Peter Stein/News-Sun Susie Prather isn’t happy. Denny Crozier is ticked. Prather and Crozier are local horse breeders who feel like their business and other local businesses are being squeezed because horse racing at Zia Park and racetracks throughout the state has been progressively cut back in recent years. That constrains the businesses of breeders, trainers, local restaurants and hotels. It’s …

Gabrielle Arsiaga/News-Sun In a rare turn of events, a 16-year-old Hobbs male allegedly broke into a home and stole items from the home — but later returned those items and left a note apologizing for committing the crime. “I am the idiot that broke into your house, and I am so sorry. I have no idea what I was thinking,” …

Paul Gessing/Rio Grande Foundation With just a few weeks left before early voting kicks off, what issues will motivate how New Mexicans vote? According to one recent poll the top issue, at 59%, this fall is inflation/ the economy. Crime was right behind at 58% followed by immigration and health care. Abortion was way down the list at just 29%. …

Andy Brosig/News-Sun Energy production is big business in New Mexico. That was the word from Greg Bloom, assistant commissioner for mineral resources from the New Mexico State Land Office, speaking Wednesday before the state legislature’s Economic Development and Policy Interim Committee on the CTECH campus in Hobbs. “I don’t want to bury the big news,” Bloom said right at the …

Curtis Wynn/News-Sun LOVINGTON — While the value of taxable property in Lea County more than doubled last year, the tax rates have stayed much the same and the oilfield will pick up the tab — most of it. At the request of County Tax Assessor Sharla Kennedy, and in compliance with state law, the Lea County Commission on Thursday certified …

The JF Maddox Foundation and University of the Southwest will welcome Ben Napier and Erin Napier, hosts of Home Town on HGTV, as the next speakers in the Jack Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture is scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at R.N. Tydings Auditorium on the Hobbs High School campus. After the lecture, Ben and Erin Napier …

The JF Maddox Foundation and University of the Southwest will welcome Ben Napier and Erin Napier, hosts of Home Town on HGTV, as the next speakers in the Jack Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture is scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at R.N. Tydings Auditorium on the Hobbs High School campus. After the lecture, Ben and Erin Napier …

For the News-Sun The Southwest Symphony announces its 2022-23 Season, Music for America! A line up full of fun, visual and musical entertainment for the whole family, featuring something for everyone throughout the seven performances. These concerts will have audiences engaged from September until June. Beginning with One Hit Wonders, The Songs You Hate to Love! Dancers, singers and band …

Andy Brosig/News-Sun An invite from her brother to a Salvation Army youth group meeting started Stacy Antonovich on a long and sometimes winding road that’s now led her to Hobbs to lead the local corps. Growing up in Casper, Wyo., in an area similar in many respects to Lea County, Antonovich wasn’t involved in church until her neighbors invited her …

Virginia Cunningham/News-Sun LOVINGTON — People who have had tire damage related to the railroad track crossing on South Main Street in Lovington will be happy to know the tracks are scheduled to be repaired. The attorney for the City of Lovington, Patrick McMahon, said he has been in contact with the Texas and New Mexico Railroad in regards to the …