In a sign that medical care in Lea County is improving, Lea Regional Medical Center reports that emergency room visits result in almost 40 percent fewer transfers to larger city hospitals than last year. “Our goal in the last several years has been to increase our local services so we can decrease people having to leave our community for good health …

It’s late Friday night and Jill Tanner is hoping more than five people attend the grand opening of her new women’s boutique store in Hobbs the next morning. When she arrived Saturday at 8 a.m. — two hours before the grand opening — shoppers were already standing in line. By the time the ribbon cutting took place, around 100 eager …

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Eddy County officials are advancing a proposal to regulate man camps as residents voice concerns about the temporary housing for transient workers. The county Planning and Development Committee voted unanimously Thursday to send the proposed ordinance to the County Commission. The Carlsbad Current-Argus (https://goo.gl/GJx2YK ) reports that the committee’s vote following a public hearing Thursday during …

Monday afternoon, Jeff Poe, who owns all the Wendy’s stores in southeast New Mexico and Lubbock, Texas, walked across the cordoned off parking lot at the Wendy’s restaurant in Hobbs. He carried a hammer in his hand as he talked about the extensive remodel of the restaurant he owns at the corner of Sanger and Turner. It was unclear what …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The cost of drilling for oil and natural gas on public and tribal land went up slightly nationwide, thanks to a fee hike that took effect over the weekend. But New Mexico producers said Monday they are more worried about a continued backlog in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s processing of permits. The delays are …

For four decades a Hobbs family has been flipping and selling hamburgers in the Downtown Mini Mall and they credit their success to their customers. Kenny and Peggy Smith, the founders of Casey’s, and their daughter Paula Manis, the current owner of Casey’s, are celebrating their restaurant’s 40th anniversary. Casey’s is located at 209 W. Broadway. Kenny said he and …

LOVINGTON — A previously vacant lot situated in downtown Lovington is now Drylands Brewing Company, Lea County’s first brewery. The restaurant that employs 30 people and offers a variety of craft beer and pizza. Drylands, 322 North Main, opened its doors last month, but officially marked the milestone Friday afternoon with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by …

After two years of contemplating opening a new location in Hobbs, McAlister’s Deli is planning to open right off the Lovington Highway. The new franchise restaurant is planned to be located at the corner of Northwest County Road and Industrial Road. The Wagon Wheel Café and Curves used to occupy that location. On July 9, 2015 a McAlister’s representative confirmed …

“The little town that could” just announced it will soon be adding some 25 new jobs and three new businesses. It’s the kind of news City Manager Bob Gallagher said would include a press conference complete with the governor in attendance, if it were in Albuquerque or Santa Fe. “There is no other city in the State of New Mexico …