News

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Durant High School aviation student Emma Sherrer speaks last week when the school announced a program that will allow students to build an airplane. Also shown from left, Dan Weyant, executive director of Tango Flight; Mark Moring, Durant superintendent, and Dr. Zac Morgan, aviation instructor and secondary STEM director.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Durant High School aviation student Emma Sherrer speaks last week when the school announced a program that will allow students to build an airplane. Also shown from left, Dan Weyant, executive director of Tango Flight; Mark Moring, Durant superintendent, and Dr. Zac Morgan, aviation instructor and secondary STEM director.

High school program to build airplane gaining wings

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The Durant High School is flying a program that will allow aviation students to build an airplane after an agreement was signed last week with Tango Flight. Tango Flight is a non-profit educational corporation founded to inspire future engineers, pilots, aviation mechanics and technicians.

Big Lots closure discussed in chamber meeting

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Big Lots filed for bankruptcy last year and the company was purchased recently by Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, however, the distribution center in Durant that opened in 2004 will be closing with the loss of approximately 350 jobs.
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Emily Wright was selected as Queen and Jory Allen was named King during a Silo High School Homecoming ceremony prior to the basketball games Jan. 17. Prince and Princess are Greyson Wigington and Sailor Haney.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Emily Wright was selected as Queen and Jory Allen was named King during a Silo High School Homecoming ceremony prior to the basketball games Jan. 17. Prince and Princess are Greyson Wigington and Sailor Haney.

Rock Creek, Silo name homecoming royalty

News Staff
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Rock Creek, Silo name homecoming royalty.
January is School Board Recognition Month and members of the Durant Board of Education received gifts thanking them for their service. From left, board members Chaz Polk, Joyce Northcutt and Janie Umsted, board Vice President Paul Buntz and President Jason Manous. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

January is School Board Recognition Month and members of the Durant Board of Education received gifts thanking them for their service. From left, board members Chaz Polk, Joyce Northcutt and Janie Umsted, board Vice President Paul Buntz and President Jason Manous. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Superintendent’s contract discussed in executive session

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The Durant Board of Education met in executive session during a meeting last week to evaluate and discuss the superintendent’s contract for the term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.

The tax race is on, and Oklahoma’s losing

Jonathan Small
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Since the 1990s, Oklahoma’s top personal income-tax rate has been cut from 7 percent to 4.75 percent. That’s a good start, but it doesn’t mean Oklahoma is a national leader. In the race to attract entrepreneurs and business capital, we’re in a 50-state race – and Oklahoma is starting to fall behind.
David Anderson, city garage employee, received an award from the Oklahoma Municipal League for 25 years of service with the city. He is shown with City Manager Pam Polk, council members Lauran Fuller, Humphrey Miller and Danny Sherrer and Mayor Martin Tucker and Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu. Not shown is Dustin Rudolf, Durant deputy fire chief, who received an award for 30 years of service.

David Anderson, city garage employee, received an award from the Oklahoma Municipal League for 25 years of service with the city. He is shown with City Manager Pam Polk, council members Lauran Fuller, Humphrey Miller and Danny Sherrer and Mayor Martin Tucker and Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu. Not shown is Dustin Rudolf, Durant deputy fire chief, who received an award for 30 years of service.

City employees receive awards from Municipal League

News Staff
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
City employees receive awards from Municipal League.
Pablo Vazquez was the Kiwanis Club of Durant Senior of the Month for December. Shown are, Kiwanis Presiden Shyla Whitlock, Durant Independent School District Superintendent Mark Moring, Jessica Vazquez, Pablo Vazquez, Britanny Vazquez and Kiwanian Jason Manous.

Pablo Vazquez was the Kiwanis Club of Durant Senior of the Month for December. Shown are, Kiwanis Presiden Shyla Whitlock, Durant Independent School District Superintendent Mark Moring, Jessica Vazquez, Pablo Vazquez, Britanny Vazquez and Kiwanian Jason Manous.

Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis governor visits Durant Kiwanis Club

Phyllis Rustin
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Governor Bob Quinton visited the Durant Kiwanis Club, the second largest club in Oklahoma. Gov. Quinton shared several goals for District 8 Kiwanis clubs during his tenure as governor. The governor’s theme concerns children, “Making Their World a Better Place.”

COMING EVENTS

News Staff
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Feb. 13 Last week’s meeting of Book Talk had to be canceled because of inclement weather.

Loss of a special man

Marion Hill
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
A giant of a man was buried recently in the small town of Plains, Georgia. Not in terms of physical stature—he was of medium height and build—or length of life, although he lived to be 100 years old.
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