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By Misty Cryer Valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2026 represent the top of the class in their local high school. Included are Carlsbad High School (CHS), Carlsbad Early College High School (CECHS), Jefferson Montessori Academy (JMA), and the Carlsbad Enrichment Center (CEC). The students honored are celebrated for their academic excellence and achievements, as well as their commitment to future goals. Yuki Ye, daughter of Jinfeng Ye and Quioyu Huang, is CHS’s v

Yuki Ye plans to attend college after graduation, where she hopes to study political science or international relations. She is the daughter of Jinfeng Ye and Qiaoyu Huang and the sister of Brian Ye (19). At Carlsbad High School, Yuki has been involved in Taekwondo, Business Professionals of America (BPA), and the National Honor Society. Through BPA, she has competed at a high level, qualifying for nationals three times and earning sixth place in Legal Office Procedures at th

The City of Carlsbad Summer Recreation Tennis Program will begin on June 1 and run through June 26. Kids classes (ages 5 - 16) will be conducted in the mornings, Monday through Friday, while adults will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All participants will receive a T-shirt. The cost for the four weeks of instruction is $50 for the first family member, then $30 for each member. Cash or check only. Players will need a tennis racquet and will

Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library Every reader has that unforgettable moment when an author’s words linger long after the last page is turned. Sometimes, it’s a writer who shaped our childhood; other times, it’s a new voice that surprises us with its depth and power. Authors influence the way we see the world, and this month’s column shines a light on several remarkable storytellers whose works have left a lasting imprint on literature across generations.

By Misty Cryer The artwork of Wren Prather-Stroud, a local artist and sculptor, can be seen across the community and state, along with a display in the Railroad Museum in Pennsylvania. Portrait commissions make up private collections in the United States and internationally. Her resume shows that she has been featured in several publications and has engaged in public speaking and teaching, sharing knowledge gained through extensive studies and art training in the United State

By Misty Cryer Carlsbad’s first-ever special-needs baseball league just finished its first season. Currently consisting of six teams serving children from age four through high school, the league started due to a mother’s wish. “I have four children. My oldest is autistic, non-verbal, special needs,” said Victoria Gomez. “My three younger children always play sports,” she said, adding that after games, they would find an empty field to take her oldest son to pitch him some b

By Rhonda Jones This morning, I was pouring some Plant Strong cereal into a bowl when I looked up at my Alexa Echo and saw a message. “Could red meat prevent dementia?” Well, that stopped me in my tracks. Of course, my first thought was, if red meat could prevent dementia, then there would probably be no dementia since almost everyone in the US, with the exception of a few of us, eats red meat and eats it almost every day. I could picture a few skinny vegans walking around, w

Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library For book lovers, a home library isn’t just a collection of books—it’s a sanctuary, a reflection of your interests, and a space where imagination thrives. But as your collection grows, keeping it organized can feel overwhelming. A well-ordered home library not only makes it easier to find the book you want, but it also enhances the joy of reading by turning your shelves into an inviting and inspiring space. At Carlsbad Pub

By Michael Bromka Bernita Smith-Payne, a teacher and former principal for Carlsbad Municipal Schools, received acclaim from fellow members of the Eddy County NAACP at SENMC on Saturday, May 9. Collis Johnson presided over a gathering of two dozen. By motion and vote, chapter business was postponed until the next meeting. Five speakers praised Bernita’s decades of service to Carlsbad’s youth. LaVern Shan recalled sage advice she had received from Bernita’s eminent father, Dr.

By R. Gabriel Villalobos During a recent tour of the Carlsbad Police Department headquarters, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) got an up-close look at how the department is using a quarter of a million dollars in federal funding that he secured for infrastructure and technological upgrades. On May 7, the congressman saw how CPD is leveraging cutting-edge technology to combat staffing shortages and modernize policing in southeastern New Mexico. Hosted by Chief Jessie Ro

By Dr. Kevin Beardmore We have all seen a character in a show thinking through a choice with an angel whispering in one ear while a devil is doing the same in the other. But did you know that you might thank Plato and Freud for that? It is human nature to want to understand why people choose to act the way they do, and this need has ancient roots. Building on Thales’ concept of the soul (“psyche” in Greek), Plato proposed a tripartite theory. His allegory of the chariot de

By R. Gabriel Villalobos Children climbed aboard fire engines, explored police cruisers, and peered into the cockpit of a medical helicopter Saturday as first responders from multiple agencies gathered for the city’s Touch-A-Truck event. The annual gathering, organized by the Carlsbad Public Library and held next to it, gave families a hands-on opportunity to meet the people behind the sirens. Among those on hand were the Carlsbad Fire Department, Carlsbad Police Department,