News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 23 of 23
A chilly, snowy March was annoying to folks in the Sisters Country who are more than ready for a nice, balmy spring. But it was good news for the region's watershed and for the farmers and ranchers who depend on plentiful irrigation water. According to Kyle Gorman of the Deschutes County Watermaster's Office, the snowpack across the region is at 122 percent of average. At the Sisters Country's only snow measuring station at Three Creeks Meadow, it registered at 142 percent of... Full story
Christine Jones is running for reelection to the Sisters School Board while Cort Horner, and Andrew T. Gorayeb have filed for first-time runs in the upcoming May 17 election. Jones was first elected in 2009 and has served as chair of the school board for the last three years. She is running unopposed for Position 3. Horner and Gorayeb, both local businessmen, are running for Position 4. Jeff Smith, who has held Position 4 since 1999, is not running for re-election. The Sisters school board consists of five members. Each... Full story
Cathy Williams is the first rodeo official most fans meet. A member of Sisters Rodeo Board of Directors since 1997, Cathy manages the rodeo ticket office. She began selling beer at the rodeo in the 1970s while she still lived in Portland, and became a member and an indispensable assistant in the ticket office in the 1980s. And this year, she's the Grand Marshal of the 2011 Sisters Rodeo Parade. "Cathy knows what's going on, and she usually has the answer. She does her best to... Full story
To the Editor: The decision to eliminate the principal position at the elementary school has troubled me greatly on two levels, one, as a father of two children who attend Sisters Elementary School and second as an educator. As a father I worry how this decision will affect the quality of education that my children will receive, as an educator I question the practicality of this decision. In the district where I work the principal works 50-60 hours a week; I, as a lead teacher, also work 50-60 hours a week. How then is... Full story
Robert Reich's latest column was just grand. Budget deficits are a good thing. I hadn't realized this. Social Security (SS), Medicare/Medicaid and defense are the biggest budget-busting items we have by far. And no party has the guts to significantly (let alone strategically) cut spending in these areas. I'm sure Reich would agree to Defense cuts, but not SS and Medicare/Medicaid, which are rapidly assuming more of the budget outlays, soon to pass defense: each, not combined. SS tax revenues can no longer pay for the... Full story
You may see Seth Flanders on your TV in the coming weeks; you may hear his name on your radio. At 18, the Sisters High School senior holds an impressive list of accomplishments; enough so that The Center Foundation, in their ongoing quest to recognize student leaders with "superlative personal attributes," has chosen to honor Flanders as their April High Desert Hero. Nine "Heroes" are selected each year; in the coming weeks Flanders will compete against eight other stellar... Full story
For nearly a decade, Bruce Mason and Suzanne Pepin sailed the Caribbean, living alongside Kuna Indians, weathering hurricanes and relishing an off-the-grid way of life that is the stuff of dreams for armchair adventurers. On Wednesday, April 13, they will recount their years of high adventure in an evening program hosted by Sisters Kiwanis. The program is set for 7 p.m. at the Sisters Fire Hall community room. It is free and open to the public. A lifelong adventurer and... Full story
The Rev. Jude Onogbosele, a priest of the Diocese of Uromi, Nigeria, arrived in Sisters last week to become the new pastor at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters. "This is a challenge for me. I am excited about it," the Nigerian native said. "I want to work with the people of this community to make the church a place where people can find spiritual satisfaction for themselves," he said. Born in 1976, Father Onogbosele's journey to Sisters from Nigeria has been a... Full story
The Outlaws baseball team made their annual trek to Arizona over spring break and finished third in the Salt River Mesa Invitational Tournament held March 24-27. Sisters scored more than 10 runs in each of their first three games of the tourney. The Outlaws earned wins in all three and then lost in the semi-final. The Outlaws started the tourney with a 12-1 win over Tempe Prep. Sisters had two big innings in the contest, scoring three runs in the first inning and five in the fourth, which gave them a big lead early in the... Full story
Most everybody wants good cell phone reception; hardly anybody wants to look at a 150-foot-tall cell phone tower, even if it's disguised as a tree. That's the constant dilemma in the Sisters Country as wireless service providers seek to expand and enhance their coverage and local residents fight to preserve their viewshed. That battle will enter its next phase on May 10, as the Deschutes County Hearings Officer holds a public hearing on a proposal to site a 150-foot monopine cell tower for AT&T at 69385 Green Ridge Loop in... Full story
Nothing satisfies like a bowl of hot chili on a brisk spring day, and there were plenty of contented smiles at the inaugural Sisters Veterans Group Chili Feed Fundraiser on Saturday inside Sisters Community Church. Area veterans from four major wars sat with friends and fellow soldiers to chow down on homemade chili with all the fixin's, hot cornbread, salad and lemonade all for a $5 donation to help subsidize the group's many activities and needs. Assisted by the newly... Full story
