Kiamichi Tech’s Practical Nursing program has been ranked as the sixth best LPN/ LUN program in the Southwest region of the United States for the year 2020. “As the only Oklahoma program to make the top 15 list, we are thrilled that the accomplishments of our instructors, staff and students are being recognized at this level,” said Shelly Hovis, Practical Nursing Director at Kiamichi Tech.

HUGO — Hugo’s Lady Buffaloes came out of the blocks against the Lady Savages of Broken Bow in strong fashion, battling their rivals to a 12-12 first quarter standoff. Broken Bow outscored Hugo by a bucket in the second, 10-8 to take a slim two-point lead with them into the first half locker room.

For something that symbolizes love, the heart has a number of enemies. The latest is COVID-19.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– A 2021 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for individual health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) began Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Oklahomans who do not have health insurance may be eligible to purchase coverage through the health insurance marketplace. The SEP was created following the Executive Order issued by President Biden on Jan. 28, 2021. Beginning February 15, 2021 through May 15, 2021, this SEP will be open to all exchange-eligible consumers who are submitting a new application or updating an existing application.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Republican leaders issued the following statements on the Board of Equalization’s certification of revenues for the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriated budget: “Vaccines occurring and businesses recovering have the economy and revenues rebounding well enough to replenish reserves, set strong agency budgets and grant tax relief to continue kickstarting Oklahoma’s recovery. Keeping the economy open is continuing to benefit Oklahoma, both for our citizens and now for our state budget.” – House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

After taking thousands of megawatts of power generation off line in Texas over the past decade, energy officials have stated the Feb. 2021 Arctic blast will be claiming the lives of many citizens.

This winter storm in Choctaw County that has been going on for several days has been historic. Weather records go back more than 100 years and we just had the coldest Valentine’s Day ever recorded here with a high temperature of only 28 degrees. Feb. 15 was the coldest ever recorded in Hugo with a low temperature of 5 above and a wind chill factor of 15 below and then the high temperature only reached 18 degrees.

HUGO LIONS CLUB announced its Students of the Month: Eleventh grader G’Mariyon Wallace and 10th grader Alyssa Gallant. They are pictured with Hugo High School Principal Greg Holt..

HUGO — A much-heralded Arctic rush of hyper-cold weather made its way across much of the Heartland into the southern plains to send temperatures below zero across most of Southeast Oklahoma Monday and Tuesday.

• US Department of Labor cites Trinity Rail and Maintenance Services for confined space violations in August 2020 fatality investigation; two workers succumbed to natural gasoline fumes in attempt to clean tanker car