Real Estate Information

Midland, TX- The economy here in Midland, TX is really booming. It seems like all hours of the day restaurants, businesses, etc. are always very busy with business. Midland would be the perfect town to come and get started with your new job, new family, or even just a new location. If you need any help finding a place to live you should contact Remax First Choice. Remax in Midland, TX would love to help you find a new home to live and get you familiar with the area.

Resources say “oil topped $100 a barrel for the first time since early June.” This is great news! When oil is on the rise, the economy here in Midland, TX will keep booming. More businesses will come about and this means higher employment rate. If you are thinking about moving into the area Remax First Choice-The Bill Underwood Team would love to direct you to the home of your dreams.

Midland TX-Hello everyone! IT’S HOTT! If you want something different to do on a Friday or Saturday night to keep you cool you should go see Summer Mummers. It is an experience to remember. This atmosphere is a very fun, relaxed, hot spot. What ordinary theater throws popcorn and gets away with it? Summer Mummers at the Yucca Theater is where it’s at. Shows begin at 8 P.M., be sure to come early to get refreshments, beer, and lots of popcorn to throw at the Villains.

Summer Mummers in Midland, TX would be the perfect spot to let your self go! This theater is in the 59^th season and is still going strong. This theater was built in 1929 and is known for the fun “popcorn throwing” kind of a time! Last years popcorn sales were more than 50,000! Wow? Isn’t that crazy? You could never go wrong picking a show at the Yucca Theater in Midland, TX it is always a big hit!



Midland TX – Several hundred people experienced an evening with Winston Churchill’s oldest granddaughter Thursday evening at Midland College hearing her speak about what it was like growing up with one of the most influential men of the 20th century.  She spoke of his character, personality and hobbies, but what really stirred the crowd were her views and perceptions as a Churchill family member. 

Churchill was an avid connoisseur of arts and paintings, animals, making others laugh, pipe tobacco, cigars, champagne and reciting poetry. Celia Sandys, daughter of Churchill’s oldest daughter, Diana, said when she was young she thought all grandfathers were like hers, and the luxuries she experienced with him, she thought common. As she got older she said she became aware of his importance.

A connoisseur of both champagne and war, Churchill would say, “in victory we deserve it, in defeat we need it”.  Sandys also discounted the notion that her grandfather thought of war as sport; she said he was a realist and understood if there were to be war, his side might as well be the victor.

But most importantly and dearly to her, she said, was her time alone with her grandfather. She accompanied him on world-class cruises -- straight from an Agatha Christie novel, she said -- to various vacations for painting excursions in the south of France.  “I had the grandfather the whole world thought it owned, all to myself,” Sandys said.

Celia said Churchill had predicted he would die on the anniversary of his father’s death, and despite a close call in 1962 at Monte Carlo, he eventually died Jan. 24, 1965, 70 years to the day since the passing of his father.

“He always said for the first millennium in heaven he would paint, to get to the bottom of the subject,” she said. “I hope he’s following his dreams for the afterlife today.”

MIDLAND TEXAS - Some individuals will have to wait until at least mid-February to file their returns with the Internal Revenue Service due to late changes to the tax law, 

For teachers who deduct their educator expenses and for students who claim a higher education tuition and fees deduction are among the primary tax filers affected, said Clay Sanford, an IRS media relations representative for North Texas.  The delay comes in large part because of the tax cut extension that was passed in Congress in December. Once the IRS releases its updated forms, local tax preparers said the various software systems used by tax payers also will have to be changed to interface with the new laws.

John Wojtkun at Liberty Tax Service says "the start of this season has been, let's say, a challenge."

Teachers who've spent less than $250 on their classroom won't have to wait for the new forms but those who spent that much or more and want to file for a deduction will need to wait.  Taxpayers filing for a deduction on tuition and fees paid for themselves, a spouse or a dependent also will have to wait. Eligibility for the deduction depends on income and cannot be claimed if also claiming a Hope or Lifetime Learning Credit, according to the IRS.

Those of you who own homes, or have experienced high medical expenses, or who donate to charity or who have some other combination of circumstances that make itemizing deductions more beneficial than taking the standard deduction also are in a holding pattern.

The forms should be released by mid-to late-February.  The more than 20 million Americans who file a 1040 EZ form already can get their returns in to the IRS and according to local tax preparers, many are.

