Debra Hicks was surprised when she received a letter from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Services last month, asking her to confirm an application for unemployment insurance in her own name. About a mile away, Beckey Waldrop has been inundated with letters from the department. She said she’s received probably 20 letters since mid April, requesting information to verify …

LOVINGTON — Lea County officials want New Mexico, the nation’s third highest oil production state, to join other states fighting President Joe Biden’s moratorium on federal oil leases. Lea County is the nation’s No. 1 oil producer among counties, with more than 50 percent of oil production coming from federal lands. At a recent meeting of the board, county commission …

LOVINGTON — Lea County officials want New Mexico, the nation’s third highest oil production state, to join other states fighting President Joe Biden’s moratorium on federal oil leases. Lea County is the nation’s No. 1 oil producer among counties, with more than 50 percent of oil production coming from federal lands. At a recent meeting of the board, county commission …

The City of Hobbs’ annual water conservation period, which include domestic and commercial water usage for garden, lawn, or other exterior watering or sprinkling applications, starts Saturday and runs through Sept. 15. Residents living at even numbered street addresses may use outdoor water only on even calendar days. Residents living at odd numbered addresses may use outdoor water only on …

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Oilfield equipment that emits smog-causing pollution would be targeted by New Mexico environmental regulators under a proposed rule made public Thursday by the state Environment Department. The release of the proposal marks the next step in a process that started nearly two years ago as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other top Democrats in the state announced …

EUNICE — Email bantering over the weekend left Eunice’s gross receipts tax revenue still in question, with possible legal action in the works. The $158,617.96 withheld from the small Lea County city’s April distribution remains unexplained, with state officials claiming no legal reason to explain it. Eunice’s budget is based on a pandemic-reduced monthly estimated revenue of $300,000 after a …

EUNICE — Email bantering over the weekend left Eunice’s gross receipts tax revenue still in question, with possible legal action in the works. The $158,617.96 withheld from the small Lea County city’s April distribution remains unexplained, with state officials claiming no legal reason to explain it. Eunice’s budget is based on a pandemic-reduced monthly estimated revenue of $300,000 after a …

EUNICE — Backyard RV rental spaces are on the way out of Eunice. The city council on Monday repealed a 13-year-old “Temporary Emergency Housing Act,” giving residents six months to return to building code compliance. In May 2008, while the City of Eunice was busting at the seams with new people coming in to build additions to the URENCO plant …

Hobbs residents gathered early Saturday for a special cleanup day east of the site of the future Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital at the intersection of Lovington Highway and Millen Drive. Covenant Health Hobbs CEO Dan Springer said the cleanup, organized by Covenant Health Hobbs, was to combat trash — particularly plastic bags — after being at the forefront of recent …

Workmen smooth out concrete at the site of the new Hobbs Municipal Schools Career and Technical Education Center (CTECH) near Hobbs High School. When completed, the Hobbs CTECH will be the premiere vocational education facility of its kind in the state and region. Video by Blake Ovard/News-Sun