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Hugo Local News
Fort Towson youth shows appreciation to Veterans PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 11 November 2010 17:11

By Stan Stamper

FORT TOWSON — Though just 10-years-old, Alicen Hickman said she wanted to do something special to honor the town’s veterans as this year’s Veterans Day holiday approached.
She went door-to-door in Fort Towson, seeking out the town’s veterans. She wanted to invite them to a special gathering at which she was going to provide cupcakes and cookies that she had prepared.
She also asked each veteran she discovered to tell other veterans they might know about her special event.
She wanted to have the event on Saturday at Fort Towson’s City Hall, because some of the veterans had jobs or other priorities during the week.
Out of 30 veterans she was able to locate, 10 of them were able to attend her event. After they gathered, her mother asked her if she wanted to write down some words so she could make a speech to the men.
“I don’t need to write anything down,” Alicen replied. “I’m just going to speak from my heart.”
With a great deal of composure, she asked each of the veterans to stand, one-by-one, and tell what branch of the service they had served in, and if they wished, to tell a little about their service.
One veteran, in particular, stood out to her.
“One of the men said if it wasn’t for Christ, he would have never returned home from the war. He said he had been hit with machine gun fire, and as he and the men of his unit lie wounded, enemy soldiers tossed a grenade onto them to finish them off. He was the only man in his unit to survive, and come home to his family,” Alicen recalled.
She also said she was touched when another of the soldiers commented after his remarks, “Welcome home, brother.” And then, he said the same thing, “Welcome home brother,” after each of the men spoke.
“I was also surprised that most of these men were not career military men. They were just common American citizens, and most of them said, they didn’t do anything special—they just fought for their country,” Alicen said.
“Before it was over, most of them were teary eyed, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room among the adults who came to honor these men,” she added.
So what would cause a 10-year-old Fort Towson girl to want to host a special event for veterans?
“I just thought it was something God would want me to do,” she replied. “I think it’s important to let our veterans know how much we appreciate the sacrifices they made, to keep our country free.”
Veterans who attended Alicen’s event included: Johnny Smith, Charles Collier, Nathan Carroll, Larry Booth, Danny Daniels, Leslie Post, Ray Noble, Arnold Rech and William Vandever.
So just as the efforts of America’s brave touch the hearts of many on this Veterans Day and throughout the year, we are touched as well by a young patriot from Fort Towson, who showed us all how with a little effort and a big heart, we too can touch America’s finest—the men and women who have made it possible for us to be free.
God bless our Veterans, and patriots like Alicen Hickman, who not only appreciate their service and sacrifice, but have the fortitude to make a touching expression of thanks.

Editor’s Note: Alicen is the daughter of Tray and Melissa Hickman, who live on Lake Raymond Gary.
 

 


 
Hugo residents charged with drug related offenses PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 08 November 2010 20:32
HUGO –– Two Hugo residents, Rodney Romane Cox and Nina L. Mosley, were charged recently with unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute, unlawful use of a police radio, unlawful possession of a controlled drug and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Nov. 3, Hugo Police officers served a search warrant at a home in the 900 block of North H Street. During the search, officers found a clear, plastic baggy containing seven additional bags that held a white, rock-like substance that later field tested positive for cocaine, officers reports said.  Also found was a clear bag that contained marijuana.
Police reports stated that $1,123, in Cox’s possession, was also seized along with other dominions and control items.
Cox was previously charged in March of 2005 with possession of controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, maintaining a place where CDS is kept, used or sold, conspiracy and possession of controlled dangerous substance. Reports said that Cox received a five year, all but 90 day suspended sentence on count one and a five year suspended sentence on the remaining.
In April of 1998, Cox was also charged with possession of contraband by an inmate and possession of marijuana. He received a five year suspended sentence per count and had 30 days of county jail revoked.
 
