News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 78
The site of a proposed McDonald's. photo by Jim Cornelius After years of speculation and rumor, a moment that many Sisters area residents see as a watershed has arrived: A developer has submitted a plan for a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant in Sisters. Cache Mountain Development -- comprised of partners Steve and Robin Rodgers and Darren and Donna Layne -- turned in documents last week requesting "site-plan review" by the City of Sisters for a gas station/convenience store/McDonald's to be located on the former Relco... Full story
A dispute between the Cyrus family of Sisters and Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) over a power line that travels across Cyrus land wound up at the Oregon Court of Appeals on Friday, June 18. The court heard oral arguments in an appeal by CEC of an earlier ruling by the state Land Use Board of Appeals. That ruling kicked a decision approving upgrades to the line back to Deschutes County for further review. In February 2003, CEC applied to the county for "non-conforming use verification" and changes to the "Jordan Road... Full story
Miriam Anderson. photo by Sue Anderson Miriam Anderson, a 2004 Sisters High School graduate, has been selected to perform as a soloist at "Sisters Sings" on Saturday, June 26, at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon. The event, featuring light opera and show tunes, is a fund-raiser for Bel Canto Northwest International Vocal Institute and the Sisters Rotary Club. Anderson was selected by Sisters High School Choir Director Tara Clarke. The Sisters teen, who won a solo voice competition earlier this year, will sing "Se Florindo... Full story
Identity thieves can attach false readers to ATMs (bottom) or cameras in pamphlet holders (top) to steal card numbers. Identity theft affects millions of people each year, causing severe financial damage. photos provided They won't pull a gun on you, but they'll rob you of everything they can get their hands on. Identity thieves are stalking victims everywhere -- including here in the Sisters area, according to Black Butte Ranch Police Chief Gil Zacarro. Their techniques range from simple mail theft to technologically... Full story
Some of the finest singers to be found anywhere will grace the stage at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon on Saturday, June 26, as "Sisters Sings" brings light opera and show tunes to Sisters. The event is a fund-raiser for Bel Canto Northwest International Vocal Institute and the Sisters Rotary Club. It may seem incongruous to some to stage opera at a Western-style saloon, but it's actually a type of event that has deep roots in the West where theatrical and opera companies from major metropolitan areas would entertain... Full story
The Sisters School Board approved a 2004-05 budget of $8.5 million on Monday, June 14, but not without drawing fire from teachers' representatives. Rob Phelps, a social studies teacher who serves as a high school union representative, argued that the board was not passing a balanced budget. Phelps told The Nugget that, at his prompting, the board and Superintendent Lynn Baker acknowledged that the budget is based on the assumption that the district will cut six school days next year. The district is facing a shortfall of... Full story
Deputy Davis and Ike. photo by Jim Cornelius Sisters is used to Outlaws excelling in statewide athletic competition. Last month a law dog turned in a stellar performance against the toughest field the state could muster. A Deschutes County Sheriff's Office K-9 team of "Ike " and Deputy Chad Davis took fourth place overall in the second annual Police K-9 Trials held in Central Oregon on May 23. The eight-year-old German shepherd was put through his paces in events testing his agility; skill at suspect apprehension and area... Full story
Steve Swisher has signed on to become interim superintendent at Crook County School District. "The school board in Crook County ratified a contract today (Monday, June 7)," Swisher said. Swisher said both he and the school board have expressed interest in a more long-term position. Swisher, who retired as Sisters Schools Superintendent last year due to pension considerations, said he was thrilled to land a job in Central Oregon. "First of all, it's in Central Oregon, where we want to live," he said. "Second it's a very... Full story
Leslie's Ice Cream Parlor has a little something for everyone -- locals and visitors alike. The new family business located in the historic Palace building on the corner of Elm Street and Cascade Avenue is a coffee house in the morning -- offering Royal Blend Coffee, DiLusso's Baked goods and specialty chocolate-covered Belgian waffles. Then, as the sun rises high in the sky, Leslie's is an ice cream parlor, offering a wide selection of cones and a 20-topping, do-it-yourself sundae bar. Owners Leslie Newbold and Michael... Full story
Flags are flying and Sisters is ready for summer. photo by Jim Cornelius The signs are pointing to a solid summer tourist season for Sisters. The Memorial Day Weekend traditionally marks the kick-off of the summer season. Local motels reported full bookings, as did camp resorts at Camp Sherman -- at least for their cabin space. RV bookings usually lag over Memorial Day because of questionable weather. Local business people are curious to see what effect high gas prices -- over $2 per gallon -- will have on summer travel... Full story
The Crook County Junior Naval ROTC performed at the Sisters Memorial Day service. photo by Jim Cornelius A large crowd of Sisters area veterans, loved ones and community members remembered America's fallen warriors in a ceremony at Camp Polk Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. Those attending the ceremony were fully cognizant of the special context of the local services, as the World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. this weekend and as American troops continue to face combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.... Full story
Student leaders made their case to the school board. photo by Jim Cornelius Student outrage over school budget cuts was re-channeled last week from an abortive protest walk-out into a campaign to save the job of at least one of the retired teachers whose positions were cut from next year's budget. Ryder Hornbeck, Brittany Wall and Chris Wimer, representing dozens of students who packed a special school board meeting Monday night, May 24, asked the school board to allow fund-raising to save the position of English teacher... Full story
