I wanted to inform District 19 on one of the latest controversies that I find myself in. I have been receiving negative news coverage over my role in Senate Bill 2. I managed to get an education bill placed in the committee I chair, which is Criminal Justice and Corrections. We substituted language in the bill to require the state to use the sex reported on the original birth certificate to determine male or female gender, for sports participation. Simply put: biological males will play biological males on male sports teams, and biological females will play on female teams. I have been questioned why this bill was allowed in Criminal Justice and Corrections. I have explained that this issue directly affects corrections, as presently it is my understanding that another state has 21 cases of men who are claiming transgender status and are requesting to be moved to a female prison. Anyone with logic should see this a recipe for disaster.

This upcoming week is the final week for us to hear policy bills that originated in the House and were approved by their chamber. April 22 is the deadline to hear these measures, and of the roughly 320 measures we approved out of committee, we’ve heard approximately 120 of them on the floor. We’ll continue to work through the remaining. We did pass two bills this past week that will be of particular importance to Oklahomans in all four corners of the state. I know many of you have been anticipating higher-than-normal gas and electric bills due to February’s historic winter storm. The answer none of us really knew, though, was exactly how high this price increase would be.

Oklahoma Lions Mobile Health Screening, sponsored by Hugo Lions Club, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 3 at Kiamichi Technology Center parking lot. No appointments are needed. Screenings offered include: Glaucoma, visual acuity, cholesterol, blood pressure, index, blood sugar, bone density, lung function, body mass and diabetic retinopathy.

After starting out Wednesday morning in the mid-30s, a major warming trend will highlight our five-day forecast. As the warm air pushes the cold air out, showers and storms will be likely on Friday and a few could be severe with temperatures climbing to near 70 degrees. The warming trend really kicks in this weekend with highs in the mid-70s and low-80s are coming back by Monday.

Friday, April 23 Ribs Potato Salad Baked Beans Rolls Sugar Cookies Wednesday, April 28 Roast & Gravy Mashed Potatoes Purple-Hull Peas Corn Bread Jello with Fruit.

A two-week long Child Abuse Prevention series of events has been held throughout the Choctaw Nation. On April 16-17, packets were distributed at the Durant Community Center following daily activities beginning on April 12.

The Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly board meeting on Thursday, April 8 at the Chamber Office. The Board approved the March minutes and financials. The Annual Work Plan was discussed, amended and approved. Also approved was $200 for the purchase of foliage for the office flowerbeds. The Board approved $250 to sponsor a child to attend the Summer Camp at Awesome Adventures. The Chamber Shop Local events will be held Aug. 4-7 and Dec. 8-11. We will continue doing our shop local events as we did last year. Chamber member-owned businesses will be randomly selected for Chamber members to visit and enrich customers with $25 cash “thankyous” for shopping locally.

IRIS GARDEN CLUB Yard of the Month for March is Janet Sauer, at 302 E. Kiamichi. Pictured are: Harolynn Wofford, Sammye Thacker, Janet, Bobby Dawson, Holley Lowrance, Marcia Keele and Shondell Sholemire. The yard features beautiful beds, pots, and blooming iris. The backyard features an old time porch.

Misdemeanor 065 – Shermeece Elaine Shoals: Neglect or refusal to compel child to attend school. 066 – Rebekah Elaine Osterdock: Neglect or refusal to compel child to attend school.

BOSWELL — The swearing-in of three new Boswell city councilors and the naming of a new Mayor have things hopping in Boswell’s city government. Sworn in at the Tuesday, April 16 meeting were Patricia Marshall, Ola Mae Moore and Mark Fuzzell.