LOVINGTON — Many Lea County employees will have extra cash to spend this Christmas and going forward. Newly approved pay increases for safety-related agencies and departments will show up in Dec. 10 pay checks, with the new wage rates having become effective Nov. 21. Rebecca Long, chairwoman of the Lea County Commission, said the increases that for some departments exceed …

The Hobbs City Commission is asking for the public’s input on the possibility of giving themselves a pay raise. During Monday’s City Commission meeting, Mayor Sam Cobb and commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of publishing the proposed ordinance presented by City Attorney Mike Stone. Commissioner Garry Buie voted no to the ordinance publication. The proposed ordinance would increase the mayor’s …