Local Stories

By R. Gabriel Villalobos For architect Larry Mitchell, the landscape of Carlsbad is not just a collection of buildings, but a layered history book written in brick, tile, and terra cotta. Alongside his partner, Dean Cruse, Mitchell has spent over three decades weaving his professional life into the community’s fabric, with a growing passion for restoring the chapters that time has begun to fade. Their firm, founded in 2013 after each spent over 20 years with a local practice,

By Misty Cryer The Southern Eddy County Youth Program (SECYP) is a local non-profit organization that supports Eddy County youth who are members of the 4-H and FFA youth development organizations. SECYP will hold the Fifth Annual Dancing on the Pecos fundraising event from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on February 13 at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center in Carlsbad. The event features dinner, a dance, a raffle for door prizes, and both live and silent auctions. “W

By Misty Cryer The Jefferson Montessori Academy (JMA) is an established local charter school that serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The 2025-2026 school year has been filled with news. The new Head Administrator of the school, Dr. Katie Appling, provided an update. When asked about changes since she took the lead, Appling said, “I’m a little ambitious.” Starting the update with exciting news, she said, “We were awarded by Google, Best School for 2025.” Thr

By Kyle Marksteiner Advanced atrial fibrillation (AFib) treatment is now available to residents of Carlsbad and the surrounding area at a local surgical center, thanks to a growing collaborative effort between Dr. Amanda Ryan and a group of electrophysiologists. AFib is a common disorder involving different chambers of the heart beating irregularly. This increases the risk of blood clots and stroke risk. “Consequences to patients are devastating and can include strokes, demen

Carlsbad Elks Lodge #1558 announces a first-place win for Carlsbad student Kobe Morton, in the 10 to 11 age group at the New Mexico State level in Albuquerque, the third competition of five that leads to the National Elks Hoop Shoot competition to be held in Chicago, Ill. The regional competition will be held in Dallas, Texas, March 13 -15. The year was 1975 when Carol Tabor last took the National win for Carlsbad. A win at the National level will result in having his name in

By Rhonda Jones Sometimes, eating a healthy, plant-exclusive regimen can seem daunting and isolating. I totally get that, as I only know a couple of people who are doing this. I hope that I have reached others in the community who are eating a plant-exclusive diet and are succeeding with weight loss and regaining health. After doing this for almost 17 years, I do know that the road can seem lonely sometimes, and it is hard not to eat or to eat a celery stick when you are with

By Dr. Kevin Beardmore After I survived my first year as a middle school teacher, I was exhausted but pretty pleased with myself. I had made my way through those days dealing with one hundred and fifty seventh graders and there were only two students who I really disliked. Some were much easier to like than the others, but I found something redeeming in all but two. It was about halfway through that summer that I realized what an idiot I was. These were twelve- and thirtee

By Don Eskins What southeastern New Mexico prep basketball fan would have believed it? The Cavegirls upend the Roswell Coyotes in their District 4/5A inaugural? The same Roswell Coyotes who crushed them 54-20 earlier this year? Well, they’re believing now! The Cavegirls, behind a 17-point effort from 5’8” freshman Serenity Medrano, upset the 8-12 Coyotes 42-41 in Carlsbad on Friday night, January 30. Down 20-16 at the half, the Cavegirls battled back to outscore the Otes 26-2