Local Stories

By Don Eskins Four Cavemen, headed by sophomore hurler Wade Cozart, have been named to the New Mexico High School Coaches Association’s 2026 Class 5A All-State Baseball Team. Cozart was named to the All-State First Team as a pitcher. Selected for Second Team All-State honors were Jayden Carter as a catcher, EZ Lopez as an infielder, and Brock Wright as an outfielder. Cozart posted an overall record of 9-1 during 2026 with an ERA of 1.186. He gave up 12 earned runs on 51 hits

Libraries grow and thrive when they reflect the needs, goals, and voices of the communities they serve. As our community continues to change, it is important that the library plans thoughtfully for the future. That is why we are beginning the process of building our next strategic plan—and why your input is essential. A strategic plan is a roadmap that guides the library’s priorities over the next several years. It helps determine how we use our resources, what services we ex

By Dr. Kevin Beardmore While I was in college, the Berlin wall fell and the Soviet Union dissolved. As a child of the Cold War, these were heady times. It was incredibly satisfying to experience the triumph of democratic capitalism over communism. Lately it seems that some are reconsidering this conclusion.  Watching the rise of China, they are thinking that its mashup of capitalism and authoritarianism may be a winning strategy.  They would be wrong. It is true that elemen

By Misty Cryer Rumble on the Pecos, a car show hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, took place June 5-6. It included a cruise, a movie showing of American Graffiti at the Cavern Theatre, vendors, judging, and an awards ceremony. As with all car shows, fun was had, awards were given, bragging rights were granted, but for the Judah family, things were a bit different. The family of the late Lynne Judah entered his fully restored 1955 Chevrolet, which took first place wit

By Don Eskins Cavegirls Katrina Ortega and Mari Reyes have been recognized by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association for their outstanding play during the 2026 prep softball season. The NMHSCA recently named Ortega to its Class 5A All-State Second Team as a pitcher. Reyes received All-State Honorable Mention as an infielder. Both Ortega and Reyes played key roles for the Cavegirls this past season. Inside the circle, Ortega posted a record of 7-8 with an ERA of just 2

By Misty Cryer Inspired by Science hosted its reputable STEM Summer Camp at Southeast New Mexico Community College (SENMC) earlier this month. The day camp is for kids aged seven to 12. The excitement of the camp can be shared with the campers’ families for two nights during camp week, making for fun, educational experiences for all. Tanner Walterscheid attended the camp for the second time this year. “Last year, we signed him up for the first time because he hit the age limi

By Don Eskins With the Cavemen’s 11-2 loss to the Cleveland Storm in the semifinal round of the state baseball tournament on Friday, May 15, the 2025-26 sports calendar at CHS officially came to an end. And what a year it was! So, Carlsbad, let’s hit some of the high spots! CHS Fall Sports Slate 2025 The Cavemen football team, after a two-year leave of absence, was invited back to the NMAA’s State Football Playoffs. And for the first time in 15 years, they delivered! Unde

By Christina Mann, Wildlife Biologist Here in Eddy County, the two nights of soaking rain in early June 2026 were slightly unusual but very welcome. However, those rains signaled the official start of mosquito season. Flying with their annoying whine, they are most active at dawn or dusk. Only female mosquitoes produce the characteristic whining sound when they fly, as it is related to their wing-beat frequency. Male mosquitoes do not make this sound. People rightfully swat a