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By Rhonda Jones How are the New Year’s resolutions going? Most of us make a commitment for the new year to get fitter and healthier. About three weeks into January, those resolutions are usually abandoned. I can relate to this because it often happens to me. Actually, I don’t usually get a good start until February. This year is no exception for me, as I have been out of town more than in town this month. Traveling is always a challenge, especially when you are meeting frien

By Don Eskins The Cavegirls basketball team, still on a slide, dropped their fourth game in a row to the Lovington Wildcats in Carlsbad on Tuesday night, January 20. Despite a 13-point effort from senior guard Serena Carrasco, CHS fell to the Cats 42-34. The loss left Carlsbad’s girls sitting at 8-11. The Cavegirls were scheduled to take on the 6-9 Santa Teresa Desert Warriors on the road on Thursday, January 22. It would serve as their final pre-district game of the 2025-26

By Don Eskins Down 13-7 to the Lovington Wildcats after first quarter play, the Cavemen basketball team turned on the jets in the second to outscore the Cats 20-5. The CHS surge put them out in front of Lovington 27-18 at the half. Trading buckets with the Cats during third and fourth quarter action, CHS held on to cage the Lovington 47-40. The victory upped the Cavemen’s record to 12-6 on the year. The game took place in Carlsbad on Tuesday night, January 20. Although losing

By Don Eskins On January 9, the Carlsbad Local posted its picks for the Top Ten sports stories at CHS during 2025. These picks were based on available information. Obviously, there were many more. This week, January 23, we’ll list several other noteworthy performances recorded by CHS athletes, teams, and former athletes during 2025. Readers should feel free to use these stories, along with the Carlsbad Local’s Top 10 picks, to construct a Top 10 list of their own. No doubt, t

By Don Eskins Carlsbad High School’s Cavemen and Cavegirl wrestlers registered another sound performance at the Joe Vivian Invitational in Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday, January 16-17. Recognized as one of the top grappling tournaments in the state, the Cavegirls placed fifth in a field of 30 teams. The Cavemen, in a field of 31, finished ninth. “This was one of the toughest weeks our kids have experienced,” said CHS head wrestling coach Mark Pratt. “We hosted a dual mee

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library Public libraries have always been champions of lifelong learning. From story times that spark a love of reading in preschoolers to research databases that support college students, we strive to connect people of all ages with the resources they need to grow. One of the most exciting tools available to our patrons is Educate Station—a comprehensive, ready-to-use homeschool curriculum designed for children in pre-K throu

Submitted By Antonia Robledo The Terri Able Carlsbad Community Kitchen and volunteers have once again successfully shared their dedication and hard work to serve our community during the holidays; we had a great turnout providing 50-plus meals to patrons in Carlsbad. December 5 is recognized as “International Volunteer Day,” where we celebrate volunteers who devote their time and energy to serve in their communities. The Carlsbad Community Kitchen has just that, a group of v

By Misty Cryer Keith Pearson and Dwight Pitcaithley had a lot in common in their high school years. According to the yearbook for their senior year, both were part of the Caveman Band, All State Band, and Mummers, and participated in the junior and senior class plays. Pearson was also in the Science Club, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society, while Pitcaithley was part of the Key Club and the High School Band of America. After high school, Pearson said he went to New Mexi

By Misty Cryer As a wife, mother of three, cosmetologist by trade, and an artist, Makayla Cardona enjoys staying active in the community. She is excited to share her passion for art as the instructor of the upcoming series of acrylic painting classes offered through the Community Education Department at Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC). The Community Education schedule for Spring 2026, published on the college website, says, “This acrylic class is designed to help student

By R. Gabriel Villalobos What began as a pandemic-era project in the closet of a Carlsbad native is now blossoming into a sought-after New Mexican beverage brand. Joshua McDowell, founder of Dark Stranger Meadery, is translating a six-year-old hobby into a growing business, one small batch at a time. McDowell’s journey into the ancient craft of mead-making—creating alcohol from fermented honey—started, like many modern endeavors, on YouTube. “I came across a YouTube channel w

By Kevin Beardmore, Ed.D., President, Southeast New Mexico College Before I arrived at Southeast New Mexico College, I was a vice president of student affairs for 15 years. In the many orientations where I presented to audiences of students and families during that time, my remarks were centered around the choices that new students would soon be making. I explained that one of the primary aims of a college education was understanding and owning those decisions, because we are

By Rhonda Jones ]The big buzz in the world of health lately has been the new food pyramid. Some people love and others hate it. Why should it matter? Well, the food pyramid is used by schools, hospitals, prisons, and many other establishments to prepare healthy meals. So, if the food pyramid does not recommend healthy food, that is not good. While I am not delighted with the new pyramid, I do see some good recommendations. The best recommendation is to cut down on or eliminat