Hugo News

05/04/2026

If you have occasion to be in the downtown Hugo area, take a look at the sidewalk in front of the Hugo News. It's sparkling clean, thanks to Joe Williams pressure washing. The downtown sidewalks are actually City of Hugo Property, and haven't been pressure washed in many years (if ever). The clean look would be nice for all of downtown Hugo, where most of the local businesses collect taxes that keep the city going. Area citizens and businesses might considering asking the Hugo Council to offer a contract to an area business to keep the downtown area more clean. Right now is "BUDGET CONSIDERATION TIME" by the Mayor and council for the next year. Some funds for streets would also be in order. The budget has to be completed and approved by the Council in the next 4-6 weeks.

04/15/2026

OSBI follows up on officer-involved shooting...

OSBI INVESTIGATES OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BOKCHITO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
APRIL 15, 2026

BOKCHITO, OK – On April 13, 2026, the Bokchito Police Department requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate an officer-involved shooting.

At around 6:45 p.m., officers with the Bokchito Police Department located 46-year-old Teddy Kelsey walking along Impson Street in Bokchito. Officers determined that Kelsey had an arrest warrant through the Choctaw Tribal Courts.

When officers approached Kelsey, he brandished a firearm and discharged his weapon. Kelsey then fled on foot, leading to a pursuit.

Kelsey made his way to his residence near Ballpark Road and East Street. A baseball game was occurring in that same area; thus, the Bokchito Police Department, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office assisted in securing the field.

Bokchito Police officers and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to Kelsey’s residence. As officers approached the home, Kelsey again brandished a firearm, leading to an officer-involved shooting.

Medical personnel provided life-saving measures to Kelsey; however, he was pronounced deceased on scene. There were no other injuries during the altercation and this is still an ongoing investigation.

The OSBI appreciates the Bokchito Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Bryan County Sheriff's Office for their continued assistance with this investigation.

04/14/2026

Oklahoma Well Owner Network to host second Get Well-Informed free water testing day
The Oklahoma Well Owner Network program offered through Oklahoma State University Extension and OSU’s Oklahoma Water Resources Center will host a “Get Well-Informed” free well water testing event for residents in 14 counties across southeast Oklahoma this spring.
The locations listed below will receive samples from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on May 1. Analysis results will be provided directly to well owners via email, or mail if email is not an option.
• Choctaw County Extension.
• McCurtain County Extension.
• Pushmataha County Extension.
Well owners interested in the free well water analysis are encouraged to contact the nearest county OSU Extension office for instructions on collecting a sample or visit the OWON website. The well water screening aims to help well owners better understand and safeguard their drinking water quality. Contact information for each county can be found on OSU Extension’s county map or Oklahoma Water Resources Center’s website.
“In 2018, we surveyed citizens across Oklahoma on what their biggest water resource concerns were,” said Kevin Wagner, Oklahoma Water Resources Center director. “Consistently across the state, Oklahomans’ key concern was drinking water quality.”
“This program helps citizens get their well water screened for key contaminants and then provides them with information on how to address any concerns identified,” said Jeff Sadler, OSU biosystems and agricultural engineering assistant professor and OSU Extension water resources specialist.
Water samples will be screened for nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH and E.coli presence. Sadler will also provide participants with an informational post-event Zoom to help understand results.
The program is facilitated by the Oklahoma Water Resources Center and OSU biosystems and agricultural engineering department, in conjunction with OSU Extension county offices, Southeast Oklahoma Library System, and other participating partners with funding support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
To learn more about the Get-Well Informed testing event, contact Sadler at 405.744.8429 or [email protected].

04/09/2026

There are many wonderful stories and technologies that arise out of the American Aerospace journey... This is one of them that shines a light on the incredible people who risk their lives to support this important mission... — Stan Stamper

"That was, I think, where the four of us were the most forged, the most bonded, and we came out of that really focused on that day ahead."

03/17/2026

The Hugo city council has scheduled a special meeting for 12 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at city hall. Items to be discussed include, but are not limited to:

Hugo City Council Special Meeting
Agenda
March 19, 2026@ 12:00p.m.
203 South Second, Hugo, Oklahoma 74743

“The Council may adopt, approve, ratify, deny, defer, recommend, amend, strike, or continue any agenda item. This rule will apply to every individual agenda item without providing the same language with respect to each individual agenda item.”

