News

Eating breakfast before the start of the first day of school at Northwest Heights Elementary School are from left, Heidi Shye, Charli Clay, Paisley Mays and Kinsley Mays. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Eating breakfast before the start of the first day of school at Northwest Heights Elementary School are from left, Heidi Shye, Charli Clay, Paisley Mays and Kinsley Mays. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

School year has started in Durant

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 21, 2026
The 2026-2027 school year in Durant began Aug. 13 for grades first-12th and early childhood and kindergarten started Monday.

Runoff primary election is Tuesday

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 21, 2026
Early voting began Thursday Aug. 20 for the runoff primary election and it continues from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, and 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Bryan County Election Board at the courthouse.
Durant Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Kara Byrd presents Durant Soccer Club board member Kayla Catiller with a certificate welcoming the club to the chamber of commerce. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Kara Byrd presents Durant Soccer Club board member Kayla Catiller with a certificate welcoming the club to the chamber of commerce. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant Soccer Club has chamber ribbon cutting

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 21, 2026
The Durant Soccer Club has joined the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and there was a recent ribbon cutting celebration at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex as the club was welcomed into the chamber family.
Lighthouse Behavior Wellness Centers had a ribbon cutting and open house for its Urgent Recovery Center Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Lighthouse Behavior Wellness Centers had a ribbon cutting and open house for its Urgent Recovery Center Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Lighthouse opens Urgent Recovery Center

Matt Swearengin
Friday, August 21, 2026
Lighthouse Behavior Wellness Centers celebrated recently the opening of its Children and Adult Urgent Recovery Center at 615 Westside Drive.

My opinion about the Oklahoma governor’s race

Michael Burrage
Friday, August 21, 2026
My name is Michael Burrage, and I grew up in southeast Oklahoma. I do not often speak out publicly about political campaigns, but the future of Oklahoma will be affected by which candidate wins the Republican runoff for Governor on August 25.
Mike Mazzei, middle, Republican candidate for Oklahoma governor, speaks during an economic roundtable discussion last week at Opera House Coffee in Durant. On the right is Durant Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Kara Byrd. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Mike Mazzei, middle, Republican candidate for Oklahoma governor, speaks during an economic roundtable discussion last week at Opera House Coffee in Durant. On the right is Durant Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Kara Byrd. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Drummond, Mazzei clash over vision for Oklahoma in Republican governor’s runoff debate

Charles White
Friday, August 21, 2026
The Republican race for Oklahoma governor took center stage on August 3 when Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei faced off in a statewide runoff debate, giving voters one of their clearest opportunities to compare the two candidates before the Aug. 25 Republican...

Workers Over Billionaires rally to be held

News Staff
Friday, August 21, 2026
A non-partisan, nationwide, nonviolent rally will be held next month, with rallygoers standing up for the rights of all Americans, not just the rich. The Workers Over Billionaires rally will be September 1, 2026, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

News Staff
Friday, August 21, 2026
Recorded in the Bryan County Clerk’s Office Heath Good to Brittany Rachelle Gullo, quit claim deed Betty L. Blackerby to Rebecca Lou Holladay, warranty deed Roger H.

COURT RECORD

News Staff
Friday, August 21, 2026
Felonies filed Aaron Lee West, 36, Durant, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Brian Franklin Howard, domestic assault and battery by strangulation.
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