• Two national speakers scheduled ARDMORE –– The 2020 Profiles and Perspectives Community Enrichment Series will take attendees on a journey to explore Oklahoma and the world –– all from the comfort of their homes. This year’s speaker presentations will be live online seminars.

The first U.S. Poitou donkey census is currently underway at The Livestock Conservancy. More rare than Black Rhinos and Giant Pandas, it’s estimated only 70 purebred Poitou donkeys are left in America, and fewer than 500 remain throughout the world. Documenting the American population is the first step in developing a successful recovery plan for this critically endangered equine breed.

5 Choctaw County’s newest author, Sharla Frost, will be hosting a book signing event for her new title: Power At The Table, from 5-7:30 p.m. Oct.

It is certainly one of those short and sweet weather forecasts that I bring you this week, with mostly sunny days and clear nights in the forecast through Saturday. The temperatures will be pleasant with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– Governor J. Kevin Stitt proclaims Oct. 1-3 as official “Oklahoma Restaurant Days,” to support and celebrate Oklahoma restaurants. In celebration, “Eat Drink LOKal” is a campaign developed by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association (ORA) to encourage the general public to dine inside, dine outside or enjoy carry-out meals from their favorite restaurants across the state during Oct. 1-3. Supporting Oklahoma restaurants is critical to further boost our current economy. The association continues to engage with state, local and federal officials to help address the Coronavirus public health issue.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– An Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist is looking to the gut in the search for answers about osteoarthritis. The National Institutes of Health has awarded OMRF physician-scientist Matlock Jeffries, M.D., a two-year, $874,000 grant to launch an innovative study of the origin and progression of OA, the most common form of arthritis.

DURANT –– Giving birth at the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) Talihina hospital just received a tasty improvement. The hospital unveiled a new menu available for the mother and her guest on Tuesday, Sept.

On Friday, Sept. 4, Boswell Public School attended the Bryan County Teachers Meeting. The meeting traditionally takes place at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Normally the event would have high school students do the National Anthem and show off their talents in other ways, as well. The emcee would then announce the nominees for Elementary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year. Following this, there would be a speaker followed by the announcement of awards.

Belva YANDELL, (and Cora) of Hugo, was this week’s winner of the Hugo News Football Contest after choosing 13 out of 16 games correctly. Pictured, Yandell collects the $50 weekly prize from Mika Freeman of R.E. McGuire/Ernie Taylor Insurance, where she obtained her winning entry blank. Game selections can be found in each Wednesday edition of the Hugo News.

COVID-19, which officially debuted as a pandemic in the U.S. on March 15, remains a key focal point for emergency management personnel despite the easing of safety restrictions locally.