Washington Irving Spelling Bee Winners for first grade are: 1st Place – Alex Crook and 2nd Place – Piper Whalen. Photos provided | WI
Washington Irving Spelling Bee winners
News Staff
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Thursday, March 19, 2026
News
Washington Irving recently held their annual Science Fair. A big thank you to the judges, Dr. Gordon Eggleton and Dr.Tim Smith for taking the time to support our students and their hard work! Congratulations all participants. Kindergarten: 1st Place-Olivia Maxey,2nd Place-Annleigh Jones and 3rd Place-Cheyenne Hall.
WI science fair winners
News Staff
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Thursday, March 19, 2026
Bid awarded for wastewater plant rehabilitation
Matt Swearengin
Durant City Utilities Authority in its meeting March 13, awarded a $31,377,000 bid to Drake General Contractors for the rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The 2025-2026 Choctaw Nation Royalty performs The Lord’s Prayer during opening ceremony of the Choctaw-Irish Friendship Festival at the Choctaw Cultural Center. From left, Senior Miss Candis Battice (District 12), Little Miss Leigha Scott (District 11), and Junior Miss Akeiley Willis (District 7). Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Choctaw Cultural Center hosts annual Choctaw-Irish Friendship festival
Matt Swearengin
The Choctaw-Irish Friendship Festival was March 13 and 14 at the Choctaw Cultural Center to celebrate the long friendship of the two cultures. The festival, now in its third year, commemorates the historic connection between the two nations.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
JIMMY BLOW JR.
Man wanted since January arrested
Matt Swearengin
A man wanted since January after deputies responded to a domestic incident was arrested Monday evening in Cartwright, according to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office. Forty-five-year-old Jimmy Raymond Blow Jr.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Lisa Taylor, co-owner of Rock House Vineyard, serves wine during the Leadership Durant Taste of Durant at the Choctaw Event Center. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Taste of Durant offers many flavors
Matt Swearengin
The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Durant class hosted its annual Taste of Durant at the Choctaw Event Center March 7, and the event gave many opportunities for people to sample the eateries in Durant.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Oklahoma Army National Guard 2nd Battalion 189th Regiment Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Richelle Treece unveils the unit guidon for the Southeastern Guard O_cer Leadership Development (GOLD) program. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
SE Guard Offier Leadership Development (GOLD) program launches with uncasing of guidon and debut of unit patch
News Staff
The Southeastern Oklahoma State University Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program officially launched March 11 with a ceremony at Legacy Plaza including the uncasing of the unit guidon and application on members of the unit patch.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton speaks about the tribe’s economic impact during a conference last week. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation
Choctaw Nation brings more than $4.1 billion impact to Oklahoma in 2023
News Staff
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma announced that the tribe had a significant $4,138,358,471 impact on the State of Oklahoma in 2023. Tribal officials made the announcement during an economic impact press conference last week for several tribal, state, county and local officials.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
COMING EVENTS
News Staff
April 3 Featherstone Assisted Living Center is having an Easter egg hunt from 3-6 p.m. April 3.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Alan Burton
Author with Southeastern ties returns with new true crime book set in Austin
News Staff
Sherman author Alan Burton is returning to the publishing scene this spring with the release of a new true crime book, titled, “The 1965 Texas Coed Murders: We Saw What You Did,’’ (The History Press, $24.99.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026