News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 21 of 21
Timber industry advocate the American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) has appealed the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction (SAFR) project, which proposes to thin, mow and burn about 17,500 acres in the Sisters Country. The project was designed to reduce wildfire danger and improve forest health. It is a little unusual for an appeal to come from the timber industry. "Interestingly enough, the environmental groups let it go," said Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony. Tim Lillebo of... Full story
It will take a couple of years to finalize plans and build, but Sisters should have a new landmark hotel sometime after 2010. The New Sisters Village Hotel, which when fully developed will have 92 rooms, won unanimous approval from the Sisters Planning Commission last Thursday in a continuation of a hearing from earlier this month. The approval was not without reservations, although all the commissioners who spoke at the hearing said they are in favor of the hotel. "I'm not at... Full story
Chuck Newport has worn his share of hats since he came to Central Oregon in the 1970s. He's been a contractor since 1974 and was a volunteer EMT and firefighter for the Camp Sherman Fire Department. He's led his string of pack horses to deliver equipment for high school classes and partnered with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to build a fish ladder to Blue Lake. Recently, he became a board member for the Camp Sherman/Sisters Fire District. Through it all, he's... Full story
To the Editor: What an ironic contrast to find a letter-to-the-editor last week that essentially promotes minimalist school services and achievement, sharing the page with an inspiring article about a Sisters National Merit Scholar. While no less an advocate of the "basic 3 Rs," I have to wonder what kind of "fluff" Mr. Anderson thinks should be cut from the district budget as a result of the loss of local option dollars. Maybe physiology? biology? technology? history? industrial arts? music? creative arts? foreign language?... Full story
Sisters residents are invited to share their opinions in a brief, anonymous survey available online and at the district office. Survey responses will help the district develop a new mission, vision and goals for our local schools. The deadline to fill out the questionnaire, "What Do 21st Century Students Need from Our Schools?" is February 9. The survey is available online on the Sisters School District Web site at www.outlawnet.com/outlaw/ssd. Paper copies of the survey are available at the front desk in the school district... Full story
Sisters Rodeo presented a check for $500 to Family Access Network of Sisters in January, part of the continuing tradition of the rodeo to support its community. "We know that there are many more people in need, and helping those who have trouble with monthly bills through a difficult winter is part of who we are. FAN seems to be the organization that knows how to do this best," said rodeo president Glenn Miller. In 2008, the rodeo also donated $1,200 to Sisters Park & Recreation District (formerly SOAR). "We were part of the... Full story
The Sisters High School (SHS) "We the People" team traveled to Pendleton on Tuesday, January 13, and took top honors at the Second Congressional District competition. Sisters students faced teams from Pendleton and Hermiston schools in competition centered around knowledge of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the documents and laws that influenced them. The Outlaws' victory over Pendleton, Second District reigning champs, was the major upset of the... Full story
The Lady Outlaws fell to top-ranked La Pine at home on Tuesday, January 13, 37-24, and three days later lost 42-35 at home to Pleasant Hill. Coach Kevin Cotner explained Sisters' strategy for the game against No. 3 ranked La Pine. "We did not want to get into a running game with them, but wanted to limit their offensive possessions and slow the game down. I thought that if we did this we could pull them out of their zone and get Conditt (post for La Pine) away from the hoop.... Full story
The Outlaws earned a 37-28 win over the La Pine Hawks at home on Tuesday, January 13, and three days later took down the Billies of Pleasant Hill in a final score of 47-34. In Tuesday's game against La Pine, Sisters held a slim lead of 8-6 at the close of the first quarter. The highlight of the second period was a steal and dunk by Ross Erickson which boosted the Outlaws to a 12-8 lead. At the half Sisters held an 18-10 advantage. Although the Outlaws held an eight-point lead... Full story
Sisters High School (SHS) art students earned top recognition at the first annual Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition held in Bend, January 7. Twelve Central Oregon schools were represented including all Bend high schools, several Bend middle schools, Redmond IB (International Baccalaureate) School, La Pine and Sisters high schools and middle schools. Three hundred and nine pieces of art work were judged and then first, second and third-place winners displayed their work at Central Oregon Community College at Pence Hall i... Full story