Sisters High School OHSET athletes made another strong showing at the second district meet held at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center March 25-27. The first three places in Hunt Seat Over Fences and in Dressage were captured by Sisters riders, as was second place in Saddle Seat Equitation. Other top-three finishes in individual events occurred in Driving, Reining and Steer Daubing; top-ten finishes were nabbed in Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, and Pole Bending.... Full story
The teenage years can be challenging for girls. There are major physical changes; it's an emotionally stressful time and a time for self-discovery. Kelly Sheets believes that yoga can help girls with all of that. The Sisters instructor is launching a six-week program for teenaged girls starting April 12. The program for high school girls will meet at the Hara Yoga studio; the program for middle schoolers will meet at the Sisters Park & Recreation District Coffield Center.... Full story
Sisters Little League opens the 2011 season on Saturday, April 9, at 10 a.m. The league consists of 13 teams, growing this year in the T-ball, coach pitch, and softball ranks. More than 130 players and their parents and spectators will meet at the Sisters Community Church ball fields for opening-day ceremonies. "Teams must arrive, in uniform, by 9:45 a.m.," said league board member David Banks. "They form with their team and coaches, take the Little League pledge, parade across home plate, and then we start games and take... Full story
Mike Krumvieda was born in Canistota, South Dakota. He enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17 and served proudly during WWII, earning the rank of Pharmacist's Mate Second Class. Shortly after he left the service, Mike entered the building profession and maintained his contractor's license for over 50 years. His life's journey took him to projects in California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, British Columbia, Costa Rica and throughout the state of Oregon. Mike was a man... Full story
Dobe Harding of Bend passed away on Friday, April 1 in Crane while hunting with friends. He was 69 years old. He was born in Aberdeen, Washington, on April 16, 1941. His parents were Milford (Mel) Harding and Kittie Barbara (Wendorf) Harding. As a child, Dobe attended school in Arlington, Oregon, then attended high school in Stayton and graduated in 1959. After moving to Central Oregon from Stayton in the 1970s, Dobe had a plumbing and heating business in Sisters. Over the... Full story
Everybody knows it's important to keep your car well-maintained - but sometimes it's hard to find the time to get that routine maintenance done. In classic entrepreneurial fashion, Greg Young and his partner Suzanne Anderson saw a need and decided to fill it with On Your Time Mobile Oil Change Service. "We were kind of looking at what wasn't in this town," Young said. "We decided to also do auto detailing." As the name implies, Young delivers oil change service at your home... Full story
The Sisters High School softball team will take to the field for the first time in more than two weeks when they play a trio of Sky-Em League games this week. With a lingering winter and a two-week spring break filled with cultural travel opportunities, the Lady Outlaws last played March 17 when they lost to Mountain View of Bend, 14-2. On March 19, the Outlaws' scheduled non-conference doubleheader with Bend was postponed due to unplayable field conditions. The locals postponed their Sky-Em openers of March 29 (at Elmira)... Full story
All For Dogs Rescue of Central Oregon held their spring adoption drive on Saturday at Sisters Feed & Supply, and potential new owners came out in packs to support the pooches. The tail-waggin' event was sponsored by The Nugget, Sisters Feed, and Central Bark. A colorful variety of canines were the center of attention with prospective adoption candidates holding, petting and cuddling over a dozen dogs looking for loving homes. "Every dog deserves a shot" is the all-breed,... Full story
Snow squalls and brisk wind - sure signs of Central Oregon spring - did not deter track and field athletes from 12 schools who took part in the annual Sisters Rotary Invitational held Saturday, April 2. Summit High School crushed the rest of the squads in both the boys and girls team competition, but the host Outlaws had their share of strong performances. The girls team produced two winners on the day, both in the field. Zoe Falk, a freshman, took top honors in the long... Full story
The Military Parents of Sisters extends a heartfelt thank you to all those in the community that donated Girl Scout cookies to the troops. Nearly 200 individual boxes of cookies were packed up and sent to the troops. Those deployed were sent multiple care packages to share with their buddies. Much gratitude to all the Girl Scouts that worked the cookie sales and told buyers it was possible to donate to our troops. Love and support from Sisters goes a long, long... Full story
A 52-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly strangled a man who was living at her home. Deputies responded to a single-vehicle rollover. There were no injuries. An old dog got grumpy and bit a visitor at a Sisters home. Someone put graffiti on the entrance monuments at a neighborhood east of Sisters. Deputies impounded a vehicle after a traffic stop. The driver had no insurance. A 53-year-old man was cited for shoplifting at the grocery... Full story
When April arrived last week, the weather practically demanded that it was time to hike. So, on the year's first 70-degree day, with snow still blanketing the high country, we set our sights on the extremely modest goal of visiting Steelhead Falls on the middle Deschutes River near Crooked River Ranch. Actually, Steelhead Falls is one of those destinations that is accessible pretty much all year; and, often when the weather is inclement in Sisters, conditions will be much... Full story