US Senate and US House of Representatives lawmakers are throwing around the pros and cons about legalizing marijuana on the federal level. Although still prohibited by federal statute, the use of medical marijuana is today legal in 37 states plus the District of Columbia and four US territories; adult-use for recreational purposes is legal in…

April 1 was not a “Fools Day” for the business marketplace in New Mexico. On that day the Land of Enchantment became one of eighteen US states that have legalized the recreational use of cannabis for individuals 21 years of age and older.  New Mexico’s neighbors to the west and north, Arizona and Colorado, as…

Wildfire season in New Mexico is here. February is over, and temperatures are warming. Drought conditions that cause dry vegetation and spring winds provide positive breeding conditions for these fires. Just such a situation happened in northern Lea County Tuesday afternoon, March 29. According to Lea County Emergency Management, a dangerous grass fire started around…

Some gas station readerboards in Lea County are below the the $4.00 per gallon benchmark. On Wednesday, March 30 Murphy Express in Hobbs offered regular at $3.95 per gallon. Alon’s price was $3.97, as was the cash price in Lovington at Valero (901 West Ave D). Prices under $4.00 were not found at other stations…

Starting on Friday, April 1 retail sales of cannabis and “cannabis-infused” products to individuals 21 years of age and older in New Mexico will be legal.  The Cannabis Control Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department is tasked with overseeing the new industry, which, according to an article in the Santa Fe New…

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, with the support of high ranking state legislators, is calling a special session of the state legislature. Lawmakers will gather at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, on Tuesday, April 5, for the legislature’s first special session of 2022. A press release issued by the governor’s office on Friday, March…

On Tuesday night near Midland, TX, a bus carrying the men’s and women’s golf teams of the University of the Southwest was in a serious crash with a pickup truck. Coach Tyler James as well as six USW students were killed in the collision. “The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today as we…

The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) “is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Antonio Durantes Jr.” of Lovington states a March 15, NMSP press release, authored by Officer Dusty Francisco.  Antonio Durantes Jr. is categorized by the NMSP as a “Missing Endangered Juvenile”.  Durantes Jr., age 15, is described in the press release as a…

The Lea County Board of Commissioners addressed issues of long-term importance at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 10.   The commission routinely meets to discuss a variety of issues involving the county. On Thursday’s meeting, a range of topics were covered, from the new congressional redistricting to cannabis regulation. Congressional Redistricting Opposed Commissioners from Eddy…

The City of Hobbs and the Hobbs Animal Adoption Center (HAAC) are concerned about the number of canine distemper cases that are entering the center.  While the origin is unknown, there are many possible avenues for transmission of this contagious disease. The disease is preventable through vaccination, and is not transmissible to humans. What is…