The Outlaws wrestling team split their matches at home on Thursday, January 15. Sisters defeated the Junction City Tigers 36-33 and fell 59-21 to the La Pine Hawks. In the opening dual meet the Outlaws gave up four forfeits because they had no wrestlers to fill the weight classes. Nick Head (137 pounds), John Connolly (142 pounds), Benton Urquhart (147 pounds) and Andrew Goodwin (287 pounds) received forfeits due to the fact that the Tigers were unable to fill weight classes.... Full story
In their second competition of the season, the Outlaws competed exceptionally well against 5A Mountain View and Bend High School. In this three-way meet, Sisters scored 220 points against Mountain View's 199 and the breakdown showed Sisters with 254 points against Bend's 78. The meet included varsity and junior varsity swimmers from all three teams and scoring included the top six placements in each event. The girls' medley relay team "A" with Michelle Young, Tia Berg,... Full story
Molly Blust came from behind to claim first place in the Oregon High School Nordic Organization Pursuit race at Hoodoo Mountain Resort on Saturday to lead all Outlaw skiers in their first league competition. In pursuit racing, skiers compete in two separate events, The first race is typically conducted in classic style and the second using the skating technique. It's a bit like the fox and the hounds as the starting order of the second race follows in the order of the finish... Full story
It's hard to make a thriller work when the audience comes in knowing the outcome. It's a matter of history: On July 20, 1944, a group German Wehrmacht officers led by the aristocratic Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to kill Adolf Hitler with a bomb in a satchel placed under a table during a military staff conference in East Prussia. The bomb went off, but Hitler was not seriously hurt. The attempted coup that followed failed, its perpetrators rounded up and executed on the sp... Full story
Five artists doing residencies at Caldera, an arts camp at Blue Lake, will share their work with the Sisters community in a pair of events this week. The artists will visit Sisters Art Works on Wednesday evening, January 21, at 6:30 p.m., where they will make presentations on their work. The artists will also host an Open Studio event from 1 to 3 p.m. at Caldera on Saturday, January 24. Both events are free of charge and are open to the public. The artists are: Joe Giranola, w... Full story
After a five-week hiatus following its Christmas concert, the Sisters Community Choir is gearing up for spring and is actively seeking some new singers. "Advanced musical training is not required," said George Larson, who has served as Choir Director for the last several years. "The only real requirements are a love of singing and a willingness to make the time commitment. All are welcome." While in session, the choir practices each Monday evening, and the spring term will begin next Monday, January 26. There are no... Full story
Winning a Kodak photography contest with a photo of her daughter decades ago began a fortuitous chain of events for local artist Susan Miles. It gave her the confidence to start her own children's photography business, which led eventually to her artistic career as a photographer, sculptor, and painter. Miles began focusing on photographing flowers by lying on the ground using a camera with an extended lens which resulted in a "macro" close-up of the flower. The technique... Full story
The membership of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce has elected Chris Mayes, Elaine Drakulich, Lara Eckstine and Kathy Oxborrow as incoming board members who will take office February 1, 2009. Chris Mayes owns Design Strategies, Inc., a custom home and small commercial design firm, located in Sisters. Mayes and his family moved from Tacoma, Washington to Sisters in 2003 for the exceptional schools, quality of life, and the opportunity to start his own business. He is an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Sisters... Full story
Ruth Anne Kocour took more than 30 people into a world seen by few Westerners on Thursday, January 16, in a photographic presentation at the FivePine Conference Center in Sisters. The audience gathered to hear Kocour speak about her experiences trekking in the war zones of Pakistan in 1998 and 1999. The renowned author, photographer, and speaker interjected humor and anecdotes into her vivid descriptions of the people and sights she encountered on each of her month-long... Full story
When three fourth-graders with a passion for animals get an idea for community service, things begin to happen. Sophie Winter, Remington Slicker and Brooke Knirk pooled their ideas and energy this fall and winter, raising over $250, which they donated to the Redmond Humane Society. The money was raised in two separate fund-raising efforts. The first one in October for a cash donation. With proceeds from the second in December, the girls bought food for the shelter animals.... Full story
Kenneth Aitken was born in Sisters, Oregon on December 19, 1917. He passed away on January 14. After attending schools in Sisters, he attended Benson Polytechnic School in Portland studying electricity and radio. A number of radio broadcasting jobs followed, including announcing on the Mutual Network. A move to Visalia as the program director served as a stepping stone to a five-year stint at KFRE in Fresno. While at KFRE he joined the Navy in their Radio Technician program.... Full story
