Susan Gaye Smith passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2026, at the age of 80, in Hugo, Okla. Born on Feb. 28, 1945 in Durant, Okla., the daughter of Rush T. Winters and Jane Gaye (Hood) Winters. Susan was a cherished soul whose warmth and compassion touched all who knew her.

Funeral services for Patsy Jean Fennell-Scott, of Valliant, Okla., were held Jan. 30, 2026 at Miller & Miller Funeral Home. Patsy Jean (Richard) Fennell-Scott, 91, went to her heavenly home on Jan. 27, 2026.

Hugo voters will go to the polls next Tuesday to select someone to fill a vacant council seat that the current council has been unable to fill for several months. Whomever the citizens select, will have a significant role in tipping the active majority of the council in a number of ways.

From THE OKLAHOMA LION Gabe Woolley OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, expressed appreciation to fellow members of the Oklahoma Legislature for their support of House Joint Resolution 1040, a proposal aimed at prohibiting the consideration of Sharia Law in Oklahoma courtrooms.

Following are excerpts from Gov. Kevin Stitt’s final State of the State address at the opening of the 2026 Legislative session.

Da’Travion’Tae Guess.

Jack Chambless book includes Buffalo memories/teammates

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, has introduced legislation to put an end to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association’s unchecked authority over students’ ability to participate in school sports.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health recently received confirmation of a measles case. During the investigation, the OSDH learned that the individual was in a public setting in Cleveland County while contagious, posing a potential risk to the public.

The Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) partners announce that its annual two-day free dental clinic will take place Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at the Stride Bank Center in Enid. The event is celebrating its 15th year in 2026.