News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 31
A quick-acting relative saved a one-year-old child from drowning in Sisters on Sunday, April 8. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, at about 4:34 p.m. on Sunday, deputies assisted by medics from the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department responded to a report of a possible drowning involving a 12-month-old child in the family swimming pool. Upon arrival the child was conscious and breathing, after having received CPR from a relative. The child was transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for... Full story
The public outcry over the firing of biology teacher Kris Helphinstine has fueled an emotional controversy over religion's position in public education. Superintendent Ted Thonstad, school board chairman Mike Gould and principal Bob Macauley look at the situation differently. For them, the issue centers around what they consider to be a straightforward fact: Helphinstine "failed to exercise good judgment in teaching a controversial area and didn't get permission to deviate... Full story
The public hearing on SB 30, a bill that would prohibit destination resort development near the Metolius River was over in a couple of hours - but the debate is just beginning. It would be fair to say that no one went away from the hearing last Thursday entirely satisfied with the results, including Senator Ben Westlund, the Democratic Senator from Tumalo and sponsor of the bill. He has support from those who want to see development restricted, strong argument from those who... Full story
A new facility is taking shape at Black Butte Ranch's (BBR) Glaze Meadow swimming pool area. Four pools are being completed in the $7.2 million renovation including a 25-yard indoor all-year pool, an outdoor kidney-shaped pool with waterfall, a new large spa and a children's pool. There will be other amenities offered at the new Glaze Meadow complex for Ranch owners, guests and visitors. A food concession area, sports shop, exercise and yoga rooms, massage, therapy and... Full story
To the Editor: "Unbelievable" is the only word I can think of in response to the two proposals for new resorts in the Metolius Basin. That area is one of the least-altered, most pristine accessible river basins in Oregon and for that matter probably anywhere. I can't understand how a Camp Sherman native with deep family roots in the area could propose what would be a first step in the destruction of this unique little community and the basin in general. Shane Lundgren says that his resort would be the lesser of two evils,... Full story
Sisters City Council member Judy Trego submitted her resignation from her volunteer position on Monday, April 9. Trego's resignation is effective immediately. Trego recently was hired for a full-time job as Constituent Services Manager in the Bend office of U.S. Representative Greg Walden. Trego said that earlier this year she did not anticipate the opportunity of her new job and the time demands it would require and decided that it was in the best interests of her family and constituents in Sisters that she step down... Full story
The Sisters School Board was to conduct final interviews Wednesday with the two men and one woman who are still in the running to be Sisters schools next superintendent. The interviews were to be held in closed, executive session. The three finalists are: Elaine Drakulich, the current assistant superintendent of the North Clackamas School District in Milwaukie; Dennis Friedrich, who is superintendent of the Rainier School District in Rainier, Washington; and Andy Sommer, the principal of Wilsonville High School in... Full story
What started out as a creative fund-raiser has become one of Central Oregon's premier arts events - and Sisters' "Party of the Year." Sisters is gearing up for the My Own Two Hands Art Party and Auction, April 13-14. The event is the major fund-raiser for the Americana Project, the educational outreach program of the Sisters Folk Festival. Dozens of artists - ranging from students to full-time professionals - have donated works which will be seen at an art stroll in downtown... Full story
Bill Willitts' long-term vision for the growth of Sisters is becoming a reality with the completion of the lodge at FivePine. The lodge, now open in the center of the FivePine Campus, provides limited lodging for those who appreciate excellence. The unique rooms, suites and cottages give a home-away-from-home feel for guests to the area. These are not the hotel rooms of times gone by. They are elegant, modern and yet completely in keeping with the soul of Sisters. The entry ar... Full story
Sisters students felt the beat last week as they explored the language of the drum. Niel DePonte, the Oregon Symphony's principal percussionist and the Oregon Ballet Theatre's music director/conductor, provided students in Arts Discovery program, the Americana Project, percussion classes and the band with four days of insight about percussion skills and musical technique, arrangement, composition and lyrical structure. He helped students explore the creative process and better define an "approach to being a creative person,"... Full story
The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce is conducting an online survey through the month of April to determine whether the city needs an Economic Development Director. The question arises from the community visioning process that has been going on for the past year-and-a-half. According to organizers the process identified several areas of focus to strengthen and sustain Sisters and manage growth, including economic and workforce development. Action teams were formed by participants who were interested in different focus areas.... Full story
In a period of 15 years, Sisters schools have had two incidents that have brought the separation of church and state issue to a boil. Both of them have occurred in the past two years - which has led some in the community to think the district has a hard time keeping on the right side of the church-state line. But church-state problems are not usually what pushes the hot buttons in Sisters, according to school board chairman Mike Gould and high school principal Bob Macauley. Usually, it's politics in the classroom that sets... Full story
