The City of Carlsbad, Eddy County and the Bureau of Land Management are hosting a 20th Anniversary Commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy. This ceremony is planned for noon on September 11 at the civic center, and the focus will be on honoring our first responders. Keep Carlsbad Beautiful and the Eddy County Office of Emergency Management are also assisting. Many of the event’s details are still being put together, but we look forward to honoring the men and women in our community who put themselves at risk every day to protect our safety. We will provide more details as we get closer to the ceremony.

Congratulations to Danielle Gallagher, a 13-year-old who attends Jefferson Montessori Academy in Carlsbad. According to Danielle’s mother, Dawn, Danielle has trained Jiu-jitsu with Cavern City Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy for seven years. She has competed at every competition she could for the last three years and Danielle even competed at the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Pans Kids championship on Sunday July 25, where she brought home the gold. This competition is the most elite competition that kids can compete in in the world.  Danielle is the first athlete from Carlsbad and from Cavern City BJJ to win the pan championship. Perhaps we will have a future Olympian on our hands.

Our area’s COVID-19 numbers continue to be of high concern, and the Department of Health reported two COVID-19 related deaths in Eddy County on Tuesday. We offer our condolences to the family members and friends of these individuals.

Carlsbad Medical Center reported 47 positive COVID-19 cases during testing on Monday out of 181 tests. This was one of their highest testing dates yet, and they are to be commended for their hard work. They also reported 14 total COVID-19 patients as of Tuesday. On Tuesday, CMC tested 124 people for COVID and found 35 positives.