News

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
Felonies filed Gabriel Sanchez, 23, Durant, DUI. Linda Jean Kindle, 36, Durant, domestic abuse and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
The Durant High School class of 2026 celebrates at the conclusion of commencement May 21 at Southeastern Bloomer Sullivan Arena. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The Durant High School class of 2026 celebrates at the conclusion of commencement May 21 at Southeastern Bloomer Sullivan Arena. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant High School class of 2026

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
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The Magnolia Run 5K & 1M Fun Run is being held again this year at 8 a.m. Saturday in downtown Durant. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The Magnolia Run 5K & 1M Fun Run is being held again this year at 8 a.m. Saturday in downtown Durant. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Magnolia Festival continues through Saturday

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
The Magnolia Festival continues Friday and Saturday at the Choctaw Event Center with numerous events that the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce says will make a great fun-filled family weekend.
Durant Mayor Martin Tucker presents Karleigh Miles with a proclamation designating June 29 as Scoliosis Awareness Day in the City of Durant. Also shown are Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu and council members Clint Morrison, Humphrey Miller and Danny Sherrer. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant Mayor Martin Tucker presents Karleigh Miles with a proclamation designating June 29 as Scoliosis Awareness Day in the City of Durant. Also shown are Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu and council members Clint Morrison, Humphrey Miller and Danny Sherrer. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Proclamations for foster care, scoliosis awareness presented at city council meeting

Matt Swearengin
Friday, May 29, 2026
Proclamations for National Foster Care Awareness Month and Scoliosis Awareness Day were presented by Mayor Martin Tucker during a recent meeting of Durant City Council.
Brian Kader

Brian Kader

Kader named Durant girls basketball coach

Kevin Farr
Friday, May 29, 2026
After a successful tenure of coaching at the Class 2A and 3A levels, Brian Kader will take his aim at Class 5A as the new head girls basketball coach at Durant High School. Kader is a 12 year head coaching veteran with stops at Buffalo, Depew, Lindsay and mostly recently at Okemah for the past year.
Durant Police Chief Jesse Petty and wife Courtney are among those praying during the Durant High School Senior Baccalaureate. The Petty’s daughter Kenzee is a graduate. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant Police Chief Jesse Petty and wife Courtney are among those praying during the Durant High School Senior Baccalaureate. The Petty’s daughter Kenzee is a graduate. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

DHS seniors told to not let go of hope

Matt Swearengin
Friday, May 29, 2026
Hope is what Durant High School seniors were told not to lose during the Senior Baccalaureate May 17 at Durant First United Methodist Church. Sebastian Connor, pastor of connections and students at Durant First Baptist Church, was the speaker.

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
May 26 The Bryan County Democratic Party (BCDP) is supporting a “candidate meet & greet” with Jim Priest, for the US Senate, Tuesday, May 26. Come by from 1230-130 pm at Blakes Coffee Shop on University St.

Minimum wage, minimum power

Marion Hill
Thursday, May 21, 2026
State Question 832, the $15 Minimum Wage Initiative, will appear on the June 2026 ballot in Oklahoma, and I plan to vote for it. If passed, the measure would increase the minimum wage to $12 per hour in 2027, $13.50 in 2028, and $15 in 2029.
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