According to the CDC, stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. In Oklahoma, one valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19 is the state’s Career and Technology Education System.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Producers who are now eligible and those who need to modify existing applications due to these updates can contact USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) between Jan. 19 and Feb. 26. Some of these changes are being made to align with the recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 while others are discretionary changes being made in response to ongoing evaluation of CFAP.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A stretch of road on U.S. Highway 259 near the state line in McCurtain County has been slated as a future construction project under the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year plan.

KEEP MOVING FORWARD! The annual Martin Luther King Day Parade and Peace Walk were held in Hugo Monday afternoon. The parade, themed “Stick to the Plan,” featured cars, motorcycles, ATVs, go-karts and participants on foot. Many people came out to partake in the festivities and honor Dr. Martin Luther King.

HUGO — An investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) into a shooting that resulted in the death 47-year-old B J. Youngblood has led to the arrest of 34-year-old Thomas “Tommy” Phillips M.

The Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14. Board members and guests outlined their expectations for the Chamber during 2021. These included promoting local businesses and industrial development, improving the quality of life in our area, and growing tourism. The feelings of the group about the work of the Chamber can be best summed up with the phrase, “keep the momentum going.” Under the leadership of Michele Frazier over the past years, the Chamber has accomplished a great deal in improving our community.

• Choctaw Nation, OBI seek convalescent plasma donors; Chief, Assistant Chief lead effort to help Coronavirus patients DURANT — The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) are hosting a convalescent plasma drive in Durant to aid Oklahomans diagnosed with COVID-19. The plasma drive is set for 10 a.m.

BOSWELL — The Boswell Scorpions hosted the Caddo Bruins for a pair of round ball clashes last week, but came up on the short end of both the boys and girls games. The Lady Scorpions were led by Kamria Williams, who dropped 11 points on the Lady Bruins.