Personnel from the Hobbs Police Department and Hobbs Fire Department will be patrolling the streets this Independence Day as an ordinance passed earlier this year clarifying and updating the city’s fireworks ordinance gets its first test. Hobbs Police Chief John Ortolano has a simple message for residents who want to celebrate the holiday with fireworks: Do so safely and legally. …

Hoping to quiet the rumor mill while sharing additional information, the Hobbs City Commission discussed – but took no action on – proposed changes to the ordinance governing how the city addresses fireworks. Meeting virtually Monday due to COVID-19 restrictions from the governor’s office that went into effect earlier in the day, the commission heard from Hobbs Fire Inspector Brandon …