Midland Times

News from June 2024


West Texas Symphony announces sale for season subscriptions

West Texas Symphony (WTS) announced that subscriptions for its 2024-2025 season will go on sale on June 26. The sale is open to new subscribers as the date for current subscribers to renew their seats has passed.


Keep Midland Beautiful celebrates National Pollinator Week

Keep Midland Beautiful (KMB) is joining the nation in celebrating National Pollinator Week, which runs from June 17-23. A pollinator is an animal that transfers pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma.


Local Senator Kevin Sparks Attends Interstate Cleanup Effort

State Senator Kevin Sparks, who represents Midland, joined numerous volunteers to pick up trash along the Eastbound I-20 on June 15.


Be the Change Welcomes New Executive Director Haylee McBride

Haylee McBride was named the new Executive Director at Be The Change in January, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to teaching leadership and kindness in local school districts. According to McBride, she plans to share her knowledge with junior high and high school students through an adventure-based learning program that emphasizes compassion.


Government events this week in Midland County: June 16-22

The following events are scheduled to take place in Midland County this week.


SHARE receives donation from Market Street

A local non-profit known as Sharing Hands: A Respite Experience, or “SHARE,” received a $10,000 check donation from Market Street on June 12.



Gilberto Razo Valenzuela, Jr., Fondly Remembered for Dedication to Family and Work Ethic

Gilberto Razo Valenzuela passed away on June 15. Below is the obituary.


Ravenna "Jeanette" Porter Remembered for Love and Faith

Ravenna Jeanette Porter passed away on June 15. Below is the obituary.


Judy Evett Warren, Beloved Pastor and Dedicated Caregiver, Passes Away at 60

Judy Evett Warren passed away on June 15. Below is the obituary.


Strategies for economic development: Attracting foreign direct investment

Attracting international investment can seem daunting, especially for economic development organizations (EDOs) new to the endeavor or with limited staffing resources. However, successfully attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to a locale typically provides generous returns. While FDI attraction presents a unique set of challenges, at its core, it works by the same principles as domestic business attraction.


Texas sees significant economic and population growth over a decade

The Comptroller’s data analysts have recently updated regional reports, indicating a continued trend of strong economic and population growth in Texas. Some findings were unexpected, while others confirmed existing perceptions.


Traffic changes at Wagner Noël PAC due to road improvement project

The Texas Department of Transportation has initiated a project aimed at improving the transition from FM-1788 to the Highway 191 Frontage Road. Starting today, the entrance to Midland Campus/Wagner Noël PAC from FM-1788 is closed and is expected to remain so for approximately four weeks. During this period, traffic into and out of the Midland Campus will be restricted to the Highway 191 Frontage Road entrance.



Entertainment events this week in Midland County: June 16-22

Don't miss out on these entertainment events happening in Midland County this week.


Midland appropriates $500,000 to install a new school flasher system

The Midland City Council will allocate up to $500,000 for its citywide school flasher project. The bid was approved at its June 11 meeting.


Midland will spend $863,560 on refuse containers

Midland will pay $863,560 for 1,030 refuse containers for its Solid Waste Department. The Midland City Council approved the purchase from Roll-Offs USA at its June 11 meeting.


Midland awards $510,299 contract for GPS vehicle tracking services

The Midland City Council awarded a $510,299 contract with Verizon Connect for GPS vehicle tracking services during its June 11 meeting. The Sourcewell contract will be for three years.


Midland awards a $6.5 million contract for Main Street Paving Bond project

The Midland City Council awarded a $6.5 million contract to Jones Bros. Dirt & Paving Contractors of Odessa for the city's Main Street Paving Bond project. The approval came during the June 11 council meeting and included a $1.3 million contingency fund.


Jogger alerts MCSO to dead body, investigators identify man missing from Brazos County

Deputies with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) were summoned to the 2100 block of Market Street on June 11 in response to a body discovered by a jogger.