LOVINGTON — In a bid for local control of pandemic restrictions, Lea County Commissioners unanimously supported the authority of elected school boards Thursday. Recent New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) mandates threaten punitive actions for local officials’ failure to comply with state rules, such as those involving masking, vaccinating, social distancing and closures due to COVID-19 cases. Commissioner Gary Eidson, …

There’s something important in the mail for Hobbs Municipal Schools district residents. Ballots for the Hobbs Municipal Schools special mill levy election have or will arrived this week and HMS Superintendent Gene Strickland wants to be sure district residents keep and eye out — and vote. “Parents, please don’t throw this away,” Strickland said. “Registered voters don’t throw this away. …