News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 25
The Sisters area is so closely tied to the surrounding forest that any changes in forest management have a potential impact on nearly everyone. And few individual positions have more influence on the management of our local forest than that of Sisters District Ranger. So, it caught people's attention when word got out that District Ranger Bill Anthony is headed for another job in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. "This is just a temporary assignment," Anthony said.... Full story
Erin Borla will serve as executive director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce for a term of three months. Michael Robillard, outgoing chamber board president, said, "I am pleased Borla has agreed to serve on a 90-day contract basis while the chamber conducts a thorough search to formally fill this position." Borla will be considered as a candidate for the permanent position. Robillard expressed the hope that she will remain interested in the permanent position at the... Full story
The tight-knit community that is Sisters School District is mourning the passing of Diane Jacobsen, who died last Saturday of cancer. Amid the sadness at the loss of a friend and colleague is a deep respect for a dedicated teacher, who knew from the fourth grade on that that's what she wanted to do and be. Her commitment was profound. Often she spent Sunday mornings in the classroom preparing lessons, correcting papers, and developing new programs for her students. This became known as her "church." Returning home late someti... Full story
Diane Jane (Hilts) Jacobsen died peacefully in her home Saturday morning, January 24. She was affectionately known and loved by the children of Sisters as "Mrs. J." Diane was born March 15, 1954 in Coos Bay to Bill and Fern (Ingram) Hilts. She was the oldest of four children and loved and cared for her brothers, David, Rick and Jeff while they grew up in Salem. After graduating from South Salem High School she went on to earn her bachelor's degree in 1976 in elementary... Full story
To the Editor: I'm an SES volunteer with kids ranging from 27 to seven. With talk of belt-tightening, let's not forget that we spend less on education than 34 other states. Oregon has the second-shortest school year in the nation, the largest elementary class sizes, and the third-largest secondary class sizes. That's why we have an education levy - to make up for suboptimal state funding. Our Local Option gives us smaller class sizes and higher graduation rates than the state average. The Local Option is not a fluff request... Full story
Our school board just doesn't get it. We're in a deep recession, some folks are in serious trouble, and there is stiff competition for our tax dollars. Our school and community leaders claim we have the best district in the state. Therefore, it seems logical the district could give up a little to make a little more available to the elderly, handicapped, mentally ill, and parents that can't adequately care for their kids. It's extremely arrogant to assume schools are the only need in this community. Next year, if the local... Full story
Author Ken Kesey will be featured in a series of lectures and presentations offered by the Deschutes Public Library. The first of these will be in Sisters on February 5. Kesey is best known for two major novels, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Sometimes a Great Notion." Kesey was a key player in the counter-culture of the 1960s - often seen as a link between the Beat Generation of the 1950s and the hippies. Kesey and his group of friends, known as the "Merry Pranksters" inspired Tom Wolfe's book "The Electric Kool-Aid... Full story
Standing together around a warm, radiant fire, Sisters community members, Tony Cosby's construction students and the Hayden Homes team prepared to welcome the Sanchez family into their new home. After applying to the Hayden Giving Fund, the Sanchez family received the keys to 1625 N. Lambert Ave. on January 20. "This is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to us," said Juan Carlos Sanchez. The Hayden Giving Fund was created when Hayden Homes employees began to... Full story
The Outlaws boys basketball team notched a 44-35 road win at Junction City on Tuesday, January 20. Drew Harrison scored all of Sisters' 13 first-quarter points and at the close of the period the Outlaws held a two-point lead. "I was trying not to force anything," said Harrison. "I had a lot of open shots and fortunately, I was able to knock them down." The Outlaws came on strong at the start of the second half and held the Tigers to just four points in the third quarter. Sisters maintained the lead and went on to secure the w... Full story
The Lady Outlaws earned a 25-22 victory over No. 7 ranked Junction City (JC) on Tuesday, January 20. Sisters jumped out to an early 11-3 lead before JC cut the Outlaw lead to two at the half. At halftime the Outlaws led 11-9. The Outlaws continued to execute both on offense and defense. Sisters held the lead the entire game. JC went on multiple runs and tied it up in the fourth quarter but Sisters fought them off each time. Every time the Tigers made a run Sisters came back with a big bucket. "No shot was bigger than Nicole... Full story
Sisters city councilors, at a meeting on January 22, unanimously approved an ordinance adopting changes to the Urban Area Comprehensive Plan affecting the Forest Service property located at the corner of Highway 20, Pine Street and Barclay Drive. The changes were the result of a joint effort between the state, city and the U.S. Forest Service. The property is currently the site of the Sisters Ranger District administrative offices, and the Forest Service has plans to move those offices to a location north of Barclay Drive.... Full story
This year's local variety talent show, "A Sisters Act," scheduled for March 7, 2009 at Sisters High School, will offer a unique opportunity for local businesses. Since the show is themed "A Mountain Home Companion," the audience will be in the "radio theatre" for its "broadcast." Besides the drawings that occur during set-changes, this year there will also be paid commercials. While Powdermilk Biscuits will certainly make an appearance, it is the original commercials written for each business that should really be the fun... Full story
