COVID-19 remains a major problem in the City of Hobbs and all of Lea County. Many folks still are not vaccinated, and the infectious Delta variant is still spreading. Exposure from COVID-19 remains high and is affecting some public services, specifically the Hobbs Express transit system. In a press release [PDF] distributed late on Monday,…

The Hobbs Municipal Court reopens today, Tuesday, August 31. The Court has been closed to the public since Friday, August 20. No information about the reason for the temporary closure was released by the City of Hobbs. Facemasks Required Within Hobbs Municipal Court With the reopening of the Court comes a mask mandate, requiring everyone…

The New Mexico State Fair will soon be here, September 9 to 19. After being cancelled in 2020, the state fair is back, but with some precautions. To attend, participate or work, every person, unless exempt, must show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition there will be mask requirements at indoor locations….

The City of Hobbs has announced the temporary suspension of its public transportation service, the Hobbs Express. The suspension is effective today, Wednesday August 25.  The Hobbs Express facility, located at 424 West Broadway Street, is also temporarily closed.  Suspension and Closure Because of Possible COVID-19 Exposure The reason for the temporary suspension and closure…

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), on Friday, August 20, reported the state’s first human Bubonic plague case of 2021. It is the second incident of the disease verified in the US this year. The case was confirmed by the New Mexico Scientific Laboratory. The infected patient resides in Torrance County, is being treated…

The Nor-Lea Hospital District is temporarily closing the Lovington Wellness Center in order to repurpose the area for use in responding to the recent COVID-19 surge in the area. Health care systems in New Mexico and in Texas have been strained by the rapid increase of COVID-19 infections. The vast majority of those being hospitalized…

Effective Friday, August 20, the Hobbs Municipal Court is temporarily closed to the public. The Court will reopen on Tuesday, August 31, according to a City of Hobbs press release dated August 20. Hobbs Municipal Court is located at 301 North Turner Street.  The press release states that the Court “provides a vital service in…

In a recent Lea County Tribune article, the importance of planning for the Energy future of the county and New Mexico was documented. The story demonstrated that we can both have our cake and eat it too. There is no need to take a political stance on fossil fuel versus renewables because both increase tax…

The 2021 Southeast Regional Walk to End Alzheimer’s is coming to Hobbs on September 25. Now is the time to join with others who have already registered to participate in this very worthwhile event. The Hobbs Walk to End Azheimer’s According to Paul Moore, the Southeastern Regional Manager of the Alzheimer’s Association, historically the Lea…

Lovington’s Main Street, US Highway 82, has been in bad shape for several decades. Most long-time residents have likely come to accept that that is just the way it’s always been and always will be. However, change is on its way with a New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) construction project targeting a 1-mile stretch…