News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 23 of 23
Sisters resident and Bend optometrist Winter Lewis will chair the campaign to support the March 12 renewal of the school district's local option. Lewis and a group of about 100 volunteers will be spreading out through the community to answer questions and promote the passage of the local option. The group launched an informational website last week (www.sisterslocaloption.com). "Parents have some really good questions and differences of opinions," said Lewis. "I appreciate the opportunity to have a well-thought-out... Full story
The content and schedule for the Cascade Avenue upgrade project is finally settled. Nighttime construction begins in August of this year. At a Wednesday "report back" meeting at Sisters City Hall the team comprised of city staff, ODOT, architects, Green Works Design and local merchants, agreed to move forward. Several years of planning meetings, some heated conversations, and an 11th-hour "revolt" in August by a group of downtown merchants led to this final meeting. The... Full story
Students are the key asset in preventing incidents of school violence. They are aware of troubled students' behavior before adults are, and they can alert authorities before trouble becomes tragedy. "The kids are probably our best resource," said Captain Tim Edwards of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office during a school workshop on safety held January 23. Edwards referred to a New York police department study that he had just received and brought with him to the meeting. The report was current through December's notorious N... Full story
To the Editor: Waldo Lake is NOT a good place to have seaplanes coming and going. Lying high on the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades, it is one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon (9.8 square miles with a maximum depth of 427 feet). Waldo also has the distinction of being one of the purest lakes in the world, partly because it has no permanent inlet to bring nutrients into the lake for plant growth. The lack of plant life (and other pollutants) contributes to its purity, which allows one to see to depths of 120 feet... Full story
Volunteers are needed for the second annual Sisters Science Fair set for Saturday, February 23 at Sisters High School. The fair will draw participation from all three of the schools in the district and a number of fascinating exhibits from businesses, organizations and the Sisters Science Club. The club is seeking volunteers - a lot of them. Last year about 75 volunteers worked to put on the fair, and the club expects to need at least that many again this year. The schedule for volunteers this year is: • Set-up, 9... Full story
New this year at the annual Friends of the Sisters Library Art Exhibit were the three "People's Choice Awards," sponsored by FOSL Art Committee. The art committee's artist's reception a week after the opening of the Art Exhibit gave the public a chance to view the artwork, and the three ribbon awards were announced at the reception. "It was very difficult," Zeta Seiple, chairperson of the FOSL Art Committee, said. "Every piece in the exhibit received votes, so all we could do... Full story
Seven-year-old Tate Kaczmarek, a second-grader at Sisters Elementary School, successfully tested for his first-degree black belt on Saturday. Tate is the son of Jaymie and Master Marty Kaczmarek (Master K). Master K is the founder and head instructor of Outlaw Martial Arts, the taekwondo school at SPRD. "Tate was ready for his test," said Master K. "He's been working toward this for half his life. He's taken approximately 600 classes. He has taught classes. He has a lot of... Full story
At only 19, Canyon Bork is determined to become one of the best professional farriers in Central Oregon. "I truly care about horses and want to contribute to their well-being," said Bork. Bork has been around horses since he was 4. Although he didn't own one, his dad's friends had horses that he was permitted to ride. He took riding lessons during the summer breaks from school. After graduating high school in 2011, he enrolled in equine science and production at the Treasure... Full story
Sisters junior Zoe Falk joined a contingent of Mountain View athletes and hundreds of other high school and college competitors from around the Northwest at the New Balance Boise Indoor Meet held Friday and Saturday, January 26-27 at Boise State University. Tate Metcalf, of Sisters Athletic Club, coaches at Mountain View High School and arranged the trip to give some of his athletes a chance at some mid-winter competition. He invited Zoe to come along. Falk competed in three events, beginning with the long jump on Friday,... Full story
The Outlaws had a tough week on the hardwood with a 59-44 loss to Cottage Grove (CG) on Tuesday, January 22, and a 49-45 loss to Elmira on Friday, three days later. Sisters faced a strong veteran Cottage Grove team on Tuesday. The Lions have a lot of depth and returned their entire squad from last year. The Outlaws struggled throughout the contest and according to Coach Rand Runco it was not their best outing. "We did not have our usual intensity level and struggled executing... Full story
The Sisters boys alpine ski team captured a third-place finish at the Sisters Schuss Ski Race at Hoodoo on Saturday. Summit High took first and Bend High second in the Central Oregon league's third race of the season. "Many skiers struggled on a tough, long slalom course at Hoodoo. After Friday's rain, the snow conditions were hard and fast on a technically challenging run," said Coach Greg Ausman. Dillon Witt, Kyle Wattenberg and Yasha Saldi led the Sisters racers to their best finish of the season, edging out Redmond,... Full story