Gordon and Mary Golden are proud to announce the birth of their grandson, Brennen Zibey Golden, on January 6. Parents Nathan and Brenda Golden live in San Antonio, Texas. Even though he was born one month early, Brennen weighed 5 pounds, 9.5 ounces and was 18" long.... Full story
In their first competition with the rest of the 10 District 3 teams, the Outlaws measured their own strengths as well as those of their opponents in the non-scoring Albany Sprint Invitational on January 24. Swimming in a shortened format, the Outlaws were allowed three entries per event and took full advantage of the opportunity to test the District Championship facility. The girls' 200-yard medley relay "A" with Michelle Young, Tia Berg, Courteney Satko and Felicia Pledger led the Outlaws with a first-place finish in Event... Full story
For Anna Rasmussen, excelling in school has always been important. With PSAT scores well above average, Rasmussen received the National Merit Scholarship award. She was also accepted into the QuestBridge Scholarship program, allowing her to apply to 10 different colleges with all application fees waived, and she is placed at the top of the list for financial aid. Rasmussen joined the Sisters School District in second grade and has thrived here ever since. She has worked hard... Full story
•Sisters Post Office will move on March 2 (the previously reported date was incorrect). •Cascade Fitness is now offering ballet, tap, jazz and creative movement for tots. Registration starts January 26; classes beginning February 4. For information call "Ms. Lonnie" Liddell at 280-7159. •SOJI is bringing economic relief to Sisters with a dollar menu for appetizers and fountain drinks. The offer is good anytime on any day. They are located at 291 E. Cascade Ave. •Aspen Lakes will host a "Couple's (Indoor)... Full story
The Cascade Horizon Band entertained a sizeable crowd at Sisters High School on Sunday, January 25. It was a good day to be inside listening to peppy music, as snow fell and the temperature plummeted outside. Musical selections covered a range of genres, from show tunes to Spanish dance music and military marches. A highlight was the performance of Mouthpiece Mania, in which the entire trumpet section came to the front of the stage, took the mouthpieces out of their... Full story
The Outlaw wrestlers gave up four forfeits and then earned eight straight wins in their dual meet with Marist at La Pine on Thursday, January 22 to earn a 43-24 victory over the Spartans. Connor Morgan (145 pounds) filled in for Benton Urquhart, who broke his collarbone the night before, in the opening match of the meet. Morgan faced Marist veteran Ben Lacey in his first varsity match. Lacey took Morgan to his back with an early head-and-arm and led 5-0 when Morgan reversed Lacey to his back and recorded a first-period fall.... Full story
Sisters will kick up its heels throughout 2009 in a celebration of the state's sesquicentennial. Oregon 150 is a statewide celebration incorporating events, activities, artistic expression and promotion of the state's history and natural beauty. Sisters will have its own celebrations, coordinated by Erin Borla, current director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Sisters. Borla is organizing a Clean Up Sisters Day on May 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. She is seeking involvement of civic groups and ch... Full story
Fluid Images has felt the blows of the current economic crisis, just like everyone else. Despite stellar performances shooting the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and other high-profile gigs, the company faces rocky times. Its bread and butter is shooting promotional video for golf courses and resorts - and they have either cut way back on marketing or shut it down altogether. But by dint of perseverance and creativity, Fluid Images just started 2009 with a bang. The Sisters... Full story
Band leader Jody Henderson took a busload of middle and high school students to the annual Oregon Jazz Festival in Eugene for a chance to perform, learn and listen. The group came away from the two days at Lane Community College feeling "totally jazzed" over the experience. Three groups took part in the festival, two from the high school and a large group of nearly 40 from the middle school. The festival brings together high school music students from throughout Oregon and... Full story
Sisters Middle School seventh grade student Shayna Noone is the winner of the local and district Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) essay contest. The VFW Web site describes the contest: "Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6, 7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students... Full story
Josh Hixon and Ashley Strader of Milwaukie, Oregon, both 2005 Sisters High School graduates, are proud to announce the birth of their first child, Jesse James Hixon. Jesse was born January 5, weighing 7 pounds and measuring 19.5 inches. Proud grandparents are Steve and Cari Strader and Rob and Jackie Hixon.... Full story
At the mid point of the 2009 Alpine Ski Race season, Sisters High School Outlaw racers are holding their own against the larger Central Oregon Schools. With strong performances from the likes of Lucas Rietman, Jordan Rudinsky and Jenna Sneva, the Sisters squads (both boys and girls) sit solidly in third place in the league standings. Aided by returning racers Andrew and Steven Enger, Haley Hancock, Davis Rapp,and Jake Thomas, the varsity teams have finished in third place in... Full story
As the chips went down Saturday night, spirits SOARed as the only loss of the evening was the old SOAR moniker. The "new" Sisters Park & Recreation District took a gamble that the community would embrace the official name change and they hit the jackpot at their "Friend-Raiser" casino party on Saturday night. A festive crowd of 150 people crowded a dozen casino tables, enjoying great hors d'oeuvres and camaraderie while showing their support for an organization presenting a... Full story
