News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 28
The Sisters School Board is poised to decide whether to ask taxpayers for a "local option" to fund schools. The board discussed taking a tax measure to voters at their meeting on May 6, but made no decision. State law allows school districts to supplement state school funding with limited additional local tax dollars approved by voters. Local option has been funding schools by about $1.1 million for many years. It is often pointed to when discussing local support for excellence in Sisters schools. Without the money, cuts to... Full story
More than once in the last few years, tree-sheltered subdivisions near Sisters have been evacuated as out-of-control wildfires threatened lives and homes. The blazes were made worse by the accumulation of vegetation over 100 years of fire suppression. The U.S. Forest Service - on a limited budget - and private landowners now attempt to reduce the "fuel load" in the forest. Tools include "mechanical treatment" such as mowing and burning. Fire is especially effective in Central Oregon ecosystems that have adapted to... Full story
The GW Fire flared up again on Tuesday, May 6, during a tour of the area where the Forest Service plans to allow logging of 218 of the more than 6,000 acres affected by the blaze that threatened Black Butte Ranch late last summer. The flare-up wasn't an actual wildfire of course, but spirited discussions between Asante Riverwind, Eastern Oregon Forest Organizer of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club and Bill Anthony, Sisters District Ranger, threw a few sparks. "The... Full story
To the Editor: Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony has stated to me that he "supports the use of the National Forest for low impact commercial tourist activities." The Canopy Tour I proposed in the Three Creeks area is just that type of activity. It should be noted that I was willing to locate the tour in any number of different locations of their choosing within the Deschutes National Forest. Mr. Coons' letter to the editor May 7, 2008 applauds the Forest Service for their denial of the permit I require... Full story
Sisters gardening enthusiasts came out on a cool, cloudy day last Saturday to take in the beauty and bounty of a colorful variety of bedding plants, shrubs, herbs and flower baskets. The occasion was Sisters Elementary School's Fifth Annual Garden Club Fair, and the day was filled with flora and festivity. Sales were brisk as eager gardeners purchased plants under strict warning from vendors to protect them from frost until the end of May. Traditionally, it's not advisable to... Full story
With two planning commissioners absent and one recusing himself from the decision, the Deschutes County Planning Commission decided Thursday night to postpone a decision on a proposal that would open the door for Aspen Lakes to become a destination resort. The commission will hold off on a decision until June 12, when the full commission of seven members can be seated - except for one member. Keith Cyrus has recused himself from discussions and decisions on the matter because his family owns Aspen Lakes. The Cyrus family is... Full story
The girls golf team obliterated their opponents at the Girls' Special District #5 Tournament held at Aspen Lakes on Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6. Sisters earned first-place honors with a total two-day team score of 700. Two hundred and eleven strokes back at runner up was Cottage Grove (911). Marist took third (1034) and La Pine, Junction City, Creswell, Sweet Home and Elmira all had incomplete teams. The Lady Outlaws shot a 356 the first day of the tournament and a season... Full story
• Deri's Hair Salon is offering $10 haircuts on Mondays and Fridays in May. Call 549-1722. • De La Fuente Interiors is hosting a Decorating Diva Night on Thursday, May 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. Bring your design challenges for free consultation with Lisa Kinnaman. For more information, call 549-2700. • The Culver House invites Sisters to see their new expansion. The shop has doubled in square footage. They are located at 351 W. Cascade Ave. • Tea & Treasures is again selling loose leaf tea and tea... Full story
Cory Stengel has been in scouting for a long time, individually and as a dedicated volunteer leader. Last week he was honored for his dedication and leadership. Stengel's current calling is Cub Master of Den 139, sponsored by Sisters Kiwanis. Being a Cub Master demands dedication, lost sleep, and worrying about 42 boys who have chosen to take on the "Scouting Way," to travel the trail to becoming leaders in their community. For the past five years Stengel has been thinking,... Full story
The boys golf team finished second at the district tournament held at the Tokatee Golf Course in Blue River May 5-6. The Outlaws played well and finished with a two-day team total of 623. As expected, Marist took first-place honors and finished with a 593. Cottage Grove placed third (696), Junction City fourth (707), Elmira fifth (770) and La Pine rounded out the scoring at 799. On day one the Outlaws shot a 308 which was the best total an Outlaws team has produced in three years. Michael Reeve carded a 73 and Cody... Full story
Jazz bands from both Sisters High School and Sisters Middle School received first-place awards at the 25th annual Northwest Jazz Band Festival. Students from the school jazz bands attended the festival competition on May 3, at Mt. Hood Community College. The Sisters High School varsity jazz ensemble was awarded first place. This was the third time in four years that the band has received first place in their division at the event; and this year the group also received the highest score of the 78 groups participating in the... Full story
The entire boys tennis team contributed points to earn a third-place finish at the district tournament in Medford on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6 and 7. Marist took first place and North Bend was runner-up. Evan Sims and Shyama Ellis (No. 3 seed) earned a second-place finish and will advance to state. Sims and Ellis had a bye in their first round, won their next three matches and then lost in the championship match. The duo fell 7-6, 6-4 to Ryan Romania and Zack Steele (No. 1 seed). "Evan and Shyama had their best serving... Full story
