GABRIELLE ARSIAGA/NEWS-SUN Sometimes leaders are born, not made – close friend and prior Hispano Chamber of Commerce Board President Susana Arvizu said of Sergio Polanco being named the new Hispano Chamber President and CEO. “Sergio is perfect for this position. Leadership is definitely his thing. He has always been willing and eager to learn during some of our toughest times …

Andy Brosig/News-Sun Water, water everywhere, and not a drop … well, you know the rest. To prevent that old saw from becoming prophetic, the city of Hobbs once again this year will institute strictures on dates and times people and businesses can water their lawns. The annual Hobbs Water Conservation Period went into effect Sunday and lasts through Sept. 15, …

Gabriela Arsiaga/News-Sun A reckless driver is accused of killing a couple and fleeing the scene of the hit and run on Mother’s Day, according to Hobbs Police. Euden Avila, 24, of Hobbs, was arrested on May 12 and charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle, both third-degree felonies, and leaving the scene of an accident, a fourth-degree felony. According …

David Hooten/Dr. Dirt To all moms, mothers and grandmothers out there reading this great local newspaper, Dr. Dirt, wishes you a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. This will be day of honor for moms! Load up your mom and take her to the garden centers and nurseries and buy her some garden plants in bloom. Most garden centers, greenhouses, and nurseries within …

Curtis Wynne/News-Sun KNOWLES — This rural community just north of Hobbs is about to get a new fire station. Construction began recently on Knowles No. 2 Fire Station with foundation work on the Lea County’s two-acre property at 5510 W. Alabama St. “We already have the pad built and they’re starting to trench in all the utilities this week,” said …

Gabriele Arsiaga/News-Sun Twenty-four Tatum elementary school students graduated in April from the Lea County Sheriff’s Office’s first Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and fifth grader Lilianna Rojas won first place for the essay portion of the course. According to LCSO Corporal Travis Hobbs, Rojas was selected as the winner of the essay portion of the class because in her essay …

Gabrielle Arsiaga/News-Sun Several weeks after an outbreak of distemper hit the Hobbs Animal Adoption Center, the facility remains closed for dogs. On March 12, the HAAC posted on social media there was an outbreak of distemper cases in the facility. About a month after the first social media post was put up, and the free adoptions were offered, and a …

Andy Brosig/News-Sun Barbara Bistram was visiting her mother in her home town of Wejherowo, Poland, on Feb. 24 when word came Russia had invaded neighboring Ukraine. Wejherowo is about 800 miles from the nearest border with Ukraine, on the Baltic Sea in northern Poland. But that didn’t stop several of Barbara’s childhood friend from loading up vans and trucks with …

Gabrielle Arsiaga/News-Sun Twenty-six student and three community leaders were recognized for outstanding achievements during Saturday night’s NAACP awards banquet held at the Hobbs High School Commons. This year’s theme was “Diversity and Unity: Together for Peace” and speaker Melinda Boateng spoke of the struggles she has seen, or experienced, in the workplace as a result of micro aggression. “Micro aggression is …

Starla Jones/HMS Just like his signature trumpet solo, Rusty Crowe has “Got to Fly Now.” After spending 19 years at the helm, Crowe retires next month as Hobbs High School band director in order to move closer to his daughters and grandchildren. Known during basketball games for his red-faced rendition of the upper-range, ear piercing notes from that Rocky song, …