All Articles

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library There’s something undeniably magical about a group of people sitting in a circle, holding books that are well-loved and well-worn, ready to discuss the stories that have captivated them. Book clubs are far more than just scheduled reading—they are little sanctuaries where stories leap off the page, perspectives expand, and friendships are forged. In a world that moves quickly and often isolates, book clubs provide spac

By Don Eskins The Cavegirl basketball team pushed their season record up to 2-1 following a 39-32 victory over the Alamogordo Tigers in Alamogordo on Monday, December 1. The Cavegirls rode the hot hand of freshman low-post Serenity Medrano’s 16-point effort to get the win. Down 16-13 at the half, CHS rallied to outscore the Tigers 23-16 over the final two frames. Especially big for the Cavegirls was the third period of competition. CHS put up 15 points during the eight-minute

By Don Eskins Carlsbad High kicked off the new wrestling season at the Battle of the Border Invitational in Hobbs on Saturday, November 29, and according to CHS head coach Mark Pratt, both the Cavemen’s and Cavegirls’ 2025-26 debuts went very well. “Our coaching staff couldn’t be happier with the way our kids wrestled,” said Pratt. “They showed a lot of aggressiveness on the mat, and they listened well. Overall, the experience they got at the Battle of the Border was great. “

By Sarah Jones, Carlsbad Public Library One question librarians wish they heard more often is: “Can you recommend a good book?” Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s always something magical about discovering a story that speaks to you. With so many books to choose from, it can be helpful to have a few recommendations tailored to different age groups. Here’s a list of engaging reads for everyone in the family—from toddlers to adults—perfect for your next visit to th

Devon Energy employees presented more than $239,000 to local nonprofits working to strengthen food security across the region. Representatives from each organization joined employees for check presentations, highlighting a shared commitment to supporting families in need. The contributions benefit a wide range of community partners, including Carlsbad Community Foundation for Packs of Hunger, Chaves County United Way, Cissy Food Ministry, Community Kitchen Inc., Eddy County

By R. Gabriel Villalobos The recent 35-day federal shutdown that shuttered Carlsbad Caverns National Park created a starkly different set of challenges for local businesses, serving as a case study in how a community adapts when its main economic engine suddenly goes quiet. For some, the closure from early October until November 22 was an unexpected boon. For others, it was a severe financial blow, highlighting the precarious position of small businesses in the shadow of a na

By Misty Cryer Doris Ella Boyd Harrison and Maria E. Sarabia Oliver, both from Carlsbad High School’s Class of ‘62, recently shared their stories of life after high school. According to The Echo, Carlsbad High School’s yearbook for the 1961-1962 school year, Doris Boyd participated in FHA (Future Homemakers of America), the DE Club (DECA), and was part of the Pow Wow staff. A photo in the DE Club section of the yearbook shows her working at the Phaff Sewing Center. Doris was

By Misty Cryer Droves of people showed up to the grand opening of the Legislative District Office for District 55, represented by New Mexico State Representative Cathrynn Brown, on Monday, November 24. The spacious office suite in the Eddy County Courthouse was packed with supporters and constituents as the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors assisted with the ribbon-cutting. The opening event was held from noon to 4 p.m., allowing attendees to visit with Rep. Brown and

By Michele Robertson Winter is upon us, and with it come changes in temperature, recreational activities, and festivities. Fewer daylight hours don’t mean we can skip sunscreen or moisturizer; rather, we should adapt our skin care routine to nature’s whims. Consulting with Jayce and Leslie Rodriguez, owners of Desert Bloom Dermatology in Carlsbad, provided some tips on keeping one’s skin healthy all winter long. Skin tends to feel drier in the winter months, Jayce explains, “

Dropping a 30-19 contest to the Hobbs Eagles wasn’t exactly what the Cavemen and their coaches had in mind when they trekked to Hobbs for state tournament quarterfinal-round play this year. However, when the horn sounded, ending the game and the season for CHS, head coach Cale Sanders couldn’t help but feel proud of the accomplishments his charges had recorded in 2025. Battling the odds every week, Sanders’ Cavemen managed to finish out the year at 6-6, gain an 11th seed for

By Don Eskins On Saturday, November 29, the Carlsbad High School wrestling program will officially kick off the 2025-26 grappling season in Hobbs. Action is scheduled to get underway at 8 a.m. In Hobbs, CHS will participate in a meet called the Battle of the Border. The meet, said CHS head wrestling coach Mark Pratt, will be quite different from most dual-meet formats they’ll participate in this year. “There will be six teams from New Mexico and six from Texas. But we won’t b

During Tuesday’s Commission Meeting on November 18, the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners approved the Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive bids from qualified firms for the construction of a new Eddy County Detention Center. The project will be located at 1501 Corrales Drive in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The current detention center was constructed in 1993, then reconstructed in 2002 and again in 2012 to extend the life of the building. Despite these updates