Contributing Writer The Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards banquet last Thursday night, celebrating businesses and individuals who had a positive impact on the community in 2023.

On Thursday, March 28, Choctaw County 4-H members yet again marked their spot at Oklahoma’s largest youth public speaking contest, the 2024 Southeast District 4-H Speech Contest in McAlester, Okla., with more than 300 entries.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, received approval from the full Senate for House Bill 2975 recently.

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Members of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will come together in remembrance of the Trail of Tears and to honor their ancestors who made the journey. The 2024 Trail of Tears Memorial Walk will be held at the historic Choctaw Capitol Grounds at Tvshka Homma on Saturday, May 18.

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FORT TOWSON –– Fort Towson Historic Site will host “History Day Camp” for kids ages 9 to 12 from Tuesday, May 28, through Thursday, May 30. The camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

HUGO — Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, Cindy Byrd, was a special guest speaker Tuesday at the Hugo Rotary Club’s weekly meeting. Byrd, a native of Southeast Oklahoma (Coalgate), told the club members she always enjoyed returing to her home and found it a good way to stay “grounded.”

The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) is celebrating a safe and successful total solar eclipse after southeast Oklahoma hosted thousands and generated millions of dollars in economic activity.