News

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.
Bryan County Retired Senior and Volunteer program (RSVP) had its Christmas social earlier this month at the Clay Jones Community Center. The agency is seeking donations to continue serving the senior citizens of Bryan County. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Bryan County Retired Senior and Volunteer program (RSVP) had its Christmas social earlier this month at the Clay Jones Community Center. The agency is seeking donations to continue serving the senior citizens of Bryan County. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

RSVP seeking donations

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The Bryan County Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking the public’s help to ensure the program continues to help senior citizens in the community. Sheri Schulze has been director of RSVP since January after longtime director Sheila Risner retired in December 2024.
The Choctaw Nation has contributed $35,800 to Bryan County this year as part of the tribe’s Community Partnership Fund and ceremonial checks were presented last week at the Choctaw Headquarters. From left, Choctaw Tribal Council member for District 9 James Dry, District 2 Bryan County Commissioner Justin Boone and Choctaw Assistant Chief Chief Jack Austin Jr. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The Choctaw Nation has contributed $35,800 to Bryan County this year as part of the tribe’s Community Partnership Fund and ceremonial checks were presented last week at the Choctaw Headquarters. From left, Choctaw Tribal Council member for District 9 James Dry, District 2 Bryan County Commissioner Justin Boone and Choctaw Assistant Chief Chief Jack Austin Jr. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Choctaw Nation contributes partnership funds to city, county

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
The Choctaw Nation presented its annual Choctaw Community Partnership Fund checks in the amounts of $305,800 to the City of Durant and $35,800 for Bryan County.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Joe Nichols, left, and retired OHP communications o_cer Tom Garner and his wife Sandra are shown at the OHP Christmas party. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Joe Nichols, left, and retired OHP communications o_cer Tom Garner and his wife Sandra are shown at the OHP Christmas party. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

OHP Troop E has Christmas party

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop E had its annual Christmas party Dec. 4 at the Gordon Event Center in Durant.
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Calera High School Homecoming King and Queen are Malachai Maytubby and Savannah Mallard, both representing basketball. They were named before basketball games Dec. 5. Pre-K attendants are Isaac Buchanan and Callie Smith.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Calera High School Homecoming King and Queen are Malachai Maytubby and Savannah Mallard, both representing basketball. They were named before basketball games Dec. 5. Pre-K attendants are Isaac Buchanan and Callie Smith.

Calera Homecoming King and Queen

News Staff
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Calera High School Homecoming King and Queen are Malachai Maytubby and Savannah Mallard, both representing basketball. They were named before basketball games Dec. 5. Pre-K attendants are Isaac Buchanan and Callie Smith.
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