LCSO issues citations on NM128 Christina Holt/News-Sun The Lea County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic safety blitz west of Jal due to the increase of vehicle crashes and citizen complaints of unsafe driving. The blitz was on Sept. 9 – 13 on New Mexico Highway 128 between the City of Jal and the Lea/Eddy County line. During the five days, …

As the colder weather begins to roll in, so does the holiday spirit and the season of giving — at least at the Lea County Sheriff’s Office. Seven years ago, the LCSO created a “Santa Program” after it was brought to their attention that a family wouldn’t be having a Christmas. “We had a family that came to our attention …

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 …

Rigoberto Corral Cazares, 33, of Lovington, was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary of a storage building, where he allegedly broke in twice before coming back a third time to erase the security footage of him committing the previous crimes. According to a Lea County Sheriff’s Office, on January 22 investigators responded to the 2800 block of Six …

Rigoberto Corral Cazares, 33, of Lovington, was arrested and charged with two counts of burglary of a storage building, where he allegedly broke in twice before coming back a third time to erase the security footage of him committing the previous crimes. According to a Lea County Sheriff’s Office, on January 22 investigators responded to the 2800 block of Six …

With Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s orders to close “non-essential” businesses, enforcement of those orders falls to the New Mexico State Police (NMSP). And, several local businesses have received visits from NMSP officers telling them “complaints” have been filed and the business needs to close because of state orders. “They told me they had several reports that we were open to …

LOVINGTON — A Hobbs man has been found guilty of sex crimes in district court. On March 27, Lorenzo Contreras, 45, was delivered the verdict of guilty from a jury of his peers in Fifth Judicial District Court on two felony charges of sexual exploitation of children under the age of 18. On May 13, Contreras was sentenced by District …

A traffic stop 30 minutes before the Lea County’s Sheriff’s Office was called on a report of a suspicious death helped Lea investigators arrest a suspect on a charge of murder. On Friday, the Lea County Sheriff’s Office released a statement that Hobbs resident Albino A. Mendez-Solis, 30, was arrested in connection to the April 1 murder of Wilson M. …

LOVINGTON — Considering a rapidly increasing population to serve and protect, plus competition with nearby law enforcement agencies for officers, the Lea County Sheriff’s Office has five new deputy positions and increased pay for current deputies.The Lea County Commission on Thursday unanimously approved the changes that will increase the sheriff’s department budget about 23 percent from $8,455,000 to $10,440,000.Sheriff Corey …

Hobbs duo charged after $50,000 stolen trailer found A Hobbs man and woman face a felony charge each after they were allegedly living in a $50,000 travel trailer that was reported stolen in west Texas. Todd Dentler, 48, and Amber Powers, 36, were arrested Tuesday on a warrant for receiving stolen property (more than $20,000), a second-degree felony. They were …