By the end of April, the virus had been officially designated as causing COVID-19. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area here was in the process of shutting down. Warning signs were posted showing techniques for preventing virus spread. Notably, at this stage of the pandemic there was no mention on this sign of wearing masks. (This scene was on April 29 in Flower Park.) Most areas of the park are now open. PHOTO BY MIKE WEST

Local Veterans Enjoy Day Of Fishing The Sulphur Veterans Center Recreation department hasn’t been able to take the Veterans fishing, so they brought the fishing to the Veterans this past fall. On Thursday, Sept 24 and Friday Sept 25, residents enjoyed fishing in the main parking lot thanks to some generous donors. Brandon Meador, with the Beyond Brotherhood organization, provided a tank and James and Wes Harden provided the water and fish. “We could not of pulled it off without them and we would like to say thank you for helping make this possible,” said administrator Pam Arms. “Although we had several bites and some fish broke the fishing line a couple of times, Veteran Allen Murray finally caught one. Arms and APO, Steve Roblez, even got in on the action. Everyone had so much fun and the weather was beautiful, said Arms.

Murray County citizens can now make their ad valorem tax payments in a convenient drop box on the court house lawn. The new receptacle is an alternative for those not wanting to go inside the court house to pay tax bills due to COVID-19 concerns, said treasurer Kim Hale.