Whether filing with the help of professionals, through a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site or from home, the IRS is encouraging tax payers to file online.  About 70 percent of Americans e-filed in 2010 and the IRS only expects that number to increase, Sanford said. Starting this year, the IRS won't be mailing paper forms out to those interested in sticking to the pencil and paper method.

Forms still will be available at libraries and post offices, among other places.

Sanford said by e-filing, individuals are able to ensure they receive all the tax breaks for which they qualify and also to get their refund at a faster rate.

The deadline for all income tax returns was shifted from the typical April 15 date because of Emancipation Day, which is recognized in the District of Columbia, is now April 18.

Midland TX.  City Council approved the purchase of playground equipment for three parks in June, however it surprised one council member to learn that it could be more than two years before citizens were able to use all of it.  Jerry Morales, councilman at-large said, “I think we all assumed they would be put in within a six-month period, so it was shocking to hear that three sets of playgrounds will be sitting in the yard.”

Scott Swigert, Manager of Parks and Recreation said by buying everything at once knowing some of it would sit, they were able to get a better price.  “It’s just a long process, but that’s one of the things that our department has done very diligently: to get the best bang for your buck,” Swigert said.  Total cost for the three projects is $300,00 which includes new play ground equipment, material for additional walking tracks, playground resurfacing, concrete work and other things.  It was purchased through certificate of obligation funds.

Courtney Sharp, City Manager however is looking into alternatives, hiring additional staff is still up for discussion, he said.  Doing the work in house will significantly cut their costs.  Once installed, the equipment will be added as part of the renovation projects at Taylor, Halff and Ratliff parks.  “There’s no reason to have equipment sitting over there…and not being utilized,” Morales said.  “One of the benefits of living in Midland is hopefully to have good quality parks.”

So keep your eyes peeled for these beautiful amenities that uplift our city’s community feel.

MIDLAND TX - Midland Police are gearing up to catch anyone drinking and driving on New Year's Eve.

The department plans to up DWI patrols to keep everyone safe on the roads.

According to the Midland Police, nearly 50 percent of traffic fatalities in Midland are alcohol or drug related.

Drinking and driving can be deadly but it can also hit you in the wallet.  After fines, court costs and attorney fees, police say you could spend up to $10,000 fighting a DWI charge.

So be sure to find a designated driver or call a cab if you want to drink this New Year's Eve.  Staying at home is a very safe options to stay off the dangerous streets.

Midland Texas - Brian Schroeder with My Community Federal Credit Union rebounds the ball during a basketball game against some of the children at the High Sky Children's Ranch. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram

 High Sky Children’s Ranch emergency shelter is a safe house for children who were removed from their homes by Child Protective Services.  This Christmas, volunteers from the community are treating the kids with a weeks worth of games and nurture from those who want to lend a hand.  “You think about these kids not being with their parents and families on Christmas,” said Diane Luna, a volunteer with the credit union.  “We just wanted to bring a little joy to them.” 

Assistant shelter director, Geoffrey Stratton said that the need for a stable environment to send children who were removed from their homes by Child Protective Services was greater than they anticipated.  The shelter now cares for children between 39-90 days, even though with that time allowance some end up staying longer instead of the original day or two while more permanent placement was found.  “In 30 to 90 days you can really see a lot of progress,” Stratton said.  “A lot of times they have anger and  trust issues or just have trouble expressing their needs.”

Some of the children are from families where drug abuse was an issue, others may have parents who are incarcerated and other children have suffered from some type of abuse or neglect.  Just more than 50% of children who stay in the shelter are reunited with a relative or with their parents after they complete steps necessitated by the state to regain custody.  Other children may be placed in foster homes.

The organization is caring for a total of 37 children this week, 20 of whom live in a shelter designated for those younger than 6 years old. 

A volunteer with My Community Federal Credit Union, Michelle Davis said the company works to do outreach through the year and employees decided to spend time at High Sky, knowing the holidays can be a “tough time” for children living in the shelters.

Kaydee Snider with My Community Federal Credit Union paints the face of one of the children Tuesday at High Sky Children's Ranch. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram

They try to make Christmas a celebration for the children just like it would be if they where in a more typical situation Frances Orosco, an employee at the shelter says.  Santa will stop by on Saturday and several groups, like the credit union, have come out to provide the kids with special treats.

Midland Texas - Sheridan and Marshall McCray help their mother, Daria load food itmes into boxes as they and others at First Baptist Church load boxes with food as part of the White Christmas program giving food baskets to needy families. Photo by Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Monday, First Baptist Church marked the 30^th year the church has been participating in “White Christmas,” that feeds those struggling in the community to have their own holiday feast.  

