News

Choctaw Defense Manufacturing has contracted with ELW Global to build two Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units (ROWPU), which are designed to convert potentially hazardous water into drinking water in minutes. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

Choctaw Defense Manufacturing has contracted with ELW Global to build two Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units (ROWPU), which are designed to convert potentially hazardous water into drinking water in minutes. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

Choctaw Defense Manufacturing builds water purification system

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
MCALESTER – Choctaw Defense Manufacturing, a tribally- owned contractor offering services to government and commercial contractors worldwide, has contracted with ELW Global to build two Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units (ROWPU), which are designed to convert potentially hazardous water into...
SK Aesthetics had its grand opening and ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce on March 22. The business takes a holistic approach to caring for the whole body, helping their clients feel and look their best. They offer advanced laser treatments and comprehensive skin rejuvenation solutions. SK Aesthetics is located at 2701 University Blvd. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

SK Aesthetics had its grand opening and ribbon cutting from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce on March 22. The business takes a holistic approach to caring for the whole body, helping their clients feel and look their best. They offer advanced laser treatments and comprehensive skin rejuvenation solutions. SK Aesthetics is located at 2701 University Blvd. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

SK Aesthetics has ribbon cutting

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
SK Aesthetics has ribbon cutting.
Durant Intermediate School had a Harry Potter Day recently. Sierra Haney Photography

Durant Intermediate School had a Harry Potter Day recently. Sierra Haney Photography

DIS Harry Potter Day

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
DIS Harry Potter Day.
Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Former U.S. Representative Wes Watkins attended Bennington Homecoming on July 6, 2024. Watkins grew up in Bennington where he graduated from high school in 1956.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Former U.S. Representative Wes Watkins attended Bennington Homecoming on July 6, 2024. Watkins grew up in Bennington where he graduated from high school in 1956.

Former Congressman Wes Watkins dies

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Former Congressman Wes Watkins died March 26 at the age of 86 and his funeral was at the Wes Watkins Center on the Oklahoma State University campus last Sunday. Watkins was raised on a peanut and cattle farm in Bennington and he graduated from Bennington High School in 1956.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Robby Keeling, left, and Bryan County Sheri’s Deputy Austin Murray stand watch Tuesday morning over Bryan County Sheri Johnny Christian’s casket at Holmes-Coey-Murray Funeral Home. Sheri Christian passed away March 28 and his celebration of life service was Wednesday at the Choctaw Event Center. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Robby Keeling, left, and Bryan County Sheri’s Deputy Austin Murray stand watch Tuesday morning over Bryan County Sheri Johnny Christian’s casket at Holmes-Coey-Murray Funeral Home. Sheri Christian passed away March 28 and his celebration of life service was Wednesday at the Choctaw Event Center. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Sheriff Johnny Christian dies

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian passed away suddenly at his home, leaving his brothers and sisters in blue in a state of mourning. Sheriff’s Christian’s end of watch was March 28.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Jerrid Hobbie was named OHP’s Trooper of the Year for Valor. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Jerrid Hobbie was named OHP’s Trooper of the Year for Valor. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Hobbie named Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year

Matt Swearengin
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Jerrid Hobbie received the Trooper of the Year for Valor award last week for his heroic efforts in saving the life of Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Murray who had been shot during a gunfight last year.
Washington Irving Terrific Kids for the month of March shown in no particular order are, Kindergarten: Ellie Ratcliff, Sayge Moore, Penny Cross and Elliot Beasley. First Grade: Adrian Turner, Ezra Grider, Cooper Harris, Jocelyn Stafford and Shawn Atwood. Second Grade: Elena Cuevas, Aundrea Trejo, Ariannah Coy and Penelope Berry. Third Grade: Constance Cuevas, Maddie Brown and Alayna Lipscomb. Fourth Grade: Angely Amaya Turcios, Mia Mills and Jetson Christian. Not pictured: Kylee Wester. Photo provided | WI

Washington Irving Terrific Kids for the month of March shown in no particular order are, Kindergarten: Ellie Ratcliff, Sayge Moore, Penny Cross and Elliot Beasley. First Grade: Adrian Turner, Ezra Grider, Cooper Harris, Jocelyn Stafford and Shawn Atwood. Second Grade: Elena Cuevas, Aundrea Trejo, Ariannah Coy and Penelope Berry. Third Grade: Constance Cuevas, Maddie Brown and Alayna Lipscomb. Fourth Grade: Angely Amaya Turcios, Mia Mills and Jetson Christian. Not pictured: Kylee Wester. Photo provided | WI

Washington Irving Terrific Kids

News Staff
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Washington Irving Terrific Kids.
Kiwanis Terrific Kids for March, were awarded by Hudson Toews, Lori Melton and Geri Mendez for Robert E. Lee Early Childhood Center. Front row: Kameron Meyer, Beverly Troncoso, Julia Bigham, Skyla Taylor, Latrell Crawford, Cole Ingle and Emerson Weir. Back Row: Emery Harris, Macie Everette, Aiden Tran, Mia Pagen, Dean Franklin, Kaliyah, Davis, Lizabeth Austin and Lealah West. Not pictured are Zaylia O’Quinn and Delilah Donathan. Photo provided | REL

Kiwanis Terrific Kids for March, were awarded by Hudson Toews, Lori Melton and Geri Mendez for Robert E. Lee Early Childhood Center. Front row: Kameron Meyer, Beverly Troncoso, Julia Bigham, Skyla Taylor, Latrell Crawford, Cole Ingle and Emerson Weir. Back Row: Emery Harris, Macie Everette, Aiden Tran, Mia Pagen, Dean Franklin, Kaliyah, Davis, Lizabeth Austin and Lealah West. Not pictured are Zaylia O’Quinn and Delilah Donathan. Photo provided | REL

REL Kiwanis Terrific Kids

News Staff
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
REL Kiwanis Terrific Kids.
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