Ashley Haley News


Midland High School Football Booster Club accepts donations for Kidd

The Midland High School Football Booster Club is accepting donations for the family of Jaxson Kidd, a player who was hospitalized after a collision during a scrimmage earlier this month. According to an Aug. 17 Facebook post, Kidd is currently recovering from a fractured C5 vertebrae.


South Carolina IT firm acquires Midland based Wellteck IT

Midland-based computer consultant Wellteck IT has been acquired by South Carolina technology firm VC3, according to a press release. The acquisition will allow it to expand its footprint in the southwestern U.S. and provide a greater local presence in Texas, according to VC3.


Midland Police Department reveals identity of special needs man

The Midland Police Department (MPD) said it has discovered the true identity of the individual known as Cordarius. Authorities said an investigation revealed the person to be 24-year-old Cordarius Lashun Pegues, of Midland, and the man’s mother – identified as 47-year-old Charlotte Latasha Pegues, also of Midland, was arrested on Aug. 21 and charged with exploitation of a disabled individual, according to a Midland Police Department Facebook post.


Abbott lauds July employment data after over 400,000 jobs added since July 2022

On Aug. 18, Gov. Greg Abbott lauded July employment data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that shows the state in the top position in relation to job additions in the nation over the last year.


Early College High School at Midland College alumna recounts journey to overcome shyness

High school teacher and adjunct college professor Lacy Morrow wouldn’t be thought of as someone who had grappled with awkward shyness at first glance. It was a struggle she encountered as a little girl, so much so that it worried her mother.


Odessa formally introduces new city manager

The city of Odessa has a new city manager in John Beckmeyer, whom Mayor Javier Joven and municipal leaders formally introduced on Aug. 16. Beckmeyer, born and raised in West Texas, seeks to serve one of the Permian Basin’s major cities well.


Abbott extols importance of nuclear technology development in Texas economy

Gov. Greg Abbott graced a moderated fireside discussion with Dow Chemical Chair and CEO Jim Fitterling and X-energy head Clay Sell at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) on Aug. 16, extolling the importance of nuclear technology development in the Texas economy, according to a press release.


Cruz objects to Biden administration's alleged plans to restart Palestinian aid

U.S. Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized the Biden administration’s purported plans to resume aid into Palestinian-controlled territories on Aug. 16. A press release issued by Cruz’s office said the junior senator was reacting to a Washington Free Beacon report about the U.S. State Department’s attempts to be exempted from U.S. anti-terrorism laws to restart the aid.


Midland Police Department urges motorists to prioritize safety as new school year commences

The Midland Police Department (MPD) has advised motorists to prioritize the safety of schoolchildren as the 2023-2024 academic year gets underway, according to a pair of Facebook posts by the law enforcement agency.


Pfluger introduces legislation to protect taxpayer dollars in broadband investment

On Aug. 11, U.S. Rep August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) introduced a bill on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives that looks to protect taxpayer dollars in the federal government’s broadband investment. The proposed measure is the companion to legislation introduced on the U.S. Senate floor by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL).


Midland High School Football Booster Club rallies around injured player

The Midland High School Football Booster Club is rallying around the family of Jaxson Kidd, a player who was hospitalized after a collision during a scrimmage earlier this month.


Odessa College extends well wishes to fire-ravaged Maui

Odessa College (OC) joined the rest of the nation in extending concern and support to the people of the Hawaiian island of Maui, which was ravaged by wildfires earlier this month.


Abbott helps UT System, MD Anderson announce partnership to build new campus hospital

Gov. Greg Abbott helped the University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents on Aug. 14 deliver an announcement of a partnership between UT Austin, the flagship campus, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to construct a new campus hospital in the state capital, according to a press release.


Permian Basin Red Cross joins effort to aid victims of Maui wildfires

The Permian Basin chapter of the American Red Cross Central and South Texas Region is working with other chapters nationwide to raise funds for the victims of the wildfires that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui earlier this month.


Abbott issues wildfire disaster declaration for 191 counties, including Midland and Ector

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a wildfire disaster declaration for 191 counties on Aug. 14 as the Lone Star State experiences widespread wildfire activity, with the possibility of adding more counties as conditions warrant. The declaration includes several counties in the Permian Basin, including Midland and Ector Counties.


2024 elections spark hope for strengthened firefighter pension

A few months ago, Midland Firefighters confirmed that the county’s local Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund is underfunded by $109 million, Midland Reporter-Telegram reported.


Midland RockHounds take first game against Arkansas Travelers thanks to offense

The Midland RockHounds, Double-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, won the first game of the six-game series as they play host to the Arkansas Travelers, according to a press release.