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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.

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.

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.

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

Southeast New Mexico College will host its annual Taste of Culture from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at 1500 University Drive in Carlsbad. The free public event invites community members to sample foods from around the world, learn about cultural traditions, and celebrate Eddy County’s diversity. For information, call 575-234-9200.

A 13-year-old Highland Middle School student accused of shooting and stabbing special education teacher Kelly Matthews will remain in custody, following a Fifth Judicial District Court ruling. RT faces charges including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, weapons violations, evidence tampering and resisting arrest. Matthews survived and continues recovering in a Lubbock hospital as investigators work to determine a motive.

About 2,000 people attended Artesia’s 11th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Festival despite September temperatures in the 90s. The two-night downtown event featured live music, food, drinks and vendors, with Downshift Brewing serving more than 1,800 beers. Organizers called the festival a success after moving it to Quay Avenue to improve safety and downtown foot traffic.

Los Alamos National Laboratory sent 82 shipments of legacy transuranic waste to New Mexico’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in fiscal 2026, a 91% increase over the previous year. The shipments totaled 370 cubic meters. The increase comes as New Mexico seeks permit changes requiring WIPP to prioritize more in-state waste, while critics question continued shipments from other states.

Pete Quinones has been named permanent chief of the Artesia Police Department after serving as interim chief since July. He succeeds Kirk Roberts, who retired three months ago. Mayor Jeff Youtsey recommended Quinones following interviews with two applicants, and the City Council approved the decision during a closed session. Further details will follow.

At White Sands Mall, the Shroud Exhibit and Museum invites visitors to examine the Shroud of Turin, long believed by some to be Jesus’ burial cloth. Founder Peter Schumacher highlights historical research, technical analyses and its unusual three-dimensional imaging, while sharing how the artifact shaped his faith. Admission is free in Alamogordo, with donations accepted.

Artesia’s 11th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Festival opened Friday downtown with a break in the weather, live music from Fuzion Nortena, food, and beverages for adults 21 and over. Crowds gathered early to enjoy the festivities, which continue Saturday with country music night.

Flash flooding damaged an estimated 25 homes in the Hondo and Lincoln areas, prompting widespread emergency response from local fire departments, the sheriff’s office and road crews. No deaths were reported, but a sinkhole trapped one resident in Salazar Canyon. An evacuation shelter remains open, while Historic Lincoln and roads between the communities sustained flood-related damage.