Peyton Thomas

1 week ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

It started as a classroom assignment — now, it’s about to be seen by thousands of drivers across Oregon. Ridgeview High School graduate Gavin McConnell is one of the winners of a statewide billboard contest promoting work zone safety. His design, featuring a stylized construction worker and the phrase “Their lives are risky, don’t make it deadly” will be displayed throughout July in Bend and Douglas County.

2 weeks ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

After a devastating wildfire season last year, one La Pine neighborhood is taking prevention seriously, calling in a veteran led nonprofit to help create defensible space before fire danger peaks. Team Rubicon, a national disaster response group made up of military veterans and first responders, has deployed nearly 40 volunteers to the Wagon Trail Ranch community. They are spending 10 days thinning trees, clearing brush, and removing fire fuels to reduce the risk of a fast-moving wildfire.

3 weeks ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

The Crook County Cowboys are 4A state track and field champions once again. This time, with a dramatic finish. The Cowboys edged out Henley 78 to 74 at Hayward Field to claim their second straight title. And it all came down to the final race: the 4x400 relay. “We had to beat Henley,” said head coach Ernie Brooks. “Never been part of a meet that came down to the last race like that.”Heading into the final lap, it looked like the Hornets would spoil Crook County’s repeat bid.

1 month ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

A Caldera High School staff member is speaking out after the Bend-La Pine School District edited her protest message out of a photo meant to honor her work. Campus monitor Jennifer Sawyer was recently named an Excellence in Education honoree. When she showed up for the group photo recognizing staff across the district, she wore a shirt that read: “I don’t get paid enough for this.”But when the district posted the photo online, the message was gone—edited out in a black box.

1 month ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

REDMOND, Ore. -- Shayanne Akenga’s love for space is taking her all the way to Boulder, Colorado this summer, where she’ll study astrophysics alongside top students from across the globe. The Ridgeview High School junior was recently accepted into a prestigious international science program hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder. It’s a highly competitive opportunity, with only a small number of applicants selected each year. For Shayanne, it’s a dream come true.