News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
With no ceremony and little remembrance, the low-slung flat-topped barn-red building north of the Shell station and across from Bronco Billy's faded into history in a cloud of dust last week. Most recently, the 1950s-vintage structure had been the home of Habitat for Humanity's ReStore operation. It also served as the anchor for the local T-mobile cell tower. After ReStore relocated, it was the removal of the cell tower that delayed the building's demise. The cell tower is... Full story
Dan Spezza and Leah Valentine exchanged vows and celebrated with family and friends at a small ceremony in Central Oregon, December 10, 2011. Dan is the son of Bill and Kathy Spezza of Sisters. Leah is the daughter of Patricia Nordahl of Salem.... Full story
There are few things the Sisters community is more passionate about than Outlaws sports. When two successful coaches were let go this year - and all coaches were asked to reapply for their positions - it left some Outlaws fans in the community with a basic question: Why? Sisters High School Principal Joe Hosang told The Nugget that there are considerations besides a winning record that go into assessing the success of a coach or a program. "As nice as that is, that you're... Full story
The Sisters Shootout kept things jumping in Sisters over the weekend. The basketball tournament, organized by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD), delivered on its promise of "small-town hospitality, big-town basketball" to 53 participating teams. "This is really an awesome tournament, and our community rallies to support it," said Ryan Moffat of SPRD. "Our middle school players and their families help with everything from setup to take-down and we really couldn't host a tournament of this quality without the support... Full story
The last thing Jack Williamson expected while he and wife Jill were walking their beloved Wheaton terrier, Kieri, along the Metolius River trail near the Wizard Falls fish hatchery on Saturday, February 11, was that Kieri would soon be fighting for her life. "While watching birds along the Metolius River, Kieri became ensnared in a trap used to take river otter," Williamson said. "The trap was set only 18 inches off the trail, and it would not have changed a thing if she had... Full story
To the Editor: I am writing in response to "School sports not in jeopardy." (The Nugget, February 15, page 10). When I first read the title I thought for sure there must have been a mistake, for it should have read "School sports in jeopardy." Yes, there have been heroic efforts to keep sports going and to give our students opportunities to participate in a "full plate" of activities this year, but aside from discussing a half-time or full-time athletic director hire for next year, I see very little planning. I am... Full story
On most issues in our community, I don't feel qualified to comment. However, after 40 years of being involved in athletics at various levels, including 12 years in Sisters, I am obliged to address the most recent dysfunction in the Sisters High School athletic community. At issue is the decision to involve parents in evaluating coaches. It was brought to my attention last fall that the Sisters School District would solicit parent input to evaluate coaches and the programs for which they are responsible. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?... Full story
Living on emergency food supplies doesn't have to mean you hunker in your bunker scarfing up a monotonous diet of MRE (Meals Ready to Eat in military parlance). The folks at the Sisters Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints put on quite a spread last Wednesday, using emergency food stores from dehydrated refried beans to make a dip to creating salad fixings from homegrown sprouts - all to demonstrate that preparedness doesn't have to be dreary. The preparedness... Full story
The Sisters Schools Foundation came through with a much-needed purchase for Sisters Middle School with the addition of 36 Google Chromebooks for use by the 400-plus students there. Each year the foundation elicits requests from the teaching staff at each school in the district to help meet educational needs not covered with money from the general school fund. This year, the teachers at Sisters Middle School decided set aside individual wishes in order to pool together on the l... Full story
The Outlaws sailed to easy wins against Elmira and La Pine to clinch the Sky-Em league title. Sisters defeated the Falcons 72-39 at Elmira on Tuesday, February 14, and three days later beat La Pine at home in a final score of 58-39. The two wins pushed the Outlaws to a perfect 10-0 league record and also marked their 14th consecutive victory. Sisters came out strong and focused in their game against the Falcons on Tuesday. The Outlaws racked up 21 points in the... Full story
On most issues in our community, I don't feel qualified to comment. However, after 40 years of being involved in athletics at various levels, including 12 years in Sisters, I am obliged to address the most recent dysfunction in the Sisters High School athletic community. At issue is the decision to involve parents in evaluating coaches. It was brought to my attention last fall that the Sisters School District would solicit parent input to evaluate coaches and the programs for which they are responsible. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tallied two wins this past week to finish fourth in league play and qualify for a play-in game. Sisters defeated the Falcons at Elmira 39-30 on Tuesday, February 14, and three days later beat La Pine 33-24 at home to finish league with three consecutive wins. After the Outlaws took down Cottage Grove last week the Falcons moved into second place, and on Tuesday Sisters earned a big win over one of the top teams in the league. Sisters took control of the... Full story
The Sisters Middle School Wrestling Team placed ninth out of 13 teams at this year's Central Oregon Middle School District Wrestling Tournament held Friday and Saturday, February 17-18 in La Pine. The team placed two places higher than last year. There were 17 wrestlers on the team; 16 wrestlers represented the Outlaws at the tournament. Nine reached the medal rounds. "This was the most successful district tournament for the team in the three... Full story
