2020 Municipal Elections unofficial results HOBBS 2020 Municipal Election … unofficial results Mayor: Jeff Lee 975 Sam Cobb 1,188 District 3: Larron Fields 109 Pat Taylor 106 Municipal Judge: Manuel Tersero 311 Kelly W. Wilson Jr. 536 Bobby Arther 1,290 Charter Prop 1 Residency: Yes 393 No 1,758 Charter Prop 2 Runoffs: Yes 1,128 No 1,023 Charter Prop 3 City …

JAL — The Lea County Sheriff’s Office recently joined the search for a Jal woman who went missing more than eight months ago. Angela “Angel” LaDawn Kelton-McManes, 44, was last seen on May 13, 2019. Because she was known to travel unexpectedly for long periods, she wasn’t reported missing until mid-June. Jal Police Detective Mary Montez said various rumors in …

JAL — Still, no new RV parks will be allowed inside the city of Jal. With a six-month moratorium on new RV parks coming to an end later this month, the Jal City Council on Monday unanimously approved an extension for at least another six months. Although a new man camp (or workforce housing) opens this year just outside Jal, …

Jeff Lee sat patiently. Reading a magazine. Waiting for his moment to sign-up. Even though Hobbs City Hall and the city clerk’s office opened at 8 a.m., Tuesday, the declaration of candidacy for the March 3 Municipal Election didn’t start until 9 a.m. There are five Hobbs municipal races taking place: Mayor, Hobbs Commission Districts 1, 2, and 3 and …

In their first mail-in ballot special election, Jal voters have narrowly approved beer and wine sales in restaurants for on-premises consumption only. Election officials in the Lea County Clerk’s Office on Tuesday counted 152 “yes” votes and 139 “no” votes. The tally is considered unofficial until the Lea County Commission canvasses the election on July 18. The election with 52% …

JAL — Record oil production in the world’s largest oilfield strains the resources of small towns like Jal, even if swarms of workers boost gross receipts revenue. In recent meetings, the Jal City Council, concerned about the town’s already out-of-compliance wastewater treatment plant, began considering a temporary moratorium on additional RV parks, possibly for one year. With an estimated 5,000-6,000 …

JAL — The New Mexico Attorney General’s office concluded Jal’s city officials violated the Open Meetings Act in October 2017. The town’s newspaper, the Jal Record filed a complaint in November 2017 asserting city officials participated in a “rolling quorum.” “Our review indicates that the City Council did indeed engage in a flagrant violation of the Open Meetings Act,” assistant …

A Texas man was killed west of Jal Monday morning in three-vehicle crash on New Mexico Highway 128 that resulted in a head-on collision. The driver of one of vehicles, Luis Carlos Cruz, 56, of Orange, Texas, sustained fatal injuries at the scene, said state police. The driver and passenger of another vehicle both sustained unknown injuries and were transported …

Jal declares itself gun rights sanctuary city CURTIS C. WYNNENEWS-SUN JAL — The City of Jal became a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary City during the city council’s regular meeting Monday. City Councilor Mike Orr introduced the resolution saying, “The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution means a lot to a lot of folks. It was put there for a purpose. I think …

JAL — City Manager Matt White said he’s expecting a noncompliance letter from state regulators regarding Jal’s sewage treatment plant. With an estimated 5,000-6,000 people crowded onto an infrastructure initially supporting just over 2,000 residents, the town of Jal both rejoices and bemoans the current oil and gas boom. Test wells surrounding the city’s sewage treatment plant and lagoons have …