LOVINGTON – Tibba Smith was all smiles Friday night. And why wouldn’t she be? Smith began the day with a 2.2 score aboard her borrowed horse Jellybean in the first round of the Lea County Rodeo’s Ladies Breakaway, qualifying her to compete again that night. And did Smith ever compete after the sun went down Friday. She lassoed her way …

Youngsters benefit from generous bidders during the Junior Livestock sale record LOVINGTON — Mike Gallagher said it best. “It was a great year,” the Lea County Manager announced. He was referring to the Lea County Junior Livestock Sale setting a new record for sale totals without add-ons of $573,500. Residents from around Lea County packed the Livestock Pavilion Show Ring …

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 …

Five murals beautify Lovington’s ‘Central Alley’ LOVINGTON — Some call them murals, some call them graffiti, but no matter the label put on the large-scale paintings, almost everyone can agree they are works of public art, meant to be seen by many. And, five local artists have been toiling away at their craft, painting five individual murals in Lovington’s “Central …

Food truck program participants show proof of concept to investors, community leaders, organizations that can help business startups LOVINGTON — Food trucks have been one of the hottest restaurant trends for several years and for the past two years Lovington MainStreet has given the opportunity to several candidates to experience what it takes to run one — and on Tuesday, …

Lea County Sheriffs Office deputies, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Office arrested a Lovington man on warrants after he allegedly got into several altercations with a family member, the most recent resulting in that family member being chased in his vehicle by the offender with a gun. Joel Perez, 40, of Lovington, was arrested on Tuesday and charged …

When Justin and Jeannie Alexander of Trinity Farms heard about the Lovington MainStreet Local Innovator’s Institute food truck program, they knew it would be a perfect fit for them to try a nation-wide restaurant movement seemingly tailor-made for their farm operation. That movement is farm-to-table, a red-hot concept in dining across the country, where local restaurants — or food trucks …

Wells Fargo announced a second Lea County branch permanent closure in Lovington. On May 19, Wells Fargo will be closing its only Lovington branch. Forcing customers to travel 20 miles away to Hobbs for in-person services. The bank is conducting “site searches” to place an ATM location in Lovington, according to Franchesca Pancham, Wells Fargo communications advisor for New Mexico. …

To solve its economic woes, the City of Lovington may have to make additional cuts after cutting staff and salaries. Lovington’s Finance Director Gary Chapman announced in Monday night’s city commission meeting the city may need to make up additional funds. The city already passed a resolution to lay off employees, cut salaries, and cut operational expenses this month. The …

After allegedly beating a woman and stealing her purse, Ricardo Utajara was arrested and charged with robbery. Utajara, 30, of Lovington, was arrested on Tuesday after the victim was sent to Nor Lea Hospital in Lovington for injuries she sustained during the assault. A Lea County Sheriff’s criminal complaint states the victim was driving home early in the morning on …