News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 24 of 24
A massive avalanche left a "crack" across the snowfield on North Sister. Rain and warming temperatures have left the slopes unstable and avalanche danger is very high in the Sisters backcountry. If you're planning on hiking or riding in that vicinity, it would probably be a good idea to avoid that immediate area. Back in May, 2005, three hikers enjoying themselves in that same vicinity got a free ride back to town in an AirLink helicopter after triggering an avalanche on the... Full story
The Sisters Rodeo offered up quite a bash for its 70th birthday, as arena records fell and fans were treated to a sight they'll not likely see again in the rodeo arena. Scott Miller of Hemet, California, set a new arena record with an 87-point saddle bronc ride, on his way to collecting a $4,645.50 paycheck. Shawn Greenfield of Lakeview, Oregon, put a steer on the ground in a blazing 3.6 seconds for a new arena record worth $2,020.33. Tyson Durfey of Colbert, Washington, put... Full story
Deschutes County Commissioners backtracked last week on an amendment that would allow Aspen Lakes to be mapped as a destination resort. The move came after a confusing decision earlier this month that gave the appearance to some that the commissioners were giving special treatment to Aspen Lakes developers at the expense of public input. The long-awaited and hotly contested revisions to the Deschutes County planning map were moving toward law on Monday, June 7. After months of hearings, public input, editorials and letters... Full story
To the Editor: I am writing in support of Chuck Humphrey's reinstatement to the Sisters Planning Commission. While I've known Chuck for many years due to school activities and mutual interests in biking and local trail development, only recently have I had the opportunity to work with him directly on contentious community issues like the development code. It is not surprising that he and I occasionally came to different conclusions about property regulation and policy due to our different philosophical and geographical... Full story
Like a great cup of coffee, the now full-bodied relationship between Sisters and Uganda began with fresh water. Seven years ago, a team from Sisters Community Church (SCC) led by pastor Tim Kizziar in cooperation with All Nations Ministries, ventured to a desolate, war-ravaged village in northeastern Uganda to offer clean water and spiritual hope. This fall, coffee aficionados right here in Sisters may get a taste of some unexpected fruits of that journey, simply by brewing a... Full story
A fun-filled, "down home" Fourth of July celebration designed to bring the community together while also supporting Habitat for Humanity will take place in Creekside City Park from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Independence Day. In addition to the picnic time, the first annual "Recycle Run" featuring both a five-kilometer and eight-kilometer run/walk will take place earlier in the morning from Sisters Athletic Club, ending at the picnic site in the park. The Recycle Run is open to all ages and is designed for everyone from casual... Full story
Sometimes, life can deal a person a losing hand; the deck is stacked against you and there isn't anything you can do about it. That's what happened to Kevin Farnsworth, Bob and Vaunell Temple's son-in-law, who died this past October of brain cancer at 47. Family life is shattered when something like that happens; dad is gone and his departure leaves a dark void in everyone's life, and most people lament the unfortunate and unforeseen passing of a loved one. That's the way it... Full story
Bethany Benhower recently received word that she'd been selected as Sisters High School's new art teacher for next fall. Benhower will replace her mentor, teacher and friend, Mike Baynes, who will retire at the end of this year after 33 amazing years of teaching. Benhower lived in Sisters until she was six years old and then moved to Camp Sherman with her family. She graduated from SHS in 2003 and went on to get her BA in Studio Art from Westmont College. Benhower continued her education at George Fox University's satellite... Full story
Concluding many hours of negotiation turned upside down by Governor Kulongoski's announcement of an additional nine percent budget cut, the negotiating teams for Sisters School District (SSD) and the Teachers Union (SEA) came to a tentative agreement Monday evening on a one-year contract, subject to a "yes" vote from the rank and file. The details of the settlement still need to ironed out but the major points include: Six days will be cut from the 2010-2011 schedule, three instructional days and three non-instructional days.... Full story
• Davis Frame Company, Inc. timber frame home designer and manufacturer located in Claremont, New Hampshire, has announced that one of their timber frame homes in Sisters has earned a Platinum Earth Advantage certification. Doug and Leanne Smith of Central Oregon Timber Frame (representatives of Davis Frame) worked on designing the home to be able to maintain a comfortable temperature based on its inherent structure and design and use renewable energy for its power needs. They also used building materials that... Full story
• Kerry Zenich wrote: For the last two weeks I have run a lost-and-found ad for my anniversary band (20th) that was lost in Sisters approximately two weeks ago. Although the ring has not been found, I have received hope through many stories of rings gone missing from days to years! I hope it does turn up someday. The first night of the ad, I receive a call from Cliff Willis. He is also a Sisters resident, but not someone I have ever been fortunate enough to meet. He offered to take his metal detector out looking... Full story
Fresh-food lovers in Sisters Country can feast with a new Community Supported Agriculture venture. Paradise Farms, located at Plainview between Sisters and Bend, is signing up CSA members, in addition to providing fresh produce to a farm stand in Bend. It's the first year of CSA production for farm partners Kevin and Shirley McBride and Charlie Rich. The property is leased from Don Schnack, who Kevin said is supportive and, in fact, had encouraged the venture long before it ca... Full story