The boys' tennis team was in top form and earned a 6-1 victory in their match against Crook County on Friday, April 6. Number-one singles player, Johannes Traut, split sets with Lex Romine and had to play a third set tie-breaker. Scores were 6-3, 3-6 and 6-1. Coach Boyd Stuwe told The Nugget that this was the first time all season that Traut lost a game and noted that this match with Romine was the strongest competition Johannes has seen all season. Even Sims (No. 2 singles)... Full story
Tim Comfort is leaving the Sisters School District after 13 years of service. Comfort, 51, has accepted the position of principal for the 2007-08 school year at Elk Meadow Elementary School in Bend, a school of approximately 600 students in grades K-5. "They have the reputation of being a very strong and very successful elementary school," Comfort said. Comfort feels he brings to the table his years of promoting elementary school success. "I really like to build partnerships... Full story
The lacrosse team notched a huge 14-6 victory in their come-from-behind win over the Bend Lava Bears on Thursday, April 5. The Outlaws were down 3-4 at the half. Sisters exploded in the third quarter and scored seven unanswered goals. Midfielder Norman Emberton was unstoppable. Emberton scored six goals in the game "I think the second half was pretty much John (Liming)," Emberton said. "He won about eight or nine faceoffs, and I couldn't have scored the goals I did without... Full story
The Lady Outlaws lost both their tennis matches this week, but the squad continues to improve and gain experience with each match. Sisters lost 3-5 to Junction City at home on Thursday, April 5, but the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 singles all won their individual matches. Stephanie Napier (No. 2 singles) defeated Kaley Hassner in straight sets 6-2, 6-0, and Sara Brown (No. 3 singles) earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Aubrey Slaeker. Coach Marty Dale told The Nugget that both Napier and Brown played very well. "Stephanie changed up... Full story
Forest fires are an important part of the local ecology - and residents can do a lot to live with fire in Sisters. That's the message the Forest Service put across at an educational presentation on April 4 at City Hall. The difference between good and bad fires was explained, along with safety tips. "We live in a fire environment. I want everyone to learn what they can do for themselves in the home ignition zones, which is the area around their home. I want to help them to... Full story
The three candidates vying for the position of Sisters school superintendent sounded off on the economic impact of education in the district. Although their answers were often similar, there were some important differences. The new superintendent could be a key factor in determining the economic direction of Sisters for the future (See "Sisters at an economic crossroads," The Nugget, April 4, page 1). Elaine Drakulich believes, "Every employer values a well-educated workforce. Moreover, people with ideas who can turn them in... Full story
A retired and disillusioned marine sniper living as a recluse is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. He is double-crossed and framed for the attempt, but he succeeds in escaping to track the real killer and find out exactly who set him up, and why. That's the basic structure of "Shooter." On that framework is hung a tangle of conspiracies. The film is a very loose adaptation of Stephen Hunter's excellent novel, "Point of Impact." The screenplay involves a suspected presidential... Full story
The Sisters Outlaws track and field teams topped the 14 team field at their own invitational. Both the boys' and girls' squads took first place at the Rotary Invitational held Saturday, April 7, at Reed Stadium. The boys, behind the heroics of Cory McCaffrey, Stefan Redfield and Eli Callan and Kelly Crowther - who won the decisive 1,600-meter relay - tied with Mountain View with 89 points for first place. McCaffrey out-gutted Mountain View's anchor in a thrilling finish in the... Full story
In a world that has been historically ripped apart by small religious differences, Sisters proved that it is possible to lay these aside and focus on unity through its ecumenical Good Friday service. The Community Good Friday Service is a long-standing Sisters tradition, hosted this year at Three Sisters Fellowship. In a light-hearted attempt to point out that although there may be differences, Christians are on the same page, Pastor Ron Gregg, of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church commented on an upbeat rendition of an no... Full story
The girls' softball team lost 3-4 to defending 3A state champions Elmira in their league debut on Tuesday, April 4. The Outlaws' were tied with the Lady Falcons at 3-3 until the sixth inning. With two outs and no one on base, the Outlaws committed three errors and allowed Elmira to score the winning run. Sam Stoneback did a good job pitching for the Outlaws with 10 strikeouts to her credit. Jenna Sneva had two base hits for Sisters, and Brenna Mooney, JJ Ashley, Courtney Overstreet and Jessi Heath each had one hit. Coach Tom... Full story
The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a Business Summit and Job Fair for May 1, at FivePine Conference Center from noon to 6 p.m. The event is presented in cooperation with the Oregon Employment Department WorkSource, Central Oregon Business Resource Network and Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. "Due to an overwhelming lack of employees in the Sisters area last year, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee decided to hold a Business Summit and Job Fair to try to make sure... Full story
• Two computers were reported stolen from a Sisters High School classroom. • A man reported that his dog - a 40-pound Corgie mix - was missing after it chased a coyote into the woods and didn't come back. • A student reported an iPod stolen at school. A parent reported spotting their child's iPod, which the child "found." parent wasn't buying it and arranged to have the iPod returned to its owner with no further action taken. • A girl reported receiving a series of unwanted cell phone calls from a boy.... Full story
• A Joyful Noise Learning Center is hosting an open house on Wednesday, April 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to come and paint with their children. The learning center is now enrolling for fall preschool and mixed-age kindergarten. A Joyful Noise is also enrolling for the summer program for ages three to eight. • This Thursday's demonstration class at Baabaabara's Wild & Wooly will be dying with Kool-Aid. It will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. • C & C Nursery is now open for the season... Full story
