ATOKA—March Madness has already begun in Oklahoma. On Saturday, March 5, Tushka High School defeated Garber, 48-43, to claim the Class A boys basketball title at State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City.

On Wednesday, March 30th Holdenville Golden Pride Band earned their 3rd overall 3A State Championship. By earning Superior Ratings at Regional Marching Contest in October and State Concert Band Contest and State Sight-Reading Contest both on Wednesday, the Golden Pride earned the coveted “Sweepstakes Award” which is the highest award given to a band program in Oklahoma and is the equivalent to a State Championship. However, because of the nature of the activity multiple schools can earn this achievement. In the OSSAA there are One hundred twenty-eight 3A bands in Oklahoma and only five achieved this honor, the others being: Beggs, Bethel, Comanche and Idabel.

A pursuit that began in Seminole County and ended in Hughes County Thursday resulted in the discovery of drugs with a street value of about $100,000. According to the Seminole Police Department, on March 31 at 11:23 p.m., Officer Messner and K9 Raven conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Harvey Rd and Strothers after the vehicle was observed driving in a manner that led the officer to believe the driver was possibly intoxicated (swerving and driving onto the shoulder).

After 40 years of working in the insurance field, Robert and Vicki Taylor have decided to retire. In February, they combined their Allen Insurance Agency with Robert G. Taylor & Associates and Casey and Kim LaValley have taken over the business. Going forward, all of the clients from the Allen agency will be serviced through the Holdenville office and can be reached at 405-379-2176. Congratulations to Robert and Vicki on a well-deserved retirement and for the great service they provided to the Allen and Holdenville communities through American Farmers & Ranchers insurance. Also, congratulations to Casey and Kim on their new endeavor. We wish you all the best!

Holdenville Lions Club Corner, by Lion Jerrie Lindsey The Holdenville Lions Club met at Boom-a-rang Diner in Holdenville, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 for breakfast at 7:00 am. After the flag salute and an invocation, Lion Secretary, Jerrie Lindsey, read the minutes from the last meeting, which were amended and approved.

Christian parents are faced with many dilemmas as they seek to raise their children for the Lord. If they have sporty or athletic children who play on a sports team, the question of playing on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) becomes a real issue.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, is sponsoring the First Annual Veterans PTSD Awareness Campout April 1-3 at Scipio Campground in Scipio, OK. The event is endorsed by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).

Statewide election activity officially begins at 8 a.m., Wednesday April 13 when the filing period opens, the Secretary of the Hughes County Election Board said today. Candidates for state offices file with the Secretary of the State Election Board.

Chris Babb was this year’s key note speaker at this year’s Chamber banquet. After graduating in 2005, Chris attended Oklahoma State University graduating with a major in Petroleum Geology. Babb later continued his education at OSU graduating with a Masters in Science. Babb is presently the Director of Accounts with MCWL Paladin Geological. Chris and his wife, Melissa have two children and reside in Broken Arrow.

PLATINUM GIVERS - Security State Bank, CoreCivic Davis Correctional Facility, First United Bank, First National Bank, and Save-A-Lot. ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - Holdenville Mother’s Club.