Texas Avenue.
Update on the 28th Annual Pops in the Park

5 days ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

BIG SPRING, Texas (KOSA) - We all know the fourth of July is just around the corner, but for Big Spring residents a favorite Independence Day tradition might not happen this year. At the Comanche Trail Park Amphitheater, Every July 3, Pops in the Park lights up the sky. “Pops in the Park is our annual Independence day tradition that we do,” said Manny Negron, the Committee Chair for Pops In The Park.
Summer Safety Tips

1 week ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - Summer is fully in swing with the kids out of school, Summer vacations and no lack of Texas heat. Odessa Fire Rescue says they see an increase in calls from heat related emergencies during the Summer months. “It’s very helpful for the community to stay safe, of course if they need us we’ll always be there if they call 911 but it starts with the community and being safe themselves,” said Eric Castillo, a Firefighter Paramedic for Odessa Fire Rescue.
What is Juneteenth and Juneteenth events happening this year

1 week ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved black Americans, better known as Juneteenth. In 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the first Emancipation Proclamation, a union general arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform a group of enslaved African Americans of their freedom. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. “Now the whole entire nation is recognizing it, I think it will have that bigger community feel for everyone else.
The Odessa YMCA holds it’s first golf fundraiser

1 week ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - On Thursday, June 19, the Odessa Family YMCA held their First Fairways for Families Golf Tournament. This tournament invited the community to spend a day golfing while supporting the YMCA’s mission to strengthen families and serve youth across the Permian Basin. “Healthy families, social responsibility and youth development.
Meals on Wheels celebrates their 5 millionth meal

1 week ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Senior Life Midland celebrated a historic milestone on Wednesday, June 18. They have delivered five million meals. Five days a week, the Meals on Wheels program delivers 500 meals to home bound seniors all over the community. “I think It’s a great program. They do a great job here,” said Texas state Representative, Tom Craddick. Meals on Wheels started in 1974, and became a part of Senior Life Midland in 1982.
ECISD breaks ground on new CTE Center

1 week ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - Ector County ISD is building a new school as part of its 2023 bond. On Tuesday, June 17, ECISD held a groundbreaking for their new Career and Technical Education Center. “It’s going to be like nothing else in this region,” said Dr. Keeley Boyer, the Superintendent of Ector County ISD. This new CTE Center will be state-of-the-art and cost over $86 million.
The Texas Department of Public Safety talks about how to recognize scams

1 week ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - In today’s digital age, electronic scams have made it even easier for scammers to connect with a large number of people. Some of the most common scams involve alerting someone that they have an unpaid fee or an active warrant. “Some of those are varying between toll roads, some are warrants where you’ll receive a text stating you have a traffic warrant for your arrest, other ones are phone calls stating all the above. All these are scams.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation hosts their 2nd Annual Barbecue Fundraiser

2 weeks ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Summer is barbecue season and the Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation is kicking off the season with their 2nd Annual Barbecue Fundraiser. Not only is this for a good cause, but 13 energy companies have been cooking barbecue all day. “There’s nothing more Texas than Barbeque and country music,” said Sergeant Steven Blanco, from the Texas Department of Public Safety. This event raises money to support Texas DPS Troopers, Agents and Rangers.
New Odessa City Manager visits with the community

2 weeks ago | firstalert7.com | Rachel Fortunato

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - Odessa City Manager David Vela has officially been on the job for a week and a half. On Thursday, June 12, he got to take a break, and mingle with his new neighbors at a Welcome Reception hosted by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. The event was something of a homecoming for Vela with local leaders across the city all coming out. Vela says so far, it’s the people that have made Odessa special. As for the job, It’s a tall order.