The Durant Daily Democrat

Centenarian recalls 1939 choir trip, other events

A choir trip to Washington D.C. in 1939 and a blimp flying over Durant are among memories of a 100-year-old Durant woman. Maudie (Thompson) Anderson was born on June 4, 1921, at 735 S. Third … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/29/21 08:42 PM

Motorcycle ride for FFF

The Three Valley Riders had a “Dice Run” Saturday to benefit Families Feeding Families and there was also an auction that afternoon at the Bryan County Fairgrounds. FFF recently broke … more

7/29/21 07:44 PM

KTC director speaks to school board

Kiamichi Technology Center served 29 students from Durant High School last year, according to Lane Jackson, director of the Durant campus. Jackson spoke during a recent meeting of the Durant Board … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/29/21 05:17 PM

Commissioners vote to have sales tax on October ballot

Bryan County Commissioners Ron Boyer and Tony Simmons voted in a meeting Tuesday morning to hold a special election Oct. 12 for a half-cent sales tax to fund road and other infrastructure projects in … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/29/21 12:05 PM

Caddo teacher completes English learners course

CADDO – Cynthia Villegas, a Spanish teacher for Caddo Public Schools, has completed the ESL Certification Exam Prep Course. An online professional development platform for Teachers of … more

7/29/21 10:15 AM

Deputy Jarid Taylor Memorial Run is Saturday

The inaugural Jarid Taylor Memorial 5K & 1M Fun Run will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 31 at North Second and Evergreen in Durant. Taylor was a Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy who died in … more

7/28/21 09:39 PM

The Classy Collective

The Classy Collective celebrated its move to a new location at 305 W. Main St. in The Plaza with a ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce. The store carries teacher/school supplies, … more

7/28/21 08:14 PM

Choctaw Cultural Center has grand opening

Following several years of planning, research and work, the much-anticipated Choctaw Cultural Center officially opened its doors to the public last week. The center, which tells the 14,000-year … more

By Kevin Farr
For the Democrat | 7/28/21 07:37 PM

Behrens exhibits at National Junior Shorthorn Show

Merideth Behrens, a junior Shorthorn exhibitor from Colbert, recently exhibited at the 2021 National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Merideth exhibited the … more

7/28/21 04:46 PM

Storage units catch fire

Durant firefighters put out a mini-storage building fire last Wednesday at 101 E. Main St. Firefighters were dispatched at 9:42 p.m. and while en route, a Durant police officer told firefighters … more

7/28/21 04:31 PM

Last of three jail escapees caught

The last of three inmates who escaped from the Bryan County Jail has been caught, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office said. Stoney Ellis was captured in Sulphur, Louisiana, the sheriff’s … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/28/21 03:59 PM

Southeastern’s Summer Commencement set for July 30-31

Southeastern Oklahoma State University will hold two summer commencement ceremonies on July 30-31. The schedule is as follows:  Friday, July 30 – 6 p.m., Bloomer Sullivan Arena … more

7/28/21 12:04 PM

Oklahoma students attend Summer STEM Academy at Southeastern

A group of eighth-and-ninth-grade students participated in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Summer Academy last week at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Oklahoma … more

7/28/21 09:59 AM

Funds donated for kitchen upgrades at community building

District 19 Masons and the Little Dixie Shrine Club made donations for the remodeling of the kitchen at the Clay Jones Community Center located at the fairgrounds. Shown are, Butch Scalf, John King … more

7/22/21 09:27 PM

Members appointed to cemetery board

Two members have been appointed to the Highland Cemetery Advisory Board. Rick Rumsey and Crystal Maynard were sworn in prior to a meeting of the board last week. Maynard was also named chairperson … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/22/21 09:25 PM

In-person meetings resume for inter-tribal council

The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes (ITC) met July 9 in its first in-person general session since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The session also marked the one-year anniversary of … more

7/22/21 05:59 PM

Durant police has ‘roll call’ reunion

Many current and former Durant police officers attended the “roll call” reunion Saturday afternoon at the Durant Police Department. Some of the former officers served in the 1960s and … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/22/21 10:18 AM

Historic steam locomotive to stop in Durant

The “Big Boy No. 4014” will make a brief stop in Durant from 12:30-12:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13 at the West Cedar Street crossing, Union Pacific Railroad announced. Twenty-five Big Boys … more

7/22/21 09:57 AM

Firefighters respond to fires, stalled elevator

Durant firefighters have responded to several fires the past few days and also helped free a man who was inside a stalled elevator at Choctaw Casino. A shed caught fire at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at 214 … more

By Matt Swearengin
matt@durantdemocrat.com | 7/21/21 10:27 PM

OG&E franchise election passes

Durant residents voted for Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E) to continue to provide electricity service for the City of Durant for the next 25 years. According to the Bryan County … more

Staff report | 7/21/21 06:04 PM