Taylor Memorial Baptist church collected nearly 3,000 shoe boxes this year to send to needy children around the world for the 25th anniversary of Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a project run by Samaritan Purse, a missionary Christian Organization. The week before Thanksgiving, donors from around the nation drop off shoe boxes filled with toys, clothing, school supplies …

A group of major oil and gas companies with plays in the Permian Basin and related service companies has announced the formation of an energy alliance, collectively committing more than $100 million over the next several years to spur additional private-sector investment in the region. The announcement of the Permian Strategic Partnership is scheduled to appear in op-ed pieces today …

Devon Energy Corp. has presented $110,000 in donations to eight emergency responder programs in Eddy and Lea counties as part of the company’s commitment to safety in its operating areas. Devon recently launched an emergency response grant program in Eddy and Lea counties to help address funding needs of local law enforcement, fire and EMS service organizations. Applications from eight …

Occidental Petroleum today announced donations totaling $90,000 to first responder organizations in Lea County to support the purchase of new equipment. “As a part of the Lea County community, we appreciate the outstanding job the sheriff and local fire departments do keeping us all safe,” said Barbara Bergersen, Senior Vice President for Occidental’s Permian Enhanced Oil Recovery business, which has …

Missing man’s family member suspect foul play Sara MacNeil/News-Sun A man who hadn’t left El Paso since he was a child drove to Hobbs for a construction job June 21 and disappeared three days later. Four months after he went missing, Jorge Alberto Sanchez, 26, hasn’t been found and his aunt, who raised him, is left with more questions than …

Clovis parents paid promptly for thefts Hobbs Municipal Schools made prompt payments to the parents of Clovis football players after the players’ belongings were stolen from a locker room at Hobbs High School late last month, say HMS officials. HMS superintendent TJ Parks said he authorized the payments from the school district’s central office fund so that the visiting Wildcats …

A 27-year-old man who went missing in Hobbs at the end of June still hasn’t been located after four months. New Mexico State Police released a statement this week about the missing man, Jorge Alberto Sanchez, whose car was found abandoned on Highway 190 going toward Ozona, Texas. Sanchez, of El Paso, was last seen leaving work June 21 in …

Fair, rodeo event draws 20,000 more attendees Sale of Champions up 30 percent Net cost to county down 13 percent CURTIS C. WYNNE NEWS-SUN LOVINGTON — Lea County’s biggest event of the year continues to grow as its net cost to the taxpayers drops, according to data presented to the county commission Thursday. Fairgrounds Manager Jim Kemp recapped expenses and …

LOVINGTON — The Lovington Municipal School District is getting into the housing business. The school district’s board of education unanimously approved the purchase of five duplexes, housing 10 two-bedroom apartments during its October school board meeting. The apartments are located on south 9th Street across from the Lovington football stadium parking lot. In a time where Lovington faces expensive housing …

Young’s Homes, one of the largest independent oil industry housing providers in the region with thousands of homes in Hobbs, will celebrate 60 years in business on Friday with a luncheon. “We will break bread at 11:30 then I will honor some people that have given this business, in some cases, their lives,” said business owner Daniel Johncox. Young’s Mobile …