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By Misty Cryer Rumble on the Pecos, a car show hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, took place June 5-6. It included a cruise, a movie showing of American Graffiti at the Cavern Theatre, vendors, judging, and an awards ceremony. As with all car shows, fun was had, awards were given, bragging rights were granted, but for the Judah family, things were a bit different. The family of the late Lynne Judah entered his fully restored 1955 Chevrolet, which took first place wit

By Misty Cryer Inspired by Science hosted its reputable STEM Summer Camp at Southeast New Mexico Community College (SENMC) earlier this month. The day camp is for kids aged seven to 12. The excitement of the camp can be shared with the campers’ families for two nights during camp week, making for fun, educational experiences for all. Tanner Walterscheid attended the camp for the second time this year. “Last year, we signed him up for the first time because he hit the age limi

By Christina Mann, Wildlife Biologist Here in Eddy County, the two nights of soaking rain in early June 2026 were slightly unusual but very welcome. However, those rains signaled the official start of mosquito season. Flying with their annoying whine, they are most active at dawn or dusk. Only female mosquitoes produce the characteristic whining sound when they fly, as it is related to their wing-beat frequency. Male mosquitoes do not make this sound. People rightfully swat a

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library When people think of the library, they often think of books—and while free access to books is a major benefit, it’s only the beginning. Recently, a local journalist stopped by the library to cover an event and mentioned that it was their first time ever setting foot in the building. During our conversation, they shared that they love to read but typically purchase all of their books. That moment sparked this column bec

By Misty Cryer CavernFest is a significant family-friendly festival in Carlsbad that has been a popular attraction since its inception. With free admission, live music, shopping opportunities, food and beverage vendors, and enjoyable activities, droves of people from far and near look forward to this exciting event hosted by Carlsbad MainStreet. CavernFest 2026 is set for June 12-13 and will be held at Lake Carlsbad Beach Park this year. With music being a main attraction, De

By Misty Cryer From first-time students to seasoned artists seeking new challenges and opportunities to exhibit their work, it is worth noting that the Carlsbad Area Art Association (CAAA) is dedicated to cultivating the arts in the community. Known for showcasing art, offering workshops and classes at The Artist Gallery, and organizing an annual juried show to highlight local talent, a new development is monthly juried art shows. Artists can submit entries for the first mont

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