Editor’s note: News-Sun editor Todd Bailey was diagnosed with an “aggressive Sarcoma” in his lower left leg in 2020. After chemotherapy and radiation treatments, it was determined having the leg amputated two inches above the knee on Oct. 12 was the best course of action. Hate is such a strong word. But I don’t know of another word to use …

Drive-thru coffee, drive-thru meals, drive-thru banking and, now, Hobbs can boast a drive-thru MVD. Having a six-inch thick bulletproof window helped Village MVD stay in business in Ruidoso last year when all other MVD offices were closed due to the pandemic. Now, Village MVD has expanded with an office in Hobbs at 401 E. Bender Blvd., using the former Washington …

JAL — There’s water and there’s water. And not all drops are fit to drink. When a street repair contractor accidentally broke a line with his backhoe on East Merriman Avenue in Jal late Monday afternoon, the odor coming from the black-tinted water under pressure briefly alarmed everybody in the area. “It was nasty,” Mayor Stephen Aldridge said. Fortunately, a …

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan’s $4.7 billion proposal would plug abandoned wells, including 700 in New Mexico U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., toured various well sites in Lea County on Tuesday hoping to get a complete picture of what new legislation sponsored by him would mean to New Mexicans. The Democratic senator is co-sponsor of the Revive Economic Growth …

• 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, …