$300k partnership puts HMS projects in reach Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Two Lea County Commissioners partnered to invest $300,000 in projects across every school in the Hobbs Municipal School district, giving campuses funding to address individual needs and improve student experiences. Commissioners Tyson Pierce and Gary Eidson each gave $150,000

Shipp Street Plaza expansion moves forward Christina Holt/News-Sun Shipp Street Plaza in downtown Hobbs is set to expand following the Hobbs City Commission’s approval of a roadway closure that will extend the gathering space North to Taylor Street. The decision by the commissioners follows a recommendation from the city planning

Film Lea County and publishing office opens Levi Hill/News-Sun LOVINGTON — As the giant scissors sliced cleanly through the blue ribbon, a loud “bang” startled the onlookers and confetti filled the air. Just like that Lea County’s creative future may have taken a giant leap forward. On Nov. 4, a

Urenco celebrates 20-plus years in Lea Levi Hill/News-Sun HOBBS — Urenco USA celebrated more than 20 years in Lea County Nov. 5 night with a community dinner and introduction of two long-time Urenco staff stepping into new roles. Jody Blackshear, UUSA managing director, and Melissa Forest, UUSA investment program director,

Running Wild JASON FARMER/NEWS-SUN How far is 100 miles? Well, from Hobbs, it is 100 miles to parts of Lubbock. Getting to certain areas in Roswell is also 100 miles. Portales is just over that mark at 103 miles. So, what is the significance of 100 miles? Well, for most

NM Junior College working to advance nursing skills John Leacock/News-Sun New Mexico’s nursing training has received recognition for its excellence, with New Mexico Junior College’s nursing program among the best LPN to RN efforts in the state. NMJC’s program was recently ranked third in the state by Practical Nursing, an

Haarmeyer movie gets early screening in Lea Levi Hill/News-Sun LOVINGTON — There is one thing you notice quickly when you sit down for an interview with independent filmmaker and author Mary Haarmeyer — she is a live wire, a runaway train of energy. And after an hour of listening to

Hispano Chamber honors businesses, individuals at annual banquet Andy Brosig/News-Sun It was 45 years ago when two brothers with just lint in their pockets and a dream walked into the Moncor National Bank of Hobbs and convinced bank officials to lend them seed money for what would become The Model

A mother’s life changing moment Christina Holt/News-Sun It was an ordinary moment that changed Jessica Stout’s life and her family’s – a moment that led to a breast cancer diagnosis. In 2022, Jessica, who was 35 years old, was changing her clothes when she felt a lump in her right

CTECH shop teacher surprised with $75k award Christina Holt/News-Sun Erik Chavarria, construction and engineer teacher at Hobbs CTECH, walked onto the shop floor expecting another day of teaching. Instead, he found himself surrounded not only by his students but by Hobbs Municipal Schools staff, media and family who had been

Local man adapts cooling tech for athletes, LEOs Levi Hill/News-Sun Scott Evans is on a mission to cool off law enforcement officers, military and athletes and the vision for his mission came directly from on high. “This was a download from God,” the veteran military, EMT and security officer said

Attendance matters Hobbs Schools recognizes students, staff for efforts to keep kids in classrooms Andy Brosig/News-Sun September is national Attendance Awareness Month, a time when school districts across the country remind parents and students of the importance of being in school. And Hobbs Municipal Schools took a unique approach to

National Geographic photographer and filmmakers Pete McBride and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Fedarko named next Jack Maddox Distinguished Speaker Series speakers For the News-Sun National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Fedarko as the next Jack Maddox Distinguished Speaker Series speakers.

Lea County Veterans Memorial is officially open Christina Holt/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Flags rose, the Lovington High School Band played and a multi-agency honor guard presented the colors Wednesday morning as about 100 people gathered to dedicate the Lea County Veterans Memorial in downtown Lovington. The dedication ceremony was held on

Lea commissioners approve imposition of 2026 property tax rates Denise Marquez/News-Sun LOVINGTON — The Lea County Board of County Commissioners ordered the county assessor to impose the 2026 state property tax rates, most of which will hold steady from last year. During a special county commission meeting Tuesday morning, Ave

4-H girls hard work earns Lea County Fair sweepstakes buckles Denise Marquez/News-Sun LOVINGTON — Eager youth and parents crowded around covered showcases Monday at the Lea County Fairgrounds, waiting to see who would take home this year’s sweepstakes titles. The Lea County Fair and Rodeo 4-H Sweepstakes is a multi-project

New day Eagles eye new schedule that won’t include Lovington PETER STEIN NEWS-SUN Any team that falls short of a state title comes into the next season with unfinished business. That’s what the Hobbs football team has after earning a No. 3 seed in last year’s 6A playoffs and falling

Encore sets ’26-27 concert lineup Andy Brosig/News-Sun Another season of musical entertainment is just around the corner as Encore Entertainment and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra announce the lineup for the 2026-27 symphony season. The entertainment kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Western Heritage Museum Theater, 1

Memoirs of a former rodeo queen Levi Hill/News-Sun Two seconds. It doesn’t seem like a long time until you are on the back of a bucking steer and holding on for six more. For 75-year-old Meloy Hill of Jal, two seconds was all she needed to know bull riding, in

Fast learner: Mile record setter trained with Hobbs grad PETER STEIN/NEWS-SUN Perhaps you’ve crossed paths with Josh Kerr and didn’t realize it. If you blinked, you may have missed him. Kerr – a native of Edinburgh, Scotland and former University of New Mexico track runner – became the world’s fastest

JF Maddox Foundation unveils vision for downtown development Two-building campus in Hobbs will establish the Foundation’s new headquarters, create a community center and food hall, and serve as a catalyst for continued downtown revitalization For the News-Sun The JF Maddox Foundation today announced plans for a transformative downtown development that

Mewbourne ranked #2 private producer in US Levi Hill/News-Sun Coming on the heels of the purchase of 22 acres of land to expand its operations in Hobbs, Tyler, Texas-based Mewbourne Oil Company was recently ranked the second most prolific private oil and gas producing company in the country by Enverus

NMJC to remodel Mansur Hall Levi Hill/News-Sun New Mexico Junior College is committing $6.99 million to renovate Mansur Hall for modernized classroom space. The NMJC Board of Directors unanimously approved the spend for the project in a short meeting Thursday via Zoom. The 15,499-square-foot building was on the school’s list

City works to rebuild HPD Christina Holt/News-Sun As the Hobbs Police Department works through months of leadership upheaval, the City of Hobbs’ immediate focus is to restore stability and leadership within the department. City Manager Manny Gomez said his appointment of interim chief Jimmie Jones this week is intended to

Gas production climbs faster than oil in Permian Levi Hill/News-Sun WASHINGTON, D.C. — Natural gas production in the Permian Basin is growing faster than oil production and it is creating a bottleneck. Solutions are coming, but too slowly. According to a recent report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, marketed