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By Sarah Jones, Carlsbad Public Library Nestled within the Pecos River Valley, Carlsbad, New Mexico, may seem like a humble desert town—but it boasts a literary legacy as rich as its famous caverns. In this library column, I am spotlighting local authors whose works reflect the spirit, history, and imagination of our community. Donna Blake Birchell: Chronicler of Carlsbad’s Story Perhaps our most prolific and passionate local historian, Donna Blake Birchell has dedicated much

PTK Regional Coordinator Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) congratulates Dr. Raven Anderson who was recently named as the next New Mexico PTK (Phi Theta Kappa) Regional Coordinator. Dr. Anderson has successfully grown the SENMC Alpha Rho XI PTK chapter both in membership and engagement leading the chapter to be named one of the Top 100 Chapters in the world. He has been involved in the society for nearly 15 years as a member, alumnus, and advisor, and has been awarded the

By R. Gabriel Villalobos In 2012, local woman Carol Worley noticed something heartbreaking: students were going to school hungry, and it was left up to some teachers to feed them at school. Worley decided she could do something more. She found a way to feed hungry kids without kicking up too much of a fuss. What began with eight students at a single school has blossomed into a community-powered lifeline. Packs for Hunger is a program that has been serving roughly 400 children

Submitted By Christina Mann I was driving around Lower Tansil this afternoon and was intrigued to see a man in waders searching the water near the outlet. He said he was hunting for discs. He was talking about competition frisbees for Disc Golf. I watched as he covered the whole area and then combed the cattails, flipping four, five, and then six right up near the basket. He was really quite good. His name is Josh Laughlin. Their informal “club” meets most Saturdays, and they

By Rhonda Jones Christmas is almost here, and I hope you have had time to try out some of the recipes posted in previous weeks. Being plant-based this time of year does not mean that you have to give up the fun foods. I hope you have tried some of the recipes and enjoyed them as much as I do. I love baking cookies and making desserts, and it is even more fun knowing that the ingredients are healthy. Christmas Eve is usually a day when everything starts to come together, and w

By Misty Cryer One thing evident about Carlsbad is that there are many kindhearted people who strive to make the world a better place. Aro und this time of year, food drives, angel trees, and toy drives organized by non-profit organizations and manned with volunteers are often seen gathering contributions from individuals and companies who truly give from the heart. The compassionate, quality care at Lakeview Christian Home and the joy the dedicated staff bring to residents h

By Michele Robertson The NMSU Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service has a new Extension 4-H Agent on board. Shiloh McCollum moved to Carlsbad from Colorado in November and is ready to connect with the community. McCollum explained that 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) is a national program that provides opportunities to children ages six to 18. It teaches life and leadership skills, provides educational activities, and offers many other learning opportunities by allow

By Misty Cryer At the local Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 13, 401 remembrance wreaths were placed on the gravesites of veterans at Sunset Gardens Cemetery. The Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsored the event, with many community members and organizations sponsoring wreaths, participating in the ceremony, and volunteering to make the local gathering special on National Wreaths Across America Day. When opening the cer

Carlsbad Medical Center is taking minimally invasive surgery to the next level with the addition of new robotic equipment. Minimally invasive techniques are advanced through the use of robotic assisted equipment, allowing surgeons to perform more complex procedures.The new equipment features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. The robotic assisted technology allows surgeons to operate

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is proud to recognize its Mountain Lion Student of the Month for November, an honor established to celebrate students who embody the college’s core values. The Mountain Lion Student of the Month program was created to promote a culture of excellence, encourage active student engagement, and recognize outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, and community involvement. All currently enrolled SENMC students in good academic standing

By Sarah Jones, Library Director When people think of libraries and literacy, they often picture children learning to read or storytimes filled with colorful picture books. But literacy doesn’t stop at childhood—and neither does the library’s role in fostering it. Adult literacy is a vital, and sometimes overlooked, part of our community mission. From helping adults improve their reading and writing skills to supporting digital and financial literacy, libraries are hubs of li

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a contract modification to Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO) for an additional three years to manage and operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, NM. The extended performance period begins October 1, 2026 and continues through September 30, 2029. With this extension, SIMCO will continue advancing WIPP’s mission of safely disposing TRU waste while protecting workers, the public and the environment. DOE’s d