News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 22 of 22
Sisters schools stand to lose about $495,000 if Governor John Kitzhaber's budget vetoes stand and voters reject a school funding measure in September. School superintendent Steve Swisher told The Nugget he believes the vetoes will be overridden when the legislature meets in special session on Friday, August 16. Kitzhaber argues that the legislature's budget plan is fiscally dishonest and dodges difficult political decisions about funding state services, including education.... Full story
Gourmet treats were a big attraction at the Sisters Country Fair. The Country Fair at the Sisters Episcopal Church was a crowd-pleasing success on Saturday, August 10. Fine fair weather with blue skies and warm -- but not roasting -- temperatures set the scene for traditional activities ranging from horseback and carriage rides to a cake walk and a puppet show staged by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District. Children enjoyed a petting zoo featuring miniature donkeys and friendly goats. A huge, inflated... Full story
Mike Riehle, Rob Schantz, and Craig Busskohl on Cache Mountain. Before the ashes had cooled from the Cache Mountain fire, a local Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) team was on the ground assessing damage and risk to the landscape. According to the team's assessment, the fire area poses relatively low risk for ongoing, long-term damage. Unlike the Eyerly fire, where slopes above the Metolius arm of Lake Billy Chinook are at considerable risk for landslides, there is... Full story
There are drugs in Sisters -- but the problem here is no more severe than in the other cities in Deschtues County. That was the assessment Sheriff Les Stiles gave to the Sisters City Council in a scheduled quarterly meeting on Thursday, August 8. The issue came up in the wake of student surveys last year that indicated a significant percentage of Sisters youth have either tried drugs or used them regularly. "Yeah, you have drugs here," Stiles said. "You have quite a few drugs here. "There is a perception that there is a... Full story
The Outlawed Livestock Club turned in great performances at the Deschutes County Fair. The Outlawed Livestock Club, a 4-H group of Sisters students, made a good showing at the recent Deschutes County Fair. The club has 20 members, 19 of which raise and show pigs. Monica Offield has a goat kid which she will show in future years in dairy goat classes. Pigs are shown in classes for market conformation, breeding and showmanship. Market classes are divided according to the animal's weight, with male (barrow) and female (gilt) pig... Full story
Gregg Geser and his stress-reliever. Sisters resident Gregg Geser likes to hit the road on a bicycle. He likes it so much that he's pedaled some 4,500 miles since March 1. Along the way, he placed second among 8,000 riders in the July 13-14 Seattle-to-Portland Ride. While it's not an official "race," the riders still keep track. Geser, 48, outpaced all but one of the 1,300 riders who chose to make the run in one day. He made the 200 mile trek in nine hours and nine minutes.... Full story
Sisters residents living in the Crossroads or Tollgate subdivisions can rest assured that they will be well informed during a fire emergency. The recent Cache Mountain fire gave area residents a wake-up call about preparedness and the homeowners associations of both subdivisions were right on top of things. All fire exits from the subdivisions were open. Updates and information were posted in Crossroads at the notice board near the entrance and were also on the answer phone of Property Owners Association Chair Doreen Fisher.... Full story
Mark Rapp stands amid a showcase forest stand. Just west of Black Butte Ranch, on the north side of Highway 20, there is a spacious stand of towering ponderosa pines that local foresters like to show off. "This area behind me is one of my favorite places on the Sisters (Ranger) District," said district fire specialist Mark Rapp. Rapp and District Ranger Bill Anthony took Governor John Kitzhaber and a bevy of foresters, activists and journalists there on Tuesday, August 6. The... Full story
Bamboo rod flyfisher Stephen Kiley (left) stops by to discuss flies with Colin Paul at the Metolius River observation platform. Colin Paul is the answer man for those learning about the aquatic life of the Metolius river. Every Saturday summer afternoon, Paul sets up displays at the Metolius River observation deck across from the Camp Sherman Store from 1 to 4 p.m. Paul's educational forum is sponsored by Friends of the Metolius. "I usually get 30 to 40 people stopping by each afternoon to ask questions or learn a little... Full story
Candidates may now apply for an open seat on the Sisters City Council. The seat is open due to the resignation of Mayor Steve Wilson, who is moving outside the city limits. Candidates must be city residents. The appointee will serve out the remainder of Wilson's term. Those interested in being considered for appointment to the city council vacancy should submit a letter of interest by August 3, to Eileen Stein, City Administrator, City of Sisters, P.O. Box 39, 150 N. Fir, Sisters, OR 97759. The appointment will be made at... Full story
Clay Holloway (left) and Ty Holloway rest on the Richard Lisk memorial bench at Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery after flyfishing on the Metolius River. Families come to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery to view and feed the fish, have a picnic lunch or view the splendor of the nearby Metolius River. This lovely facility of green lawns, tall trees, fishponds and blue skies has become a place where families remember their loved ones in a unique fashion -- memorial picnic tables and benches. "In Memory of Grandpa Jacklin, Come Fishy, Co... Full story