KZSO 106.5 FM, the low power radio station located just off the lobby at Sisters High School is setting the stage for growth. Since "going live" in 2005 the station has primarily been a student-oriented program playing a mix of country and classic rock music with an occasional "live remote" high school sports event. The station proved to be a valuable community resource during the August 2006 Black Crater Fire when Erin Deggendorfer reported daily on the scene, with fire updates and interviews with the crews fighting the... Full story
Winning their fifth-straight Sky-Em League game enabled the Sisters High School varsity girls softball team to capture second place in the Sky-Em League and earn the right to host a first-round game of the Oregon 4A Playoffs. Recording a key 7-1 win over Junction City on May 6, then routing Cottage Grove 16-1 on May 8, the Outlaws finished the Sky-Em League season with a 9-3 record and will host Yamhill-Carlton from the Cowapa League. This will mark the first time in school hi... Full story
For Nick Anthony and Slater Smith, songwriting and performing have become a means of self-expression. Their participation in the Sisters Folk Festival's Americana Project has become a driving force in their Sisters school career and has pointed the way to lifelong involvement in music. The two seniors, along with several other Americana Project musicians, will bid farewell to the program this Friday, May 16, in the release concert for "Root Rhythm," the 2008 Sisters Americana... Full story
You are chasing the biggest deer you have ever seen, a deer you will be able to brag about for years to come. Before you know it, it's dark. Your deer has run off and you are left circling the woods trying to find your way back. The deer's not lost, but you are. How are you going to get out of the woods? Enter the Hasty Team: Fast, well-trained in survival skills, and fully equipped for your rescue. The members of the Hasty Team know not to rely on technology that can fail to... Full story
The Outlaws faced what amounted to a preview of the state meet in their last competition before District at the Wally Ciochetti Twilight Invitational held at Cottage Grove High School Friday, May 9. Sisters clashed with powerhouse athletes from Henley, North Bend, Phoenix and Marist, along with eight other 4A teams in a meet that included many athletes who will face off again at the state meet. "The field of athletes was incredible," said head coach Bob Johnson. "Many of the boys and girls competing at this meet will be... Full story
Michael Robert Harris died on May 6. He was father of Rose Palmer, grandfather of Riley, husband and friend of Pam, brother of Donald and Bruce and a friend of Sisters and Oregon. Mick was born in Portland during World War II to George Robert and Emily May Harris. He moved with his parents, but against his will, to San Diego in 1950 and spent most of his youth trying to get back to Oregon, running away several times and finally joining the Navy and serving for three years.... Full story
Sisters resident and new-business owner Tom Simpson is a lucky man. He's in his second month as the proprietor of "Three Sisters Automotive." Simpson, 32, has been repairing cars in Sisters for the past six years, and has been an ASE Certified Auto Mechanic since 2003. He's worked for several auto repair businesses in Sisters, and recently decided to open his own shop at 287 W. Sisters Park Dr. A Navy veteran, he used the GI Bill to attend Central Oregon Community College,... Full story
With the curtain coming down on the 11th annual Starry Nights Concert Series after Saturday night's sterling performance by Keb' Mo', some $800,000 has been raised in net proceeds during the fund-raiser's 11-year history for the Sisters Schools Foundation. The foundation finances programs that otherwise would not be funded in all three Sisters schools. The concert series is the brainchild of local residents and moms Jeri Fouts and Susan Arends. Although Starry Nights only... Full story
Sisters songwriter Brad Tisdel will open for acclaimed singer-songwriter Greg Brown in a performance at the Tower Theater in Bend on Saturday, May 17. "It's a great opportunity to open for someone I consider to be an icon of acoustic music," Tisdel told The Nugget. Brown is a perennial favorite in Central Oregon. The gravel-voiced singer-songwriter is a cult figure on the folk music circuit and has had his work recorded by luminaries such as Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana. Tisdel is well-known in Sisters for his role in... Full story
Dakota, a friendly Lab-cross went missing for four days recently. Jean Wiggins, the dog's guardian, was beside herself with worry not knowing what had happened to her friend. When Dakota came stumbling home, dragging a severely damaged leg and foot, Higgins was both horrified and relieved. Veterinarians at Broken Top Veterinary Clinic in Sisters went to work on the badly mangled foot and leg, using tools and skills designed to keep infection from the dog's wound and help speed up healing. According to the clinic... Full story
South Valley Bank & Trust couldn't wait to start doing business in Sisters. The 30-year-old bank will soon have a brand-new brick building in the shopping center where the new Ray's Food Place is currently under construction. But the bank decided to come to town early and moved into a temporary location at 704 W. Hood Ave., Suite B, next to XPress Printing. "We just felt like Sisters was ready for another bank in town and we were ready to go," said Marcea DeGregorio, the new... Full story
The Sisters High School Junior Varsity softball team closed out their season on Thursday, May 8, with a 16-6 victory over Cottage Grove to capture the Sky-Em championship. The win gave the Lady Outlaws an 11-1 record in conference and a 16-4 overall record. They closed the season with a 10 game winning streak. "This is a very young team that just got stronger as the season progressed," said Coach Matt Macauley. Timely hitting and strong pitching were the keys to the team's suc... Full story
The St. Edward's Garden Tea, held on Saturday at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church, wasn't just for ladies. There were a few men in attendance, and a host of fellows served the food and kept the teapots hot. Upwards of 100 people filled tables that were individually decorated with flowers, tea sets and fine china. The food - fruit cups and Devonshire scones - was presented with a flourish by the nattily attired servers. The annual tea, in its eighth year, raises money for a variety of projects around the church. The main... Full story
