Black History is a celebration for all Americans. Every nationality has made vital contributions to the nation we all love, the United States of America. Black Americans have provided a unique contribution to the economic, cultural, social and spiritual development of this nation. Black History Month is a time designated to celebrate the resilience, resourcefulness, sacrifice, and inspiration of black people. The labor of black people was vital in the early history of this country. Blacks have also contributed to the arts, specifically music, dance and other forms of entertainment. Blacks tend to be over-represented in professional sports, particularly football and basketball. Blacks have served as public servants from local governments, to the U.S. congress, and the Oval Office as president of the United States. Blacks have held patents for numerous inventions such as traffic lights, the golf tee, the first blood plasma device, the two-cycle gas engine, the pencil sharpener, the gas mask, the elevator, the fire extinguisher, paints and stains, and many other inventions. Blacks have contributed to Christian music known as “spirituals.” The spirituals were composed out of the hardships, struggle and pain black people experienced throughout their history. Blacks continue to compose great works, like blues, jazz, R&B, soul, rap, and hip hop, instrumental to our popular culture.

Sample ballots are now available for the Feb. 14 Soper School Board Primary Election. Voters may download a sample ballot using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Choctaw County Election Board during normal business hours.

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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –– his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Felony 006 – Jewell Ross Hughes: DUI. Misdemeanor 010 – Robert Jeffrey Anderson: Acts resulting in gross injury/ outraging public decency.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced that his office will assume responsibility working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) in the probe of potential wrongdoing involving the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and Swadley’s Bar-B-Q.

Ray-Lee Pierce, of Boswell, has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall 2022 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.

As a Member of Congress, I have the honor of nominating students from the Second District to our country’s prestigious service academies. The decision to apply to a service academy is an incredibly personal and courageous one, and I am humbled to be a part of the process.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Funding opportunities to enhance the specialty crop industry within Oklahoma are now available through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The program is made possible through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Services. Eligible applicants include non-profits, local, state, and federal government entities, for-profit organizations, and colleges and universities.

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Annual District Meetings will provide OCA members with a legislative update, an overview of OCA activities and a delicious steak supper in the company of fellow beef producers. New this year vendor and sponsor visitation will begin at 6 p.m. and meetings will begin with dinner at 6:30 p.m.