Week of January 15, 2025
Week of January 15, 2025
Raging fires in Los Angeles are set to be the most catastrophic natural disaster in the state's history surpassing the 2018 Camp Fire in the town of Paradise that scorched more than 150,000 acres and was the deadliest wildfire in California's history. Ninety-five percent of the town burned in that fire. The fire killed 85 people and destroyed almost 19,000 buildings in November 2018. The fire was active for 17 days. Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday predicted that the Los... Full story
In an effort to get a snapshot of the number of people living in vehicles and tents in Sisters Country, the Homeless Leadership Coalition and Sisters Community Leadership Initiative will conduct their annual Point In Time (PIT) Count in Sisters Country January 28–February 3. Surveys will be conducted on where individuals resided on the night of January 27. The PIT Count collects data used for funding requests and to build awareness and engagement within the community. The count will seek data on those living in the woods... Full story
As of January 8, Sisters has a new mayor, Jennifer Letz, who won re-election to the Council, and new president, Sarah McDougall, who is new on Council. The five-member body also includes newly elected Councilor Cheryl Pellerin and Councilors Michael Preedin and Gary Ross who continue the remaining two years of four-year terms. The three recently elected councilors were each sworn in by City Manager Jordan Wheeler. Every two years, the newly elected and returning councilors determine who amongst them will be appointed mayor... Full story
One of Sisters' largest employers, founded in 1984 in San Diego and operating locally since 1993 under the ownership of Ed Fitzjarrell, has been acquired by WM Partners, LP, of Aventura, Florida, a suburb of Miami Beach. Metabolic Maintenance produces pure, preservative-free nutraceuticals without added excipients, fillers, or binders. Their products, created, formulated, and packaged in Sisters, are sold nationwide. The company with sales of around $10 million, according to... Full story
Visitors to Sisters Country Vision, www.sistersvision.org, will now find an independent, redesigned website showcasing the Vision, its history, reports, news, and more. The website was developed by Citizens4Community (C4C) with support from the Vision Implementation Team (VIT) - a group of local agency representatives, organizational leaders, and community volunteers. The website offers more details about the VIT, its membership, and opportunities for community members to share their ideas and feedback with local leaders.... Full story
Fifteen Oregon strike teams mobilized to help with the wildfires in the Los Angeles area arrived Thursday, January 9. These 300 firefighters and 75 engines are assigned to the Palisades Fire burning north of the Los Angeles area. The firefighters will be deployed for up to 14 days and are protecting homes and other buildings. The teams will be patrolling for hotspots and working alongside CAL Fire and other state and federal agencies. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District contributed one engine and three personnel to the... Full story
The threat of wildfire hitting Sisters is at the forefront of people’s minds as they watch the destruction underway in Southern California (See related story.). Coincidentally, Sisters City Council got a look at the latest iteration by staff of the changes to the Sisters Development Code (SDC) regarding defensible space at the January 8, regular council meeting. The proposed changes focus on enhancing and improving fire mitigation and safety codes for all new development in Sisters. This includes development to add new... Full story
Oregon fire experts have finalized their redo of state maps of wildfire hazard areas, showing that about 106,000 tax lots are in high-risk spots that could be subject to new building and landscape codes. Those property owners, who hold nearly six percent of the nearly two million tax lots in the state, could be subject to new building codes and landscape regulations designed to protect properties from fire. State officials said they would get a “hefty packet of information” in the mail explaining what happens next. The... Full story
The length of Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake is the most dangerous highway in Oregon for deer and elk. According to studies conducted by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the 35 miles of single and double laned highway experiences between 350 to 600 mule deer and elk vehicular kills annually. The assessed expense associated with one killed mule deer is $17,000, and for elk it is $57,000. This expense in Oregon accrues into the tens of millions of dollars... Full story
The City of Sisters is well into its state-mandated, process of periodically evaluating its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to see if there will be enough land to meet population projections. In Sisters currently, the UGB essentially corresponds to the city limits. As Sisters' population steadily increases, with projections indicating that there will not be adequate housing inventory within the existing 1.88 square miles area, the City has invited its citizens to participate in... Full story
