The population in Hobbs has narrowly crossed a line. That line is a magic population line of 50,000 people, and preliminary data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows growth in Hobbs of about 19.5 percent over the last decade. The Hobbs Census County Division (CCD) reportedly comes in at 51,736 for the 2020 Census, compared to 43,305 in 2010, …

Drive-thru coffee, drive-thru meals, drive-thru banking and, now, Hobbs can boast a drive-thru MVD. Having a six-inch thick bulletproof window helped Village MVD stay in business in Ruidoso last year when all other MVD offices were closed due to the pandemic. Now, Village MVD has expanded with an office in Hobbs at 401 E. Bender Blvd., using the former Washington …

An arrest has been made by the Lea County Sheriff’s Department in a north Hobbs murder that took place on July 17. Steven Nave, 39, of Lovington, was arrested on Aug. 12 and charged with first-degree murder, a capital felony; tampering with evidence, receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm or destructive device by certain persons (felon) and bribery of …

It’s Thursday night and Brooklyn Arreola is waiting by her phone. She’s expecting an important phone call. Her phone rings at exactly 8 p.m. That’s when she’s suppose to receive her important call but the caller ID states its from North Carolina. “Do I answer it?” she thought. “There are so many spam risks out there and I’m waiting on …

Repairs start at Hobbs Apartments as management invests $325K in beleaguered facility Community leaders were “hopeful” this week as crews went to work on much needed repairs to the Hobbs Apartments complex off Clinton Street on the city’s east side. The complex has been in the news several times this year, beginning with a massive power outage that left residents …

Just days after it went online, a new security system proved its worth to Hobbs Municipal Schools. It was a Wednesday evening in mid-June, about 6:30 p.m., HMS Superintendent Gene Strickland told the News-Sun recently. Two young men were riding skateboards in City Park near Murray Elementary, playing what Strickland described as “AirSoft Wars,” a paintball-like game using realistic looking …

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 …

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 …