Local man adapts cooling tech for athletes, LEOs Levi Hill/News-Sun Scott Evans is on a mission to cool off law enforcement officers, military and athletes and the vision for his mission came directly from on high. “This was a download from God,” the veteran military, EMT and security officer said of the day he had his idea for a cooling …

National Geographic photographer and filmmakers Pete McBride and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Fedarko named next Jack Maddox Distinguished Speaker Series speakers For the News-Sun National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Fedarko as the next Jack Maddox Distinguished Speaker Series speakers. McBride and Fedarko will take the stage at Tydings Auditorium, …

Lea County Veterans Memorial is officially open Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Flags rose, the Lovington High School Band played and a multi-agency honor guard presented the colors Wednesday morning as about 100 people gathered to dedicate the Lea County Veterans Memorial in downtown Lovington. The dedication ceremony was held on the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II, …

Lea commissioners approve imposition of 2026 property tax rates Denise Marquez/News-Sun LOVINGTON — The Lea County Board of County Commissioners ordered the county assessor to impose the 2026 state property tax rates, most of which will hold steady from last year. During a special county commission meeting Tuesday morning, Ave Benge, Lea County assessor, reviewed the property tax rates set …

4-H girls hard work earns Lea County Fair sweepstakes buckles   Denise Marquez/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Eager youth and parents crowded around covered showcases Monday at the Lea County Fairgrounds, waiting to see who would take home this year’s sweepstakes titles. The Lea County Fair and Rodeo 4-H Sweepstakes is a multi-project competition for 4-H members covering projects in home economics …

Encore sets ’26-27 concert lineup Andy Brosig/News-Sun Another season of musical entertainment is just around the corner as Encore Entertainment and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra announce the lineup for the 2026-27 symphony season. The entertainment kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Western Heritage Museum Theater, 1 Thunderbird Circle, in Hobbs. Featured musicians are the Yu & …

  Memoirs of a former rodeo queen Levi Hill/News-Sun Two seconds. It doesn’t seem like a long time until you are on the back of a bucking steer and holding on for six more. For 75-year-old Meloy Hill of Jal, two seconds was all she needed to know bull riding, in this case steer riding, was not for her. “I …

Fast learner: Mile record setter trained with Hobbs grad PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN Perhaps you’ve crossed paths with Josh Kerr and didn’t realize it. If you blinked, you may have missed him. Kerr – a native of Edinburgh, Scotland and former University of New Mexico track runner – became the world’s fastest human, at least with regard to running the mile, when …

JF Maddox Foundation unveils vision for downtown development Two-building campus in Hobbs will establish the Foundation’s new headquarters, create a community center and food hall, and serve as a catalyst for continued downtown revitalization For the News-Sun The JF Maddox Foundation today announced plans for a transformative downtown development that will create a new home for the Foundation while establishing …

Mewbourne ranked #2 private producer in US Levi Hill/News-Sun Coming on the heels of the purchase of 22 acres of land to expand its operations in Hobbs, Tyler, Texas-based Mewbourne Oil Company was recently ranked the second most prolific private oil and gas producing company in the country by Enverus Intelligence Research. The list looks at the 100 most prolific …