Picture this: A chickadee lands on your carefully crafted pinecone feeder, coated with peanut butter or suet and seeds. You're feeling good about helping local wildlife. But wait! There's a catch here. Feathers are more than beautiful-they're an essential survival tool. Their intricate structure includes thousands of tiny barbs that lock together to form a waterproof shield and provide insulation. They are an engineering masterpiece that makes NASA jealous! In winter, down... Full story
Bells were ringing and carols were sung at the Aspen Lakes Estates Owner's Holiday Party on December 5 at Brand 33 Lodge. And neighbors had good reasons to celebrate and exchange warm Christmas greetings. Outshining their generous donation in 2023 by 33 percent, this special community delivered $5,690 toward the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District's sponsorship of "Spirit of Christmas Giving 2024." Providing Christmas gifts and much-needed financial... Full story
Sisters Transportation and RideShare (STARS) announced that its year-end ride sponsorship drive has raised a total of $8,100. The STARS volunteer rideshare program provides Sisters Country residents with free non-emergency rides to medical appointments in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. STARS “riders” are unable to drive themselves or afford private ride companies, and many rely on the service regularly. Each STARS ride costs an average of $50 and the organization set a goal of raising $5,000 — the equivalent of 100... Full story
Being a high school student is no easy feat. Transitioning from middle school to freshman year feels like you're living in a whole new world and by the time you finally start to settle in you need to start thinking about moving on. Anxiety about the future is natural, especially when transitioning from high school to something like college or a full-time job. In a survey done by Appily among over 6,000 high school students, almost half of the students reported that they have... Full story
Birds have incredible adaptations for coping with environmental challenges such as wildfire and storms, but these strategies have evolved alongside historical climate patterns. Rapid shifts in climate can alter the consequences for birds that use different coping strategies. In this era of rapid climate change, many birds are exposed to more extreme conditions, and resilience will be key to maintaining populations and biodiversity. What are the strategies that birds use to... Full story
The New Year marks a cultural beginning to new promises, ideas, and mindsets. You may have the resolution to give more to others; being a part of the ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) program as a volunteer mentor is a great way to fulfill this desire. The goal of ASPIRE is to normalize and celebrate the future. They do this through furthering student preparation for a post-high school life through experience under community mentorship. This year ASPIRE has a new College and Career... Full story
Have you ever wanted to learn to make your own soap? Or how to drive a tractor? How about harnessing the sun by making a solar system for your trailer or RV? These and a multitude of other classes are offered by the School of Ranch (SoR), the brainchild of Mark Gross who came from the tech sector in California to Redmond in July 2020, moving to Terrebonne two years ago where he enjoys a "national park view" and welcome silence. When needing to learn skills such as cutting... Full story
Singer-songwriter Dennis McGregor will play a solo concert in the intimate listening room above Sisters Depot called Frankie's on Friday, January 24, at 7 p.m, This "previously secret" upstairs space has been transformed into a dedicated venue for acoustic music. While McGregor has played in Sisters for years with The Spoilers, this rare solo show will feature many songs not featured with the band. "I'll be playing new songs, old songs, and new-old songs," he says. McGregor... Full story
Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Art and Agriculture (PMRCAA) will host its seventh annual residency program this year, which brings accomplished artists to Sisters from March through November. Through a juried application process, 36 writers, culture bearers, and artists from around the U.S. were selected. Writers and visual artists will pursue their craft, and bring workshops, lectures, and Open Studio events to the community. The residency program, hosted on a working ranch,... Full story
The Deschutes Land Trust will host a winter Nature Nights series at the Tower Theatre in Bend. From wolves to gardening for wildlife, the Land Trust is offering free, monthly presentations on nature-related topics given by experts in their field. Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. The presentations include: • Wednesday, January 29, 7–8:30 p.m., “Wolves in Central Oregon” Wolves are one of North America’s most iconic animals, occupying a unique and complex role in the natural world. Join Deschutes... Full story
Flying Horse Gallery will exhibit the original five linograph prints along with process images that resulted in the final production for the new Penguin Books' book covers for "A Song of Ice and Fire," the basis for the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones." The exhibit will run January 17–February 16. The concepts and linograph prints were created by local artist Mark Seekins and Tim Green, art director at Faceout Studio book design. In Sisters. Green worked directly with... Full story
