News

Northwest Heights Elementary STEM teacher Kasey Bennett was named the Durant School District’s Teacher of the Year and she embraces a student after the announcement was made Jan. 31. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Northwest Heights Elementary STEM teacher Kasey Bennett was named the Durant School District’s Teacher of the Year and she embraces a student after the announcement was made Jan. 31. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Northwest Heights STEM teacher named Durant TOY

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Northwest Heights Elementary School teacher Kasey Bennett was named the Durant School District’s Teacher of the Year and she was surprised with the announcement Jan. 31 in the school cafeteria with all of the students present.
Elevate Cheer members are front row, left, Tracey (coach), Georgia (junior coach). Mariana (cheerleader), Katelyn (cheerleader), Chloe (cheerleader), Marleigh (cheerleader), Abbie (junior coach), and Melanie (head coach). Back row, left, Mickayla (coach), Sarah (cheerleader), Scarlett (cheerleader), and Cecilee (junior coach). Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Elevate Cheer members are front row, left, Tracey (coach), Georgia (junior coach). Mariana (cheerleader), Katelyn (cheerleader), Chloe (cheerleader), Marleigh (cheerleader), Abbie (junior coach), and Melanie (head coach). Back row, left, Mickayla (coach), Sarah (cheerleader), Scarlett (cheerleader), and Cecilee (junior coach). Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Elevate Cheer performs in competition at Choctaw Event Center

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Elevate Cheer participated in a recent competition at Choctaw Event Center and they earned an excellent rating. Elevate is a cheer-abilities team, according to head coach Melanie Knight.
Leadership Durant’s annual Taste of Durant will be March 1 at Choctaw Event Center and this photo is from last year. Many local eateries will have food to sample and there will be entertainment. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Leadership Durant’s annual Taste of Durant will be March 1 at Choctaw Event Center and this photo is from last year. Many local eateries will have food to sample and there will be entertainment. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Leadership group to provide Taste of Durant

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The annual Taste of Durant hosted by Leadership Durant will give residents an opportunity to sample food from multiple local eateries. The event will be from 6-9 p.m.
Don Hyde, who has retired as Calera police chief, speaks at a memorial for fallen o_cers. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Don Hyde, who has retired as Calera police chief, speaks at a memorial for fallen o_cers. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Calera police chief retires

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Calera Police Chief Don Hyde retired Jan. 31 after serving the department for 29 years.
Choctaw Nation Junior Miss Daryan Eubanks and Little Miss Ava Davenport were recognized during a Monday meeting of the Durant Board of Education. Also shown are, Choctaw District 9 Council Member James Dry, left, and Durant Superintendent Mark Moring. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Choctaw Nation Junior Miss Daryan Eubanks and Little Miss Ava Davenport were recognized during a Monday meeting of the Durant Board of Education. Also shown are, Choctaw District 9 Council Member James Dry, left, and Durant Superintendent Mark Moring. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Durant superintendent’s contract renewed

Matt Swearengin
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Durant Board of Education during its Monday meeting voted to renew the contract for Superintendent Mark Moring for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 20, 2027.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Recorded in the Bryan County Clerk’s O_ce Steven Todd Carlson and Terese Carlson to Vanessa Gail Carlson, quit claim deed Douglas W.Antley and Illya Sean Antley to Kaitlyn E.

DSC to present bird-friendly Durant program

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Birds are beautiful, important, and at risk locally and globally. They should not be taken for granted. Local residents will learn tips for making Durant more birdfriendly and why it’s important at a free, public program Tuesday, Feb.

COURT RECORDS

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Felonies filed Robert John Jessup, 52, Durant, aggravated assault and battery. Will Ray Ritchie Jr., 30, possession of stolen vehicle.
Retired Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed reacts during her retirement party last week at the Bell Tower Event Center.

Retired Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed reacts during her retirement party last week at the Bell Tower Event Center.

Reception held for retiring chamber director

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Many congratulated and thanked Janet Reed for her 19 years of service as executive director of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce. Reed has retired and a retirement party was held for her Jan.
Subscribe to

Sign up for our Obits newsletter

* indicates required