CHOCTAW COUNTY COMMISSIONERS were called into emergency duty following the June 8 massive rainfall and flooding event that washed out many roadways and bridges in Choctaw County. District III Commissioner Roger Vandever (also Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners) advised Oklahoma Emergency Management personnel that more than $180,000 in road repairs had been done in the aftermath of the floods and that more was forthcoming. More than seven inches of rain fell in some areas of eastern Choctaw County and western McCurtain County during that storm as well as parts of southeast Pushmataha County. County Emergency Services Director Pat Collins pointed out that the photos clearly depict why motorists should not attempt to cross high water at creeks. There may not be a roadway under the visible water.

CHOCTAW COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES Director Pat Collins is joined by Sheriff Terry Park, Lewis Collins, and a representative of Airwaves of Paris (Kenneth), as they begin the process of installing and testing new radio repeater equipment that will serve all of Choctaw County.

The Choctaw Nation officially opened its new central laundry facility in Hugo Thursday, after Chief Gary Batton and members of the Tribal Council toured the modern high volume facility. The massive new laundry operation is capable of doing the equivalent of 30,000 loads of laundry each day and will efficiently process a number of linen products that are generated daily by the Nation’s growing hotel and casino operations in Durant, Grant and Pocola.

The number of COVID cases are on the rise locally after a brief hiatus, according to discussion during the Choctaw County Memorial Hospital board meeting June 30. “They are starting a little uptick,” hospital CEO Nick Rowland said.

PARIS — Paris Junior College is pleased to announce that 175 students were named to the President’s and Dean’s lists for academic achievement during the Spring 2021 semester. Included on that list of scholars is Hollye Hiinsley, of Hugo.

MR. and MRS. LOYD DEATON of Rattan, will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 4 p.m. The celebration will be held at the Rattan Senior Citizens Center. All family and friends are invited to attend. Loyd and Kay were married in Rattan, Okla., on June 9, 1961. They have built a beautiful loving life together.

(Left) Lauren Wren (center) of KTC Hugo, recently presentd her Classification Talk to fellow members of the Hugo Rotary Club. We are thankful to have her serving with us. She is pictured with two of our Hugo Rotarians, Club Treasurer Les Shumake (left) and District 5830 Assistant Governor Rochelle Cory (right).