After taking a plea deal for charges of criminal sexual contact in July, Ruben Sanchez was arrested again Tuesday for similar charges. Sanchez, 39, of Tuscon, Ariz., was arrested Tuesday and charged with criminal sexual contact of a minor, a second-degree felony; and four counts of criminal sexual contact, all third-degree felonies, according to court records. In a previous case, …

With just over 50% of Lea County residents having completed the 2020 U.S. Census Survey, and the newest deadline set at Sept. 30, local entertainers are coming to the rescue. Lea County Manager Mike Gallagher and Hobbs Communications Director Meghan Mooney, both heads of respective the Complete Count Committees, announced a series of five weekly online concerts starting Thursday at …

Attorneys representing the Lea County Sheriff’s Office and Lea County Sheriff Corey Helton fired back at the writ of mandamus petition filed by New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas at the end of July. The AG filed the court action hoping to compel the sheriff and deputies to enforce the “Public Health Emergency Orders” created by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. …

Lea County’s added 25 positive cases for COVID-19 on Wednesday. With those, the county now has a cumulative total of 965 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 14,010 tests. Of those 965 cases, the state says 294 have been designated as totally recovered.As of Wednesday, hospitals in Lea County report they had eight patients in the last seven days …

Lea County’s added 14 positive cases for COVID-19 on Thursday and 35 cases on Wednesday With those, the county now has a cumulative total of 876 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 12,996 tests. Of those 876 cases, the state says 247 have been designated as totally recovered. As of Wednesday, hospitals in Lea County reported they had six …

Lea County’s added 33 positive cases for COVID-19 on Tuesday. With those, the county now has a cumulative total of 830 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 out of 12,734 tests. Lea County has had five deaths attributed to COVID-19: a male in his 20s with underlying conditions, a man in his 50, a male in his 60’s, a male …

Lea County has its fifth death attributed to COVID-19, according to the N.M. Department of Health. The Lea County resident is described by the state as a male in his 20s from Lea County with had underlying conditions. Prior to Monday, according to the state, Lea County has had four deaths attributed to COVID-19: a man in his 50, a male in his …

When it comes to poultry Ethan Kneese and Cadi Godwin know their stuff — at least in the eyes of judge Floyd Starkey who decided Kneese and Godwin were this year’s junior and senior showmanship winners. The Lea County Junior Stock Show poultry competition gives out the same awards as all the other shows. However, winning showmanship requires a bit …

When lightning struck an electrical pole near Bender and Thomas during a thunderstorm early Thursday, causing a fire in a nearby house, elementary school teacher Bekim Kjerimi sprang into action to make sure the family got out of the affected structure safely. “It was like a quick reaction,” Kjerimi said. “I didn’t have time to process at all.” After he …

Lovington – This year’s winners of the 2020 Sheep Junior Stock show went to a brother and sister. Hudson Roberson came in as Grand Champion while his older sister Addison Roberson came in second. Usually, the Lea County Fairgrounds have dozens of animals rustling in their cages while eager contestants wait to present the animals they spend months raising. Now …