Del Norte Park’s playground equipment is getting an updated look. The old playground was said to be 20-years-old with and expired warranty, which led to the decision to revamp the playground and begin building new play equipment this week, according to Bryan Wagner, Parks and Open Spaces Director with the City of Hobbs. “We had a lot of parts that …

LOVINGTON — As of now, the fair and rodeo is on. The 2020 Lea County 85th Annual Fair and PRCA Rodeo heads this way, set for July 31-Aug. 8. “The fair board, the commissioners and I are planning the 2020 Lea County 85th Fair and Rodeo,” said Jim Kemp, fairgrounds general manager. “As of right now, that’s the direction we’re …

Both the U.S. Senate and Congress have passed a bill that would allow for sweeping reform to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The changes in this PPP revision are aimed at making lending terms better for restaurants, retailers and other businesses. Small businesses around the country, including many in Lea County, have taken advantage of the program …

After going five days with no new positive tests for COVID-19, the state announced Lea County added three new cases on Friday. The total brings the county to 29 cases since the coronavirus began being tracked. In nearby Eddy County, it now has 28 cases. To the north of Lea County, Roosevelt county has 42 cases and Curry has 62. …

EUNICE — The City of Eunice will begin its own solid waste pickup Monday, as residents were requested by social media to help with the transition. The city plans to switch out Waste Management polycarts for new city polycarts this week. “Council had a special meeting at lunch Friday and approved a resolution to cancel the contract with Waste Management,” …

Claire Newey is 17, going on 18 and she’s Hobbs High School’s 2020 Salutatorian. She’s been in Hobbs schools her entire academic career and credits the school for her academic success. As Claire sees it, “There is a lot of opportunity for Hobbs students if they just take advantage of what’s offered.” That’s what she’s done, concentrating not only the …

Troy White may be the Hobbs High School Class of 2020’s valedictorian, but he used to be, what he called, a horrible student. Growing up in Albuquerque, he was pretty decent in elementary. Then came middle school. Three school years, three different schools. He almost got kicked out of the first. His teachers “genuinely despised” him and the third dealt …

Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., said he was a fan of math. Makes sense, his father Cal Sr., his brother, Billy and he, each had nice careers in a sport that thrives on statistics. “But science bored me to tears,” Ripken Jr., told the News-Sun with a laugh on Wednesday. “I think a lot of it had to …

Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., said he was a fan of math. Makes sense, his father Cal Sr., his brother, Billy and he, each had nice careers in a sport that thrives on statistics. “But science bored me to tears,” Ripken Jr., told the News-Sun with a laugh on Wednesday. “I think a lot of it had to …

With only a few days to go until primary election day in New Mexico, Lea County is seeing a turnout slightly outpacing what took place in 2018 during the primary. Lea County Clerk Keith Manes, who is also on the ballot but running unopposed, said the numbers of absentee ballots being returned, along with early voting totals, are on pace …