Peyton Thomas

1 week ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

Central Oregon residents have a rare chance to see the northern lights—no trip to Alaska required. Bob Grossfeld with Cascade Astronomy says the aurora could be visible Tuesday and Wednesday night, thanks to a strong solar storm that reached Earth earlier this week. “The best way to go out is somewhere where you have a view to the north and the northeast part of the sky,” Grossfeld said.

2 weeks ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

BEND, Ore. — On Sunday, skiers of all ages took to the slopes at Mt. Bachelor—not to win, but to remember. In a tribute called “Brian’s Race,” hundreds of athletes gathered for a non-timed dual slalom to honor Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF) ski coach Brian Roberts, who died in an avalanche last month on Mount Bailey. He was 50.

3 weeks ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

The clock is ticking for the homeless community along China Hat Road, as a major U.S. Forest Service closure approaches. The closure, set to begin May 1, is part of a wildfire fuel reduction project that will shut down 40 square miles of land south of Bend. For those living in the area, tensions are rising as many say they aren’t ready to leave. Local homeless advocates are now pushing back.

1 month ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

Staying warm and cooking meals during winter can be difficult for Central Oregon’s homeless population. But a new program in Redmond is helping make that a little easier. Jericho Road, a local nonprofit, has started providing reusable propane tanks to people living in homeless camps. The program aims to reduce waste, save money, and offer a more reliable fuel source for heating and cooking. Calvin Edgerly, who lives in his car with his wife, says having propane makes a big difference.

1 month ago | centraloregondaily.com | Peyton Thomas

If you've been to Juniper Pool recently, you’ve likely noticed the aging cover. Bend Park and Recreation District (BPRD) is moving forward with a $7 million plan to replace it with a new retractable roof. The new roof will allow the pool to stay open during the summer, with 50% of the structure open to the outdoors, and fully enclosed during the winter months, making it a year-round facility. BPRD officials say this option provides more flexibility for swimmers while improving air quality.