Curtis Wynne/News-Sun LOVINGTON — At the urging of Lea County Commissioner Rebecca Long, the school zone at College Lane Elementary may soon become safer and less congested. “It’s so dangerous,” Long said at last week’s county commission meeting. She described the scene along College Lane in front of the school at the beginning and end of each school day. “People …

LOVINGTON — The Lea County Commission on Thursday finalized a redistricting proposal with minimal changes. With a 2020 Federal Census count of 74,455 residents, County Clerk Keith Manes explained the ideal number in each of five districts would be 14,891. “But you can’t get that because you can’t split precincts,” Manes told the commissioners. Redistricting is required immediately after every …

LOVINGTON — They didn’t ask for it and don’t know what to do with it yet, but Lea County Commissioners last week approved a resolution accepting $6.9 million from the federal treasury. “I would ask that the board approve this resolution so we can make use of that $6.9 million even though we didn’t ask for it,” Lea County Manager …

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, …

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, …

The Lea County Commission responded to the letter sent to the Lea County manager by the N.M. Department of Health secretary this weekend. Here is the response the commission approved sending today during its monthly meeting.  RESPONSE LETTER to SECRETARY. To read the letter sent to Lea County Manager Mike Gallagher by the health secretary by email as well as …

LOVINGTON — With more than a year left in his current term of office, Lea County Commissioner Don Jones announced Thursday he has decided to sit out the next election. By state law, county commissioners are allowed to serve two successive four-year terms, but Jones decided one term was enough. He said he will finish his current term, leaving office …

LOVINGTON — With more than a year left in his current term of office, Lea County Commissioner Don Jones announced Thursday he has decided to sit out the next election. By state law, county commissioners are allowed to serve two successive four-year terms, but Jones decided one term was enough. He said he will finish his current term, leaving office …

Lea County Commissioner Ron Black chaired his last regular commission meeting about two weeks ago. State law prohibits a commissioner from serving more than two terms. “It’s something I enjoyed doing and I’m glad I did it but I’m ready to retire again, now,” said Black. As the Lea County commissioner serving District 3 for the past eight years, Black …

LOVINGTON — No more tokens at the fair. The token machines at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo have served their purpose. At the recommendation of Jim Kemp, general manager of the fairgrounds, and the Fair and Rodeo Board, county commissioners approved a new method of collecting fees from outdoor vendors, during a county commission meeting May 25. After hearing …