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Judy Holland embraces Santa Claus after she was pulled over by Durant Police and given toys and food as part of DPD’s Santa Stops. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Judy Holland embraces Santa Claus after she was pulled over by Durant Police and given toys and food as part of DPD’s Santa Stops. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Police make Santa stops

Matt Swearengin
Monday, December 22, 2025
The Durant Police Department, with help from Santa Claus, pulled over eight drivers on Dec. 19 and gave them a box containing food and toys.
LoJo Reid rides her motorcycle during the Okie Christmas Toy Run that raised money to provide toys to children for Christmas. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

LoJo Reid rides her motorcycle during the Okie Christmas Toy Run that raised money to provide toys to children for Christmas. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Okie Christmas Toy run raises money for Toys for Tots

Matt Swearengin
Monday, December 22, 2025
The annual Okie Christmas Toy Run to benefi t Bryan County Toys for Tots was a huge success with organizers saying it provided many toys to children. LoJo Reid, a member of Three Valley Riders motorcycle club and a board member for the toy run, was pleased with the success of the event.
The second annual Durant West Merchants Association 5K and Fun run was Dec. 13 starting on Estelle Street. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The second annual Durant West Merchants Association 5K and Fun run was Dec. 13 starting on Estelle Street. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

West Durant Merchants has 5K run, Christmas events

Matt Swearengin
Monday, December 22, 2025
The West Durant Merchants Association had its third annual Westside Christmas on Dec. 13, and the event included a 5K and fun run that morning.
A ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce was held during Vision Bank’s open house to celebrate remodeling on the inside. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

A ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce was held during Vision Bank’s open house to celebrate remodeling on the inside. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Vision Bank has open house to celebrate remodel

Matt Swearengin
Monday, December 22, 2025
Vision Bank celebrated its recent interior remodel with an open house and a ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 10.

Jonah, kneel in prayer!

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
We noticed in our previous article that Jonah waited a LONG time before he finally humbled himself enough to pray. What is so interesting to me about that is the kind of prayer he offers after that long wait.
Brady Baskin reacts when speaking during a Durant City Council meeting where he was honored for his service to find and recover Clara Robinson, who along with her father, Will Robinson died during a Christmas Eve 2024 car accident. Also shown are City Manager Pam Polk, Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu and Council Member Humphrey Miller. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Brady Baskin reacts when speaking during a Durant City Council meeting where he was honored for his service to find and recover Clara Robinson, who along with her father, Will Robinson died during a Christmas Eve 2024 car accident. Also shown are City Manager Pam Polk, Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu and Council Member Humphrey Miller. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Baskin honored for volunteer service in search for Clara

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Brady Baskin was honored with a proclamation from the City of Durant and a plaque for his heroic efforts after the Christmas Eve accident that claimed the lives of Durant Lady Lions head basketball coach Will Robinson, 36, and his daughter Clara, 8, after their car hydroplaned and slid into a...
Teachers of the Year for each Durant campus were recognized during a meeting of the school board. From left, Misty Cedillo, Washington Irving; Helena Guidry, middle school; Sarah Baskin, George Washington; Lindsey Kaler, Northwest Heights; Sharla Mullens, intermediate school; Becky Coker, Robert E. Lee, and Leaann Wyrick, high school. The Durant Teacher of the Year will be named in early 2026. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Teachers of the Year for each Durant campus were recognized during a meeting of the school board. From left, Misty Cedillo, Washington Irving; Helena Guidry, middle school; Sarah Baskin, George Washington; Lindsey Kaler, Northwest Heights; Sharla Mullens, intermediate school; Becky Coker, Robert E. Lee, and Leaann Wyrick, high school. The Durant Teacher of the Year will be named in early 2026. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Teachers of the Year recognized during school board meeting

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Durant Teachers of the Year for each school site were honored during a meeting last week of the Durant Board of Education.
Jace Cater, 12, helped during the recent Bryan County United Way Christmas boxes for veterans event at the St. William Catholic Church Parish Hall. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Jace Cater, 12, helped during the recent Bryan County United Way Christmas boxes for veterans event at the St. William Catholic Church Parish Hall. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Veterans receive Christmas boxes

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Local veterans were provided Christmas boxes that contained turkeys and other things during a giveaway earlier this month at the St. William Catholic Church Parish Hall.
The sign for the new Bryan County EMS Forbis-Barrett Training Center is unveiled during a ceremony last week. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The sign for the new Bryan County EMS Forbis-Barrett Training Center is unveiled during a ceremony last week. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

EMS training center named after Barrett, Forbis

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The recently completed Bryan County EMS training center has been named the Forbis-Barrett Training in honor of Gary Forbis and Joe Barrett, two longtime members of the EMS board and Barrett was once the director of EMS.
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