Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:12 pm Sunday, August 25, 2002

Choctaws brace for opening of new $177 million casino

By By William F. West / community editor
August 25, 2002
CHOCTAW The new Golden Moon Hotel and Casino will open Monday at 11 a.m.
The 28-story structure has 571 rooms, including 112 suites and 32 VIP luxury suites, topped by a lounge, a restaurant and an observation deck. The bottom floor has casinos plus a bistro, a coffee shop, dance floors, lounges, restaurants and stores.
The Golden Moon, a $177 million project, complements the Choctaw tribe's original hotel and casino, the Silver Star, located across Highway 16, and the nearby Dancing Rabbit Golf Club and Geyser Falls Water Park. Plans also call for the construction of a Lake Pushmataha resort.
The Choctaws broke ground for the Golden Moon project in November 2000 and topped the structure off in March of last year. A grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Also on Franklin County Times
Text message signaled return to state
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers, ...
AHSAA NW REGIONAL FINAL RED BAY 64, COLD SPRINGS 52
Text message signaled return to state
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — It was a simple text message, one sent by a mom of a former player. It was a six-year-old picture of Red Bay huddled together outside Leg...
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
Belgreen Bulldogs, High School Sports, Main, ...
COLD SPRINGS 45, BELGREEN 42
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — Their hands found their faces quickly — something, anything, to absorb the tears. It only worked so well. “It’s hard,” Makenna Fisher sai...
Court asked to halt lot sales
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
Court asked to halt lot sales
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners are seeking a court order to halt future sales of lots for the Lightning Ridge subdivision. Colbert Count...
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Middle school teacher Carley Andrews Tellish has been named the 2026 Spezzini Rural Teacher of the Year, an honor that recognizes one K...
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
News, Russellville
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- The annual Franklin County Cattlemen’s beef cookoff took place recently at Triple H Barn with students from Russellville, Red Bay, Bel...
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
February 25, 2026
As the 250th celebration of the United States approaches, members of the Cultura Garden club have been revisiting American history through a series of...
Medicare Advantage must be funded
Columnists, Opinion
Medicare Advantage must be funded
February 25, 2026
In a few short months, policymakers will decide the financial fate of the Medicare Advantage program and its millions of members. While the program is...
Guntersville ends season for RHS girls basketball
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
Guntersville ends season for RHS girls basketball
Brannon King For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
The memorable and successful 2025-26 girls basketball season came to an end for the Russellville Golden Tigers at the AHSAA Class 5A Northwest Regiona...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *