Photos by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

Government personnel, law enforcement and the public gathered Tuesday morning at the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office to get an update on a brand-new Eddy County Detention Center.

After the speeches concluded, the first round of dirt was shoveled as the construction is set to last nearly three years.

Further details coming to this website and in Thursday’s newspaper.

Southeast New Mexico College president Kevin Beardmore attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a jail Tuesday in Carlsbad.