The State Election Board completed its routine, statutorily-mandated, biennial voter list maintenance on Friday, Jan. 17 and Tuesday, Jan. 21. The process removed 129,680 inactive voter registrations and 2,242 duplicate voter registrations from Oklahoma’s voter rolls.

Chahta Rewards members are earning up to 10 cents off every gallon of gas purchased at Choctaw Travel Plazas, Country Markets and The Mercantile at Choctaw Landing after a new update to the loyalty program kicked off in early January.

The Fort Towson Historic Site will host a two-part beginner knitting class on Feb. 15 and 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. The classes will focus on the foundational skills of casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch and casting off. Registration is required for this free class.

Choctaw County is currently in the process of updating its FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan that allows for all participating jurisdictions and schools across Choctaw County to apply for federal grants for hazard mitigation projects, as well as potential infrastructure improvement projects. Below is a link for a public online survey and an opportunity to share opinions, concerns and thoughts about the natural hazards experienced as a resident of Choctaw County. www.surveylegend. com/s/5w0o or

Joyce Ann Butler, a cherished mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on Jan. 14, 2025 in Durant, Okla., at the age of 87. Born on March 31, 1937 in Antlers, Okla., Joyce lived a life characterized by her passion, love and kindness to all who knew her.

Graveside services for Francis JoAnne (English) Gibson, of Boswell, Okla., were held at 10 a.m. Jan.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is seeking applicants for its 2025-26 Teen Leaders class. Applications are due March 1.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist a $4.1 million grant to study how tiny genetic changes contribute to lupus. Swapan Nath, Ph.D., hopes to determine which genetic regions impact a type of immune cell called macrophages, which help protect us from infection.

The KEDDO Area Agency on Aging provides a variety of services for those 60 years of age and older and some services for 55 years of age and older. Do you need help with dental, vision, hearing, or minor home repair? Do you need assistive living devices? Do you need help with transportation to the doctor? What about nutrition services? Are you a caregiver for a loved one and need respite help, or a grandparent raising a grandchild? If you said yes to any of these questions, call the KEDDO Office at 918.465.2367 or 1.800.722.8180 for more information..

Dear Hugo News, I wanted to take a moment to share the incredible experience our group had at the inaugural Basketball Festival in Hugo this past weekend. As we traveled with more than 30 athletes from Star Spencer High School, there were many questions about the journey ahead –– primarily, “Why are we going this far?” and “Where is Hugo?” However, just two days later, the conversation shifted dramatically.