Seventeen years ago, a high school student who was quietly discerning a call to the priesthood was invited to Hugo and spent the next few days at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, meeting the Glenmary mission priests in the area. He told his friends then that if he became a priest, he would like to return to the southeastern Oklahoma area one day to serve, God-willing.

The weather story for the week ahead is sunny days and clear nights with high temperatures near 90 degrees and dropping into the mid- to upper-60s at night. Sunrise is now 6:47 a.m. and sunset comes at 8:04 p.m., the days are getting shorter! Hard to believe we are just a month away from the beginning of autumn!

STILLWATER –– With some schools opting to forego inperson classes, many parents and students find themselves in a challenging situation. Oklahoma State University College of Education and Human Sciences faculty members are sharing their expertise on how to effectively navigate and balance the new normal of online learning due to COVID-19 by providing educational resources for families.

GINGERBREAD PRESCHOOLERS caught the Gingerbread man last week. Pictured with Mrs. Tollett are: Jacob Moore, Hazen Parsons, Nolan Davis, Jaxon Davis, Kyston Cox, Lakyn Carter, Allie Johnson, Spencer Debo, Alaina Carlile, Grayson Harrison, Chapman Atteberry, Addilyn Methvin, Pryce Scott, Kendall Day, Haley Allen, Keaton Davidson, Cade Lemmons, Kaybreigh Billy, Jace Hayes, Delaney Males, Leedey Duncan, Easton Pound and Claire Dyer. Not pictured are Shiloh Crow and Elina Dervishi.

RATTAN –– The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and its division of Strategic Development awarded the town of Rattan $89,531 that will be used to match a USDA grant to enhance the community and make it a safer, more desirable place to live.

Choctaw County Ambulance Authority has some new tools on hand to help save lives –– three LUCAS Chest Compression Systems. The refurbished devices were purchased at a discounted rate of three for the price of one, Ambulance Authority Executive Director Randy Springfield said, recently.