Gabrielle Arsiage/News-Sun The mother was bouncing, but the first baby of 2022 in Lea County was a baby girl. Ringing in the New Year was baby Mia Lona Cortez. Mother Citalli Juarez said the baby was originally due on Jan. 6, but Citalli and the baby both decided they were ready. “My due date was originally Jan. 6 and I …

Zariah Khloe Nicole Garza, the first newborn baby of Lea County in 2019 by just minutes, was truly a miracle baby for Daphne and Ray Garza of Hobbs. Daphne was born at 9:58 p.m. Jan. 1 at Lea Regional Medical Center, weighing 7 pounds, 3.2 ounces, measuring 20 1/2 inches. She is the fourth child of the Garzas, and their …