KCCC Eddy County Dispatch

Fiesta season is in full swing, HSI Week kicks off at Southeast New Mexico College, and we’ve got the Eddy County news you need to know — tune in for this week’s full rundown.

Before you hit play, mark these down:

* United Way’s food distribution is Friday, September 11th, 7–8 AM at West Main Baptist Church in Artesia

* Roadrunner Food Bank’s Drive-Thru Produce Pop-Up is Wednesday, September 16th, 8–9 AM at the Walter Gerrells PAC lot in Carlsbad.

Both are free, no registration needed.

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The Permian Basin has long been recognized as a global powerhouse for traditional energy production. Now, a new initiative aims to make Southeast New Mexico the premier destination for next-generation energy technology. In a recent interview on KCCC’s Community Forum, host Johnny Chandler spoke with Toni Balzano, Chief Strategy Officer at QStation, about the inaugural QStation Energy Challenge.

In this interview, listeners will learn how 20 startups selected from around the world are competing to solve critical infrastructure and environmental hurdles across the Permian Basin. The discussion dives into the fast-paced pitch competition in Hobbs, where companies follow a strict presentation format to compete for cash prizes. Balzano reveals cutting-edge technology solutions targeting odor-free waste cleanup at wellheads, grid updates for high-demand data centers, advanced battery storage, and methane capture. Additionally, the conversation highlights how local service companies, energy workers, and community members can attend the event for free to connect directly with founders and help attract high-tech industry to the region.

Listen to the full discussion to explore how Southeast New Mexico is actively fueling the future of global energy innovation.

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

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In this third installment of the KCCC Goes to College series on Community Forum, co-host Joe Enriquez walks the halls of Southeast New Mexico College on the first day of the academic year. Listeners will hear from campus leadership, including College President Dr. Kevin Beardmore, about the exciting expansion of independent degree offerings like cybersecurity, radiation control technology, and environmental management, as well as the ongoing construction of the new Trades and Technologies building (aka T-squared). The broadcast also offers a guided tour of essential campus services, covering accessible community healthcare at the campus clinic, streamlined registration in student affairs, financial aid options for returning adults, and specialized academic coaching designed to help local students succeed.

The episode delves into the college’s growing workforce development division with Interim Vice President Chris Spalding and Simulation Lab Coordinator Joe Garza. Listeners will discover how SENMC is building vital career pathways across Eddy County through tuition-free commercial driving programs, drone flight training, radiological control technician boot camps, and customized safety instruction for regional industries. Whether someone is considering stepping back into the classroom or exploring new workforce credentials, this conversation highlights the many ways the local college continues to serve and invest in our community.

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

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

Already a subscriber? A one-time donation goes just as far.

In this episode of Mid-Week Matters, host Endymion brings listeners an action-packed roundup of what is happening across Carlsbad, Artesia, and surrounding communities. From barrel racing at the Eddy County Fairgrounds and classic movie screenings at the Cavern Theatre to local sports updates and community library programs, this week’s broadcast covers everything Eddy County families need to plan their schedules. Listeners will also get a look into local history as the broadcast explores the origins of Labor Day and why this holiday tradition matters to working communities across our region.

The broadcast also highlights essential micro-news impacting daily life across the county, including oil and gas lease auction results, proposed regional methane regulations, local court proceedings, and updated vegetation rules. Additionally, listeners can catch crucial details on local food distributions and community events:

* Community Gathering Today: Walter Gerrells Civic Center (PAC) in Carlsbad starting at 8:00 AM.

* Artesia Food Distribution: Friday, September 11th beginning at 7:00 AM at West Main Baptist Church, 1701 West Main Street.

* Carlsbad Food Distribution: Friday, September 11th beginning at 9:30 AM at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1406 West Blodgett Street.

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

This week’s In Memoriam segment honors those who lived or died in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with an abridged obituary reading from West Funeral Home.

West Funeral Home In Memoriam: Charles Williams, Dr. Refugia “Cuca” L. Castillo, Joyce Washington, Wanda Mead, Kason Williams, and Rosa Gonzalez.

