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 …

Thousands of Lea County residents enrolled in Medicaid may soon not be able to access Lea Regional Medical Group and its physicians for non-emergencies. LRMC alerted local Medicaid patients through a mailing it may not be able to use the hospital for non-emergencies after this month due to an impasse in contract negotiations with health insurers. LRMC, the only hospital …

A month ago, the 2019 legislative session in Santa Fe began on an ominous note for gun rights advocates when sheriffs were barred from taking their service weapons into the House chamber to listen to the new governor’s State of the State speech. The Legislative Council voted to ban weapons of all kinds from the gallery of the New Mexico …

Is there a war on oil? As one Capitol news crew writes, recent days in the state Senate briefly resemble “Groundhog Day,” the movie about a befuddled weatherman who relives the same day in the same small town. Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, stands in the N.M. Senate and praises some aspect of the oil and gas industry, typically discussing how …

Ten people conspiring to supply Lea County with narcotics were arrested this week in a multi-agency investigation, according to a U.S. Department of Justice statement. The operation concluded with the arrest of five people on Thursday, some of whom live in Hobbs. Defendants in the case include seven Lea County residents: Patricia Chihuahua, age 37; Ricardo Hernandez, 44; Abraham Navarrette, …

EDC head predicts Hobbs retail growth in 2019 While Lea County is the third highest oil-producing county in the nation and climbing, local economic leaders are seeking to expand oil and natural gas-related businesses while diversifying the local economy to better weather the ups and downs of the oil and gas industry. Steve Vierck, president and CEO of the Economic …

As New Mexico became the nation’s third highest oil producing state last year, Lea County slipped into the No. 3 slot among counties, according to research performed by Lea County Assistant County Manager Corey Needham. “We are still trailing Weld (County), Colo., and McKenzie County, N.D., in production but have significantly more rigs currently drilling than they do,” Needham said in …

Speed limits on roads outside of Lea County are changing at the beginning of the year. The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a request to lower speed limits on five rural highways in the Odessa District. The changes will be put in place at these locations: ¦ U.S. Highway 285 from the New Mexico state line to the northern city …

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. …

Devon Energy Corp. has presented $110,000 in donations to eight emergency responder programs in Eddy and Lea counties as part of the company’s commitment to safety in its operating areas. Devon recently launched an emergency response grant program in Eddy and Lea counties to help address funding needs of local law enforcement, fire and EMS service organizations. Applications from eight …