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By Don Eskins The Cavegirls and Cavemen swim teams opened the 2025 season with a successful showing at the Hobbs Tori Invitational on Saturday, November 8. Overall, the Cavegirls placed fifth and the Cavemen sixth in a 15-team field. Top individual efforts were turned in by Cavegirl Olivia Jang, who qualified for state in the 200 IM with a time of 2:27.61, and Caveman Benjamin Jang, who qualified for state in the 100 Breast with a time of 1:05.57. “Overall, our swimmers did w

Carlsbad Medical Center and the Pecos Valley Physician Group are pleased to welcome Urologist Mitchell Petty, D.O., to Carlsbad. Dr. Petty earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical science from Texas A&M University. He then went on to earn his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX, and completed a general surgery internship and urology residency at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans, LA. “Urology care has been a h

By Kyle Marksteiner “Trailer broke down in El Paso ” Amelia’s text came through right as we reached the outskirts of El Paso. We were headed to the Tournament of Bands in Las Cruces to watch Carlsbad High School’s competitive performance of “Into the Cosmos.” My first thought was “Oh, now what?” The trailer, which carried all of the Carlsbad High School Band and Color Guard’s essential equipment—drums, tubas, flags, as well as assorted space/cosmos background décor—stalled o

By Michele Robertson The nation is currently experiencing the longest government shutdown in history, and local tourism is taking a hit as national parks remain closed. Having Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Carlsbad’s backyard, and the close proximity to White Sands National Park and Big Bend National Park, normally provide outdoor enthusiasts and national park lovers with a variety of choices when planning an adventure. Access to nati

By Misty Cryer The 575 Law Group has been the talk of the town this month as they handed out turkeys to express gratitude to the community in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the firm. The founder of the law firm, Roxanne Rodriguez Leach, better known as Rocky, is a native of Carlsbad. “I was born and raised in Carlsbad; all of my family is here,” said Rocky. She said she graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1993. “I got my undergrad from New Mexico State, then I went

By Misty Cryer Cavemen Trap and Skeet Team is a competitive shooting team composed of middle and high school shooters from Carlsbad and Artesia. With success on their biggest fundraiser of the year, supportive parents, dedicated kids, and coaches, and one competition under their belt this season, it looks like they are off to a good start. “Our season started in September,” said Coach Mark Hamel. “We have already participated in one zone shooting in Roswell, which was in Octo

By R. Gabriel Villalobos Lakeview Christian Home has been awarded the prestigious Silver Award by the American Health Care Association, placing the local nonprofit among the elite long-term care facilities in the country. The award is part of a rigorous, three-tiered quality program based on the Malcolm Baldridge criteria, and for CEO Jody Knox and her team, it validates a years-long commitment to innovative, compassionate care—a commitment they are now channeling into an amb

By Michael Bromka Debbie and Richard Pinching of LVSG (Low Vision Support Group) ask everyone to spread the word about the monthly group meeting for anyone fretting about dimming eyesight. Including Ann Halford, Damacio Fuentes, and Michael Bromka, LVSG enjoys a bimonthly field trip. They recently visited the Carlsbad Municipal Museum’s exhibition of artwork by Roderick Mead. City Historian Jameson Lucas served as a docent, well-versed in the famous artist’s oils, watercolors

By Don Eskins The Cavegirl volleyball team rallied to knock off the Roswell Coyotes in five sets in the Alien City on Thursday, October 30. Although CHS has had trouble closing out teams in 2025, it was not so in their battle with the Coyotes. Even at 2-2 after the game’s first four sets, the Cavegirls snuck by Roswell in the fifth and deciding set 15-12 to down the Coyotes 3-2. Carlsbad won the first set 25-29 but lost the second 16-25. Reloading, they grabbed the third set

By Don Eskins The Cavemen and Cavegirl cross country teams will compete in the state tournament on Saturday, November 8. The tournament will get underway at 2:30 p.m. in Albuquerque. Both teams punched their tickets to this year’s state tournament by virtue of placing third in this year’s District 4/5A tourney held in Roswell on Friday, October 31. Although they didn’t finish first or second, nonetheless they are in the Big Dance. “Placing third in both the boys’ and girls’ d

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Kent Leslie, 75, on October 20, 2025, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, whose kindness, quick wit, and unwavering love touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him. Born December 3, 1949, in Clovis, New Mexico to Kent and Audrey Leslie. The family moved to Carlsbad, NM before he started school and he graduated from Carlsbad Senior High School

By Sarah Jones, Library Director of the Carlsbad Public Library There’s a special kind of magic that happens when we open a book. The words on the page act like a spark, igniting our imagination and inviting us into worlds far beyond our everyday experience. Whether it’s a fantastical tale, a moving memoir, or a quiet poem, reading has the unique power to inspire creativity—not just in children, but in readers of all ages. At its core, reading is an act of co-creation. Author