Fiscal spending keeps cash reserves around 48 percent Predicting a volatile local economy, as well state legislation that has potential to cause a decrease in the city’s annual funding, the Hobbs City Commission unanimously approved the final budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The general fund of the 2021-22 budget begins with a restricted/unrestricted amount of $79.6 million and ends …

For just the second time in the 61-year history of the annual Hobbs Holiday Tournament, the 2020 edition was forced to be canceled. Mother Nature forced the cancellation in 2015 when Winter Storm Goliath wrecked havoc on Lea County. Five years later it was the COVID-19 pandemic. While things slowly try to get back to normal, basketball fans should rejoice …

Whether or not he got to play baseball during his senior year of high school, Hobbs graduate Hunter Wright knew he was going to play college ball – he just didn’t know where. But, as of Tuesday night, the decision was made as Wright signed his letter of intent to play for the University of the Southwest. “I have been …

Lea County Sheriff Office deputies arrested four men for credit card fraud after they allegedly charged approximately $42,408.78 worth of unauthorized transactions to a fuel card for an oilfield business. Fernando Esparza-Gonzales, 35, of Loving-ton; Ruben Rios-Alvidrez, 45, of Hobbs; Saul Hernandez, 40, of Eunice; and Juan Lozano-Plascencia, 38, of Lovington, were all arrested on July 13 and charged with …

Barbara Dunford has a passion for art, one she’s shared with Hobbs residents for more than 40 years through regular art classes offered by the city. Growing up in Chicago the oldest of eight children, Dunford didn’t have a lot of time for art, she said. But she always had a love of the arts, taking whatever opportunities she could …

They are the unsung heroes of every football game. The players who do the work, but never get the glory. They don’t score the touchdowns or get the interceptions, but without them, they game would be unrecognizable. They are the men up front who make it possible for the skill players to do their things. They are the linemen. Tuesday …

Pickup schedule in Hobbs runs Aug. 14 – Nov. 6 The City of Hobbs announces the kickoff of the 2021 Large Item Pickup, formerly known as the Citywide Cleanup. The Large Item Pickup is an opportunity for residents of Hobbs to have their unwanted large household items picked up and carried away by the City of Hobbs at no charge! …

The City of Hobbs is about to tear up a busy part of Hobbs. It’s necessary. It’s needed and it’s going to be messy for a while. During its July 6 meeting, the Hobbs City Commission unamimously approved a contract with Smith Engineering, of Albuquerque for the phase design of the Trunk F Sewer replacement in the amount of $155,375, …

With more than 200 fireworks complaints on July 4, the Hobbs Fire Department reported in preliminary data that only three citations were written last weekend. Violators of the city fireworks ordinance were given alternatives to a citation. The Independence Day weekend was the city’s first experience following city commission approval in February of a new fireworks ordinance. City officials acknowledge …

Lea County’s 4-H Muzzleloader team is New Mexico’s team. The Lea team won its 4-H state title competition in April and competed last month, representing all of New Mexico, at the National level. The four members of the team come from three of Lea County’s seven 4-H Clubs. Danni George and Sadie Savage, both of Hobbs, are members of the …