News

Special Judge Austin Browning is sworn in Monday by District Judge Mark Campbell. Also shown is Browning’s wife, Ashtin. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Special Judge Austin Browning is sworn in Monday by District Judge Mark Campbell. Also shown is Browning’s wife, Ashtin. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

New judge sworn in

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Special judge for the 19th Judicial District Austin C. Browning was sworn in Monday morning by District Judge Mark Campbell.
Eric Peterson, a student at Rock Creek, holds a sign during the Veterans Day parade in downtown Durant. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Eric Peterson, a student at Rock Creek, holds a sign during the Veterans Day parade in downtown Durant. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Parade, ceremony held for Veterans Day

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Veterans were honored with a downtown parade and a ceremony at VFW Post 3916 in Durant on Veterans Day. Brian Cooper, VFW post commander, said the day is more than a date on a calendar.
The Fortnightly Club received a grant to plant wildflower seeds alongside Highway 69/75 at the Washington Avenue exit. Shown in no particular order are, Monica Bartley, Color Oklahoma; Ty House, Hoss Williams, Matthew Powell and Jeremy Williams, ODOT; Aaron Saldivar, Phillip Hightower and Ryan Brewer, City of Durant; Charlene Ridgway, GFWC-Ok president, and Fortnightly members Sharon Robinson, Betty Clay, Paula Sullivan and Mary Frank. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The Fortnightly Club received a grant to plant wildflower seeds alongside Highway 69/75 at the Washington Avenue exit. Shown in no particular order are, Monica Bartley, Color Oklahoma; Ty House, Hoss Williams, Matthew Powell and Jeremy Williams, ODOT; Aaron Saldivar, Phillip Hightower and Ryan Brewer, City of Durant; Charlene Ridgway, GFWC-Ok president, and Fortnightly members Sharon Robinson, Betty Clay, Paula Sullivan and Mary Frank. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Wildflower seeds planted alongside highway

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Wildflower seeds were planted recently alongside Highway 69/75 in the area of the Washington Avenue exit near the high school. Earlier this year, the City of Durant and the Durant Fortnightly Club received a grant from Color Oklahoma to plant the seeds.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Felonies filed James Dustin Flowers Jr., 28, Kingston, stalking. Robert Thomas Nutt Jr., two counts of assault and battery on a police officer.

Jonah, kneel in prayer!

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 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.

Colbert races by Achille in season openers

Kevin Farr
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Colbert exploded early offensively in both contests and rode those fast starts to dominant season-opening wins over Achille in county basketball action last week. The Lady Leopards cruised to a 78-19 triumph in the first game and Leopards followed by rolling to a 64-16 decision.
The bridge on the Durant bypass over South Ninth Avenue was dedicated as the ABLE Agent Lori Thomas Memorial Bridge. Thomas was killed in 1994 when her car was struck by a driver fleeing from Durant Police. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The bridge on the Durant bypass over South Ninth Avenue was dedicated as the ABLE Agent Lori Thomas Memorial Bridge. Thomas was killed in 1994 when her car was struck by a driver fleeing from Durant Police. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Section of bypass named Lori Thomas Memorial Bridge

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission (ABLE) Agent Lori Thomas, 36, was killed on Oct. 23, 1994, when a man eluding Durant Police ran a stop and struck her state vehicle at the Highway 78/Rodeo Road intersection, and now Thomas has a bridge named in her honor.
A Durant Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was held last week for Durant Sustainability Coalition. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

A Durant Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was held last week for Durant Sustainability Coalition. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant Sustainability Coalition has ribbon cutting

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Durant Sustainability Coalition celebrated with a ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce last week at Mickle Law Office. The mission of DSC includes educating citizens in sustaining the region’s natural resources and to make the city more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
Dr. Whitlock named 22nd President of SE

Dr. Whitlock named 22nd President of SE

Dr. Whitlock named 22nd President of SE

Dr. David Whitlock
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) has announced Dr. David Whitlock as the 22nd president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, effective immediately. Whitlock – who holds three degrees from Southeastern - has served as the University’s interim president since August 1.
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