Training officer John Thomas. John Thomas has hired on as the new full-time training officer for the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District. In his new role, Thomas will oversee training programs, develop personnel to instruct in drills, and handle the vital record-keeping that keeps volunteers certified. "As the district grows, the need grows greater," Thomas said. "Training is the biggest aspect of a firefighter's life -- especially in a volunteer organization." According... Full story
Art fans in Sisters can enjoy the Sisters Gallery Walk scheduled for Friday, August 16, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free to the public. The Gallery Walk will include five galleries, each hosting a special artist feature. The event is sponsored by SistersGalleries.Com, an internet resource for Sisters area artists. Participating Sisters galleries are: - Canyon Creek Pottery, 310 N. Cedar Street; featuring raku by Michael and Michele Gwinup. - Clearwater Gallery, 391 Cascade Ave.; featuring Northwest wildlife and... Full story
As part of the new look of the Sisters Jazz Festival, small bands featuring local and regional musicians will perform at several locations in town during meal hours on Friday and Saturday of the September 13-15 festival. The festival's main venues will shut down during the dinner hour on Friday and Saturday nights, and at lunch time on Saturday. "This is part of the boards' attempt to bring the festival to the people as well as bring people to the festival," said Tom Worcester, board chairman. Jazz groups that will be... Full story
Sisters Elementary School -- students new to the district only: Wednesday, August 21, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Open house -- Thursday, August 29. Sisters Middle School -- students new to the district only, Wednesday, August 21, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sisters High School -- new to the district, Wednesday, August 21, 1 to 3 p.m. Possible parent/student scheduling meeting (only if arena scheduling is necessary) -- all 10th, 11th, 12th grade students and parents, Monday, August 26, 7 p.m. at the high school cafeteria.... Full story
Maria Sanchez works in supply tent at Eyerly fire camp. Somewhat forgotten today, amid the rash of fires around the state of Oregon, is the fact that the Eyerly fire camp is still in operation. Located about one mile from downtown Camp Sherman adjacent to the Allingham guard station is a well-stocked fire camp housing about 200 firefighters. "The camp is well supplied and could grow rapidly to 1,000 or more firefighters if hot spots develop in either the Cache Mountain or Eyerly fire zones," said Bob Elliott, a retired... Full story
Phil Hager (left), Central Oregon Fly Fishers president demonstrates technique for Flemming Pedersen. Mild temperatures and sunny skies greeted the 300 bamboo rod fly fishing enthusiasts who attended the all-day event at Camp Sherman's Community Hall on Sunday, August 11. The Camp Sherman Store and Fly Shop sponsored the event. "I want to give credit to Don Chen of the Oregon Trout group for inspiring this affair," said Roger White, owner of the Camp Sherman Store. Fifteen vendors had tables and displays set up on the grass... Full story
For the fourth consecutive year, the Outlaws cross country teams will participate in the Portland-to-Coast High School Challenge, which runs in conjunction with the Hood-to-Coast Relay. The 126-mile race, which starts at the Spaghetti Factory and finishes in Seaside, is scheduled for August 23-24. The Outlaws have two co-ed teams entered this year, and although they will be competitive, the purpose of participating is more focused on team unity, according to coach, Charlie Kanzig. Co-ed teams are made up of six girls and six... Full story
Oops... The crew piloting a massive truck and tanker rig from Coos Bay to Las Vegas, Nevada, made a bad judgment call in Sisters on Tuesday night, August 13. The lead pilot told the driver hauling a 95-foot, 100,000 propane tank that he could pull in to the Threewind Shopping Center for a break. He could pull in all right; he just couldn't get out again. The rig was 118 feet long total -- way too big to maneuver around the 206-by-226-foot parking lot. And the way the trailer... Full story
The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday. To the Editor: Having taught... Full story
- City Council Meeting 7 p.m., 2nd and 4th Thursday each month, Sisters City Hall. 549-6022. - School Board Meeting 7 p.m., 1st Monday each month, high school lecture/drama room. 549-8521. - Black Butte School District Board of Directors meets 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., Black Butte School. 595-6203. - Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets the 2nd Monday each month, 8 a.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 549-0771. - Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD meets for drill every Monday, 7... Full story
Governor John Kitzhaber stood among charred remnants of the woods bordering Black Butte Ranch on Tuesday, August 6, and called for action to restore the health of Oregon's forests. Fires have ravaged hundreds of thousands of acres of Oregon's forests this summer. The Eyerly Fire north of Sisters consumed nearly 30,000 acres and destroyed 18 homes. Two homes at Black Butte Ranch were lost to the 4,200-acre Cache Mountain fire. According to Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony,... Full story