The days of projectionists winding film through massive projectors will soon end, as film reels go the way of the dinosaurs to make room for the transition to digital movies. In a move predicated by the Hollywood studios switch from 35-millimeter film to digital movies, Sisters Movie House will be making the move to the all-digital format starting February 3. By the end of this year, film studio 20th Century Fox intends to phase out the use of 35mm film altogether, and other f... Full story
"Is that a green heron?" A small, noisy little bird went flashing by me while Sue and our daughter, Miriam, and grandson, James, were birding in Phoenix a couple of weeks back. One of the best things about being a birder is that no matter where anyone goes, there is always the opportunity to add a "Lifer" to one's Life List, especially in the American Southwest. During the time Sue and I spent in southeast Arizona in the late '70s and early '80s - while I was the head honcho... Full story
Jordan Richerson said there are several key elements to being a good coxswain. One is lack of physical size, another is ability to yell "loud" and it helps to be "bossy." The former Sisters High School valedictorian and two-sport Outlaws athlete was recently named head coxswain for Baylor University's crew teams. And Richerson readily admits she fits all three prerequisites as a coxswain. "Yeah, I know I fit all the requirements," quipped Richerson, a freshman. "I'm loud, I'm... Full story
The Outlaws matmen had a great showing at the Madras Invitational on Saturday, January 26, with seven of their 11 wrestlers in attendance making it to the final placing rounds. Two freshmen, Hunter Rychener and Dyut Fetrow, battled all the way to the championship match. Rychener (113 pounds) lost 14-3 to B. Vincent of Madras for a second-place finish. Fetrow (120 pounds) lost by a pin in 1:34 to A. Keller of Mollala for a second place finish. "This is the second tournament in... Full story
The Outlaws beat the Falcons 67-64 in overtime on Friday, January 25, in a game that was a barn-burner from start to finish. Sisters came out strong and played with heart and determination through the entire contest. The Outlaws pressured Elmira right from the tip-off and forced the Falcons to turn the ball over five times in the first two minutes of play. Sisters was in rhythm and controlled the tempo of the game. At the end of the quarter Sisters was on top 11-9. Elmira... Full story
Okay, it's a stretch to say that I've finally found a silver lining to the awful wildfire destruction of our local forests; but I recently discovered something not-so-awful about the whole mess. Still, I'm firmly in the camp of those who have been nearly despondent over having most of my high-country wilderness playgrounds go up in flames over the last several years. Until now, though, I've been hard-pressed to find anything positive amidst all the destruction. Until now. On... Full story
Bernice Erickson, 97, passed away peacefully at Prestige Care and Rehabilitation Center in Anchorage, Alaska, December 25, 2012. Bernice was born to Andrew and Inger Gorden in Moose Township, Roseau County, Minnesota, July 9, 1915, the youngest of 10 children. In 1937, she married Arvil Erickson and they farmed until 1951 when they moved to Sisters with their children, Diane and Blaine. She resided in Sisters until June 2005 when she moved to Anchorage, Alaska to be closer to... Full story
Rep. Greg Walden came to Sisters last Friday to sound out members of the local business community on their concerns. The long-time Republican congressman heard plenty. From local utilities to bank lending practices to the unknown impacts of health care changes, local businessmen gathered in a banquet room at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon expressed a range of cares. But the discussion also turned to Sisters' assets and the potential for the community to come out of the... Full story
Mary Ellen passed away peacefully, her loving family at her bedside, after a brief bout with pneumonia. She was 75. Mary Ellen was born on Easter Sunday in Lenox, Iowa. She moved with her family to Wadena, Minnesota as a young girl. During the height of the polio epidemic, Mary Ellen contracted the disease and at age 15 nearly died, saved by several months spent in an iron lung. Once she was well enough to return home, the community and the school system rallied around Mary... Full story
Fifty singers from all over Sisters Country gathered last Monday at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church for the first High Desert Chorale rehearsal of the 2013 season. Among the 50 energetic singers, there were several newcomers there to see if they will fit into the chorale. In 1995, Forrest Daniels, retired Music Director at COCC, wandered into Sisters looking for a few voices to be the nucleus for a chorale in Sisters Country, and about 20 singers responded. Over the... Full story
Shoplifting has been an ongoing problem for Sisters retailers. Next week, shop owners and staff can learn ways to prevent this crime, which violates trust and cuts into the bottom line. The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce will host Deschutes County Sheriff's Office representatives on Tuesday, February 5, from 8 to 9 a.m. to discuss Loss Prevention in Small Businesses. This free workshop is part of the Retail Discussion Group Series and is open to all business owners and their staff. Coffee and pastries will be provided.... Full story
Ryan Hudson has found the perfect spot to ply his trade. The coach and personal trainer came to Sisters looking to settle down with his family in a small town with good schools - and to open a training facility where he could bring his skill and experience to bear in the right atmosphere. He found it all at 801 E. Cascade Ave. (just past Sisters Elementary School). Here he and his family have established a home - and OlyFit personal training studio. OlyFit blends the... Full story
