DURANT –– The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma recently hosted a special screening of “Stickball: The Little Brother of War,” a documentary short exploring the history, culture and modern-day significance of Native stickball, one of the oldest Indigenous games in North America.

Contributing Writer SOPER — The Soper Red Bears found a true diamond in the circle this past year with sophomore pitcher Abby Johnson, who recently earned PNTY All-State honors. During the fall fast pitch season, Johnson was a dominant force, starting 17 games and surrendering a mere 20 combined earned runs while racking up 68 strikeouts.

Backed by a new four-year, $1.2 million grant, an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation physician-scientist will investigate why osteoarthritis develops and progresses differently from person to person.

The Choctaw Nation, along with three other tribes, helped save more than 14,000 lives during the Our Blood Institute’s (OBI) Tribal Blood Drive Challenge held from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31 each year. Now in its fifth year, Choctaw Nation won both the “Large Tribe Highest Collector” and “Projection Accuracy” categories.

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Dr. Erin R. Caldwell graduated from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine on May 8, 2026, earning her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She was raised on a commercial cattle and horse ranch in Sunkist, Okla., where her passion for rural veterinary medicine and the cattle industry first took root. Erin is the daughter of Jim and LeeAnn Caldwell of Boswell, Okla., and the granddaughter of Kay and the late Bob Caldwell of Boswell, and David and Debbie Moree of Paris, Texas.

HUGO –– Following several months of searching for a new city manager, members of Hugo’s governing body voted 5-0 Monday night to hire Justin Suddeth to head Hugo’s city management team. After a one-hour executive session to iron out contract details, the council returned to public session to make Suddeth’s hiring official and seat him at the council dais.

• YouthPower Energy Camp is designed to help develop leadership skills, have summertime fun, and at the same time learn about one of rural America’s most important industries –– rural electrification.

OSU Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist Recent moisture and wet ground has led to some producer questions about the cause, prevention and treatment of foot rot. Foot rot is a sub-acute or acute necrotic (decaying) infectious disease of cattle, causing swelling and lameness in at least one foot.