SFF Presents will host a six-week songwriting workshop at Sisters Art Works (204 W. Adams Ave.) with local artist Beth Wood beginning on January 28. Registration is now open at https://aftontickets.com/bethwoodsongs. Participants must be 18 or older to enroll. The class, "Songs Forever: A 6-Week Workshop/Playshop for Songwriters," will take place every Tuesday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. January 28 - March 11 (no class March 4). Under the guidance of instructor Beth Wood,... Full story
Make the most of winter’s long days by joining Deschutes Public Library’s Winter Reading Challenge. The Winter Reading Challenge (January 1 – March 20) is an opportunity to explore new genres, read diverse authors, and participate in fun activities for the chance to win great prizes from the library. Adults (ages 18+) can sign up online via Beanstack https://dpls.beanstack.com/reader365 to complete challenges, such as reading a memoir, choosing a book with snow on the cover, or looking up an interesting fact from the... Full story
Author Barbara Knight will celebrate her 85th birthday January 15 with the Big Dog Saloon at Crooked River Ranch. Knight just recently received her first order of her eighth published book, “Poems From The Heart Of A Cowgirl.” Her first book, “The Rescue with Penny the Mustang Pony” was copyrighted and published in 2004, followed by six more “Penny the Mustang Pony” books. “The Cowboys,” “The Storm,” “The Lost Boy,” “The Stampede,” “The Forest Fire,” and then in 2011, “The Day the Indians... Full story
The Lady Outlaws overpowered the Douglas Trojans in a 58-18 win on Tuesday, January 7. At home on Saturday, they suffered a tough 47-65 loss to the Burns Hilanders. The Outlaws were in control throughout in Tuesday’s action against Douglas. The 3A team entered the game 1-10, at the bottom of all 3A teams. At the close of the first period the Outlaws held a 20-2 lead. Audrey Corcoran had several steals which she converted into baskets on the other end and had 10 of the Outlaws’ 20 points. Jorja Christianson hit a three... Full story
The Outlaws fell 53-56 on the road in a tough contest at Douglas on Tuesday, January 7, but bounced back at home on Saturday with a 53-45 overtime win. On Tuesday, Douglas came out in a 1-3-1 zone and it took the Outlaws a while to adjust. The Trojans scored their first four points of the contest on Outlaws’ turnovers, but then Kale Gardner hit a three-pointer from the baseline to close the gap to 3-4. Very soon the Outlaws found themselves down 5-15. After a timeout Sisters held the Trojans scoreless for the last four... Full story
The boys and girls wrestling teams have seen a lot of competition already in 2025 after hosting a home tournament in late December. The action doesn't let up any time soon, as the squad moves into the heart of the season. Wrestling on their home turf, the Outlaws turned in strong performances on Saturday, December 21. Freshman Zack Kemp won the 126-pound weight class under the lights at home. "Zack stepped up huge at our home tournament," said his coach and father Dave Kemp.... Full story
The New Year found the Nordic ski team busy competing with races on consecutive weekends at Diamond Lake. Saturday, January 4 at the Diamond Lake Jamboree the Outlaws squared off against most of the teams from the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association Nordic's southern league. The event featured a variety of races divided by age groups, skill levels, and ski styles. Ben Hayner took top honors in the freshman/sophomore skate race in a time of 18:39, a minute and a half... Full story
The Kelsey's Memorial Race at Mt. Hood Meadows on Sunday, January 5, kicked off the ski race season for the Outlaws. This year marked the seventh annual Kelsey's Memorial Race, which is the largest alpine ski race in the nation. It hosts upwards of 500 racers who participate in this unique state-wide opener with all seven of the Oregon Leagues coming together for a non-scored race. Racers donned costumes and won fun prizes, including new skis, and shared homemade cookies on... Full story
Senior Landen Scott and sophomore Audrey Corcoran, both key players for the Outlaws basketball program this year, broke Sisters High School's basketball scoring records, and just within eight days of each other. Scott has started on the varsity squad for three years and last year, as a junior, was selected to the First Team All-League Mountain Valley League. Last year he was also awarded the Team Player Award by the Outlaws coaches. Corcoran is a sophomore, a starter on the... Full story
The Outlaws got back on the hardwood at home on Saturday, December 28, against the North Marion (NM) Huskies. They made a valiant comeback in the second half but in the end lost by six, 68-74. The teams stayed within two points of each other until the 4:30 mark in the first quarter. From there the Huskies went on a 2-10 run and the Outlaws went down 9-19. Sisters responded with an 8-0 run of their own and cut the lead back to two at 17-19. Landen Scott hit his second three-pointer of the period with 40 seconds left in the... Full story