Beverly Torok-Storb, a research scientist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, will be the guest speaker at the Sisters Science Symposium (S3) on February 25 at Sisters High School. The symposium is free and open to the public. The symposium begins at noon with interactive exhibits and displays and includes a design competition in the gym. Torok-Storb will speak in the Sisters High School auditorium at 3:45 p.m. on "Stem Cells: Controversies and Resolutions." Torok-Storb will help identify the... Full story
Five runners from Sisters High School traveled to the University of Portland on the evening of Tuesday, February 7, to compete in the third session of the "Tuesday Night at the Races" sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of the United States Association of Track and Field (USATF). Running under the tutelage of long-time track coach volunteer Kris Kristovich, the athletes have been training for the upcoming outdoor season and have had enough quality training to jump into... Full story
Stormy, wet conditions did not deter 29 hardy souls who strapped on their snowshoes to compete in the second annual Hoodoo Snowshoe Shuffle held Friday evening on Hoodoo's Nordic trails. Ryan Ness of Bend negotiated the course, which began at twilight, in 17:52, while his wife, Laurie, placed fourth overall in 25:55, giving the couple a sweep of the top men's and women's spots. McKibben Womack produced a strong showing among locals, finishing as the runner-up in the race in 21:32. Jim Rantala, competing in the 50-59... Full story
The Outlaws wrestling team had a rough time at regionals, which were held Friday and Saturday, February 17-18 at Crook County High School. "We didn't do as well as expected," Coach Gene O'Brien said, "It's hard because we never get to face the Eastern Oregon teams during the regular season. We see them for the first time at regionals." Josh O'Brien (138 pounds) finished fourth and is the lone Outlaws wrestler that will advance to state. He had a bye in the first round on Friday, and then faced the No. 3 seed, Cody Pfau of... Full story
The Sisters High School equestrian team trotted into third place among large teams at the first Oregon High School Equestrian Teams (OHSET) meet of the season. Held February 10-12 at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, the meet provided a good opportunity for the team to assess strengths and weaknesses. "Horses and athletes react differently to competition as opposed to practice," said head coach and team adviser, Beth Jacobsen. "It gives us a place to work from." With the season running until early May, they'll have... Full story
A bald eagle is in jeopardy from the time it rolls out of the egg. If the young eagle survives and masters the art of flying, it has to master the art of finding food and staying away from the perils of man. The one big factor that helps a juvenile eagle to survive is communal life. Most often, when you see a lone bald eagle perched in a tall tree - if you stop and scan the skyline - you'll see another bald eagle either perched, or soaring about a mile or so away. One or both... Full story
The theme for the 11th annual "My Own Two Hands" fundraiser is "Lookin' Up." My Own Two Hands (MOTH) is the annual event produced by Sisters Folk Festival (SFF), supporting their educational outreach program, the Sisters Americana Project. The weekend event will help raise money for arts education in the Sisters School District and community. The Community Parade, Art Stroll and Performing Arts Evening will be held April 13, with the Art Auction and Party April 14 at Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks. With continued support from re... Full story
Outlaw swimmers capped their season with 11 qualifications for state and impressive prelim and final swims at state championships at Mt. Hood Aquatic Center on February 17-18. "Boys and girls broke many personal and two Sisters High School records. They should be very proud of their accomplishments," said Coach Isolde Hedemark. All Outlaws girls relays, as well as freshman Emily Christen individually, made it to the medals podium in this very fast and deep combination of 272... Full story
Brent McGregor has photographed and documented caves molded by lava and carved by glacial melt water, along with the world of rock and ice blanketing our highest peaks. Sisters folks can explore the wonders of lava tubes, limestone, and remote hidden gems of Oregon on February 26, at 1:30 p.m. in the Sisters Fire Hall community room as part of the Friends of the Sisters Library Diane Jacobsen Speaker Series. McGregor will share the adventures he has just about every time he... Full story
• A citizen found a substantial amount of blood on the sidewalk and parking lot at the post office. A deputy investigated and found that an elderly man had fallen and broken his nose. The man got himself to medical care on his own. • Someone stole a set of tires and rims from a citizen. • In an unrelated theft, someone stole some construction fencing. • A man was arrested on a felony warrant out of Coos Bay. • A man was cited after he and an unlicensed juvenile cut... Full story
• Bella Moda of Sisters and Bend is a key sponsor of High Desert Chamber Music's Spotlight Series screening of the film "Homage" on Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m. at the Oxford Hotel in Bend. This screening features award-winning violinist James Ehnes performing on some of the greatest instruments ever made - by Antonio Stradivari, Pietro Guarneri, and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù. Ehnes performs selections chosen to showcase each individual instrument. • Tickets are still available for the Sisters... Full story
In his ongoing quest to gain a more permanent status for his Wild Mountain jerky and mushroom stand, Ky Karnecki of Sisters presented his responses to the concerns raised by the planning commissioners after his last presentation to the group. The commission will take up Karnecki's requests as part of the planned mini development code review planned for the March 16 meeting. Karnecki's ultimate goal is to win approval for a year-round license for his "agricultural stand" business without having to make the improvements... Full story
