Toni Gibbons

Snowflake

Reporter at White Mountain Independent

Copywriter and Storyteller

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Articles

Heroism, dedication, service recognized at PTLS Police ceremony

1 week ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

From dodging bullets during an active shooter standoff to saving lives from drug overdoses and building community trust, the Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department recognized its own during an awards ceremony at the May 1 Town Council meeting. Commander Daniel Wilkey led the presentation, reading the award citations, while Police Chief Dan Barnes handed out the honors. kAmp A@CE:@? @7 E96 6G6?:?8 7@4FD65 @? E96 7:G6 2H2C5D 8:G6?
Blue Ridge Senior Earns Prestigious Flinn Scholarship

1 week ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

Grace Smithson always dreamed of changing the world. Thanks to the 2025 Flinn Scholarship, Arizona’s most prestigious academic award, the Blue Ridge High School senior is one giant step closer to doing just that. Smithson is one of only 20 high school seniors across the state to receive the Flinn Scholarship this year, which provides a full ride to any of Arizona’s public universities.
Lakeside man exasperated with investigation in to accident

1 week ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

Jason Carter, a Lakeside resident, was asleep in his upstairs bedroom late on a September night when a deafening explosion of sound shattered the quiet. “At first I thought lightning had hit the house,” Carter said. “But when I realized it wasn’t raining, I got up to investigate.”kAms@H?DE2:CD[ r2CE6C 5:D4@G6C65 2 H9:E6 s@586 #2> bd__ A:4<FA 925 4C2D965 E9C@F89 E96 H2== @7 9:D 9@>6[ D=2>>:?8 5:C64E=J :?E@ E96 365C@@> 9:D 72E96C 925 A=2??65 E@ DE2J :?
Pickleball tournament serves up fun and funds

1 week ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

Laughter, cheering and the sharp pop of pickleballs filled the Lakeside gym last weekend as 38 teams squared off in the Pinetop-Lakeside Pickleball Club’s spring tournament. The fun-filled April 26–27 event brought in more than $1,500 for the club’s outdoor court fundraising effort and left players and fans smiling. “We had a great time watching and playing!” one participant said.
DCS students heading to History Day nationals

2 weeks ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

Carmen Thompson and Imani Haven of Dishchii’bikoh Community School are heading to the big stage in June after capturing second place at the National History Day Arizona State Competition on April 12 in Phoenix. Their powerful group exhibit, “Screams from the Woods: MMIW Rights and Responsibilities,” earned them a spot at the NHD National Contest at the University of Maryland in College Park.
Pinetop-Lakeside teen earns statewide recognition in photo contest

2 weeks ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

With his Canon R50 in hand and a sharp eye for the perfect shot, 15-year-old Eli Mathews captured more than just a photo; he captured recognition as one of Arizona’s top young nature photographers. Eli’s image of a Western bluebird earned honorable mention in The Nature Conservancy of Arizona’s 2025 “Adventures in Nature” student photo contest. His photo was selected as one of the top 10 entries out of 470 submissions from more than 310 students statewide.
Timber Mesa Fire Chief elected vice president of state fire agency

2 weeks ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District is celebrating a major milestone in leadership and advocacy after Chief Randy Chevalier was elected vice president of the Arizona Fire Districts Association, a statewide organization representing 144 fire districts across Arizona. Chevalier was officially voted in by the AFDA board to serve alongside the president of the organization.
Show Low High School students prove they got rhythm

3 weeks ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

With live music, tap dancing and a whole lot of heart, Show Low High School’s production of “Crazy for You” kicked off opening night April 24 with a show that had the audience laughing and applauding from curtain to curtain. Under the direction of Show Low High School Director and Producer Cynthia Whipple, 36 students took to the stage, backed by the Show Low High School orchestra in a spirited blend of strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion.
Seeking balance in the rancher vs. wolf debate

3 weeks ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

Amid rising tensions over Mexican gray wolves in Arizona, state wildlife officials say the future of both wolves and ranching depends on something harder to manage than predators: social tolerance. That message came in response to a recent letter sent to President Donald Trump from Arizona ranchers and forwarded to the Independent. In the letter, the ranchers say their livelihoods are under siege by a federally protected predator.
Pinetop-Lakeside Pickleball Club sets sights on major expansion

3 weeks ago | wmicentral.com | Toni Gibbons

The Pinetop-Lakeside Pickleball Club was started in 2012 when the old gym behind the Lakeside Post Office was repurposed through an initial partnership between the founders of the club and the town of Pinetop-Lakeside. What started as a summer-only hobby has now grown into a year-round passion, as the club rallies support for a major expansion to meet the surging demand for America’s fastest-growing sport.