Chicken champs win in class and show Levi Hill/News-Sun What makes chickens talented banjo players? Don’t know? Well, you can bet River Caviness and Cadi Godwin know. The pair know all about chickens and proved it Wednesday at the Lea County Fair. Cadi, a veteran of the barnyard, perhaps won bigger than anyone else in the coop, taking two Grand …

New clear bag policy set for Lea County Fair and Rodeo Denise Marquez/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo has a new rule to keep in mind this year. Only clear bags will be allowed past the gates of the Lea County Fairgrounds this year. Corey Needham, Lea County manager, said the new policy came about due to …

Nor-Lea welcomes further construction with topping out ceremony Azure Mitchell/News-Sun LOVINGTON, N.M. — Wednesday morning, when the birds were just waking up, community members, contributors and Nor-Lea hospital staff gathered to witness the final piece of a giant skeleton coming into place: the last structural beam being placed onto a transformative new building. The moment was a major signpost for …

3 dead as flash flooding hits mountain village of Ruidoso in New Mexico, officials say By MORGAN LEE and THOMAS PEIPERT Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered flash flooding that killed three people and was so intense an entire house was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer …

Hobbs Chamber presented 7 awards Christina Holt/News-Sun The Hobbs Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 91st Annual Banquet on Thursday, honoring five individuals and two businesses for their commitment to the community. The Citizen of the Year was awarded to Becky Cousins in recognition of her volunteerism and donation of quilts to various nonprofit organizations. “It was really, really unexpected,” Cousins …

Miranda Lambert, Midland headline 2025 Lea County Fair concerts Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Lea County residents have been eagerly waiting for the announcement of the concert lineup for the 2025 Fair & Rodeo and it’s finally time. Lea County Fair Grounds Director Wyatt Duncan announced the entertainment selection at the county commission meeting Thursday morning in Lovington. • Friday, Aug. …

Hailstorm from last Friday rings up damage Azure Mitchell/News-Sun Mother Nature struck again last Friday, dropping golf ball-sized hail that shattered windows, destroyed gardens and damaged hundreds of vehicles in a wide swath that included Hobbs and Lovington. And around the area, residents are still picking up the pieces and roofers assessing damages from a hail storm that struck at …

7 Brew drive-through planned for Hobbs Denise Marquez/News-Sun A new drink shop is planned to begin construction on its first Hobbs location this summer. 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee will be located at 1425 N. Turner St., in front of the Broadmoor Mall. 7 Brew offers hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, energy drinks, sparkling waters, lemonades, smoothies and milkshakes. “The …

Law enforcement staffing crisis in SENM Christina Holt/News-Sun The Hobbs Police Department has a 33 percent vacancy rate for certified officers. But where does this stand in comparison in the region of southeastern New Mexico? The challenge of recruiting officers is not just a local issue but one that is felt throughout the nation. In a nationwide survey, 70 percent …

Stepping into their future CTECH students sign SkillsUSA intent letters Andy Brosig/News-Sun Hobbs senior Makenzee Box believes she probably wouldn’t have her future plans set up without the programs at the Career Technical Education Center Hobbs. And the CTECH Culinary Arts student isn’t alone. Fourteen students gathered Tuesday with family and friends in the upstairs walkway at the school to …