Brent Van Dyke, who retired as president of the National Association of Conservation Districts, was honored by the New Mexico State Senate in a resolution adopted during the past 60-day session. The document presented to Van Dyke, listed his work as a working member of the agriculture community in Lea County and in Plains, Texas, as well as his membership …

LOVINGTON — The Lovington City Commission moved forward with a zoning ordinance Monday night that would create an economic district along two major thoroughfares through town amid concerns it would prevent homeowners from selling their houses to their children. “I’d hate to take someone’s home away, especially if they’ve lived there for years,” said Mayor David Trujillo. The City Commission …

EUNICE — Stephanie Murphy so enjoys being of service to the community and her church the Eunice Chamber of Commerce made her Citizen of Year for 2019. Seated at her table with family and friends near the conclusion of last week’s annual chamber banquet, Murphy jumped to hear her name announced for the honor. “It really, really surprised me. I …

LOVINGTON — Jason Ganaway was 10 years old when he would stand on a bucket and help his dad, Michael, dress hamburger buns. That was 26 years ago, when Jason’s grandfather Earl owned Olé Jax Drive Inn in Lovington. Year’s later Michael bought the restaurant from Earl and ran one of Lovington’s favorite spots to spend time with friends, enjoy …

Lea County’s job market is tighter. The N.M. Workforce Solutions Department released its latest unemployment numbers on Friday and Lea County’s market continues to see fewer unemployed. In February, the county’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent compared to 4.1 percent in January 2019. A year ago, the county’s February unemployment rate was 4.3 percent. At the same time, the number …

SANTA FE — The first session of the 54th New Mexico Legislature closed Saturday, leaving lawmakers representing Lea County voters both pragmatic and disappointed. Largely due to the booming oil and gas industry, the 2019 session started with a record budget surplus, a projected billion-dollar surplus for this year, and more than a billion dollars anticipated above this year’s for …

JAL — The New Mexico Attorney General’s office concluded Jal’s city officials violated the Open Meetings Act in October 2017. The town’s newspaper, the Jal Record filed a complaint in November 2017 asserting city officials participated in a “rolling quorum.” “Our review indicates that the City Council did indeed engage in a flagrant violation of the Open Meetings Act,” assistant …

A Texas man was killed west of Jal Monday morning in three-vehicle crash on New Mexico Highway 128 that resulted in a head-on collision. The driver of one of vehicles, Luis Carlos Cruz, 56, of Orange, Texas, sustained fatal injuries at the scene, said state police. The driver and passenger of another vehicle both sustained unknown injuries and were transported …

Jal declares itself gun rights sanctuary city CURTIS C. WYNNENEWS-SUN JAL — The City of Jal became a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary City during the city council’s regular meeting Monday. City Councilor Mike Orr introduced the resolution saying, “The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution means a lot to a lot of folks. It was put there for a purpose. I think …

NMOGA: NM oil production soars 46 percent FOR THE NEWS-SUN SANTA FE — New Mexico’s oil boom continues to reach new heights as recently published data shows oil production hitting a record high of 250 million barrels of oil in 2018. The United States Energy Information Administration reported that oil production in the state climbed an impressive 46 percent from …