KCCC Eddy County Dispatch

This week, the Carlsbad community pauses to reflect on the lives of residents who have recently passed. These abridged records serve as a respectful tribute to those who helped build and shape the local area. While these summaries offer a moment of collective remembrance, the full life stories, service details, and spaces for family condolences are maintained by the funeral homes serving our community.

In this episode, the community remembers those served by:

* Denton-Wood Funeral Home: Recent tributes and memorial announcements for Carlsbad residents.

To read the complete life stories or to leave a message for the families, please visit the official memorial pages:

Denton-Wood Funeral Home Obituaries https://www.dentonwood.com/obituaries

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

This week’s Mid-Week Matters highlights a literal shift in the landscape with a 3.1 magnitude earthquake tremor reported near White’s City. The community should also prepare for a dramatic weather swing; following record-approaching highs of 97°F today and 100°F tomorrow, a major cooldown arrives this Friday with a high of only 66°F.

Additionally, due to a city water main break, today’s Transfer and Career Fair and Women’s History celebration at Southeast New Mexico College have been postponed.

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The weekend is packed with local gatherings, starting with the 27th Annual Main Event Car Show and Cruise in Downtown Artesia this Friday at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Downtown Cruise at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, the community can enjoy a Car Show Paint Party at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and an Outdoor Skills Workshop at Halagueno Arts Park at 9:30 a.m. For film fans, the Cavern Theatre will host two screenings of the 1951 classic Alice in Wonderland at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The “Local Spotlight” for Women’s History Month honors two Eddy County legends: Josephine “Grandma” Anderson, the “Angel of the Pecos” who led the fight against the 1918 pandemic, and Barbara “Ma’am” Jones, a self-taught medic who once saved her son’s sight with a common needle. Looking ahead, the Spring Break Kids Camps begin this Monday, March 30, at Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC), featuring sessions in cooking, art, podcasting, and STEM starting at 10:00 a.m.

Finally, we give a brief forecast of the upcoming STEAM Expo and Open House on April 23rd at SENMC.

Johnny Chandler welcomes Eddy County Manager Mike Gallagher and Commissioner Bo Bowen to the Community Forum to discuss the strategic initiatives currently shaping the region. Gallagher recently transitioned into his current role on January 1, 2025, following a fourteen-year tenure as the County Manager in Lea County. Alongside him, Commissioner Bowen reflects on his 2022 election and the personal experiences during the pandemic that motivated him to seek a role in local government to better advocate for families and the community.

The leaders outline a major $15.5 million investment derived from a general fund surplus to catalyze workforce housing across Carlsbad, Artesia, and Loving. Unlike traditional subsidized housing, this initiative focuses on supporting "shovel-ready" developments to help the county and local school districts recruit essential personnel, including teachers, sheriff's deputies, and healthcare workers. By expanding the local housing stock, the commission aims to transition commuters from neighboring counties into permanent Eddy County residents to strengthen the local tax base.

Infrastructure management remains a primary focus, with the Eddy County Road Department currently maintaining a network of more than 1,200 miles. Public Works Director Hazer Archer and Road Superintendent Nathan are overseeing an $8 million investment to improve over 64 miles of roadway in the coming months. The interview details specific projects scheduled for Pipeline Road, Carrasco Road, and Kelly Road that are designed to ensure long-term safety and connectivity for the traveling public.

View Eddy County Road Department Updates:

https://www.co.eddy.nm.us/485/Special-Road-Projects

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

KCCC 930 AM Local Dispatch is a reader-supported for-profit publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This week, the Carlsbad community pauses to reflect on the lives of residents who have recently passed. These abridged records serve as a respectful tribute to those who helped build and shape the local area. While these summaries offer a moment of collective remembrance, the full life stories, service details, and spaces for family condolences are maintained by the funeral homes serving our community.

In this episode, the community remembers those served by:

* West Funeral Home, LLC: Recent tributes and memorial announcements for Carlsbad residents.

To read the complete life stories or to leave a message for the families, please visit the official memorial pages:

West Funeral Home Obituaries https://www.westfuneralhomellc.com/obits

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

This week, the Carlsbad community pauses to reflect on the lives of residents who have recently passed. These abridged records serve as a respectful tribute to those who helped build and shape the local area. While these summaries offer a moment of collective remembrance, the full life stories, service details, and spaces for family condolences are maintained by the funeral homes serving our community.

In this episode, the community remembers those served by:

* Denton-Wood Funeral Home: Recent tributes and memorial announcements for Carlsbad residents.

To read the complete life stories or to leave a message for the families, please visit the official memorial pages:

Denton-Wood Funeral Home Obituaries https://www.dentonwood.com/obituaries

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

The story of the 1971 skyjacking only gets stranger after the jump. This second installment explores the forensic puzzles that have stumped investigators for over fifty years and the local impact of a case that refused to go cold. The episode moves beyond the flight itself to look at the physical evidence left behind in the mud and the theories that suggest the hijacker might have been closer to home than anyone realized.

