So the Friends of Fort Towson (FoFT), a non-profit group interested in bettering the community of Fort Towson, wanted to do something to help this small community get faster medical care in the case of emergencies.

The Fort Towson Senior 4-H Forestry Team, under forestry coach Alicia Brents, recently won the Southeast District Forestry contest at Beavers Bend, north of Broken Bow, and the State 4-H Forestry Judging contest at Robbers Cave in Wilburton. The team members are: Danielle Brents, Payton Burchfield, Lucile Morehouse, and Madison Diggs.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins provided an update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing partnership with Mexico to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS). This afternoon, Secretary Rollins held a call with her counterpart in Mexico, Secretary Berdegue, to discuss the ongoing threat of NWS and actions being taken by both countries to contain the threat south of the U.S. border. USDA is working daily with Mexico to make sure the resources, tactics, and tools are in place to effectively eradicate NWS. Additionally, Secretary Rollins announced the USDA is investing $21 million to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico to further the long-term goal of eradicating this insect.

The astronomical start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the longest day of the year, is Friday, June 20, 2025, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Meteorological summer begins on June 1 and runs through the end of August, while astronomical summer is June 20 through Sept. 22.

• New facility expands support and resources for area youth HUGO –– Community members, local and state leaders, and regional partners gathered in celebration as Youth Services of Choctaw, Pushmataha and McCurtain Counties officially opened the doors to their new facility on Thursday, June 12. The grand opening, led by a ribbon cutting with the Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce, drew an inspiring crowd, including Senator David Bullard, Office of Juvenile Affairs representatives, and other local supporters who praised the organization’s longstanding commitment to youth development, prevention services and family support.

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I’m just exchanging thoughts with myself this morning and think I’ll “get off the beaten path” for a while. Following Black History Month (Feb), I wanted to share my growing up in Choctaw County and Hugo in the 1950s and mid 60s.

Contributing Writer At the Choctaw Casino ball fields in Grant, the Rattan 12 and under baseball team beat Soper Black, 10-7 to win the tournament Championship. Soper Black jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Trump administration has instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to stop immigration raids and investigations at farms, hotels, and restaurants, according to administrative reports.

The US Air Force has surged more than 40 extra jets into the UK and Europe – including stealth fighter bombers and air to air refuellers – amid fears it will strike Iran. The move is the clearest sign yet that US President Donald Trump is preparing to blitz the country after issuing a two-day deadline and vowing to bring a “real end” to Tehran’s nuclear programme.