NextEra commissions new electric transmission line Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Dozens of guests stood in the middle of rural Lea County Wednesday morning surrounded by grazing cattle, pump jacks and wind turbines, as NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest marked the commissioning of its Crossroads-Hobbs-Roadrunner electric transmission line. The location reflected the project’s role in connecting the diverse energy resources in Roosevelt …

Eunice ‘ground zero’ for N.M. screwworm response Levi Hill/News-Sun EUNICE – Eunice is ground zero for New Mexico’s first active response to the resurgence of the New World screwworm after it was officially eradicated from the country nearly 60 years ago. A dog was found to be infected with the flesh-eating parasite on June 8, prompting New Mexico Livestock Board, …

Former teacher, coach named to lead new middle school in Hobbs Andy Brosig/News-Sun Building something new comes with a whole host of challenges. What’s it going to look like? What’s the interior design going to be? What about furniture? And staffing? If building a business from the ground up is hard, think about building a new school. In addition to …

Hobbs chamber honors community leaders Christina Holt/News-Sun The annual Hobbs Chamber of Commerce banquet blended inspiration with celebration as a message on accountability was delivered and community members were honored. Salem S. Thyne, guest speaker and author of “Nobody Cares (Until You Do),” spoke to an audience of about 100 people on how accountability means owning the outcomes in life …

Energy Challenge could bring millions in investments to Lea Levi Hill/News-Sun Looking to bring energy-related companies to Lea County and even those involved in the budding space industry could bring millions to Lea County. That was the message at a recent public information workshop in Hobbs where New Horizons Foundation Executive Director Dennis Holmberg highlighted what Q Station’s energy challenge …

Tatum council eyes ordinance to legalize side-by-sides in town limits   Denise Marquez/News-Sun TATUM — Some off-highway vehicles could soon be legal on streets in the Town of Tatum under an ordinance under consideration by the town council. During last week’s town council special meeting, Tatum Police Chief Scott Conner and town councilors discussed allowing off-highway motor vehicles in the …

Ya’ gotta break a few eggs Stone Elementary students learn STEM theory, practice with egg drop event Andy Brosig/News-Sun To the accompaniment of many cheers, a few groans and a good number of kerplunks, thuds and splats, students at Stone Elementary in Hobbs got a first-hand lesson in Science, Technology, Engineer and Math by dropping eggs from a Hobbs Fire …

County sets regs for potential data centers Levi Hill/News-Sun Artificial Intelligence data centers are springing up across the world as the demand for computing power skyrockets. Lea County is poised to be a perfect home for data centers, but new industry breeds new problems and Lea County Commissioners are getting out in front of it. At the Feb. 26 Lea …

Earthquakes spike by as much as 700 percent in Permian Levi Hill/News-Sun The ground is starting to shake in the Permian Basin and those who live in the region are beginning to take notice even as scientist watch the number of earthquakes in the region skyrocket. The sheer number of earthquakes has increased but luckily the magnitude of most remains …

Hobbs boy surrounded by love after loss Chrstina Holt/News-Sun DALLAS, Texas — The 10-year-old Hobbs boy who lost his mother, Megan Runnels, in a fire last month is now living with the Cardona family in the Dallas, Texas, area – a decision made by his mother in her final moments. Sammy and Yoli Cardona say they want to thank the …