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J&J Home Care hosted its sixth annual Veterans Day pancake breakfast in Artesia, honoring area veterans and their families with a free meal of pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. The Wednesday event brought community members together, including veterans and guests pictured enjoying breakfast and fellowship.

New Mexico Sen. Candy Spence Ezzell honors veterans on Veterans Day, expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifices. She highlights her family’s military legacy, including four relatives who served in the U.S. Army during World War I and World War II, and emphasizes the nation’s responsibility to care for veterans and their families.

Artesia’s three-phase community mural is complete, transforming a once-tagged cinderblock wall along JJ Clarke Drive into a colorful celebration of local history, recreation and high school activities. Led by Artesia Clean and Beautiful director Linda Stevens and artist Kirsten Mauritsen, the project brought families, students, businesses and volunteers together with city support.

Rain canceled Saturday morning’s hot air balloon launch at Artesia’s Eagle Draw Park during Balloons and Tunes, but the event continued later with live music, food trucks, the Oil Patch Market and tethered balloon rides. The evening concluded with a balloon glow and fire concert featuring balloon burners, the Artesia High School band and cheerleaders.

The Balloons and Tunes Festival lifted off Friday morning in Artesia, with pilots Steve Mezzancello and Steve Wilson launching the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon and Empty Nest from Park Junior High School. Weather permitting, festivities continue Saturday at sunrise at Eagle Draw Park with live music, food trucks and a fire concert, followed by Sunday’s final launch.

Satellite data identified 166 methane “super emitter” events in Eddy and Lea counties between January 2025 and April 2026, but only 2% matched operator reports. The findings renew calls for expanded monitoring as federal methane safeguards face rollback. New Mexico officials are proposing stricter state rules, including third-party satellite data and a lower emissions threshold.

A new community mural along JJ Clarke Drive in Artesia celebrates the city’s history and everyday life. Artist Kirsten Mauritsen and Artesia Clean and Beautiful Director Linda Stevens completed the project Thursday morning after beginning work in July. The mural is the third community artwork installed along the drive, adding another public tribute to Artesia.

Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez unofficially won reelection in New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, defeating Republican state Rep. Martin Zamora, according to the Associated Press. With 534 of 763 precincts partially reporting, Leger Fernandez held 61% of the vote to Zamora’s 39%. The campaign focused on RECA compensation, private property rights, federal land regulation and border security.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was the apparent winner of New Mexico’s gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Gregg Hull 57% to 43%, according to unofficial results. Haaland pledged to expand health care and affordable housing, support early childhood education, strengthen environmental protections and oppose data-center construction, succeeding term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Artesia polls remain open until 7 p.m. for the Nov. 3 General Election, with steady afternoon turnout reported at four voting locations. By late afternoon, 444 people had voted at Central Valley Electric, 598 at Faith Baptist Church and 210 at Trinity Temple Church. Voters are choosing candidates in local, congressional, U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races.

Southeast New Mexico College recognizes second-year nursing student Erin Chavez as its October 2026 Mountain Lion Student of the Month. Honored for compassion, leadership, integrity, and clinical judgment, Chavez advocated for a terminally ill patient’s comfort and dignity, exemplifying SENMC’s values and the patient-centered care of an exceptional future nurse.

Artesia families enjoyed a safe Halloween at First Methodist Church’s annual Trunk or Treat, where decorated vehicles offered candy and prizes to trick-or-treaters of all ages. Local business Locker Room Cards and Collectibles also joined the festivities, welcoming visitors with candy and trading cards while owners dressed in creative costumes.