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Sunday, July 13, 2025

Midland, Texas News Summary: June 13 – July 13, 2025

Midland: Always Fun: Summer Sunday Lawn Concert: Small Town

News summary for Midland, Texas, covering events from June 13 to July 13, 2025. 

Midland, Texas News Summary

June 13 – July 13, 2025

Below is a comprehensive overview of key events in Midland, Texas, over the past month. The information has been curated and organized for clarity and relevance, with the “Crime and Public Safety” section presented at the end.

Natural Disasters and Flood Relief Efforts

  • Widespread Flooding in Midland and Odessa (Early July 2025)
    Torrential rainfall in early July caused widespread flooding across Midland and Odessa, resulting in road closures, stranded vehicles, and public safety alerts. On July 3, the City of Midland issued warnings and temporarily closed multiple roads due to dangerous water levels and impassable conditions.

  • Kerr County Flash Flood Tragedy Impacts Midland Families (July 4–8, 2025)

    • On July 4, a flash flood along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County swept away several campers from Midland and Odessa.

    • Devyn Smith, a Midland woman, survived by clinging to a tree for hours before being rescued 15 miles downstream.

    • Joel Ramos, also from Midland, was confirmed deceased on July 7.

    • Four family members—Michelle “Shellie” Crossland, Cody Crossland, Tasha Ramos, and Kyndall Ramos—remained missing as of July 13.

    • Jayda Floyd, an Ector County Juvenile Detention Officer from Odessa, was also killed. The Ector County Sheriff’s Office has organized an honorable procession to return her remains to Odessa.

  • Community Mobilization

    • Midland High School students organized a donation drive to collect food, diapers, and hygiene items for those affected in Kerrville.

    • The West Texas Food Bank partnered with the San Antonio Food Bank to distribute emergency supplies, and Lucero Mena from the Midland Salvation Army personally delivered hot meals to relief workers and victims.

  • Broader Central Texas Flood Crisis
    The Guadalupe River flooding throughout Central Texas claimed at least 109 lives, including 103 in Kerr County, many of them children. The disaster prompted an outpouring of support across West Texas, with local residents using platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to coordinate volunteerism and donations.

Community and Business Developments

  • Costco Grand Opening (July 10, 2025)
    The eagerly anticipated Costco location in Midland officially opened on July 10, drawing enthusiastic crowds. Mayor Lori Blong participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, praising the store as a significant addition to the city’s economic development. The store is expected to boost consumer access and regional commerce.

  • Retirement of Assistant Fire Chief Brian McGary (July 3, 2025)
    Assistant Chief Brian McGary retired after 32 years of dedicated service with the Midland Fire Department, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and community commitment.

  • Leadership Transition at Salvation Army (July 2025)
    Captains Michael and Amanda Cain assumed command of the Salvation Army of Midland/Odessa, bringing years of experience in ministry, outreach, and disaster response.

  • Business Climate Ranking
    Midland was named one of the top small metropolitan areas for business climate in the 21st Annual Metro Rankings Report by Business Facilities, recognizing the city's strong growth potential and investment appeal.

  • West Texas Football Club Playoff (July 12, 2025)
    The West Texas FC hosted the Lubbock Matadors in the Lone Star Conference playoff final at Astound Broadband Stadium. The winner would advance to the National Premier Soccer League’s regional round, signaling Midland’s growing presence in semi-professional soccer.

  • 4-H Presentation to Kiwanis (July 2025)
    Dee Howe, Director of Midland County 4-H, presented an update on the group’s educational and civic programs to the Midland Kiwanis Club, highlighting increased youth engagement and leadership development in agriculture and science.

Social and Cultural Events

  • Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (July 2025)
    The City of Midland recognized Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, honoring the legacy of Bebe Moore Campbell and promoting access to mental health services for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

  • Fourth of July Celebrations
    Despite concerns over regional flooding, Midland held its annual fireworks display near the Tittabawassee River on July 4, drawing families and visitors to the celebration of Independence Day.

  • Flood Relief Fundraising Campaigns
    The United Family, a local grocery chain, launched a donate-at-the-register campaign to support Central Texas flood victims. The effort reflects the broader spirit of solidarity and mutual aid across West Texas.

Political News

  • Tom Craddick Receives Trump Endorsement (July 2025)
    State Representative Tom Craddick, who has represented Texas House District 82 for decades, received a formal endorsement from former President Donald J. Trump in support of his re-election bid. Craddick remains a prominent Republican figure in Texas politics.

Crime and Public Safety

  • Officer-Involved Shooting (July 11, 2025)
    A disturbance near Jumburrito on East Nobles Avenue led to a police-involved shooting around 2:13 p.m. The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident, which left one suspect injured and hospitalized. Nearby residents reported taking shelter in a liquor store after hearing multiple gunshots. The investigation remains active.

  • Child Abuse Arrests (July 8, 2025)
    The Midland County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals on child abuse charges. Details were withheld due to the sensitive nature of the case and ongoing legal proceedings.

  • Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child (July 7–8, 2025)
    Dixon Aroldo Perez Sequen, 20, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a month-long sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl. Police were dispatched to a home on W. Kansas Avenue, where the victim’s father discovered the suspect. Sequen was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and held on a $50,000 bond.

  • Burglary of Firearms (July 8, 2025)
    At approximately 8:45 a.m., two suspects broke into a residence in north Midland, stealing 17 rifles before fleeing in a stolen Ford Explorer. Midland Police are actively searching for the suspects, and the case has drawn attention due to the quantity and type of weapons stolen.

  • Motorcycle Collision (June 28, 2025)
    A motorcyclist sustained critical injuries after colliding with a 2022 BMW 550 in the 3600 block of West Illinois Avenue around 1 a.m. The individual was hospitalized, and the crash is under investigation.

Notes and Observations

  • Kerr County Tragedy Has Deep Local Impact
    The flash floods in Kerr County affected multiple families from Midland and Odessa, making this disaster one of profound local significance. The high death toll and continued search for the missing amplify the tragedy.

  • Community Generosity Shines
    Donation drives, food bank partnerships, and fundraising efforts highlight the resilience and compassion of Midland residents. Their response underscores West Texas’ strong community spirit in times of crisis.

  • Omissions and Scope
    Entertainment and celebrity news were omitted unless directly relevant to Midland. Some ongoing investigations provided limited public details as of this report.


 

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