August 26, 2026
Ronnie Cubley goes down the rocket slide at Dixon Durant Park. Cubley visited the slide after learning the city was going to remove the slide while leaving the rocket intact. However, the city now says the rocket slide will be refurbished and will still include a slide. Photo provided
Dr. Melinda McClanahan talks during a visit back to Washington Irving Elementary School for the first time since she was a student there in 1948. Also shown is her husband Robert Porter and Diana Adams, secretary at WI. Dr. McClanahan is the younger sister of the late Rue McClanahan, who starred in the sitcom, “The Golden Girls.” Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
The annual Kick up Your Heels for Sexual Assault Awareness walk sponsored by Choctaw Nation Family Violence Prevention was Saturday morning at the Choctaw Nation Headquarters. Some wore high heels during the walk. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Southeastern Department of Chemistry, Computer, and Physical Sciences had an eclipse viewing event on Monday in front of the Student Union. There was a telescope with solar filter to allow viewers to see the surface of the sun in detail plus a second telescope that sent the image to a television screen in real time. Dr. Tim Smith, SE Department Chair/Professor of Chemistry, Computer & Physical Sciences, looks through the telescope shortly after the eclipse began. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat The annual Fort Washita Rendezvous was held last Wednesday through Sunday and the event showcases historic life at the fort. This year, the event featured trappers, traders, mountain men demonstrators, stickball, Chickasaw Stomp Dancers and more. Fort Washita was built in 1842 and served as a former United States military post. The mission of Fort Washita was to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes from the Plains Indians and was abandoned after the Civil War in 1865.