Microburst hits Eunice, damage reported EUNICE — Allen Miller was in Hobbs at the moment the roof of an old gas station almost two blocks away, landed on his Eunice home. The damage to Miller’s home was one of a number of reported incidents following a microburst that hit the community’s downtown area around 7 p.m. Tuesday. Eunice Police Chief …

Three seek district judge post LOVINGTON — The Fifth Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on May 17 to evaluate three applications to fill the district judge vacancy created by Judge Gary L. Clingman’s resignation. Clingman resigned to accept appointment to the New Mexico Supreme Court last month. Applications received by the Monday deadline were from Magistrate Judge David Finger, …

Three seek district judge post LOVINGTON — The Fifth Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on May 17 to evaluate three applications to fill the district judge vacancy created by Judge Gary L. Clingman’s resignation. Clingman resigned to accept appointment to the New Mexico Supreme Court last month. Applications received by the Monday deadline were from Magistrate Judge David Finger, …

Young Eunice entrepreneurs donate profits to injured vet Eunice High School seniors have had the chance to couple learning the basics of running a small business with deciding what to do with their profits every year since 2001. This year, the 36 students involved in the project netted $1,405, money they earned over the period of one week late last …

Lea rejects appointing Dunford sheriff   LOVINGTON — Lea County Commissioners declined to appoint Undersheriff Tom Dunford to the vacant sheriff’s position Thursday, primarily out of concern an appointment would lower his salary significantly. Although former Sheriff Byron Wester announced his intended retirement from law enforcement in March, he later decided to stay on through April. By state law, Under-sheriff …

Lea rejects appointing Dunford sheriff   LOVINGTON — Lea County Commissioners declined to appoint Undersheriff Tom Dunford to the vacant sheriff’s position Thursday, primarily out of concern an appointment would lower his salary significantly. Although former Sheriff Byron Wester announced his intended retirement from law enforcement in March, he later decided to stay on through April. By state law, Under-sheriff …

LOVINGTON — The proposed Libba Land Subdivision north of Hobbs garnered Lea County Commission approval on a vote of 4-1 Thursday. Commissioner Dean Jackson cast the lone no vote based on water concerns. Addressing developer Daniel Johncox, Jackson said, “I just want to say on the vote, Daniel, I’m not against you. I’ve read the reports and done a lot …

LPD officer cleared in shooting   The Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office has cleared a Lovington Police Department officer involved in an October 2017 shooting incident near the Panda Buffet restaurant. On Oct. 19, 2017, around 3 a.m., LPD arrested Lovington resident Karlo Hernandez on burglary related charges before he allegedly ecscaped police custody and ran toward the Panda Buffet …

Conner sworn in as newest Eunice councilor EUNICE — The Eunice City Council is officially complete. Early in Tuesday’s regular council meeting, Carlos Eli Conner took the oath of office, filling a council seat vacated this month by Steve Almager, who resigned for employment reasons. Conner, a Eunice native, applied for the position after the March municipal elections which resulted …

Chance sentenced to 5 years LOVINGTON — Eunice resident Samantha Chance made an emotional statement on her own behalf before Fifth Judicial District Judge Gary Clingman Monday afternoon and was then sentenced to five years in prison for her second-degree murder conviction in Hobbsan Kasey Poole’s death. Chance, 26, appeared in court wearing bright orange following her transport from the …