Hobbs car wash to benefit the ‘Drone Boss’ RICH TROUT/NEWS-SUN After “Drone Boss” Leroy Gonzalez, 43, died March 12 during a car cruise in Hobbs, the financial responsibility for helping his two sons through college fell entirely on the shoulders of his widow, Casey Gonzalez of Hobbs. The couple’s friend, Kristina Hamilton, said she could never replace the generosity of …

Never underestimate the power of a praying mom Jotty Kenny/Christian Center Church Author Elizabeth Stone once said, “Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” For a mother, this has never been a more accurate statement. When it comes to their kids, …

7-day gun wait starts today Levi Hill/News-Sun Starting today, New Mexicans will have to wait a mandatory seven days before they can take home a new gun purchase. New Mexico joins at least a dozen other states with extended waiting periods. The sale of a firearm before the seven days are expired would become an unlawful sale. Gov. Michelle Lujan …

Lovington patrols increase to pickup strays Virginia Cunningham/News-Sun LOVINGTON — The City of Lovington Animal Services Department has increased the amount of time patrolling neighborhoods in order to get stray animals off the streets of Lovington. This action comes in response to residents voicing frustration, during the April 8 regular commission meeting, about a large number of stray dogs and cats …

Maddox awards Lovington $350,000 for youth center Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — The City of Lovington’s Youth Center has been closed since the onset of COVID restrictions in 2020, but will soon be able to reopen with a funding grant from the J.F. Maddox Foundation. The J.F. Maddox Foundation conducted social services need assessment last year which included interviews with community …

LNG permit ban absurd Paul Guessing/Rio Grande Foundaiton What if I told you that one federal government policy could do the following: 1) Undermine Russia’s war against Ukraine (without the US spending a dime); 2) Strengthen economic ties between the US and Asian and European nations; 3) Reduce CO2 emissions; 4) Increase US tax revenues and American jobs (including in …

LNG permit ban absurd Paul Guessing/Rio Grande Foundaiton What if I told you that one federal government policy could do the following: 1) Undermine Russia’s war against Ukraine (without the US spending a dime); 2) Strengthen economic ties between the US and Asian and European nations; 3) Reduce CO2 emissions; 4) Increase US tax revenues and American jobs (including in …

Chronically absent HMS, other districts struggle to get kids to school to learn Andy Brosig/News-Sun Making sure students are in the classroom where they can learn is an ongoing battle parents and school officials fight every day. And, in some cases, it’s an uphill battle, local school officials say. In Hobbs, for example, students miss an average of 17 days …

Real issues or political strategy? Legislators react to governor’s special session Levi Hill/News-Sun Will bills that actually improve public safety make the cut or is the governor simply looking to prop up some candidates she hopes to see elected? That’s the question many Lea County legislators are asking after it was announced Wednesday Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for …

April gardening tips in Lea County David Hooten/Dr. Dirt April’s here and spring has sprung! The weather is warming up in Lea County and West Texas. Early spring flowers and flowering trees are showing their colors now. Suddenly it feels like there is a lot to do in the garden again. April is a month to sow and grow for …