HUGO — The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has announced a new business opening in Hugo this month, a laundry facility. The new laundry facility, located at what was previously the Pepsi plant, will service all laundry from the expanded Durant Resort, and Pocola and Grant hotels.

HUGO — The Hugo board of education selected Krystopher Gross as the new head football coach during the regular meeting held Monday. Gross, who came to Hugo from Broken Bow Schools after 2018, has acquired many years coaching school athletics since graduating from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, on Wednesday gave an impassioned debate on the House floor about the protection of the right to worship even during times of emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– Deputy Commissioner Keith Reed issued the following statement regarding Oklahoma reaching over one million total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered: “This is an extraordinary milestone for our state –– more than one million doses of this life-saving vaccine have been administered to Oklahomans. It is reassuring to see this progress made, but we know the job isn’t done until we have provided the vaccine to every Oklahoman who needs it.

STILLWATER –– The Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE) announced that genome sequencing capabilities for COVID-19 will be up and running this week. “We are excited to get our sequencing capability fully operational, as COVID-19 variants are spreading rapidly throughout our global communities,” said Dr.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye issued the following statement regarding the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: “The approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use provides an exciting opportunity for our state as we continue to get Oklahomans vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.

WASHINGTON –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on Feb. 12, 2021. USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. Under the previous Administration, incentives and rental payment rates were reduced resulting in an enrollment shortfall of more than 4 million acres. The program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for 10 to 15 years for land devoted to conservation purposes, as well as other types of payments.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 on Thursday to encourage and invite exhibitors, breed associations and partners to return to Oklahoma in 2022 and again participate in the second annual Cattlemen’s Congress show. The resolution was authored by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.

We only have one rain system to talk about in our seven-day forecast for southeast Oklahoma. We will enjoy sunshine and 70 degrees on Wednesday, but then rain and a few thunderstorms come back Thursday night and Friday with a high temperature on Friday afternoon, much cooler in the upper-50s.

Friday, March 5 Fish Baked Potato Salad Hush Puppies Strawberry Cake Wednesday, March 10 Chicken-Fried Steak Mashed Potatoes Corn Celery Sticks Rolls German Chocolate Cake.