News

A ribbon was cut during the dedication ceremony of the Crooked Smile pedestrian bridge. The bridge is located off North First Avenue near the Southeastern Visual & Performing Arts Center and it crosses Chuckwa Creek. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

A ribbon was cut during the dedication ceremony of the Crooked Smile pedestrian bridge. The bridge is located off North First Avenue near the Southeastern Visual & Performing Arts Center and it crosses Chuckwa Creek. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Crooked Smile Trail bridge dedicated

Matt Swearengin
Friday, April 18, 2025
A ribbon cutting and dedication for the bridge over Chuckwa Creek at the Crooked Smile Trail off North First Avenue near the Southeastern Visual & Performing Arts Center was held April 8.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Monday, April 14, 2025
Felonies filed Taliah A. Robinson, 46, Dallas,Texas, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and misdemeanor DUI.
Joey Tucker was sworn in Monday as Bryan County Sheriff and he is shown with his wife Scarlett. Sheriff Johnny Christian passed away March 28 and Tucker was previously the undersheriff. There will be an election for sheriff next year. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Joey Tucker was sworn in Monday as Bryan County Sheriff and he is shown with his wife Scarlett. Sheriff Johnny Christian passed away March 28 and Tucker was previously the undersheriff. There will be an election for sheriff next year. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Tucker sworn in as sheriff

News Staff
Monday, April 14, 2025
BY MATT SWEARENGIN matt@durantdemocrat.com Joey Tucker, who served as undersheriff with Sheriff Johnny Christian, was sworn in Monday morning as Bryan County Sheriff.
Durant Public Schools and the Crisis Control Center received donations from AllianceHealth as part of Doctors’ Day. Front row, left, Stephanie Luke, Crisis Control Center interim director, Justin Patawara, D.O., Jamie Akin, D.O., Paul Varughese, M.D., and Mark Moring, Durant Schools superintendent. Back row, left, Caitlin Spinney, D.O., Zane Rulon, D.O., Terry Gerard, D.O., Satish Bagdure, M.D., Kevin Gordon, D.O., Sabih Alam, M.D., and Svend Bjorn, DPM. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant Public Schools and the Crisis Control Center received donations from AllianceHealth as part of Doctors’ Day. Front row, left, Stephanie Luke, Crisis Control Center interim director, Justin Patawara, D.O., Jamie Akin, D.O., Paul Varughese, M.D., and Mark Moring, Durant Schools superintendent. Back row, left, Caitlin Spinney, D.O., Zane Rulon, D.O., Terry Gerard, D.O., Satish Bagdure, M.D., Kevin Gordon, D.O., Sabih Alam, M.D., and Svend Bjorn, DPM. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

AllianceHealth Durant celebrates Doctors’ Day with donation

Matt Swearengin
Monday, April 14, 2025
AllianceHealth hospital in Durant commemorated National Doctors’ Day by honoring the providers who serve the hospital and presenting donations to Durant Public Schools and the Crisis Control Center.
Teresa Christian, widow of Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian, is presented the flag from Christian’s casket during the service at Highland Cemetery before Christian was laid to rest. Also shown is Kimo Puana, son to the Christians. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Teresa Christian, widow of Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian, is presented the flag from Christian’s casket during the service at Highland Cemetery before Christian was laid to rest. Also shown is Kimo Puana, son to the Christians. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Sheriff Christian laid to rest

Matt Swearengin
Monday, April 14, 2025
Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian was remembered as a fearless and dedicated law enforcement officer during his celebration of life service April 2 at the Choctaw Event Center. Numerous law enforcement officers from different agencies statewide attended the service.
Runners take off during The Owen Foundation’s Blazing 5K run Saturday morning. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Runners take off during The Owen Foundation’s Blazing 5K run Saturday morning. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Owen Foundation holds Blazing 5K for autism awareness

Matt Swearengin
Monday, April 14, 2025
The Owen Foundation, an organization that brings autism awareness and inclusion to the community, had its second-annual Blazing Fun Run & 5K Saturday morning in downtown Durant.

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
April 5 Bryan County Democrats will hold their Precinct Meeting and County Convention at the Donald W. Reynolds Library & Community Center from 11:00 a.m.
Pat Tonubbee

Pat Tonubbee

Book Talk to meet April 10

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Book Talk will meet April 10 to discuss “Shelterwood” by Lisa Wingate, with Pat Tonubbee leading the discussion. The discussion group meets at 6.30 p.m.
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