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 …

VIRGINIA CUNNINGHAM/NEWS-SUN “It’s time to enjoy some retirement,” said Elio Barrios, a man who has served Lea County for more than 30 years in the field of ministry. “It has been a privilege to serve this community. I have met so many wonderful families in the years I have been here. I am saddened to be leaving the area but …

Curtis Wynne/News-Sun LOVINGTON — At the urging of Lea County Commissioner Rebecca Long, the school zone at College Lane Elementary may soon become safer and less congested. “It’s so dangerous,” Long said at last week’s county commission meeting. She described the scene along College Lane in front of the school at the beginning and end of each school day. “People …

Blake Ovard/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Murals can help build community by turning brick and block walls into colorful community art spaces available to everyone, and Lovington MainStreet is on a mission to make more of them happen. Mural No. 10 was recently completed as part of the LMS mission by Taylor Elyse Arnold. “We really love how well it meshes with …

Curtis Wynne/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Add-on contributions to the 2022 junior livestock sale set an apparent record comfortably near the oft-repeated goal of $1 million. With the Sale of Champions at the 86th annual Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo bringing in a total of $755,000 during the auction on Aug. 6, add-ons of $115,355.66 brought the total to $870,355.66. That’s …