Lea County Legends has announced the official beginning of the summer session of the Special Olympics for area athletes with special needs who wish to demonstrate their prowess at competing in a variety of events. The summer games will continue to follow the recommended format of the Special Olympics New Mexico (SONM) organization with all…

Local lawmakers split their votes on adult-use marijuana legalization in the special session among party lines, but the bill passed the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature. Governor Lujan Grisham signed the law on April 12, making New Mexico the third state this year to approved adult use. Arizona approved recreational sales last November. The adult-use law allows…

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding is now available to New Mexico residents who qualify. Federal aid in the amount of $170,000,000 has been granted to the state to provide “…rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak.” This assistance can make a big difference for those who have…

On Monday, April 12th, First Term Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) organized a hands-on New Mexico/Mexico border outing for herself and eight members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Herrell’s congressional district includes all of New Mexico’s approximate 180-mile long border with Mexico. The Congresswoman’s goal in assembling the delegation was to illustrate first-hand…

Fifteen tracts covering 2,738.74 net mineral acres are being made available for lease in Lea County. The New Mexico State Land Office retained EnergyNet for the sale of oil and gas leases located within the Permian Basin. Bidding begins 8:30 a.m. MDT on April 13 and closes 8:30 a.m. MDT on April 20. For more…

With Spring well underway and perfect weather at hand, Rockwind Community Links, owned and operated by the City of Hobbs, is well recognized as a Lea County treasure. More than just a local golf course, Rockwind attracts golfers from all over New Mexico, as well as from several other states, especially Texas. Even in the…

Big changes are around the corner for New Mexicans when it comes to dialing local telephone numbers. Soon, callers will have to use ten rather than seven digits to make a call. New Mexico’s two area codes, 505 and 575, are among the 82 area codes across 38 states that will be affected by the…

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 4, abolishing the qualified immunity defense in state civil court.  Qualified immunity is the legal principle granting state actors immunity from civil suits such as being sued, unless the plaintiff can prove the state actor violated ‘clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would…

Jobs news in Lea County has improved but continues to be bleak in the latest state jobs report. The county had 11.8 percent of job seekers unemployed at the end of February. New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.3, according to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS). Nationally, 6.2 percent of would-be…

In recognition of the ongoing need exhibited by local food pantries – many of which around the country are struggling to meet the demands caused by COVID-19 hardships – the Hobbs Police Department is organizing its first-ever “Cram the Cruiser” event to collect non-perishable foods and household goods on May 1st. All of the collected…