• Highlighting the critical role of blood donation September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the challenges faced by people living with sickle cell disease and the lifesaving role of blood donors in their care. Our Blood Institute is committed to educating the community about this inherited blood disorder and the importance of regular blood donations to support those who rely on transfusions.

Don’t forget to play the 74th Annual Football Contest! Game selections are inside today’s Hugo News..

Cheryl Ball, of Hugo, was this week’s winner of the Hugo News Football Contest after choosing 16 out of 18 games correctly. Pictured, Ball (right) collects the $50 weekly prize from Chris Davidson of Sonic, where she obtained her winning entry blank. Sponsoring this year’s Hugo News Football Contest are: Dr. Wade Rowland DDS, First United Bank, Jiffy Lube, TWFG Insurance, Buffalo Grill, Sonic, Hugo Lake Marina & Cabins-LIFT, Homestead of Hugo, Security First National Bank, First Bank, Pruett’s Food, Red River Co-op, Shelter Insurance-Julia King, Ed Wallace Ford, Hugo Express Pharmacy, R.E. McGuire Insurance-Ernie Taylor, Jay Hodge, Diamond D @ Linda’s Place. Game selections can be found in each Wednesday edition of the Hugo News.

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HUGO — Choctaw County Commissioners have voted to hire former Hugo City Manager Leah Thomas as the county’s next full-time economic developer. The action came at the regular Sept. 15 meeting following a motion by Commissioner Jim Bob Sullivan, seconded by Darrell Kerr (Roy Dean Scott –– absent).

HUGO — Since opening his Growler Pines tiger preserve in Choctaw County several years ago, Ryan Easley had become one of Hugo’s most promising businessman and civic volunteers, including serving on the Hugo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The 2024-25 muzzleloader deer season in Oklahoma spanned nine days, from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3. This season appeals to hunters who enjoy the unique challenge of using black powder firearms, and it continues to play a key role in the state’s overall deer management strategy.

Controlled hunts are offered for deer, elk, antelope, and turkey. They are held in areas where unrestricted public hunting would pose safety concerns or where overharvest might occur.

Black bear hunters had a great hunting season in 2024, taking a total of 77 (49 male and 28 female) bears, nine fewer than the year before. Archery hunters took 74 black bears, while muzzleloader hunters bagged three bears in the bear hunting zone that includes all or portions of 12 counties in southeastern Oklahoma.

Residents Residents are not required to check in to Wildlife Management Areas, however residents are required to check in to OLAP limited access areas. Nonresidents The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require nonresidents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and check out of the area.