News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 25
A new committee will dive into the contentious issue of water rates, trying to nail down the factual basis for the city council to move forward with a policy decision. On Thursday, the city council approved the formation of an eight-person technical advisory committee (TAC) to review the city water systems proposed five-year capital improvement project (CIP) budget. The TAC is intended to validate or modify the data used to develop the CIP budget, and to review the need and timing of the proposed CIP projects. At issue are... Full story
Something very fishy was going on in the Sisters Country last Tuesday. About a quarter of a million tiny steelhead salmon fry were released along several points of Whychus Creek. Volunteers planted hundreds of riparian plants on the banks of the creek. Early in the day, a Sisters school bus pulled up at the trailhead to Wolftree's preserve on the creek with a few of Samra Spear's language arts students. All are members of a student stewardship project. Moments later, Kolleen... Full story
Most eighth graders do not volunteer to stand before a classroom filled with their peers to talk about life's difficulties. Yet that is exactly what Craig Wessel did last week. But then again, Craig is not your typical eighth grader. Craig lives with autism. And at the age of 14, he's decided it's time to tackle the subject of his disability head-on. "I often wonder if everybody understands me," he told students at Sisters Middle School last Thursday. "Some kids are big jerks... Full story
Longtime Sisters High School Principal and football coach Bob Macauley has accepted a new job as principal of Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Oregon. The Sisters School District made the announcement last Friday. Macauley told The Nugget that he and his wife Gail had been talking about the move this year. Two of their children live in Hillsboro and a daughter may be moving back into the area. "We're at peace with my decision," Macauley said, "though it's been a tough day on... Full story
To the Editor: It seems like only yesterday that the Tea Party and Republican candidates were harping about "death panels" in relation to the health plan passed by Congress last year. Now those same spin masters are trying to gut Medicare with spending caps, increasing seniors' fees and out-of-pocket expenses and reducing care. This is the way to "death panels" for those who can least afford to pay more for health care. In the meantime, the right wing doesn't want to delete subsidies for oil companies or other corporate... Full story
Amid a galaxy of brightly colored balloons and live music by Americana Project students, 150 community members dined on soup and bid on silent auction items at Sisters High School Tuesday evening, in a hearty show of support for young cancer patient Avrey Walker and her family. Optimism reigned at the Sparrow Club benefit, which featured an array of handmade ceramic keepsake bowls crafted by local artisans for purchase. "The number of student groups that pitched in to make... Full story
SureShotActs will thrill the crowd at the 71st annual Sisters Rodeo. This three-woman team of trick and Roman riders are known for the extreme speed of their horses as the riders hang, twist and vault in routines that seem beyond human capability. The riders are based in Alberta, Canada, and are quickly becoming a hit on rodeo circuits. Their tricks are rated at the highest degree of difficulty, receiving praise from rodeos across the continent. "If you don't see these young... Full story
Camp Sherman resident Tom Landis and his friend Cal French stepped into the sea at Morro Bay, California on May 4, marking the culmination of an epic walking journey across the deserts and mountains of Southern California from the Colorado River to the Pacific. Cal French, a 74-year-old environmental activist from Paso Robles, California, conceived the journey and invited Tom to accompany him. His rationale for the journey: "To show that someone can walk across the heart of... Full story
The boys lacrosse team overcame Summit on Wednesday, May 11, to earn a 7-4 win - and the league title. "There was a lot at stake with this game," said Coach Bill Rexford. "If we won we'd take first in league but if we lost we'd drop to third place and would have had to have a play-in game to get to the playoffs." Sisters held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Beau Fitzke hit a high rocket shot for the Outlaws' first goal of the night and Jacob Akaka knocked one into the top left corner of the net for Sisters'... Full story
The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has earned a $5,300 grant from the Oregon Arts Commission to support a joint project with the Sisters Folk Festival, "Shared Stories: Piecing Together Music and Art," featuring an evening performance by the Quiltmakers of Gees Bend, Alabama, and students in Sisters' arts and music programs. Grant funds will be used to promote the event in and beyond Central Oregon. The Quiltmakers from Gees Bend, Alabama, are descended from slaves who worked a plantation on the Alabama River. Their quilts, all... Full story
The Outlaws baseball team crushed Sweet Home, La Pine and Cottage Grove to wrap up league play. Sisters beat Sweet Home 19-6 on Monday, May 9, and two days later defeated LaPine 19-2. The Outlaws finished up the week with a 15-2 win at Cottage Grove on Friday, May 13. All three games went five innings due to the 10-run rule. Multiple players had big hits for the Outlaws in Monday's win over the Huskies. Eric Carlson went 3/5 with four RBI and Jordan Hodges had three hits for... Full story
Sisters martial artists are progressing in their art through a series of belt tests and tournaments that test their knowledge, skill, and commitment. Every month at Sisters Park & Recreation District Outlaw Martial Arts has a belt testing. Belt testing is for those that come every week and learn new martial arts techniques, forms, sparring drills, self-defense moves and show that they are practicing the Five Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit. There are also mandatory... Full story