These recitations reflect the information available at the time of recording and may not be the most current. For detailed, unabridged obituaries, visit westfuneralhomellc.com.

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

Already a subscriber? A one-time donation goes just as far.

This week’s In Memoriam segment honors those who lived or died in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with an abridged obituary reading from Denton-Wood Funeral Home.

Denton-Wood Funeral Home In Memoriam: Alton L. Appleton, Sanford O. Watson, Mike Shastid, and Clayton Todd Huber.

These recitations reflect the information available at the time of recording and may not be the most current. For detailed, unabridged obituaries, visit Dentonwood.com.

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

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

KCCC continues its series from SENMC’s first day of classes. Part 2: two first-year students on choosing a major, juggling work and school, and finding their footing on a new campus.

Libby, a first-year student weighing degrees in art, education, and a hands-on trade she grew up around, talks about easing into college life after a school career built on Carlsbad High School spirit, why she wants to get involved with the Carlsbad Arts Association, and what she’s learned working as a server while going to school full-time.

Then Sergio Lopez, who’s set on a degree in elementary education after interning in early childhood classrooms and volunteering with Interact through Rotary in high school, talks about his six-class course load, being bilingual in English and Spanish, and why he thinks every student should get involved in a club or group on campus. Tune in for the full conversation.

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

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

Already a subscriber? A one-time donation goes just as far.

This week’s Mid-Week Matters covers a busy stretch of local events and Eddy County news, including this week’s spotlight special report on rising demand at local food pantries.

Hot, mostly sunny conditions continue with highs near 100 through the weekend. This week’s spotlight segment is a special report from Jonny Coker of the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative on rising demand at food pantries across southeastern New Mexico — Abundant Harvest Food Pantry in Carlsbad has watched its average of 130 families climb toward 150, even as the region sits atop one of the most productive oil fields in the world.

Also this week: a busy lineup of local events, from the Lunar Eclipse Star Party to Jurassic Dino Encounters, plus Eddy County Quickies covering a new measles case and the Carlsbad-Artesia football rivalry. Tune in for the full rundown.

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

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

Already a subscriber? A one-time donation goes just as far.

This week’s Community Forum sits down with Jake Portillo and his newly-licensed apprentice Chucky of Word of Mouth Tattoo, on what it’s like to learn — and carry on — the craft together in the same Carlsbad shop.

Jake talks about his 22 years tattooing in Carlsbad and what he's learned helping first-timers get past their fear of the pain. Chucky, licensed this July after apprenticing under Jake, talks about finding his own style while carrying on the shop's tradition of covering any design that walks through the door.

The conversation also covers the shop's all-disposable, licensed setup and the meaning people carry in their tattoos, plus Friday, August 28th's flash sale — $100 for one tattoo or $150 for two, arms and legs only, with designs drawn by Chucky, running noon to 8 p.m. Word of Mouth Tattoo is located at 1405 West Mermod Street in Carlsbad, and can be found on Facebook and Instagram to book an appointment.

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

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

Already a subscriber? A one-time donation goes just as far.

KCCC hit the SENMC campus for the first day of classes, and there was so much good tape that we’re spreading it across three episodes. Part 1: a peer mentor on how the program supports new students, and a group of Early College High School students on choosing their own schedules, chasing national competitions, and juggling college classes with high school life.

Peer mentor Pearceten breaks down what peer mentors actually do — connecting new students with tutoring, the Learning Technology Center, and free laptop and hotspot loans — and gives a heads-up on the annual peer mentor and faculty meet-and-greet happening the same day.

Then Early College High School students talk about taking real college classes toward an associate’s degree, picking electives from Science Bowl to soccer to Business Professionals of America (with a trip to nationals under their belt), and their advice for incoming students: don’t give up, use every resource you can, and stay on top of your workload. Tune in for the full conversation.

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

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

Already a subscriber? A one-time donation goes just as far.