Each year since the first, the program grows with more groceries, donations and volunteers; and this year, the church sponsored their largest with about 304 holiday feast boxes assembled and distributed.  With frozen turkeys, boxes full of dry and canned goods…over 300 families are able to fix a holiday meal this year. About 450 families signed up to be recipients.  A third of those who registered did so by coming to the church office when the registration process began November 1^st. The majority of the families in need -- about 65 percent -- were added to the list by the schools and Midland Independent School District staff. 

Hank Henry, associate minister of missions said, "our primary focus is to get people who come here (connected) with a church in the community. It doesn't have to be our church; any church is fine." 

Parishioners chipped in to buy the food items for each box; those involved in Sunday school classes are assigned specific items like boxed stuffing, macaroni and cheese or canned vegetables. Staff also provides turkey to pass out along with the other groceries.

For those who remembered for Halloween this year, church staff and volunteers moved their annual Trunk-or-Treat event from their parking lot to five area city parks to reach more Midlanders. Continuing to expand their outreach at the community level, Mission trips across the United States and the globe also have taken place this year.  Henry said their members will soon partner with Angel Food to help supply a $24-a-month food box to a hungry child across the state.

It's outreach opportunities like those that the Arrambides said they are grateful to be a part of and help to make the holidays count.  "To us, it's being able to be God's feet, hands and eyes and able to do what he tells us to give here on earth. It just adds to the excitement," Sarah Arrambide said.

Midland TX- Despite the warning about the high possibility for grass fires surrounding Midland Tuesday, a grass fire raged into the night Wednesday, just north of Wadley Avenue about a mile east of North Lamesa Road, scorching about 10 acres before it was extinguished.

There were no injuries and no homes were damaged during the blaze that began around 5 p.m, although the fire was near several homes on the south end of the several-acre lot.  "This fire (was) definitely of concern because it's near homes," said Tasa Watts, city of Midland's public information officer.

A Midland firefighter stands at the fence line to put out any flames from a grass fire that got too close to the alleyway and homes Wednesday evening as he and other firefighters keep a watch on the fire in a field north of Wadley Avenue off Lamesa Road. Photo by Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Midland Fire Department Battalion Chief Chad Clark said firefighters had some difficulty containing the north end of the fire because of the thick brush, dry conditions and the more than 15 mph winds.  "I've been living in this area for about 14 years, and I've never seen anything this big before," said Roxanne Galarza, a homeowner near the fire.

At about 6:30 p.m. the fire was about 60 feet from the closest backyard fences and flames at its peak were about 9 feet tall, but firefighters were continuously spraying water to suppress the fires and build a barrier.  By the time the fire was extinguished around 7:40 p.m. it had consumed about 10 acres of brush near the residential area, Watts said. She also said city and county fire marshals are investigating the cause of the grass fire.

Ethan Burgard, 7, takes his copy of "Chicken Little" Monday at St. Ann Catholic School. The local Zeta Xi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International are giving first-graders throughout Midland books as part as part of their annual Storybook Christmas program which has a goal of promoting literacy and reading. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram 

MIDLAND TX – For the past 20 years, the Midland chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has spearheaded Storybook Christmas, which provides books for every Midland first-grader.  Many of our local first-graders will spend their Christmas break with “Chicken Little” thanks the Zeta Xi chapter.

The Zeta Xi chapter is a group of former and current educators promoting literacy in early childhood and also participates in Need to Read.  Pat Adams, member of the Zeta Xi says, “it’s thing we are really interested in,”  “I think this encourages children to read, and the books give them a sense of ownership.”

Each year a different book is selected and for some students, this is the first book they ever have owned, and many of them will hold on to the book for the rest of their lives, said member Ann Andrews.

Annually, Zeta Xi raises an average of $7,500 to $8,500 to purchase the books.  People in Midland give most of the money raised because they believe in the cause.  Essentially, “the community is responsible for making Storybook Christmas happen,” Adams said.  “(Delta Kappa Gamma) is responsible for setting it up.”

This year the group donated approximately 2,300 copies of the children’s classic story in English and Spanish to 29 elementary schools.  Each book comes with a Storybook Christmas nameplate and a place for the kids to write their names.  It has become generational. 

Zeta Xi members are accepting donations to Storybook Christmas.  They may be sent to P.O. Box 8769, Midland, Texas 79708.