Hugo City Council sets new rates for rodeo arena PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 20 October 2010 16:57
HUGO –– Hugo City Council and Municipal Authority members debated the rates at the Todd Whatley/Lige Hammock Rodeo Arena during Tuesday night’s meeting.
With the Friday through Sunday price at $350 per promotion per day, the council members discussed the Monday to Thursday fee. After suggestion from local citizens concerning the rates, the council members agreed and approved the fee of $150 per promotion per day for use of the arena on Monday through Thursday. City Manager David Rawls made it clear that the adjusted rate would be subject to each event and availability and would be taken into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.
The renovation of the Todd Whatley/Lige Hammock arena is complete and has hosted many successful events since its finalization.
After review of the Benham, LLC airport contract, city attorney Gary Brownsworth said everything looked to be in order and valid. Contracts for each project at Stan Stamper Regional Airport will be reviewed before each update is initiated.
The council approved the first payment to Gary Guest Painting in the amount of $28,800 regarding the Boys & Girls Club rehab. The company went well beyond what was asked and painting of the club is more than 67% complete, Rawls reported.
The final pay estimate to RK Hall for the amount of $71,928.61 was approved. Phase One of the city street project is complete and came in under budget.
Councilors approved the minutes from the Oct. 5 meetings and financial statements and purchase order lists were approved.
Layton Cox was absent.
 
Republicans post sweep of Oklahoma races PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 03 November 2010 19:54

By Staff and
Wire Reports

Voters across America made it clear in the general election Tuesday they desire a more conservative approach to government. With the exception of second district Democratic Congressman Dan Boren, who won by his narrowest margin ever, Republicans posted a virtual clean sweep of major Oklahoma races. Boren carried Choctaw County by his narrowest margin ever, 2,218-1,784. Statewide, his margin was also his shortest ever: 108,184 (56.52%) to 83,215 (43.48%) over challenger Charles Thompson, who carried three Choctaw County precincts: 101, 106, 322.
Mary Fallin will be Oklahoma’s first female governor, after walloping Jari Askins by more than 200,000 votes. (625,433—409,206). Fallin carried Choctaw County as well, by the margin of 2,227-1,843.
In the Lt. Governor’s race, Todd Lamb cruised over Democrat Kenneth Corn by more than 300,000 votes (659,175—334,663). Lamb also carried Choctaw County: 2,095-1815).
In the St. Auditor and Inspector’s race, Republican Gary Jones defeated Steve Burrage 570,104 to 449,095. A well-known native of neighboring Pushmataha County, Burrage carried Choctaw County by a 2,212-1,804 margin.
Republican Janet Barresi also cruised over Susan Paddack with a significant margin (573,652—386,958). Paddack carried Choctaw County by a 2,048-1,668 margin.
Republican Mark Costello cruised over incumbent Labor Commissioner Lloyd FIelds, 649,672—362,753. Costello carried Choctaw County by a 2,190-1,765 margin.
Incumbent Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland was defeated by Republican John Doak, 555,677—464,247. Doak also carried Choctaw County: 2,043-1,930.
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn appeared to be riding a wave of voter approval, garnering the widest margin of victory among major candidates with 70% of the vote over Democrat Jim Rogers, and two Independents. Coburn was also favored by Choctaw County voters by a considerable margin: 2,514-1,304.
Incumbent District Judge Willard Driesel retained his seat over challenger J.P. Longacre by a 956 vote three-county margin. Driesel’s won all three counties by the following margins:
McCurtain (4,345—3,712).
Choctaw (2,047—1,814).
Pushmataha (1,600—1,510).
 

 

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Boswell council address police staff and budget issues PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 14 October 2010 21:43

By Joanne Webster
Contributing Writer

BOSWELL —  Meeting in regular session Tuesday evening, Boswell councilors followed a motion by Steve Vansickle to accept the resignation of firefighter Jason Day.
Councilors also discussed police department issues, including personnel and finances. Following an hour-long executive session, councilors agreed to raise the salary of Ricky Archer from $1,850 per month to $2,100 per month with agreement to not have further salary changes for a year. Another full-time officer will be added beginning Oct. 23rd at the rate of $1,600 per month.
Councilors agreed to reevaluate the new officer’s salary following a relocation into Boswell. Upon a motion by Steve VanSickle, both motions were approved.
The city’s existing water wells were an item of discussion within the PWA meeting. Wells will be kept as is under a grandfather clause until the property would change hands. If the property changes hands by sale or rental, a meter will be added.
The turning off of water during vacations was a matter for discussion, resulting in a change in the current city policy. There will be a $15 fee for both turning off and turning back on water during the absence of the occupant. The meter will then be locked. Recent leaks resulting in flooding brought the need for the decision.
A dog kennel along with methods of animal control in neighboring towns has been researched. The council voted to table the matter until the complete report could be made by council member Archie Farmer.
The transfer of city property to industrial funds was up for consideration.

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