News

Feeding Hope received a donation from the Our Blood Institute Greater Good program. The funds were contributed as a result of a recent blood drive between the Durant Police Department and the Durant Fire Department. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Feeding Hope received a donation from the Our Blood Institute Greater Good program. The funds were contributed as a result of a recent blood drive between the Durant Police Department and the Durant Fire Department. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

OBI makes donation to Feeding Hope

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Feeding Hope received a $510 donation from Our Blood Institute’s Greater Good program. A ceremonial check was presented last week at the Donald W.
Lauran Fuller

Lauran Fuller

City council incumbents unopposed

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Durant City Council members Humphrey Miller and Lauran Fuller where unopposed when they filed for election last week. Miller represents Ward 1 and although Gregory Dean George had filed for that offi ce, he withdrew on Feb. 6, according to the Bryan County Election Board. Fuller represents Ward 2.
A reception was held Monday evening at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce o_ce for the new CEO of the chamber, Kara Byrd, left. Among those who stopped by was Pat Phelps, who is embracing Jennifer Brewer, executive assistant/o_ce manager for the chamber. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

A reception was held Monday evening at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce o_ce for the new CEO of the chamber, Kara Byrd, left. Among those who stopped by was Pat Phelps, who is embracing Jennifer Brewer, executive assistant/o_ce manager for the chamber. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Kara Byrd welcomed as chamber CEO

Matt Swearengin
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
A welcome reception for Kara Byrd, who is the new CEO of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, was held Monday evening at the chamber office. Many stopped by to congratulate Byrd, who assumed duties Jan.
Calera High School Homecoming King and Queen, Darren Johnson and Chloe Damron, were announced before the basketball games Feb. 7. Early childhood attendants are Nixon Storts and Nataleigh Adams. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Calera High School Homecoming King and Queen, Darren Johnson and Chloe Damron, were announced before the basketball games Feb. 7. Early childhood attendants are Nixon Storts and Nataleigh Adams. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat

Calera Homecoming King and Queen

News Staff
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Calera Homecoming King and Queen.
Presenting the check for the Chahta Foundation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarships are from Left to right: Choctaw Nation Senior Executive O_cer of Commerce Heidi Grant; Executive Director of the Chahta Foundation, Angela Palmer; and Choctaw Nation Senior Director of Gaming Brand and Partnerships Erica Kosemund. These funds raised through the annual golf tournament are matched by the Choctaw Nation. Photos provided | Choctaw Nation

Presenting the check for the Chahta Foundation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarships are from Left to right: Choctaw Nation Senior Executive O_cer of Commerce Heidi Grant; Executive Director of the Chahta Foundation, Angela Palmer; and Choctaw Nation Senior Director of Gaming Brand and Partnerships Erica Kosemund. These funds raised through the annual golf tournament are matched by the Choctaw Nation. Photos provided | Choctaw Nation

Annual Choctaw Nation Gaming & Hospitality Golf Tournament raises record amount for scholarships

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
MCKINNEY, Texas - The second annual Choctaw Nation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarship Golf Tournament raised $161,989 for the Chahta Foundation Gaming & Hospitality Scholarship Program. This amount is matched by the Choctaw Nation, bringing the scholarship total to more than $323,000.
The Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board recently held its 20th Anniversary Celebration and Leadership Conference. Today it has chapters in 29 locations and 13 sta positions. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board recently held its 20th Anniversary Celebration and Leadership Conference. Today it has chapters in 29 locations and 13 sta positions. Photo provided | Choctaw Nation

Choctaw Nation’s Youth Advisory Board celebrates 20 years

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
During the 20 years it has been in existence, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) has shown itself to be one of the most successful groups for youth leadership in southeast Oklahoma. Founded by Chief Gary Batton, YAB held its first meeting in May 2004 in Hugo.

Now comes the wake-up call

Marion Hill
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Those who voted for Donald Trump for President because they believed he wanted to make their lives better in some way— lower the cost of food or whatever— are beginning to realize that they were sold a pack of lies.
Dr. Jane Hicks

Dr. Jane Hicks

‘Out of the Dust’ to be discussed in Book Talk

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
“Out of the Dust,” by Karen Hesse, is Book Talk’s choice for its February 13 meeting at Donald W. Reynolds Library, 1515 W. Main in Durant. Leading the 7 p.m. discussion is Dr. Jane Hicks, retiree from the business school of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
State Democratic party leaders visited a well-attended meeting of Bryan County Federation of Democratic Women recently. Lauren Craig, Interim Executive Director of the state party, and Molly Oeffner, Volunteer Coordinator for the OK Dems Care committee, presented an enthusiastic program about where the Democratic Party currently stands and its focus for the future. BCFDW meets every third Tuesday of each month at noon at Donald W. Reynolds Library. Next meeting is February 18. Photo provided

State Democratic party leaders visited a well-attended meeting of Bryan County Federation of Democratic Women recently. Lauren Craig, Interim Executive Director of the state party, and Molly Oeffner, Volunteer Coordinator for the OK Dems Care committee, presented an enthusiastic program about where the Democratic Party currently stands and its focus for the future. BCFDW meets every third Tuesday of each month at noon at Donald W. Reynolds Library. Next meeting is February 18. Photo provided

Democrat party leaders attend local meeting

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Democrat party leaders attend local meeting.
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