A former lawman is free pending appeal of a conviction of petty misdemeanor last month. Disgraced cop Christopher McCasland was given six months, the maximum sentence, after being found guilty for possessing of stolen property. “Deputy McCasland has violated the trust placed in him. It is a betrayal of the community and the oath that…

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…

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…

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…

Don’t believe the tripe about Democrats and Republicans not working together. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) and Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-2) both want President Joe Biden to end his 60-day suspension on the approval of federal oil and gas permits. An environmental activist, on the other hand, wants business and politicians to use the pause…

A Hobbs man “was unconstitutionally deprived of the right to counsel when his guilt was determined,” the state Supreme Court ruled March 4. A misdemeanor conviction was overturned. Antonio Cruz asked for a lawyer before a magistrate court after being arrested for breaking dishes and other items in his girlfriend’s home in 2017. The court…

The show must go on – even in the face of a pandemic. The Community Players of Hobbs have a five show 2021 season planned. Covid restrictions in New Mexico currently prohibit CPH from having an in-person audience, so all five performances will be streamed online. Ticket sales for that have not yet begun. If…