In this interview:

* Explore the bizarre “Tena Bar” discovery where thousands of dollars in ransom money were found along the Columbia River.

* Hear about the local search efforts that turned the Pacific Northwest wilderness into a treasure hunter’s map.

* Analyze the shifting theories on whether the man known as Cooper survived the jump or became a permanent part of the landscape.

* Understand why this case continues to fascinate the community and the world decades after the FBI closed its files.

Listen to the full interview here:

kccc930am.substack.com

www.kccc930am.com

The Heights Lions Club is preparing for one of its most beloved traditions: the annual spaghetti dinner. In this episode of Community Forum, Jay and Rhonda share how a simple meal of pasta and sheet cake fuels decades of local and international service. From building wheelchair ramps for neighbors to providing vision exams, the impact of this club stretches far beyond the Carlsbad High School cafeteria.

Why listen to this episode:

* A Taste of Tradition: Discover the history of a 20-year-old fundraiser and the “secret sauce” that keeps the community coming back for seconds.

* Knights for the Blind: Learn about the global mission inspired by Helen Keller to recycle eyeglasses and provide sight preservation for those in need.

* Local Impact: Hear how the club supports local non-profits like the Boys and Girls Club, Jonah’s House, and provides scholarships for “later in life” students.

* Upcoming Fun: Get the early scoop on the 11-day carnival arriving in April and how it partners with local events like Hogfest.

Event Details - Spaghetti Dinner

* Date: Saturday, April 11th

* Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

* Location: Carlsbad High School Cafeteria (Church Street entrance)

* Cost: $7 per ticket or 3 for $20 (All-you-can-eat!)

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

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Community updates, local library highlights, and an interview with Carlsbad Mainstreet

The latest episode of Midweek Matters for March 18, 2026, explores the vibrant events and essential news shaping Eddy County. Host Hattie Quinn shares critical updates for the community and features a special segment highlighting local leadership downtown.

In this episode:

* Dancing with the Eddy County Stars: A reminder about this Friday’s fundraiser at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center.

* Spotted in Carlsbad: A conversation with Denise Green, Director of Carlsbad Mainstreet about the activity and growth in the downtown district.

* Campus Updates: Information on upcoming Spring Camps at SENMC, including podcasting, STEM, and beginner Spanish.

* Local Health & Safety: Brief reminders regarding recent measles cases in Southern New Mexico and a proposed update to the county weed ordinance.

* Library Calendar: A look at the STEM activities and book clubs scheduled at the Carlsbad and Artesia public libraries.

Why listen to this episode:

* Get the meeting details for the Support Group for Families with Disabilities held at SENMC.

* Hear a quick update on the 26th Street project progress in Artesia.

* Find out about the upcoming public hearing regarding the “three-acre exemption” for overgrown weeds in the county.

Resources & Links:

Submit community news or spotlight requests:

https://www.kccc930am.com

Register for SENMC Community Education: https://senmc.edu/community-education

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

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The Carlsbad Public Library is evolving far beyond traditional book-lending to meet the modern needs of the community. In a recent interview, Director Sarah Jones discussed how the library is integrating advanced technology and high-profile national exhibits to remain a cornerstone of local innovation and connection.

Why listen to this episode:

* The “Secret” Behind the New Library Sound: Visitors may have noticed a new “ding” at the entrance. Director Jones clarifies that this is part of a sophisticated RFID security system and door counter, rather than a metal detector, which helps the library accurately track its high attendance numbers and protect its collection.

* Bringing National History to Our Front Door: Carlsbad achieved a significant milestone as one of only 50 libraries nationwide chosen to host the “Americans and the Holocaust” traveling exhibit. Building on this success, the library is currently applying for a prestigious Pulitzer Prize-themed exhibit to celebrate excellence in radio, film, and literature.

* High-Value Resources for Every Resident: The library offers several specialized services at no cost, including mobile hotspots for internet access and the tech-equipped Bob Scholl Meeting Room for teams of up to 22 people.

* Modern Convenience through Technology: Neighbors can now manage their accounts and reserve facilities directly through the “My Libro” mobile app, streamlining access to the library’s diverse resources.

Whether looking for specialized technology or a connection to national cultural events, this conversation highlights why the library remains a vital, open space for every member of the Carlsbad community.

Aired on KCCC 930 AM Radio and available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and through the Local Dispatch (kccc930am.substack.com) or our website (www.kccc930am.com).

KCCC 930 AM Local Dispatch is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In our ongoing effort to keep the community connected, we are sharing the weekly update for obituary notices from Denton-Wood Funeral Home.

Honoring the lives of those who have passed is a vital part of our neighborhood’s fabric. To view the full tributes, service times, or to leave condolences for the families, please use the link below to access the official obituary registry.

View Recent Denton-Wood Obituaries