News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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Ecosystems in the Northwest were heavily shaped by wolves before they were nearly wiped out of the region, a new study finds. By the 1930s, gray wolves were nearly gone in Oregon and the rest of the West, leading to the multiplication of animals the wolves hunted and creating an imbalance in the environment, researchers at Oregon State University found. But the full impact of their disappearance isn't fully understood because ecological research from the last century largely l... Full story
Two local pickleball players climbed to the top of the podium in a major competition in California. On the Fourth of July, Riley McHugh from Sisters and Georgie Scott, an Eagle Crest resident, fought their way through seven matches at the Newport Beach Open to win the 75-79 age group Mixed Doubles, 4.0-4.5 combined skill level. The win gives them a "golden ticket" ensuring an invitation to the national tournament in Mesa, AZ , Nov. 10-19, 2024. On the previous day, July 3,... Full story
Fifth Grade: 4.0 Bilderback, Weston; Bulloch, William; Crabtree, Zinnia; Davis, Riley; Durham, Noelle; Eigner, Caleb; Faldmo, Elin; Griffin, Ellis; Hernandez, Peyton; Horton, Luella; Knutzen, Emerson Miller, Ezekiel; Nielson, Finley; Ohlenkamp, Clark; Padilla, Phoenix; Planty, Bodhi; Poulos, Brecken; Scott, Loella; Taylor, Jameson; Velikonia, Evangeline; Waitley, Damon; White, Layla 3.5 and above Morrow, Xavier; Dickman, Gavin; Freeman, Madison; Hansen, Avery; Hay, Dawson; Johnson, Collier; Johnson, Hudson; Pasley, Parker;... Full story
Should e-bikes be allowed on certain local trails? The Deschutes National Forest is seeking input on that question, regarding the “E-bikes on Select Trails” project draft environmental assessment (EA). The proposed project would allow Class 1 pedal assist e-bikes on select, existing, natural surface trails and paved paths located near Sisters, Bend, and Sunriver. According to the Forest Service, “there are multiple reasons to consider the need to allow the use of Class 1 pedal assist e-bikes on select trails. The first reaso... Full story
Oregon and Washington leaders are using the start of the region's wildfire season to once again ask Congress for more money for prescribed burns. The practice of strategically starting low-intensity fires across forests to improve soil and ecosystem health and prevent catastrophic wildfires has been common among tribes in the West for millenia. In recent years, it has gained more traction among the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Oregon Department... Full story
With heavy hearts, we announce Kolby McMahon passed on June 19. It is certain that her vibrant spirit and kind heart will remain in our hearts forever. Kolby Genevieve McMahon was born in Redmond on August 9, 2009, at 7:01 p.m. Right from the start, she had a spark that could light up a room. Just barely a year old, Kolby made the move to Texas, and even though it was hot and humid, she played for hours outside with nothing but pink cowgirl boots and a diaper. Her love for... Full story
It is with profound sadness that the family of Atigun John Dethlefs, age 14, announce his tragic passing on June 19. Andy and Mary Dethlefs welcomed their first born Atigun John on June 25, 2009. He came into this world in a time of darkness, two weeks after the passing of his uncle, Ian Ferguson. Over time that darkness became filled with his light. His smiles, giggles, and just raw energy brought comfort to all of us. Atigun was intensely curious from day one. He was constan... Full story
Unlike many women of yesteryear, Bertha Ronalds did not walk quietly through the pages of history. Bertha was an influencer before there was a name for it and landed with a big splash in the Metolius Basin in 1935, leaving a legacy that includes Metolius Meadows and Lake Creek Lodge. She even has her own Wikipedia page which mentions New York's Gilded Age, life in Paris, and Napoleon. Her privileged life helped draw the rich and famous to a little place in a pine forest...
