MALIKI GILLEAN gets some last minute batting advice from Buffalo Head Coach Brandon Debo during the Hugo-Keys District tournament in Hugo last week. Hugo News Sports / Bobby Hamill.

Oklahoma’s only free-flowing natural river will forever remain that way if Gov. Kevin Stitt signs a bill passed this week by the state legislature.

FORT SMITH — After being a multi-sport letterman at Hugo High, graduating in 2017, Hunter Church has finally found his groove in college athletics, playing for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions.

Hugo Lake Recreation Fishing and Hunting The lake area offers excellent hunting opportunities with more than 25,000 acres of land available to the hunter. Bow hunting is permitted in and around most of the park areas.

THREE HUGO BUFFALO BASEBALL PLAYERS were recognized last week during Senior Night ceremonies. Pictured above with Buffalo Head Coach Brandon Debo are: Ashton Barnett, Kane Worthy and Camden Holt. All three of the players have been consistent starters for the Buffaloes during their high school careers and drew much praise from Coach Debo for their contributions to the team’s success. Hugo News Photo / Kelli Stacy

Ashton Barnett: “He’s been here four years, and he’s kind of our spark plug. He’s our lead off, he’s a center fielder, and he’s just a great talent. When he’s on, he’s one of the best in southeast Oklahoma, I believe, and he’s helped us quite a bit. He’s gotten on base quite a bit.”

Hugo: Elevation normal, water 66 and murky. White bass good on jigs, minnows and small lures below the dam, along creek channels and river channel. Blue, channel and flathead catfish good on chicken liver, cut bait, dough bait, live bait, punch bait, shad, stinkbait and sunfish below the dam, along channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines and standing timber. Crappie excellent on jigs and minnows below the dam, around brush structure, channels, creek channels, main lake, river channel, shorelines and standing timer. Report submitted by Andrew Potter, game warden stationed in Choctaw County.

HUGO LADY BUFFALO NADALIE BOWDEN scoops up a ground ball hit to the outfield in recent action against Rock Creek, and throws the ball to second base. Backing Bowden up in center field is Alley Ivy. Hugo News Photo / Stan Stamper