The Lady Outlaws hosted the annual Sisters Shootout Thursday through Saturday, January 2-4. Teams in attendance were: 3A Sisters, Banks, Valley Catholic and Taft, and 4A Madras, Junction City, Henley, and 5A Caldera. Sisters started the tourney with a matchup against the Junction City (JC) Tigers on Thursday, and fell in a final score of 52-56. On Friday they suffered a hard 61-62 loss to Taft, but rebounded on Saturday with a big 64-47 victory over Madras. On Thursday against JC, teams scored back-and-forth and the score... Full story
The Outlaws Alpine Ski Team is growing, boasting 32 racers and three provisional seventh and eighth grade racers who are set to hit the slopes this season. The 35 racers are ready to showcase their skills in both slalom and giant slalom events. The events will challenge the athletes to navigate courses marked by gates, combining technical precision with speed as they race down the mountain. Sisters racers enter the season with depth and experience and will be led by 11 seniors. Ten of these seniors, Emerson Backus, John... Full story
In its first outing of the Nordic ski season the Outlaws' team competed at Meissner Sno-Park last month in what coach Jeff Hussman described as a great start to the season. Two first-time racers for the girls' team Ava Riehle and Ella Eby held their own on the 5K classic style course. Riehle (21:22) and Eby (25:02) placed 29th and 44th respectively among 54 finishers. "These two showed a lot of heart in their very first races and they are only going to get better," said... Full story
The Outlaws hosted their annual Sisters Shootout Thursday through Saturday, January 2-4. Teams in attendance were: 3A Warrenton, Valley Catholic, Banks, Taft, and Sisters and 4A Junction City, Madras, and Henley. Sisters won one of their three games played. They suffered a close 51-54 loss to Banks on Thursday, came back on Friday and defeated Warrenton in an exciting 50-48 finish, and wrapped up play on Saturday with a disappointing 49-60 loss to Madras. On Thursday Sisters matched up against Banks and trailed the entire... Full story
Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or less. The deadline for submission is Monday at 10 a.m. for publication in that week's Nugget. Please submit your letter by emailing to Jim Cornelius at [email protected] with "letter to the editor" in the subject... Full story
Correcting the record To the Editor: Dear Bill Bartlett — I enjoyed our discussions regarding the UGB and I appreciated how accurately you quoted my comments (“Sisters growth plans spark pushback,” See related story.). However, you missed the boat on my information. Bjarne and I moved to Sisters 2013 (not 1978) and we live on Bradley Road (my horse lives on Cloverdale). After 43 years in Alaska we just wanted to escape the very long winters. I did work at Camp Tamarack 1969–1970 and Sisters was a quiet village at... Full story
Last week I had coffee with an old friend — the first person I knew in Sisters. We both moved here from the same area in the foothills at the northern rim of the Los Angeles basin more than 30 years ago. We both noted how hard it hits, watching the apocalyptic destruction wrought by the wildfires that have ripped across our old stompin’ grounds. We’ve both lived in Sisters longer than we lived in L.A. — but you never quite lose your sense of connection to the place... Full story
C.J. Box started the Joe Pickett book series with "Open Season" in 2001. Now, 24 books later, the series latest book is "Three-Inch Teeth," published in 2024. Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden who, in this current book, is fighting to survive against two lethal enemies - one a monstrous grizzly bear and the other a monstrous human who is out for revenge. If you are a person who loves to hunt, fish, and enjoy life in the woods and wilderness, then you will live your love of... Full story
That raucous chatter heard often in neighborhoods across Oregon is what I refer to as the Western Blue-Jay [Aphelocoma californica]. Originally referred to as a "scrub" jay, they now have a larger population within forests and towns. This blue-with-a-gray-back jay inhabits residential areas in large numbers, gleaning food from backyard feeders and trees. Insects, nuts, snails, berries, and bees make up their main diet. A six-inch nest is built within tree branches, where two... Full story
On a clear winter evening in January, look to the southeastern sky to behold the brightest, most recognizable constellation in the entire sky. Orion the Hunter straddles the celestial equator, making it visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Hunter's shape is easy to identify because of the arrangement of its brightest stars. His belt is marked by three equally spaced stars of about the same magnitude that lie in a nearly straight line. It is tilted at... Full story
Roundabout To the Editor: Sometimes I think people who haven’t been here for over a year should be wearing some kind of an arm band. I went through the roundabout, minding my own business, when someone was laying on their horn throughout, until I pulled over to let them pass. Then I realized they were from California. I’m sorry if I ruined their day. Happy New Year. Craig Cathcart Free speech To the Editor: I believe in free speech. For the individual and the press as stated in the First Amendment. Is there any... Full story
