EDC head predicts Hobbs retail growth in 2019 While Lea County is the third highest oil-producing county in the nation and climbing, local economic leaders are seeking to expand oil and natural gas-related businesses while diversifying the local economy to better weather the ups and downs of the oil and gas industry. Steve Vierck, president and CEO of the Economic …

January: A season of awakening Happy New Year, to all of the Hobbs News-Sun readers and gardening public, it’s already two weeks into the new year as I write this article. I am ready for the new season and the great things we all can do and achieve in 2019. The winter solstice has happened and days are lengthening with …

LOVINGTON — More than 10,000 Lea County voters, if their voter registration mailing address is up to date, will have opportunities to cast ballots in special elections in the next month, for the first time under a new election law. Two mill levy elections are being held in the Lovington School District, which has 7,516 voters, Tatum School District with …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard says she is working on a bill with state lawmakers to allow higher royalty rates for oil and natural gas production on state trust land. Garcia Richards said Tuesday that she wants New Mexico to raise its royalty cap to 25 percent on future leases to match Texas. …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard says she is working on a bill with state lawmakers to allow higher royalty rates for oil and natural gas production on state trust land. Garcia Richards said Tuesday that she wants New Mexico to raise its royalty cap to 25 percent on future leases to match Texas. …

Zariah Khloe Nicole Garza, the first newborn baby of Lea County in 2019 by just minutes, was truly a miracle baby for Daphne and Ray Garza of Hobbs. Daphne was born at 9:58 p.m. Jan. 1 at Lea Regional Medical Center, weighing 7 pounds, 3.2 ounces, measuring 20 1/2 inches. She is the fourth child of the Garzas, and their …

As New Mexico became the nation’s third highest oil producing state last year, Lea County slipped into the No. 3 slot among counties, according to research performed by Lea County Assistant County Manager Corey Needham. “We are still trailing Weld (County), Colo., and McKenzie County, N.D., in production but have significantly more rigs currently drilling than they do,” Needham said in …

The top 10 news stories for 2018 were the hot topics of the year – from the opening of the CORE to the current state of the oil industry to a crying statue. One story, the accusation of former St. Helena priest Father Ricardo Bauza, returns to the top 10 stories for a second-straight year. The rise of oil production …

Speed limits on roads outside of Lea County are changing at the beginning of the year. The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a request to lower speed limits on five rural highways in the Odessa District. The changes will be put in place at these locations: ¦ U.S. Highway 285 from the New Mexico state line to the northern city …

Lea County Commissioner Ron Black chaired his last regular commission meeting about two weeks ago. State law prohibits a commissioner from serving more than two terms. “It’s something I enjoyed doing and I’m glad I did it but I’m ready to retire again, now,” said Black. As the Lea County commissioner serving District 3 for the past eight years, Black …