News

The Durant Magnolia Farmers Market Watermelon Jamboree was Saturday morning at Market Square and there was a watermelon eating contest and seed-spitting contest. The Farmers Market continues on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon through Oct. 31.

The Durant Magnolia Farmers Market Watermelon Jamboree was Saturday morning at Market Square and there was a watermelon eating contest and seed-spitting contest. The Farmers Market continues on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon through Oct. 31.

Magnolia Farmers Market Watermelon Jamboree

News Staff
Friday, August 7, 2026
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ONG offers tips to beat the heat and save money

News Staff
Friday, August 7, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – As summer temperatures rise, many customers look for ways to manage household energy costs. Oklahoma Natural Gas encourages customers to focus on simple steps that can improve efficiency and help reduce overall energy use.

Fall concert series to be held in Durant

News Staff
Friday, August 7, 2026
Discover Durant announces the 6th annual fall concert series to be held every Thursday night at Market Square in Downtown Durant from September 17 – October 8 at 7:00 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Friday, August 7, 2026
Felonies filed Patrick Glenn Staples, 43, Bokchito, first-degree burglary. Wyman A.
Okie Toy Run members Lisa Townsend, Lori Jo Reid and Teresa Kiersey serve fish at the Durant Elks Lodge to raise funds for school supplies. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Okie Toy Run members Lisa Townsend, Lori Jo Reid and Teresa Kiersey serve fish at the Durant Elks Lodge to raise funds for school supplies. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Elks, Okie Christmas Toy Run team up for school supplies drive

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 7, 2026
Turning Point Coalition has Back to School Bash Okie Christmas Toy Run and the Durant Elks Lodge teamed up recently for a fish fry to raise funds for backpacks and back-to-school supplies.
ABOVE: The Durant Magnolia Farmers Market Watermelon Jamboree was Saturday morning at Market Square and there was a watermelon eating contest and seed-spitting contest. The Farmers Market continues on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon through Oct. 31. See more pictures on page 10.

ABOVE: The Durant Magnolia Farmers Market Watermelon Jamboree was Saturday morning at Market Square and there was a watermelon eating contest and seed-spitting contest. The Farmers Market continues on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon through Oct. 31. See more pictures on page 10.

Watermelon eating contest

News Staff
Friday, August 7, 2026
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Brian Kelly is the coordinator for the Bryan County Drug Court. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Brian Kelly is the coordinator for the Bryan County Drug Court. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Drug court provides second chances

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 7, 2026
The Bryan County Drug Court was founded in 2005, and it gives those who have been arrested an alternative to prison if they stay clean.
Wyman McMillin

Wyman McMillin

Man arrested at scene of Bokchito shooting charged

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 7, 2026
A man arrested at the scene of a shooting that injured one person last week in Bokchito has been charged with two felonies. Sixty-six-year-old Wyman Arlin McMillin of Bokchito has been charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction.
Taylor Shipp and others watch as balloons are released in memory of Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jarid Taylor before the start of the memorial run. Shipp is the race director and Taylor’s cousin. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Taylor Shipp and others watch as balloons are released in memory of Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jarid Taylor before the start of the memorial run. Shipp is the race director and Taylor’s cousin. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Jarid Taylor Memorial Run held

Matt Swearengin
Friday, July 31, 2026
The sixth annual Jarid Taylor Memorial 5K Run was last Saturday in Durant and it is held in memory of a Bryan County Sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty. Deputy Taylor, 31, was en route to an emergency call on Jan.
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