• Weekend vaccination clinics planned for Tasker Arena in Hobbs Lea County hospitals are facing a potential shortage of hospital beds to treat seriously ill patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Dan Springer, CEO of Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital, and David Shaw, CEO of Nor-Lea Hospital District in Lovington, addressed the community via live social media press conference Tuesday, urging …

Alley Crawl LOVINGTON — The gathered storm clouds of Friday the 13th couldn’t dampen the spirits in Lovington as the city celebrated with a block party “Alley Crawl.” Free roller skating on a 2,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink, free ice cream, the unveiling of five murals painted by local artists, a cornhole tournament, food truck featuring Pastify, vendors, a beer garden, …

JAL – Times and social values have changed. Lea County’s “small town, big heart” took first steps to embracing New Mexico’s marijuana mandate last week. Jal city leaders hosted a public meeting Tuesday to discuss what needs to be done soon in light of the state’s Cannabis Regulation Act (CRA) that became effective June 29, with three upcoming deadlines. While …

LOVINGTON – The Lovington City Commission Monday night said they are having understaffing issues with the police department. “It’s pretty bad. It’s horrible. The morale is extremely down,” Loving-ton Police Chief David Rodriguez. “They’re (officers) obviously getting worked to death because we don’t have as many officers that we had before.” During the meeting, Commissioner Bernard Butcher asked Rodriguez about …

Youngsters benefit from generous bidders during the Junior Livestock sale record LOVINGTON — Mike Gallagher said it best. “It was a great year,” the Lea County Manager announced. He was referring to the Lea County Junior Livestock Sale setting a new record for sale totals without add-ons of $573,500. Residents from around Lea County packed the Livestock Pavilion Show Ring …

LOVINGTON — A Eunice youth took top honors Thursday in the annual Market Beef Show at the Lea County Fair while a Hobbs girl earned her a reserve champion banner on her first time in the show ring. Jaylee Porter, 14, of Eunice, was named grand champion with her steer, Gunsmoke, while Lilly Spearman, 9, of Hobbs and her steer, …

11-year-old Conner Davis win swine contest his first time out LOVINGTON — Conner Davis will have a hard time besting himself next year. Conner, the 11-year old High Lonesome 4-H Club member, brought home the grand champion banner Tuesday with his 244-pound pig, Chubbs. It was Conner’s first year of showing in the Market Swine competition at the 85th Annual …

Five murals beautify Lovington’s ‘Central Alley’ LOVINGTON — Some call them murals, some call them graffiti, but no matter the label put on the large-scale paintings, almost everyone can agree they are works of public art, meant to be seen by many. And, five local artists have been toiling away at their craft, painting five individual murals in Lovington’s “Central …

EUNICE — Emergency personnel in Eunice want the city’s elected officials to solve more than “half the problem.” After a workshop and two public hearings in July, the city appears ready to reverse years of resistance to joining the Lea County Communications Authority (LCCA). Part of the problem, according to Eunice police and fire chiefs, involves inability of their respective …

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! In a few short days students will be filling our hallways and classrooms again as we look forward to returning to the normal school routine we knew prior to COVID-19. Still, there are some changes this year. For instance, I’m the district’s new superintendent. I realize that I have big shoes to fill but …