Artesia residents can showcase their Halloween creativity in the Artesia Public Library’s Fall/Halloween Decoration Contest. Entries will be accepted at the library, 205 W. Quay Ave., from Oct. 17 through Oct. 22. Public judging begins Oct. 24 and continues through Halloween on Oct. 31. Entry details are available at the library’s front desk.

Reflecting on Matthew 22:1-14, this message explores God’s open invitation to the banquet and the responsibility to live transformed lives. Through New Testament teachings on spiritual “clothing,” it connects holiness, humility, sincere prayer, and compassionate Christian action. Readers are invited to worship at First Christian Church, Sundays at 10:30 a.m., at 11th and West Bullock.

Stroll through the trail to see the events and other ways for non-competitors to get the most out of XTERRA week, with parking advice and an event overview.

New Mexico’s State Land Office raised minimum bonding requirements for oil and gas companies operating on State Trust land, increasing financial assurances from $10,000–$25,000 to at least $150,000 per company. The change aims to cover rising costs of plugging abandoned wells, but industry groups say it duplicates state requirements and may face a legal challenge.

Opinion columnist Sherry Robinson examines what Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull reveal—and conceal—in New Mexico’s governor’s race. Haaland has avoided debates and proposes budget work, CYFD oversight changes, and a data-center moratorium. Hull emphasizes education and CYFD reform, local control, and economic-development deals, but remains unclear about his relationship with Donald Trump.

Artesia volleyball take care of Ruidoso on Tuesday night.

Lady Dogs' soccer team is on a roll.

The Artesia boys’ soccer team opened district play with a victory over Portales on Saturday at Robert Chase Field, giving the Bulldogs a memorable Senior Night.

Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez campaigned across conservative southeastern New Mexico seeking a third term in Congress, emphasizing stronger safety oversight at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and more balanced management of public lands beyond oil and gas. He criticized Republican challenger Greg Cunningham as a Trump loyalist, while Cunningham accused Vasquez of undermining public safety and police support.

The U.S. Department of Energy and Salado Isolation Mining Contractors will host a virtual community forum on Nov. 4 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to discuss operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The public can register via the story’s QR code, ask questions and raise concerns about WIPP’s underground disposal of transuranic nuclear waste.

Artesia City Council selected Pete Quinones as the city’s permanent police chief during a special meeting Sept. 29. Quinones had served as interim chief after Kirk Roberts announced his retirement in July. An Artesia native, Quinones joined the department in 2005 and has led patrol, criminal investigations and administrative divisions during his career.

Ruidoso hosts the XTERRA World Championships this weekend, bringing in more than 700 athletes from around the world.