Is the criminal justice system the best way to deal with drug offenders? The N.M. Public Defender’s Office testified before an Interim Justice Committee hearing in Santa Fe last week that Lea County had the highest per capita of people charged with possession of controlled substance cases in the state — and more than double the rate of Bernalillo County. …

LOVINGTON — The 85th Annual Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo’s Sale of Champions last month brought in the highest revenue since 2003, said Fairground General Manager Jim Kemp. Kemp reported results of the nine-day event at Thursday’s Lea County Commission meeting. The fair and rodeo culminated with the Sale of Champions on Aug. 7. On sale day, bidders spent …

JAL — There’s water and there’s water. And not all drops are fit to drink. When a street repair contractor accidentally broke a line with his backhoe on East Merriman Avenue in Jal late Monday afternoon, the odor coming from the black-tinted water under pressure briefly alarmed everybody in the area. “It was nasty,” Mayor Stephen Aldridge said. Fortunately, a …

Brent Satterwhite has been the head coach of the Tatum football team for over a year, but thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, his first year was a crazy one. Now, with New Mexico high school sports back on a traditional schedule, the Coyotes’ coach is looking forward to a full season with his team. The one benefit to last year’s …

Brent Satterwhite has been the head coach of the Tatum football team for over a year, but thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, his first year was a crazy one. Now, with New Mexico high school sports back on a traditional schedule, the Coyotes’ coach is looking forward to a full season with his team. The one benefit to last year’s …

Alley Crawl LOVINGTON — The gathered storm clouds of Friday the 13th couldn’t dampen the spirits in Lovington as the city celebrated with a block party “Alley Crawl.” Free roller skating on a 2,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink, free ice cream, the unveiling of five murals painted by local artists, a cornhole tournament, food truck featuring Pastify, vendors, a beer garden, …

11-year-old Conner Davis win swine contest his first time out LOVINGTON — Conner Davis will have a hard time besting himself next year. Conner, the 11-year old High Lonesome 4-H Club member, brought home the grand champion banner Tuesday with his 244-pound pig, Chubbs. It was Conner’s first year of showing in the Market Swine competition at the 85th Annual …

Lest there be a doubt, Lea County Sheriff Corey Helton plans to run for re-election next year. After posting his plans on social media, Helton explained he had heard of a rumor to the contrary. “I thought I would quash that rumor,” Helton told the News-Sun, recognizing his office won’t be on the ballot until next June for the primary …