Ongoing capital projects such as those to rebuild the Eddy County jail and its administrative complex were driving up the county’s expenses for the next fiscal year, commissioners were told during their meeting July 29 as they approved a $148 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026.

Here are the latest from the crime files of the Artesia Police Department.

Ruidoso village officials are urging residents to vacate the Upper Canyon area for two weeks or more as major repairs are made to water and sewer infrastructure damaged by flooding throughout July.

Eddy County Emergency Manager Jennifer Armendariz reported that 7.47 inches of rainfall fell between June 1 and July 11 at Carlsbad Caverns, while 4.42 inches fell at the Carlsbad Airport and 3.77 inches in Artesia.