Bill Kelly, president of Rotary Club of Sisters, and Kellen Klein, executive director of Citizens4Community (C4C), wrote: Rotary Club of Sisters and C4C extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for your overwhelming support of the inaugural Sisters 4th Fest. Your participation and enthusiasm made the event a resounding success. We want to express gratitude to our generous sponsors: The Nugget, Explore Sisters, Les Schwab, St. Charles, Big Chief Vintage, Blazin Saddles, Eurosports, Bivvi Homes, Next Phase Realty, Sisters... Full story
Eight-year-olds from cabin 3 practiced doing the splits while others banged on old pianos. Counselors rinsed blue finger paint from a little girl’s hair. There was glue everywhere. The kids danced and sang “the blessing song” before dinner, with hand motions to go with the ever-quickening pace of the guitar. Squeals, laughter, and ruckus filled the room. Dinner plates, full from the buffet, had heaps of black olives only (“I love olives”) or an excessive amount of sliced limes (“I squeeze one lime onto each tortilla ch... Full story
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is warning the citizens of Deschutes County of a recurring warrant scam hitting the area. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has taken reports recently that community members have been contacted by subject(s) requesting money for not responding to a subpoena. The caller(s) demanded the money be sent in the form of bitcoin. The caller(s) also use numerous intimidation techniques to facilitate the payments, namely keeping the unsuspecting victim on the telephone while the payments are... Full story
I was told many years ago that it takes just one consistent and caring person in a child’s life for them to develop resilience — resilience that will help them succeed in spite of circumstances like poverty, homelessness, and a challenging family life that deprive them of reliable care, support, and opportunities. If you don’t know about Circle of Friends, now is your chance to learn about its positive impact on the lives of underserved kids in our Sisters community. Circle of Friend’s annual fundraiser, “Changing Futures... Full story
The first iteration of the "Red, White, and Blue" 5K run and walk attracted over 200 participants on July 4th. The race replaced the annual "Rumble on the Runway 5K" that had been a part of the Sisters Eagle Airport festivities that took place for many years. Thursday's untimed, low-key event included people of all ages - visitors and locals alike - who enjoyed a pancake breakfast supplied by the Sisters Rotary Club following their navigation of the 5K course that started and... Full story
You might be wondering why things seem to be so very, very weird out there in the wide world, and one explanation could be right under our feet. Scientists, it turns out, have recently determined that the earth’s core is now rotating backwards. That may be a hard sell to most of us, having never seen the thing with our own eyes, but taking the occasional scientific claim on good faith isn’t always a bad choice — the late covid conundrum notwithstanding. The earth’s core is a s... Full story
Coaching high school sports can be extraordinarily rewarding - helping young people grow and realize their potential, and creating bonds and memories that last a lifetime. Sports means a lot in Sisters, and many programs have had exceptional success. Coaching also comes with a high degree of stress and pressure, even in - perhaps especially in - the most successful programs. Last month, two-time Coach of the Year and 2023 state champion volleyball coach Rory Rush resigned her... Full story
Quilters from all around the globe are already in Sisters, getting ready to watch the downtown bloom into color on Saturday, July 13, as volunteers hang some 1,060 quilts from one end of town to the other. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS) is in its 49th year, and it remains the biggest show of its kind anywhere. The show is unique in many ways: it’s free to the public, and the display is not in a convention hall or other institutional environment — it’s outside in the summer sun, and takes visitors all around Siste... Full story
The Lodge in Sisters was recently the scene of smiles, excitement, and good feelings as 15 residents received an interactive animatronic dog, cat, or bird from members of the Sisters Middle School fifth-grade Sunshine Club. Romeo's Joy, headed by Sisters resident Cheryl Pellerin, is an Action Team of Age Friendly Sisters Country, and provides Sisters-area residents who are at risk of social isolation, living with dementia, and/or unable to have the companionship of a live... Full story
Over four years ago, I ran for City Council and lost. I ran because at that time, the city was lucky to find any candidates at all to fill the three open seats. That was a rather sad state of affairs. As a member of Indivisible Sisters Steering Committee, we encouraged running for local offices. We were not having much luck at it, so I ran as an example. I filed early, there was one other candidate and me for three open seats. Soon after filing my candidacy, I submitted a letter to the editor of The Nugget explaining the step... Full story
Community garden To the Editor: I was dismayed to learn that the city is considering Clemens Park as one of the sites for the Community Garden. The park is one of the few expansive green spaces in the city and is used by many of us on a regular basis. Perhaps they don’t realize how much the park is used for our children to run and play, for walking our dogs, the occasional neighborhood event, and just sitting and enjoying the outdoors. Removing a large portion of the beautiful lawn and surrounding the resulting dirt patch w... Full story
When Lake Creek Lodge put a sign out that said "Restaurant Open," they didn't expect a large aquatic rodent to be one of the first to dine. But just days before a major restoration planting to benefit beaver habitat began behind the Lodge, a special guest came by to check out the neighborhood eats for one of the few times in a decade. That lone beaver must have felt the love. In April a partnership between Think Wild/Beaver Works Program and Lodge owner Gordon Jones invited th... Full story
In the late 1970s, when Sisters' new fire chief, Tony Prior, was a boy of 8, he came to Central Oregon from his home near Philomath to hunt mule deer. He also fished for rainbow trout in the Metolius River. And now, some 40 years later, he and his wife Dianna are calling Sisters home. Chief Prior assumed his new duties as of late June, with the retirement of Chief Roger Johnson. Chief Prior moved to Alaska in 1994, married Dianna, had two children, and became an... Full story
It appears Sisters has a new annual Independence Day tradition. Sisters 4th Fest attracted an estimated 1,000-plus people to Village Green Park, adding a ton of heart to the heart of town. "It was wonderful seeing the community come together to eat, celebrate, dance, pay tribute to our veterans, and just have a good time," said Kellen Klein, executive director of Citizens4Community (C4C), which put on the festivities with Rotary Club of Sisters. "The event wholly exceeded our... Full story
Two small fires serve as a warning to campers as the region heads into dangerous fire weather. Fire crews jumped quickly on a small brush fire southeast of town on July 4. According to Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid, the fire that broke out on Thursday afternoon off the 4606 road between Sisters and the Rodeo Grounds “sounds like it was caused by ashes that were disposed of that were still hot.” The area sees a mix of recreational campers and forest dwellers. Reid said that the person responsible for the hot ash disposal wa... Full story
