News

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

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
Thursday, March 19, 2026
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.
JIMMY BLOW JR.

JIMMY BLOW JR.

Man wanted since January arrested

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, March 19, 2026
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.
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

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
Thursday, March 19, 2026
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.
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

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
Thursday, March 19, 2026
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.
Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton speaks about the tribe’s economic impact during a conference last week. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

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
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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.

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
April 3 Featherstone Assisted Living Center is having an Easter egg hunt from 3-6 p.m. April 3.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Felonies filed Mason Russell Craddock, 35, Durant, indecent exposure. Amanda Vanessa Morris, 47, Durant, domestic assault and battery.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

News Staff
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Recorded in the Bryan County Clerk’s Office Legacy QOZB to Jensen Estate Fund, warranty deed Kyle R. Richardson and Erin D.
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Durant High School senior Emma Green was named an Academic All-State honoree, and she was introduced in last week’s school board meeting by Principal Amber Bullard.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Durant High School senior Emma Green was named an Academic All-State honoree, and she was introduced in last week’s school board meeting by Principal Amber Bullard.

Durant High School senior is Academic All-State honoree

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Durant High School senior Emma Green was recognized during last week’s Durant Board of Education meeting for being named a 2026 Academic All-State honoree.
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