City of Holdenville Street Commissioner Jim Thetford reminds residents that the annual Citywide brush and limb pickup will begin on March 1. He encourages everyone to spend time during the next couple of weeks pruning trees and shrubs in preparation for spring, as well as clearing away dead limbs and branches that have fallen during the winter.

Holdenville City Council member Jeanna Gordon, whose responsibilities include serving on the Airport Committee, presented a plan to the rest of the Council showing how they could save money renovating the airport terminal building using City workers instead of hiring contractors. Each step included a cost estimate. The City received a $20,000 grant for improvements to the building through the CARES Act.

There was a sigh of relieve in Holdenville and across Hughes and Seminole Counties when the Hughes County Sheriff’s Department announced on social media Wednesday evening that Tiberius Dodson had been taken into custody at a residence north of Holdenville after a brief, losing scuffle with a K-9 Officer.

HHS Basketball Homecoming Royalty Pictured L-R: Escort, Fa’khari Carter with Sophomore attendant Shelby Grissom, Tyson Buck with Basketball Homecoming queen, Leaigha Phillips, Junior attendant, Liberty Jackson with escort Josiah McPerryman, and Ryleigh Tiger and her escort, Izaia King, Flower Girl Bristol Langdon, and Ring Bearer Raden Tillery. MORE PICS AND SPORTS PAGE A-2

SENIOR SWINE SHOWMANSHIP CHAMPION: Jon Wiseman Stevie Huff picture with her GRAND CHAMPION HOG Seniors Peyton Foran and Cody McFarland Livestock Show Photos Courtesy of Carrie McFarland.

January is School Board Appreciation month and Holdenville Public Schools would like to recognize and express their deep appreciation for the service and support of the Holdenville Public school board. The members of the board serve a 5-year term and throughout their term, spend countless hours supporting the Holdenville school system.

Potential candidates are reminded that the filing period for area Municipal Offices began Monday and will end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3. Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted at the County Election Board office, located in the Hughes County Court House, 200 North Broadway.

Mon: Swedish meatballs w/rice; carrots; beets, roll, pudding and milk Tues: Frito chili pie, Mexi corn relish, emerald pears, chocolate cake and milk Wed: Fish, coleslaw, broccoli rice au gratin, cornbread, sugar cookie and milk Thurs: Enchilada casserole, refried beans, Spanish rice, gelatin w/whipped topping and milk Fri: Hot ham & cheese sandwich, French fried, steamed vegetables, sherbet and milk.

When my son was 4 years old, he loved all things “construction” and was in his glory when he received a yellow plastic dump truck for his birthday. Jumping up and down excitedly, he begged me to take him to the park right away. At the sandbox, his eyes sparkled with delight as he made “vroom vroom” and “beep beep” noises, filling and emptying his truck with sand. He was in a state of utter bliss and could have played with his truck for hours. But, all of a sudden, he glimpsed something behind me and his face clouded over. I turned to see another boy arriving at the park. He was holding a dump truck: it was big, red, and had flashing lights and sounds. The glee my son had experienced only moments ago was replaced by disappointment, as he looked at his smaller, more “basic” truck. Pretty soon, he asked to leave and go home.

Good morning to you. Well January is over and it is already February. So glad it is closer to Spring! Have you ever noticed how the world is into sharing. It’s becoming the favorite term for posting messages on Facebook, messenger, etc. We share everything about ourselves now – too much! What we are feeling, doing, thinking, what we have purchased, what we have eaten, and what our pet are up to. Never have so people shared so much online, even if what they are sharing is strictly about their lives.