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Kathryn Liesse Gessel passed peacefully at her home in Paso Robles, CA on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. She lived there for two years, but spent most of her life in Carlsbad, NM. In 1958, after graduating from college in Albuquerque, she left New Mexico to move to California where she had been recruited to teach high school. There she met John Gessel, who had also recently arrived to teach elementary school in Riverside County. They married in 1960 and moved to Santa Barbara befor

My wife had an old saying she used a lot. Simply put, she said, “Getting old isn’t for wimps!” Like most young adults, she and I never really thought much about aging. The aches and pains associated with growing older always seemed to be so far away. Well, not so anymore! And yup, getting old isn’t for wimps. I laughed at George Burns, then in his 90’s, when he said, “You know, my knees give me a few problems now. Bending over can be a real challenge, as can getting back up.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has selected Sammy Lopez Jr. of Southeast New Mexico College as one of the 60 high-achieving community college students to receive the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The award will enable these Scholars to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions with a significantly reduced financial burden. During his time at Southeast New Mexico College, Sammy has distinguished himself as an exceptional student leader

By Michael Bromka Carlsbad Heights Lion and foreman of building wheelchair ramps, Tom Dugger, faced a daunting task for a delightful client. Olga de los Santos lives south of Center Street (east of Walmart), with a concrete ramp so steep it’s perilous. Descending, she’s taken a tumble from it. With limited space, the conundrum was to marry a new square wooden half-deck to the prior round brick-and-mortar stoop. Tom envisioned an understructure of horizontal 2”X4” plus vertica

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library Learning doesn’t stop with retirement. In fact, it often becomes more meaningful. Whether you want to stay connected with family, keep your mind active, or simply try something new, the New Mexico State Library offers a wonderful free resource designed especially for older adults: Get Set Up. Get Set Up is an online learning platform created with seniors in mind, particularly adults age 50 and older. Unlike traditional

By R. Gabriel Villalobos A vibrant new mural has brought a splash of color and community pride to Carlsbad, the result of a unique partnership between the city and a Permian Basin energy company. The mural, located by the outdoor racquetball courts, is the work of artist Audrey DeBleecker, an employee of Permian Resources who paints murals on the side. The project aligned with a renewed push by the City’s Keep Carlsbad Beautiful program to expand public art beyond the painted

By Misty Cryer Beginning with the Falcon Fest, a celebration for Loving High School graduates, the water park opened to the public on May 23. With an experienced manager and trainer, increased staff, upgrades to the park, and dedication to raising awareness, a great season is expected. The water park, located at 708 Park Drive, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the water park is $5, with free admission for children three and under and seniors

By Misty Cryer For kids and adults looking for an outlet to discover gifts in music and art in Carlsbad, it is worth looking into what Frontline Company offers. With upcoming summer camps for kids entering first through seventh grade and enrollment for fall lessons ongoing, locals are likely to appreciate the expertise of the instructors and the friendly community in a Christ-centered environment. It started as teaching voice lessons at the community center in Hagerman to bri

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library Standing at the entrance to the Carlsbad Public Library is a quiet yet powerful testament to the transformative power of reading: a sculpture simply titled The Reader. Created by local artist Wren Prather-Stroud, the piece captures a moment that is both intimate and universal—a figure perched atop a stack of books, immersed in the world of literature. The head of the figure, rising above the pyramid of volumes, symboli

With an estimated 700,000 to 1 million knee-specific operations performed in the United States each year, arthroscopic knee surgery has transformed the treatment of joint injuries, providing patients with a minimally invasive option that supports faster recovery and improved outcomes. This advanced surgical technique allows orthopedic specialists, including those at Carlsbad Medical Center, to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee conditions with precision, while minimizing

By Michael Bromka In Carlsbad, the Eddy County NAACP focuses on local matters. Their biggest push is raising funds for the annual Daniel Johnson Scholarships to defray the tuition of college-bound students. These are awarded via application and an essay submitted to the committee for blind review, regardless of the applicants’ ethnicity. They also offer dues and moral support to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s state and national networks. This

In Fall 2025, Southeast New Mexico College established the Mountain Lion Student of the Month and Student of the Year awards to recognize students who exemplify the college’s core values of Persistence, Resilience, Respect, Resourcefulness, Inclusion, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence. Throughout the academic year, students are nominated by faculty and staff for their leadership, service, academic achievement, and positive contributions to the campus community. From the mo