News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 11 of 11
Sisters students will likely have days cut from their class schedule and see the size of their classes increase in the wake of the resounding defeat of Measure 30 at the polls on Tuesday, February 3. The temporary income tax surcharge was rejected by voters by a gaping margin statewide. Deschutes County voters said "no" by a ratio of 65 percent to 35 percent. The voters' decision prompted immediate response from the Sisters School District. "We have determined that the... Full story
The Sisters School Board moved closer Monday night, February 9, to final answers for two money questions that seemed to come with the winter's snow: - What happened to some $900,000 in interest earnings on high school construction bonds that the board expected to "give back to the taxpayers" by paying down bond principal? - How much did the district actually spend on its new high school, which opened last fall, and was the total more than had been budgeted? Superintendent Lynn Baker offered a printed response to the first... Full story
Neighborhood center? Sisters faces tensions between growth and desire to preserve its rural feel. photo by Jim Cornelius The City of Sisters Planning Department faces mounting opposition to proposed changes to the city's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Proposed "neighborhood centers" in the amendments to Ordinance 324 of the Model Development Code have a mixed-use zoning that would allow for limited commercial development. The zones affect property north of Sisters High School, southwest of Pine Meadow Ranch and on the... Full story
The Bend Trap Club is seeking a change in forest zoning to allow "firearms training facilities." That proposal has some Sisters area residents up in arms because the trap club is interested in purchasing 240 acres for such a facility between Tumalo and Sisters. They argue that such a facility threatens their peace and quiet and their property values. Opponents also argue that the facility is inappropriate for an area that is in deer winter range. A zoning "text amendment" woul... Full story
Jacki and Nick Shepardson break ground on their future home. photo by Jim Cornelius A brilliantly sunny afternoon greeted a gathering of Sisters Habitat for Humanity supporters celebrating the groundbreaking for the chapter's 27th home on Sunday afternoon, February 8. Nick and Jackie Shepardson dug into the muddy ground with the symbolic golden shovel as onlookers cheered. The groundbreaking ceremony kicked off work on the Shepardson's future home, located at 135 N. Cowboy Str... Full story
Martin Winch, local writer and historian, took his Lunch and Learn audience on a virtual exploration of Camp Polk Meadow last week. Winch described early Native American groups in the area who found the meadow area inviting for hunting and gathering activities. These included the Paiutes, who migrated here from the Great Basin desert region, and the Columbia-based Warm Springs River people who found the area hospitable. In the early 19th century, white explorers and hunters came to the region particularly in search of... Full story
CUTTING VENTS...Squads of firefighters practiced placing roof ladders, sounding the roof for safety and then cutting holes with saws and axes to ventilate the middle school roof. Ventilation is a dangerous and difficult task and firefighters benefit from realistic trainng on a full-sized roof. photo by Tim O'Neal The old Sisters Middle School was reduced to a pile of smoking rubble on Monday morning after a weekend training burn that gave 185 firefighters a unique live-fire... Full story
The old Sisters Library. photo by Conrad Weiler With the recent practice burn at the old Sisters Middle School site, attention will now focus on the replacement buildings proposed for that site. A new library, scheduled during 2005, a new City Hall and possibly a school administration structure are on the planning board. The two existing library buildings, both owned by the City of Sisters, will thus be empty sometime in 2005. The newer of these, completed in 1990, still offers valuable space for various uses. The older and... Full story
Ric Nowak. photo by Jim Cornelius Ric Nowak has thrown his hat into the ring for the May 18 Republican primary election for Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Position #2. The position is currently held by Mike Daly. Nowak, who has been Executive Director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce for a little over a year, will continue in that post through the campaign. If he wins the primary and goes on to win seat in the November 2004 general election he will resign as... Full story
Locals are sharpening their swords as various couplet design options go up on the drawing board -- each option protecting different interests. The Couplet Advisory Committee at its most recent meeting discussed three options for designing the extension of Main Avenue in the Hood Avenue/Main Avenue couplet. The least expensive alternative connects westbound Main Avenue to Highway 20 by making a sharp left turn at Pine Street. Another option extends Main Avenue straight past Pine Street and then weaves it right to avoid houses... Full story
Jim Fisher of Sisters is president of the newly-organized Oregon State Fair Foundation, Inc. According to Fisher, the foundation has been formally organized to seek contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations and other foundations to make improvements and initiate new programs for the fair that are not possible under current funding. In addition to Fisher, officers include Becky Tymchuk, vice president, Beaverton, fund-raising and non-profit consultant; and Kellie Lute, secretary-treasurer, Salem, director of... Full story
