New clear bag policy set for Lea County Fair and Rodeo Denise Marquez/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Lea County Fair and PRCA Rodeo has a new rule to keep in mind this year. Only clear bags will be allowed past the gates of the Lea County Fairgrounds this year. Corey Needham, Lea County manager, said the new policy came about due to …

Rodeo star ready to “come home” to Lea rodeo Levi Hill/News-Sun Even if you’re a die-hard pro-rodeo fan you might not know the name Cash Hooper, but give it time and the 19-year-old’s name might be a household one, even if everyone gets it wrong all the time. “I get it about every day,” Hooper said of being called Cash …

Peter Stein/News-Sun LOVINGTON – Bradi Good lived up to her last name at Saturday night’s ladies breakaway round in the Lea County Rodeo at Lovington’s Jake McClure Arena. Good’s 3.2 score was the fastest performance time in Saturday’s round, earning her television and newspaper interviews for her troubles. Good was fairly certain that her score would not be good enough …

Peter Stein/News-Sun Come Sunday, Anistyn Abel, Avery Henard, Kyon Hatley and Hayden Wheeler expect to be roping their hearts out, trying to win championships at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Perry, Georgia. Getting there takes skill and practice. It also takes a lot of money, which is why a goat roping fundraiser was held on June 8 at …

Peter Stein/News-Sun If you talk to people who just came back from Las Vegas, most would probably tell you they lost money there. Not Rylee Grace Abel. The Hobbs resident returned from Vegas early last week and brought back with her nearly $22,000 – and a Dodge pickup truck. Nice haul. But Abel didn’t win that loot at a casino …

On July 7-12 the International Finals Youth Rodeo will commence at Shawnee, Oklahoma and Lea County with be represented by senior Maddy Rice of Lovington. Rice is coming off the Best of the Best High School rodeo event in Gallup before heading to Shawnee. She will be participating in her third IFYR in the breakaway roping and goat tying events. …

Fair, rodeo event draws 20,000 more attendees Sale of Champions up 30 percent Net cost to county down 13 percent CURTIS C. WYNNE NEWS-SUN LOVINGTON — Lea County’s biggest event of the year continues to grow as its net cost to the taxpayers drops, according to data presented to the county commission Thursday. Fairgrounds Manager Jim Kemp recapped expenses and …