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.

Two executive orders signed by President Donald J. Trump aimed at advancing the aviation industry support the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) programs that highlight unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM). The orders are designed to promote innovation, domestic manufacturing and security.