While the cowboys and cowgirls were competing in the Sisters Rodeo, a small group of dedicated riders practiced skills that go back thousands of years to ancient warriors of Hungary and Mongolia: the art of mounted archery. Participants brought their trained mounts or used horses provided by trainer Katie Stearns and ranch-owner Holm Neumann. Stearns and Neumann are passionate about the sport, and both teach clinics around the country and often outside of the U.S. Both... Full story
Benders Ink is determined to do its part to clothe the planet with their colorful, wacky, and sometimes politically incorrect T-shirts printed right here in Sisters. Owners - and brothers - Jeff and Patrick Johnson hail from the Leyland Peninsula in Michigan, where many of their original designs came from. They started their T-shirt venture back in 2005, when the construction industry slowed and they were looking for a side gig to make ends meet and it slowly evolved from... Full story
Pam Cole has taught kids all over the world, from Florida to Jakarta, Indonesia. But she's spent most of her career teaching elementary school kids in Sisters, and it's from here that she is retiring after a 28-year career. Cole's career was so peripatetic because her husband Greg's U.S. Navy service took them all over the world. She seldom had a chance to establish herself longer than three years in any location. However, there were some wonderful experiences. She recalls the... Full story
The Sisters Outlaws 14U baseball team captured the championship trophy in the Senior American Division in the 2010 Bend Memorial Day Youth Baseball Tourney. Led by strong pitching from Justin Harrer, Tristan Lewis, Trevor Standen and Jardon Weems, the Outlaws beat travel teams from Eugene, Salem, Tigard and Forest Grove to go undefeated. Standen and Weems combined for a sparkling no-hitter in the championship game victory over Tigard. "It was a total team effort," said... Full story
Dara Kosanke was named Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Player for the Sisters High School's softball team during the team's recently held awards night. The senior, who was also named first team All-State and Sky-Em League Player of the Year, also was honored as a team captain and received Cat Mauldin's Scorekeeper's Award. She was also recognized for setting 10 season and 10 league season school records. Also honored as a Team Captain was senior Brooklyn Walker. Other varsity award winners included: Top Offensive... Full story
• A motorist requested a welfare check on a woman seen leaving a vehicle on Hwy. 20 near Sisters. The woman was involved in a rolling domestic dispute. Deputies arrested a 45-year-old man for reckless endangering, menacing and harassment. • A minor was busted for being drunk - and for providing false ID to a cop. • A woman raised a ruckus at a motel, using abusive language and throwing a pillowcase at the desk clerk. • Law enforcement officers busted a large MIP party off Three... Full story
If you hit a "sleeping policeman" in England, it's okay; it's just the Englishman's name for a speed bump. Of all the countries in Europe, England's workweek is the longest, about 48 hours, although they get on average a four-week vacation. French workers get a whopping 31 days of vacation and have the shortest workweek, just 35 hours. But before you pack it up to move to France, practice your table manners and always arrive on time. These are a few of the things Central... Full story
For more than 30 years, Dan Balmer has been considered one of the finest composers and guitarists in the Northwest; he was recently elected to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the Jazz Society of Oregon. The Dan Balmer Quartet kicks off the "Live at the Ranch" Summer Concert Series at Black Butte Ranch Friday, June 25, at 6 p.m. The series is the brainchild of Black Butte Ranch General Manager Scott Huntsman. "The concerts are a great way to connect the communities of Black... Full story
Noxious plants are a threat to our ecosystem. They take away resources from native plants and destroy wildlife, says Karly Hedrick, Sisters Volunteer Bank coordinator. The Camp Sherman Weed Warriors will attack noxious weeds every week during the weed-pulling season. This Saturday they will be joining other volunteers at Suttle Lake to once again attack spotted knapweed. The National Forest Foundation, Sisters Ranger District, the Metolius Basin Weed Coalition, and Let's Pull Together are all partnering in this effort to... Full story
Rodeo is all about bulls, broncs and barrel racers, but a big part of the show is the crowd. When a packed-house Sisters crowd gets to stomping its feet and cheering, the arena is electric with excitement - and that excitement pulls the best performances out of the stock and the cowboys and cowgirls. Jason Buchanan can get that crowd revved up with the click of a mouse. As the proprietor of Pro Rodeo Sound, LLC, Buchanan provides the music that thunders out of the cluster of... Full story
Way back in March, people began asking me if I'd hiked the Lower Whychus Creek trail yet. Even though it was on my to-do list last year, I had to confess that I still hadn't. I made up for that oversight last month. Perhaps because of the very public efforts to restore Whychus Creek and its historic salmon and steelhead runs, interest in the creek has been soaring. As a result, people are exploring it more - and that includes the lower reaches northeast of Sisters. The trail... Full story
Several hard-working members of the Central Oregon Spinners and Weavers Guild have a beautiful textile exhibit on display throughout the Sisters Library for the entire month of June. The guild has more than 55 members, and there are 51 pieces of fiber art on exhibit, including examples of weaving and spinning of natural fibers and felting. "Spinning wool and other natural fibers and weaving them into cloth is one of the most ancient of arts and crafts," said Linda Davis,... Full story
