The City of Lovington will be in search of a new city manager following the resignation of Vidal Martinez this week. The resignation prompted the city commission to call an emergency meeting for the evening of Thursday, June 1. The commission meeting started off with a closed session, forcing the public attendees out of the…

News release provided by Eastern New Mexico Rising. Eastern New Mexico Rising has announced the slate of events for Pride Week 2023. All events will be held during the week of June 18-25 in Clovis or Portales and are open to the public. “There is truly something for everyone throughout our Pride 2023 celebrations,” stated…

The National Weather Service in Midland, Texas reported damage in both Hobbs and Lovington from severe storms on Wednesday, May 31. Small tornadoes, high wind gusts and heavy rain, sometimes turning into large-sized hail, was reported.  At the Lea County Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook page Viola Baker stated, “There was a tornado report between…

Environmental groups are demanding that the U. S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cancel its upcoming lease sale to the oil and gas industry of almost 10,000 acres of public land in New Mexico and Oklahoma. The BLM’s auction is scheduled for May 25. Ten-year leases will be granted, or leases will be for “as…

The Lea County Drug Task Force (LCDTF) arrested Jerry Wayne Chadwell, age 42, of Hobbs, on Wednesday, May 17. Chadwell is accused of drug trafficking, child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The LCDTF “has confiscated thousands of controlled substances and taken the suspect into custody after a 13-year-old juvenile was found…

The suspects involved in the Hobbs Walmart parking lot shooting that took place during the early morning hours of Thursday, May 18, have been apprehended, arrested and jailed. The shooting took the life of 24-year-old Jordan Ruiz, of Hobbs. Ruiz was a Walmart employee. The Hobbs Walmart remained closed on Thursday and Friday, May 18…

Captain Chad Wright, commander of the Hobbs Police Department’s (HPD) Criminal Investigation Division, is asking the public for assistance in bringing justice to the victim of the homicide that took place in the Hobbs Walmart parking lot, around 2:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 18. Walmart is located at 3800 North Lovington Hwy. At an HPD…

After several years on the drawing board, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), on Tuesday, May 9, announced its approval of a 40-year license for Holtec International to build and operate a Consolidated Interim Nuclear Storage Facility (HI-STORE CISF) in Lea County.  Holtec’s CIFS, if it becomes a reality, will be located on a 1000-acre…

Isaiah Xavier Lopez, age 18, of Hobbs, has been apprehended “without incident” for his involvement in the May 8 shoplifting of firearm ammunition from Big 5 Sporting Goods. With the assistance of the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, Hobbs Police Department (HPD) officers arrested Lopez hours after the shoplifting took place. Big 5 Sporting Goods is…

Hobbs Fire Station #1, located at 301 East White Street, is now a “safe haven” site. At a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, May 9, the City of Hobbs unveiled the installation of its first “baby box”. The little box is located on the east side of the station and allows mothers and/or parents in crises…