Local Stories

By Don Eskins Carlsbad High’s cross country teams continue to make strides during 2026. On Saturday, September 4, at the UNM Cross Country Invitational, the Cavemen, in a field comprised of 28 teams and 205 runners, placed among the meet’s top 10 teams. Led by Javion Scott, who turned in a time of 17:25.60 to place 32nd, the Cavemen scored 239 points to place eighth. Josiah Waddle, as with Scott, also finished among the meet’s top 30. Having posted a time of 17:41.03, he plac

Cavemen Notch 2nd Win The never-say-die Cavemen soccer team keeps battling tough opponents and the odds despite facing some stiff competition during a year in which new head coach Aaron Babcock continues to rebuild the program. On Saturday, September 5, during the Roswell High Invitational, the Cavemen notched their second win of the season with a 5-0 victory over the Valencia Jaguars. It was a big day offensively for the Cavemen, who have been struggling to put points on the

By Don Eskins District 2/6A gridiron play kicks off this weekend for Carlsbad High on Friday night, September 11. In one of the conference’s biggest openers, the Cavemen will take on perennial district power Centennial. Kickoff for the encounter has been set for 7 p.m. in Las Cruces at the Field of Dreams. Centennial will enter Friday night’s game with an overall record of 1-2. But looks can be deceiving, and as the Cavemen see it, no look could be more deceiving than the Cen

By Don Eskins Neither lightning delays nor the Lovington Wildcats could derail the Carlsbad Cavemen from picking up their third win of the season, versus no losses, on Friday night, September 4, in the Cavern City. And pick up their third win they did. Amassing 364 yards of total offense, 142 through the air and 222 on the ground, the Cavemen routed the Wildcats 48-14. Taking notice of the Cavemen’s perfect slate was MaxPreps. This week, September 6 through 13, the New Mexico

By R. Gabriel Villalobos In a world of pinging notifications and endless scrolling, Carlsbad offers a number of ways to unplug from devices and focus on skills and experiences that can enrich one’s life and foster new friendships. Jill Balderama runs Jill’s Fabric and Design, a downtown fabric shop that has been in business for more than 50 years. She teaches quilting classes starting at $15, with projects ranging from maple leaf patterns to Christmas table runners. Up the ro

Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library Not every great book arrives with blockbuster movie deals, endless social media buzz, or towering displays at bookstores. Some of the most memorable reads quietly wait on library shelves, discovered only when a curious reader takes a chance on something unfamiliar. These “hidden gems” may not always dominate bestseller lists, but they often become the books readers recommend most passionately to friends and family. One of

By Dr. Kevin Beardmore In pursuit of my first teaching position, I interviewed with more than a dozen school districts. Getting through that initial interview opened the door to meeting the principals who typically made the final decision. Several interviewers used the same standardized instrument where they asked a question, listened to your response, then turned to another page in the manual based on your answer. Sometimes the interview continued; other times it ended rathe

By Misty Cryer The tradition of making memories by gathering around the campfire, at mealtimes, and on the trails has been going on for 53 years at the annual Sammie Hughes Cowboy Camp. Over Labor Day weekend, this three-day event was hosted at Guadalupe Christian Camp to celebrate faith, friendship, and the cowboy way of life. Speaking from a unique perspective as part of the Hughes family and a representative of Guadalupe Christian Camp, Kyla Hughes shared the details. The