Depending on when you read this, the 2021 Eddy County War between Carlsbad and Artesia has either taken place or is about to take place. The varsity football game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. Red Rocket is broadcasting the game, and it is also being covered by Carlsbad Radio and Pecos Valley Broadcasting.
On Thursday, the state changed the rules allowing a limited number of fans to attend games in locations where the county has met the “Yellow” or “Green” gating criteria. Eddy County is still in the “Red.” The Carlsbad and Artesia school districts were able to obtain permission to play Friday’s football game and Saturday’s soccer games in Hobbs. Because Lea County is “Yellow,”- limited fan attendance is allowed. A limited number of football tickets are being made available on Friday, first to parents/guardians and grandparents at the Carlsbad Athletic Office and Artesia Bulldog Pit and then to the general public. Tickets are required for entry and will not be available at the gate. Tickets for soccer games will be available at the gate in Hobbs on a first come, first served basis.
The school district has already expressed its thanks to Hobbs Municipal Schools for making this opportunity possible, and we wish to echo our appreciation as well. We also wish to congratulate Carlsbad Municipal Schools and Artesia Public Schools for working this out on such short notice. Friday night’s game may be a “War”- but we are all really working together.
Thank you to everyone at the Foundry Home who provided us with a personal tour of the facility on Thursday. The Home, located on Jackson Street, will be celebrating its grand opening at 10 a.m. on March 8. You’ll also be able to watch it from the SE NM CAC Facebook Page.
The Foundry Home will also be hosting an open house week beginning after the ceremony. You can schedule private tours at picktime.com/FoundryHome. Please call 1-888-808-2755 if you have any questions.
The Foundry Home is affiliated with the Cavern City Child Advocacy Center and will serve as a home for teenagers who have no place to go. The Home will provide counseling and teach life skills such as cooking and cleaning. There are computers generously donated by David Perini and new utility equipment donated by Lowe’s. Numerous other local organizations and individuals have provided assistance. Together, the property was turned into a wonderful location that will provide teenagers in need with a second chance. They have developed special programs to assist children who are victims of trafficking as well. Adults will be present at all times and teenagers will be required to keep their areas clean, do their own laundry, etc. Teenagers from Eddy and Lea County will have priority.
While we are all glad to see a return of sports this week, we also know there are a very large number of students and parents across the state who feel that it is unreasonable that athletics has been allowed to resume, but not band and choir. Their concerns absolutely have merit, and we do want families to know that this decision is out of the hands of the local school district. We support fair treatment for our non-sports extracurricular activities and hope the state will soon address this issue.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway