Hugo School events: Sept. 19 softball vs. Boswell, 5:30 p.m. (senior night), middle school will play first at 4:30. Football has a bye week. The FFA Rodeo is Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16 beginning at 8 p.m.

DURANT –– Following approval by the Higher Learning Commission, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is proud to announce it will now offer a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration degree, beginning in the Spring I term of 2024.

September is National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month, and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is encouraging Oklahomans to learn the warning signs of suicide and raise awareness of recovery options for those battling a substance use disorder.

April Johnson, of Hugo, was this week’s winner of the Hugo News Football Contest after choosing 14 out of 18 games correctly. Pictured, Johnson (right) collects the $50 weekly prize from Ronan Cloud of Hugo Express Pharmacy, where she obtained her winning entry blank. Sponsoring this year’s Hugo News Football Contest are: Dr. Wade Rowland DDS, First United Bank, Jiffy Lube, AmeriState Bank, Red River Counseling, Sonic, Hugo Lake Marina & Cabins- LIFT, Homestead of Hugo, Security First National Bank, First Bank, Pruett’s Food, Red River Co-op, Shelter Insurance-Julia King, Ed Wallace Ford, Hugo Express Pharmacy, R.E. McGuire Insurance-Ernie Taylor, Jay Hodge, U.S. Cellular. Game selections can be found in each Wednesday edition of the Hugo News.

The board of commissioners of Choctaw County approved a resolution declaring a burn ban that is now in effect. The ban, which was approved Tuesday, will be applied four a 14-day period..

HUGO –– On Monday, Aug. 28, Hugo Police responded to the area of Circle G on a shots-fired call.

HUGO –– “Does anyone know of a rent house available,” seems to be the question of the hour. According to the most recent Census, 42.5% of the property in Hugo is owner-occupied, leaving what’s left as rentals or condemned –– and with a population of 5,221, the pickings may seem slim.

• State of the Nation address given virtually TVSHKA HOMMA –– The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma held another successful Labor Day festival where Chief Gary Batton (pictured right) was sworn in for his third consecutive term on Sept. 1 at the historical capitol grounds in Tvshka Homma.

TULSA –– Eighteen FFA chapters across Oklahoma will receive a total of more than $36,000 in American Electric Power Foundation FFA STEM After-School Grants this year. The AEP Foundation is the charitable arm of American Electric Power, parent company of Tulsa-based electric provider, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).

The Oklahoma Emergency Drought Commission voted on Wednesday to reinstate Pond Clean Out Cost-Share participants whose applications were canceled due to not having their projects completed by the July 15th deadline. The Commission also tasked the Oklahoma Conservation Commission with gathering how many applicants will be reinstated, as well as questions and concerns from the local conservation districts. This information will be used in order to provide more specific guidance to districts to mitigate obstacles for applicants, and to also to set a more reasonable deadline for the program.