A scene from Mark Macpherson's PSA. photo provided Mark Macpherson of Sisters is taking his personal fight against drugs and alcohol onto a broader battlefield. The 17-year-old senior whose own struggle with drinking and drugs landed him in serious trouble is trying to help his peers avoid his mistakes through a film project he launched at Sisters High School. "I used to have a pretty serious problem with drugs and alcohol," Macpherson told The Nugget. "I did a lot of things I never thought I'd do and ended up assaulting a (p... Full story
Pastor Larry Harrelson. photo by Jim Cornelius After shepherding Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration through a period of rapid growth, overseeing a major construction project and weathering two health crises, Pastor Larry Harrelson is retiring from his post at the church. He and his wife Willa will move to Boise, Idaho, where their daughter and three grandchildren live. Harrelson said that he and the congregation had reached a crossroads, making this a good time for change. "We've kind of completed a certain... Full story
Nate Mulkey and LaRene Farmer install a mural painted by Jerry Werner of Sisters. Werner's painting was reproduced on vinyl panels and installed on a wall at Barclay Park. photo by Jim Cornelius During the heyday of public mural art in the 1930s, famed artists like Diego Rivera could be found on scaffolds fronting municipal buildings, painstakingly brushing in the details of their monumental works. The great mural artists could never have conceived of the technology that allowed Sisters artist Jerry Werner to create a mural... Full story
Attorney Jacques DeKalb has launched an investigation into the alleged killing of a Bend man by his client, 17-year-old Stephen Withrow of Sisters. Withrow is accused of beating 42-year-old Curtis Dean Kizer to death in Drake Park on the evening of Friday, April 16. DeKalb told The Nugget that he has retained a pathologist to review the Kizer autopsy and is having his own expert review DNA evidence allegedly obtained by police in a search of Withrow's home. "I'd like an expert to review the evidence just to tell us where we... Full story
Principal Bob Macauley (right) shut down a student walk-out on Tuesday, May 18. Students had planned to walk out in protest over staff and program cuts next year but decided against it in the face of three-day suspensions. Teacher Carol Dixon, a retired teacher (center) is one who will not be rehired. photo by Jim Cornelius English and Spanish classes will be slashed along with photography and drama programs at Sisters High School (SHS) under a plan to cope with some $400,000 in budget cuts next year. Cuts are being made at S... Full story
Harry Womack enroute to a first-place finish in the Cascade Chainbreaker's Sport Junior Men's class on Saturday, May 8. The Outlaws Mountain Bike Team turned in a strong performance. photo by Steve Pyke The Sisters Outlaws Mountain Bike Team hit the trail in a cloud of dust -- literally -- on its way to a stellar performance in the Cascade Chainbreaker race near Shevlin Park in Bend on Saturday, May 8. Harry Womack took first place in the Sport Junior Men's class while teammates Jet Cowan and Womack's brother Byron took... Full story
Marc Thalacker, left, explains piping project. photo by Jim Cornelius Little by little, Squaw Creek's permanent water flow is increasing as water rights are donated back into the stream and irrigation piping allows more water to stay in the creek. An irrigation piping project is on the drawing board at Squaw Creek Irrigation District (SCID) that would add another six cubic feet per second (CFC) to the creek. However, as with almost anything involving water in the West, the piping proposal is not without controversy. SCID... Full story
Sisters Elementary School students were excited to hunt for new books among the thousands brought to school in the annual Book Exchange. photo by Jim Cornelius It felt like Christmas at the Sisters Elementary School Library on Thursday, April 29. Excited students rummaged through piles of books stacked on the floor and on tables around the library, exclaiming over uncovered treasures and gathering up tomes by the armful. The books were theirs to keep -- all part of the annual Book Exchange, where students bring in their old... Full story
A grand jury handed up an indictment of 17-year-old Steven Withrow on Thursday, April 22. The 17-year-old Sisters High School student was indicted for murder, first degree manslaughter, assault and first degree robbery in connection with the killing of 42-year-old Curtis Dean Kizer in Drake Park a week earlier. According to prosecutor Candy Geis, the "felony murder" charge is leveled when a death results from another felony crime -- in this case the alleged first degree robbery. The charge carries the possibility of a life... Full story
Sisters Mercantile is celebrating 25 years in business. photo by Jim Cornelius Kay McLaren, owner of Sisters Mercantile, will be the first to tell you that surviving in Sisters is not easy for any business owner. It takes creativity, smarts, luck and persistence to make it through the winters and to build a customer base that will sustain a small business over the years. McLaren and Sisters Mercantile manager Pam Creason have now joined the handful of Sisters businesses that can boast 25 years of operation in Sisters.... Full story
As Sisters educators struggle to serve each student with shrinking resources, some parents are concerned that the district's best and brightest are getting short shrift. Oregon schools identify students as "Talented and Gifted" (TAG) starting as early as kindergarten, based mainly on performance on tests. Those students are supposed to get enhanced programs to keep them challenged and to allow them to pursue interests on a more intensive level. There are currently 126 TAG students in the Sisters School District, evenly... Full story
Shasta Hyland, Brandi Palmer, Katherine Duarte and Claire Mutchler joined Kathy Mattea to perform "Rose," the title song of Mattea's latest CD. photo by Tim O'Neal Blending styles and musical genres into a uniquely personal and stirring performance, Kathy Mattea and her band earned a thunderous ovation from the sold-out Sisters Starry Nights concert crowd on Sunday evening, April 18. Mattea has expanded upon the chart-topping country music success she enjoyed in the 1980s and '90s to explore folk and Celtic styles that add... Full story
Sisters School Superintendent Dr. Lynn Baker announced Monday night, April 12, that he will leave the Sisters School District at the end of his one-year interim contract in June. Baker is foregoing an additional two-year contract signed with the district earlier this year. "When I came to Sisters in July (2003), I planned to stay one year," Baker told the school board in a prepared statement. "It seemed at one time that a longer stay might be in order, but events of this past year have caused me to re-think my continued stay... Full story
