• Choctaw Nation, OBI seek convalescent plasma donors; Chief, Assistant Chief lead effort to help Coronavirus patients DURANT — The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) are hosting a convalescent plasma drive in Durant to aid Oklahomans diagnosed with COVID-19. The plasma drive is set for 10 a.m.

The Hugo Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14. Board members and guests outlined their expectations for the Chamber during 2021. These included promoting local businesses and industrial development, improving the quality of life in our area, and growing tourism. The feelings of the group about the work of the Chamber can be best summed up with the phrase, “keep the momentum going.” Under the leadership of Michele Frazier over the past years, the Chamber has accomplished a great deal in improving our community.

President-elect Joe Biden proposed increasing the federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 to $15 an hour as part of his Coronavirus relief package announced Thursday night. Such a dramatic increase would exacerbate the devastating impact economic lockdowns are having on small businesses, while doing great harm to 10.7 million Americans who are unemployed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Presidentelect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday will look like no inauguration before it in American history.

Graveside services for Carl Eugene Miller, of Valliant, Okla., were held at 11 a.m. Jan.