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Kai Jones receives their recognition as the first runnerup for the Dr. Anthony Fauci Award in STEM and Classics at the annual conference of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) Photo provided

Kai Jones receives their recognition as the first runnerup for the Dr. Anthony Fauci Award in STEM and Classics at the annual conference of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) Photo provided

Southeastern senior Kai Jones earns prestigious award for STEM and Classics

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
MOBILE, Ala. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University senior Kai Jones was recognized as the first runner-up for the Dr. Anthony Fauci Award in STEM and Classics at the annual conference of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) over Spring Break.
Casey Powers, a new board member for the Durant Board of Education, is sworn in Monday by LeAnna Cha_n, clerk of the board for Durant Schools. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Casey Powers, a new board member for the Durant Board of Education, is sworn in Monday by LeAnna Cha_n, clerk of the board for Durant Schools. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Powers sworn in as school board member

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Casey Powers was sworn in as Durant Board of Education member Office No. 1 during a meeting Monday.
The Durant Main Street Pearls and Prohibition Met Gala was Saturday evening at Lost Street Brewing Co. and one of the Met runway participants was Cherokee Communications. Shown are Caleb Germany and Anna Clardy. An article on the gala will be in an upcoming edition of the Democrat. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The Durant Main Street Pearls and Prohibition Met Gala was Saturday evening at Lost Street Brewing Co. and one of the Met runway participants was Cherokee Communications. Shown are Caleb Germany and Anna Clardy. An article on the gala will be in an upcoming edition of the Democrat. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Main Street Met Gala

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Durant Main Street Pearls and Prohibition Met Gala was Saturday evening at Lost Street Brewing Co. and one of the Met runway participants was Cherokee Communications. Shown are Caleb Germany and Anna Clardy. An article on the gala will be in an upcoming edition of the Democrat.
The Silo High School track and field team poses in front of the entrance to Silo Restland Cemetery. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The Silo High School track and field team poses in front of the entrance to Silo Restland Cemetery. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Restland Running Rebels making Silo history

Kevin Farr
Thursday, May 7, 2026
The flourishing Silo High School track and field program has been making history in almost weekly fashion throughout the 2026 season. They won the first invitational track meet title in school history a few weeks ago at Davis.
The District Attorney’s O_ce will be moving into this building under construction at 301 N. Fourth Ave. and county commissioners hope the move will happen by the first of the year. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

The District Attorney’s O_ce will be moving into this building under construction at 301 N. Fourth Ave. and county commissioners hope the move will happen by the first of the year. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Construction ongoing on new office for district attorney

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Construction is moving forward with the new office for the District Attorney’s Offi ce at 301 N. Fourth Ave. and Bryan County District 3 Commissioner Brandon Carr said workers are a little ahead of schedule.
Durant High School senior Carson Veenstra was a page for State Rep. Cody Maynard for the second time. Photo provided

Durant High School senior Carson Veenstra was a page for State Rep. Cody Maynard for the second time. Photo provided

Carson Veenstra pages for second time

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Carson Veenstra returned to page in my Capitol office this past week for his second year in a row. Carson has shown himself to be a highly motivated and capable young man.

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
May 2 The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Children and Family Services will hold a day of fun for children and informationgathering for adults from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at the Choctaw Event Center, 3702 Choctaw Rd.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Felonies filed Jimmy Raymond Blow Jr., 45, Cartwright, two counts of child sexual abuse, two counts of showing obscene material to minor and three counts of child neglect. Justin Lee Stephenson, 30, Durant, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
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