News

Mazzei wins runoff for governor

Matt Swearengin

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Republican Oklahoma governor candidate Mike Mazzei defeated Genter Drummond by 62.63, percent, 2,199 votes in Bryan County during the Aug. 25 runoff election.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Felonies filed Donald Craig Baxter, 62, Durant, aggravated DUI causing motor vehicle accident. Jeffery Wayne Earl Mack Mitchell Jr., 28, Mead, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Recorded in the Bryan County Clerk’s Office Glen R. Bianchi, Leslie Bianchi and Jo Lawrence to Dusti W.Angello, warranty deed Kara Kay Kuykendall to Joshua Davis and Marisa Davis, warranty deed Kay Piatt, Gret Piatt, Dana Jill Fuller Polk,Jon James Fuller and Jeanne Fuller to Kenneth Ray Keeling...

Durant Mayor Martin Tucker, in a recent city council meeting, presents Sue Stanfield, founding director of Hands of Hope, with a proclamation declaring Aug. 11 Sue Stanfield Day. Also shown from left, City Manager Pam Polk, Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu, Council Member Clint Morrison, Assistant City Manager/attorney Doug Elliott and city council members Danny Sherrer and Humphrey Miller. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Mayor presents Sue Stanfield of Hands of Hope a proclamation

Matt Swearengin

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Sue Stanfield of Hands of Hope was presented with a proclamation by Durant Mayor Martin Tucker during a recent city council meeting that designated Aug. 11 Sue Stanfield Day.

Southeastern ranked No. 6 among nation’s Top 100 Rural Colleges

News Staff

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Southeastern Oklahoma State University has been ranked No. 6 among the nation’s Top 100 Rural Colleges and No. 1 in Oklahoma in Washington Monthly’s inaugural Best Colleges for Rural America ranking.

Runners during the Boys & Girls Club Color Run crash through a paper banner at the start of the race Saturday morning. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Boys & Girls Club has Color Run

Matt Swearengin

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Boys & Girls Club of Durant had its annual 5K for Futures & Color Run Saturday morning to raise funds for the club’s many projects. Ben Shearer of Durant placed first overall in the run.

Patrick Goodwin, 4-H archery coach, and Michael Murphy, 4-H archery member, are shown during the Bryan County 4-H informational night at the Clay Jones Community Center. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

4H has information night to show children what program o_ers

Matt Swearengin

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Bryan County 4-H had an informational night recently at the Clay Jones Community Center to show how 4-H helps children build confidence, learn new skills, and make lifelong friends.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Congressman Josh Brecheen speaks during a town hall meeting last week at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library.

Congressman Brecheen has town hall in Durant

Matt Swearengin

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Republican Congressman Josh Brecheen hosted a town hall last week at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library in Durant and among things he spoke about were inflation and the deficit.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff

Friday, August 28, 2026

Felonies filed Russell Dan Stone, 67, malicious injury to property over $1,000. Jesse Charles Rippetoe, 27, McAlester, aggravated DUI.

Frightening and maddening

Marion Hill

Friday, August 28, 2026

The recent episode of a sailor’s going overboard from the USS Lincoln was both frightening and maddening. At this writing, it doesn’t seem clear whether he intentionally jumped or not.

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