LOVINGTON — In a bid for local control of pandemic restrictions, Lea County Commissioners unanimously supported the authority of elected school boards Thursday. Recent New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) mandates threaten punitive actions for local officials’ failure to comply with state rules, such as those involving masking, vaccinating, social distancing and closures due to COVID-19 cases. Commissioner Gary Eidson, …

Drive-thru coffee, drive-thru meals, drive-thru banking and, now, Hobbs can boast a drive-thru MVD. Having a six-inch thick bulletproof window helped Village MVD stay in business in Ruidoso last year when all other MVD offices were closed due to the pandemic. Now, Village MVD has expanded with an office in Hobbs at 401 E. Bender Blvd., using the former Washington …

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 …

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 …

LOVINGTON — Is it déjà vu all over again? With about 10 times as many lesser prairie chickens in New Mexico today than seven years ago, Lea County officials believe federally approved public and private conservation efforts are working well enough. Yet, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which in 2014 applauded local efforts to protect the grouse, recently proposed …

SANTA FE – In light of the continued spread of COVID-19 and enhanced viral risk driven by vaccine hesitancy and resistance, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed an executive order requiring all state employees to either be fully vaccinated or otherwise submit to regular COVID-19 testing. Under the order, state employees who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 shall …

Just days after it went online, a new security system proved its worth to Hobbs Municipal Schools. It was a Wednesday evening in mid-June, about 6:30 p.m., HMS Superintendent Gene Strickland told the News-Sun recently. Two young men were riding skateboards in City Park near Murray Elementary, playing what Strickland described as “AirSoft Wars,” a paintball-like game using realistic looking …

Fiscal spending keeps cash reserves around 48 percent Predicting a volatile local economy, as well state legislation that has potential to cause a decrease in the city’s annual funding, the Hobbs City Commission unanimously approved the final budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The general fund of the 2021-22 budget begins with a restricted/unrestricted amount of $79.6 million and ends …