The boys golf team earned first place at the Sky-Em District championships held at the Tokatee Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday, May 9-10. The five teams in attendance enjoyed the course, which was in excellent condition with greens that were fast and smooth. Junction City was out front with a score of 590 but was disqualified after the second round on Tuesday. Sisters automatically moved up to claim the top spot and were announced champs. Sisters finished first with a two-day team total of 715. Cottage Grove carded a 735... Full story
A pair of freshmen did all they could to help their more seasoned teammates, and together the Outlaws girls track team won the Sky-Em District title in a hard-fought battle with the Sweet Home Huskies. The boys team also performed exceedingly well in placing second to a deep and talented Cottage Grove squad. Zoe Falk won the 1,500 (5:06.58) and 800-meter races (2:25.49), placed second in the long jump (16 feet 4.75 inches) and anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay, while... Full story
• Andrew Gorayeb wrote: I am writing to let everyone know that SPRD is back, and it is firing on all cylinders. The SALI (Sisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational) is great evidence of that recovery. Before SPRD, this tournament was pretty good, it was attended and it was somewhat organized, but now, it is nothing short of GREAT! The people at SPRD, Anne Heath, Ryan Moffat, Melissa Robertson, Cindy Crowder and Keiko McKenzie (if I've left anyone out, I apologize) worked very hard to make this event a winner. The girls... Full story
The boys tennis team had excellent performances at the 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 3 Championships held in Medford on Monday and Tuesday, May 9 and 10. The Outlaws tied with North Bend for a first-place finish and were crowned co-champions. If head-to-head matches had been counted the Outlaws would have won 3-1. Canyonville Christian took third place and Hidden Valley and Henley tied for third. Three players, Ben Fullhart (No. 1 singles), and Colby Gilmore and Austin... Full story
The Episcopal Church's Transfiguration Choir is only a month away from its choral tour of Ireland, and the choir plans to serenade Sisters in a "dress rehearsal" of the musical selections to be performed on tour. Concertgoers will be offered a choice of free afternoon or evening performances on Saturday, May 21. Two years ago, the Transfiguration Choir conducted a European tour with performances at nine venues in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. That trip was such a success that the choir will soon be headed back acr... Full story
Sisters OHSET is sending 11 athletes and their horses to the state meet at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center on May 19-22. The team's strength is in the individual English events, namely Dressage and Hunt Seat Over Fences. Sisters has gold, silver, and bronze qualifiers in each of those events and Saddle Seat Equitation has a silver qualifier. Driving has a gold qualifier, reining and steer daubing have bronze qualifiers. Team events has the Sisters drill team competing in the Open Freestyle Drill, a fast and highly... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tennis team finished third at the 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 3 Championships held at Black Butte Ranch on Thursday and Friday, May 12-13. North Bend took top honors and St. Mary's was runner-up. Sisters placed third, and Klamath Union and Henley tied for fourth. Sisters' No. 1 doubles team of Elise Herron and Jen Houk placed fourth at the tourney and will advance to the state championships next week. Herron and Houk (not seeded) defeated Chloe Wilson and Dan... Full story
Dr. Robert Louis Illinik went home to his Lord the morning of March 27 at the Redmond Health Care Center after a long decline. He was eighty-eight. Dr. Bob was born premature in St. Louis and not expected to live beyond infancy, but he graduated from Normandy High School in St. Louis, then earned a B.S. from the University of Missouri with a major in Industrial Education and Minor in Social Studies. He received his M.S. at the University of Southern California with a major in... Full story
Whitewater rivers exist in every direction from Sisters Country - the Metolius, Deschutes, McKenzie, Santiam - and water enthusiasts abound in Central Oregon, so choosing Sisters as the setting for a kayak and rafting school and retail outlet seems like a perfect fit. That's the thinking that led Maddie Thies and her business partner, Alex Templar, to set up shop on Cascade Avenue, right between Clearwater Gallery and Stitchin' Post. Sisters River Company officially opened... Full story
The long days of winter in Camp Sherman brightened up when the Metolius Culinary Club formed two years ago. When new arrival Frank Conte searched around for ideas to get involved in the community, food and books were at the top of his list. His home lends itself to gatherings, and Conte loves being a host. The book club idea didn't really fly, but local foodies have happily gathered around Conte's table. They also cluster in his spacious kitchen prior to dinner for tips on preparing the delicious repast set before them. The c... Full story
Paced by the big bats of seniors Amber Milliman and Cassie Hernandez, the Sisters High School varsity softball team recorded three timely victories to grab third place in the Sky-Em League standings and roll into postseason play with a three-game win streak. The three wins enabled the Lady Outlaws to finish the regular 15-game Sky-Em League season with a 9-6 record (9-8 overall). Finishing third puts them into a state "play-in" game against the No. 2 team from the Oregon West... Full story
Keaton Myrick's KM Independent Watchmaking has a provocative motto - "Fueled By Passion, Governed By Time." It's a slogan Myrick takes to heart every day. The young watchmaker is creating handcrafted, precision wrist and pocket watches out of his shop at Beacham's Clock Co. Each timepiece is conceived with painstaking attention to detail, melding Old World techniques with modern-age technology. "I've always had an interest in watches, starting from a young age," he said. "I... Full story
Andrew Gorayeb has won a seat on the Sisters School Board, earning 68 percent of the vote. Gorayeb also serves on the Sisters Parks and Recreation District board of directors, is junior varsity lacrosse coach and chairman of the Outlaws Lacrosse program and is an active mentor in the ASPIRE program, which assists high school seniors in developing post-graduation plans. Board chair Christine Jones, who was running unopposed, was re-elected to another term.... Full story
