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• Actions support the Social Security Fairness Act The Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes.

The Iris Garden Club met on Feb. 24 at Burnside Community room. President Harolynn Wofford called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Wofford and Shondell Rothmire were hostesses. The group recited the Gardener’s Creed and Rick Lowrance led in prayer.

Kyston Winship Tyson Lemmons Brenden Roark .

CHECOTAH — The Hugo Lady Buffaloes season came to an end Friday afternoon in Checotah in the second round of the Regional Tournament. To get to state, Hugo would have had to win three straight games at Regionals after falling to Valliant in Districts the week prior to be sent into the Consolation bracket. Going into the weekend, the Lady Buffs knew they were in for a challenge, but Coach LaSha Cook reminded her team that winning out was still a possibility, they just had to fight for it.

CHECOTAH — When the Regional Consolation Championship was set, fans from both sides expected a nail biter. Hugo and Valliant were set to meet for the third time in just over a month and the winner would advance to the area tournament, one step closer to a State Championship.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate Education Committee has approved Senate Bill 758, a measure designed to eliminate virtual school days except in cases of emergency. The bill, authored by Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, ensures students receive the in-person instruction necessary for academic success while still allowing districts to utilize emergency virtual days in specific circumstances.

The Board of Education on Thursday advanced new academic standards for social studies that would require public schools to teach the Bible. Academic standards outline what students are expected to learn in each grade and subject, but they don’t dictate how teachers teach or mandate any specific curriculum.