1. Call to Order
2. Attendance Roll Call
3. Flag Salute Mayor Bunn
4. Invocation
5. Citizen Comments
6. Discussion with possible action regarding removal of Brittany Messer as an Authorized Signer for the City. Mayor Bunn
7. Discussion with possible action regarding removal of Alan Reynolds as an Authorized Signer for the City. Mayor Bunn
8. Discussion with possible action appointing Interim City Manager as an Authorized Signer for the City. - Mayor Bunn
9. Discussion with possible action regarding approval of mobile home policy, Ordinance #991 Councilperson McCarty
10. Executive Session Mayor Bunn
a. Discussion regarding employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of any individual salaried public officer or employee, City Manager Per Title 25 O.S. Section 307 B (1).
b. Discussion regarding employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of any individual salaried public officer or employee, City Treasurer. Per Title 25 O.S. Section 307 B (1).
11. Reconvene into Regular Session Mayor Bunn
12. Discussion with possible action regarding item a. discussed Executive Session. Mayor Bunn
13. Discussion with possible action regarding item b. discussed during Executive Session.
Mayor Bunn
14. Discussion with possible action regarding the NEW BUSINESS - Any Matter Not Known About or Which Could Not Have Been Reasonably Foreseen Prior to the Time of Posting.
15. Reports and Inquiries Not Requiring Immediate City Council Action.
16. Councilmember Comments
17. Mayor Bunn Comments
18. City Manager
19. Adjournment

Date Posted: March 17, 2026
Time Posted: 12:00 PM
Posted By: Debra Searcy, City Clerk
Hugo Municipal Authority Special Meeting
Agenda
March 19, 2026
directly following the March 19, 2026, Hugo City Council Meeting which begins 12:00p.m.
203 South Second, Hugo, Oklahoma 74743
“The Council may adopt, approve, ratify, deny, defer, recommend, amend, strike, or continue any agenda item. This rule will apply to every individual agenda item without providing the same language with respect to each individual agenda item.”

1. Call to Order - Mayor
2. Roll Call
3. Discussion with possible action regarding removal of Brittany Messer as an Authorized Signer for the Hugo Municipal Authority. Mayor Bunn
4. Discussion with possible action regarding removal of Alan Reynolds as an Authorized Signer for the Hugo Municipal Authority. Mayor Bunn
5. Discussion with possible action appointing Interim City Manager as an Authorized Signer for the Hugo Municipal Authority - Mayor Bunn
6. Executive Session Mayor Bunn
a. Discussion regarding employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of any individual salaried public officer or employee, City Manager Per Title 25 O.S. Section 307 B (1).
b. Discussion regarding employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining or resignation of any individual salaried public officer or employee, City Treasurer. Per Title 25 O.S. Section 307 B (1).
7. Reconvene into Regular Session Mayor Bunn
8. Discussion with possible action regarding item a. discussed Executive Session. Mayor Bunn
9. Discussion with possible action regarding item b. discussed during Executive Session.
10. Mayor Bunn
11. NEW BUSINESS - Any Matter Not Known About or Which Could Not Have Been Reasonably Foreseen Prior to the Time of Posting.
12. Reports and Inquiries Not Requiring Immediate Municipal Authority Action.
13. Councilmember Comments
14. City Manager
15. Adjournment

Posted: March 17, 2026
Time Posted: 12:00 PM
Posted By: Debra Searcy, City Clerk

03/16/2026

The Military Order of the Purple Heart special recognition award was bestowed upon Choctaw County Monday morning, for its dedication and support honoring America’s combat wounded veterans.

02/27/2026

The board of county commissioners for Choctaw County will meet Monday morning at 9. Items to be discussed include, but are not limited to (see attached):

02/27/2026

The Buffaloes beat Marietta 69-52 to move on to the second day of regional play 📸

02/24/2026

Soper Board of Education announces proposed special board meeting set for 7 p.m. March 2.

02/18/2026

Federal jury returns $9.5 million award against Choctaw County in deceased prisoner case.

Details in Wednesday's Hugo News

02/11/2026

Snapshot of Tuesday's City of Hugo Municipal Election to fill vacant city council seat.
• Leah Guess Thomas 192
• Tim Lemmons 120
• Chris Cannon 26
•John Wyrick 22

Of the 2,663 voters registered to vote in Hugo, 360 voted (14%).
Precinct 105 (South Central Dist. Bldg) voted 15% (124 votes: 91 Thomas/ 19 Lemmons/ 8 Cannon/ 6 Wyrick).

Precinct 215 (KTC) voted 12% (114 votes: 54 Thomas/ 49 Lemmons/ 8 Cannon/ 3 Wyrick).

Precinct 316 (Library) voted 14% (122 votes: 47 Thomas/ 52 Lemmons/ 10 Cannon/ 13 Wyrick).

City officials advise that Leah Guess Thomas will be sworn in Friday at 5:15 p.m.

• Precinct and voter details will appear in next Wednesday's Hugo News.