The vibrant economy of Sisters is at risk. Essential members of our workforce have been priced out of the housing market. Our teachers, firefighters, grocery clerks, and small business employees can no longer afford to live here and own a home. As a result, our community is experiencing disruption. There is a way to change course. Our City and its leaders can take the bold action required to build housing for our workforce in Sisters. The current Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion process presents a real opportunity to... Full story
Sometimes, when the gods are being generous, we cross paths with incredible people whose accomplishments stand apart, and whose ability to reflect the lessons of great physical and spiritual challenge encourage us to examine our own lives. So it is with Ruby Gates, 60, who is on a quest to circumnavigate the globe in her sailboat, single-handed. I met Ruby at Black Butte Ranch, where she gave a presentation after completing the first leg of her adventure - sailing her 39-foot... Full story
In August of 2024, when a developer was requesting code changes to allow variances from current code for a plot of land in north Sisters, the Three Sisters Historical Society (TSHS) wrote and submitted a plea to preserve and protect the remnants of Sisters' oldest homestead and what we now call the Conklin House. An excerpt from the 'brief history' which TSHS sent to the city with their plea: "JJ Smith's 1886 homestead went from Pine St. (east) to Locust St. and Cascade to... Full story
We made special Christmas boxes for the Scotties to open on Christmas morning. Each box was wrapped in holiday paper and filled with some of the dogs’ favorite treats. It took them more than 20 minutes to reach the treats. Scotties are tenacious and never give up. For nearly half an hour the pack was fully alive. They pushed, pulled, bit, dug, tore, jumped on, and danced around their prey. We laughed at their antics more than we ever had before. It was the best morning we... Full story
Wanting to be up to date on information, I Googled Early Childhood Podcasts and was blown away. The number of choices was amazing. I perused the list, and opened “The Everything ECE Podcast.” The interviewer, Carla West of the Early Childhood Academy was leading a discussion with Cheryl Lundy Swift, about kindergarten readiness. I highly recommend it for all parents and grandparents of young children. Dr. Swift is the Director of the Professional Learning and Academic Partnership for Learning Without Peers, a program... Full story
Rhonda Lynn Perry of Brooking, Oregon, passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 27, 2024. Rhonda grew up in Southern California. She moved to Oregon in the early 1990s, and lived in Sisters for over 20 years, where she worked with the public at Christmas Mountain Magic, the Gallimaufry, and Bi-Mart. She enjoyed crafting, sewing, painting, traveling with her husband, tending her flower garden, and spending time with her family and friends. She had a passion for animals... Full story
Pat lost her years' long battle with cancer Saturday, December 14, 2024. She passed peacefully in her home with her husband, Rich, by her side. Pat was born March 24, 1947, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to William and Wilma Kirrie. She was the third of four children, Christopher, Margot, Pat, and Joclyn. In 1952 the family moved to Portland. Pat graduated from Wilson High School in 1965. She then attended Portland State, the University School of Nursing, and later Marylhurst... Full story
Irene Eleanor Liden passed away at her home in Sisters January 3, 2025. She was born in Valley Stream Long Island, New York, January 11, 1941, to Harold and Mildred Liden, who preceded her in death, as well as her brother Donald Liden, her partner of 20 years Jennings McLean, and Bertol, Quartz, Freischutz, and Rheingold, some of her beloved pets. Irene is survived by her sister-in-law Jane Liden, three nephews Lance, Lars, and Leigh Liden, their wives and children, her... Full story
Kenneth M. Scott of Leaburg, passed away quickly from cardiac arrest on Friday December 20, 2024, at his home. He was born in Griffin, Georgia, the son of the late Thomas Leroy Scott, Sr. and Bessie Mae on April 19, 1943. He had one brother, the late Tommy Scott, Jr. Ken, enlisted in the Navy at the age of 15. He then enlisted in the Coast Guard at age 17 and was stationed in Florida, New York, and Greece. In 1963, he was stationed in Southern California where he lived until... Full story
Chris passed peacefully into his heavenly home three days before Christmas (also his birthday). For two tough years, he put up a gallant fight against a relentless case of FTD (frontal-temporal dementia), yet maintaining his sweet spirit and cheerful smile until the end. His final days were spent in the comfort of his home surrounded by loving family and friends. Chris will be missed by many. Those who knew him can attest to his kind heart, genuine smile, and keen sense of... Full story
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Connie Rickards (Hartford) on Monday December 30. Connie was born in Dallas Oregon, on March 22, 1959, and moved to Central Oregon and spent the rest of her life in Sisters and surrounding areas. She was a proud grandmother, a sister, and a beloved mother to Aaron Hartford and Andy Hartford. Connie was the most selfless, caring, and loving woman to everyone that she met. Some of her favorite memories was when she would... Full story
