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By Misty Cryer A special evening to the community, Shine Carlsbad is about to happen. On April 17, this prom-type event for those with special needs, ages 16 and up, will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pecos River Village. Registration is open now for guests and volunteers. “We normally have about 100 guests that come out,” said Jason Shirley. “We have about 150 volunteers that make the night happen,” he said. Guests usually show up decked out in prom gear, includi

By R. Gabriel Villalobos A piece of art was commissioned by a former Carlsbad resident and philanthropist–a horse sculpture with a fiery mane and flaming motif that spanned its sides all the way to the tail. Conceived as a fundraiser for an educational arts program, it stood silently for years in the lobby of an emergency response center; a quiet monument to resilience born from catastrophe. Meg Milligan has been thinking about that horse a lot lately. With 2026 marking the Y

By Jeff Campbell, Director of Marketing and Business Development Carlsbad has been growing steadily for nearly two decades. Industrial growth has remained strong in potash mining and nuclear, while oil and gas has grown exponentially. Manufacturing has grown in conjunction with the industries, reinforcing Carlsbad’s position across the state. Commercially, our market has seen dozens of new businesses open their doors. Since 2010, Carlsbad has added more than 10 new hotels, ov

A classic leadership seminar activity is selecting someone to be honored with a monument. I would choose el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, widely known as Malcolm X. Watching the documentary Eyes on the Prize in the late 1980s opened my mind to the civil rights work of the 1960s. Learning about the Freedom Riders who departed from the Western Campus of Miami University of Ohio—a campus where I lived just 20 years after that fateful trip—was one fact I did not forget. Some of the stu

Sammy Lopez, Jr., a student at Southeast New Mexico College, has been named a member of the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team and will receive a $1,300 scholarship. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. Sammy is a remarkable student whose dedication, leadership, and perseverance exemplify the values of SENMC. He has c

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is proud to recognize its Mountain Lion Student of the Month, 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 are eligible

By Rhonda Jones When I was younger, I remember my mom complaining about prices every time she went to the grocery store. Poor mom would have gone on a hunger strike if she had gone grocery shopping at today’s prices. I often talk with individuals who say they would like to be plant-exclusive, but the price of vegetables is just too high. My reply to them is, “Have you seen the price of hamburger?” It is true that all prices have gone up, but eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, b

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library One of the greatest pleasures of working in a library is witnessing the spark when someone stumbles upon a book they never knew existed. Sure, big names and bestsellers get the buzz—but tucked quietly on our shelves—or reachable through interlibrary loan—are wonderful stories and voices that deserve your attention. Here are some underrated treasures you can (or may) find via Carlsbad Public Library’s collection—plus ti

By Michael Bromka LVSG in Carlsbad (the Low Vision Support Group) comprises half a dozen regulars reaching out in south Eddy County to ALL y’all today! Please ask kith, kin, neighbors, and congregants. Whom do you know whose vision is dimming? Please visit or phone. LVSG offers outreach to folks with diminishing eyesight. Hook us up before the lights go out—even more so if the sunlight has set. This writer belongs to LVSG, a worthy crew. Deborah Pinching is our fearless leade

By Michael Bromka In Carlsbad, Newell Crouch was known as “The Man with the Golden Camera.” Locals stopped by his studio to see a gold-plated camera, then on impulse got their picture taken. In the studio, he offered an array of backdrops. At his home on Beta Street there were landscaped settings. Gold was a gimmick, but his service and skills were real. The name “Newell” is uncommon. “I don’t know,” he said. “Blame my mother. It’s a doorpost, and I’ve lived up to it. In Texa

By Misty Cryer With a team of five, Cavern City Aces competed in the USATF Masters Indoor National Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center. In its second year, the local club walked away from the meet with remarkable accomplishments. The three-day event, organized by USA Track Field, attracts athletes aged 25-plus, offering them the opportunity to train and compete at a national level. Results for the teammates, provided by Michael Sims, founder of Cavern City Aces

By Misty Cryer Over the years, Hawgfest has been a favorite of locals while also attracting visitors from across the country. This family-friendly event brings the community together to have a good time. Starting April 23 and running through May 3, the event will be held at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center, 4012 National Parks Highway. “It’s going to be bigger than it’s ever been; it’s 11 days,” said Curtis McKinney, when giving a preview. “With two b