News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 20 of 20
Amy Burgstahler, the newest member of the Sisters City Council, is also relatively new to Sisters. She, her husband, Darin, and their 8-year-old son, Quinn, chose to live in Sisters when they relocated from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a little over a year ago. Burgstahler was selected by the Council to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation of Bill Hall. Burgstahler, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma at Norman with a major in journalism and professional writing, is a nativ... Full story
Gary Farnsworth, area manager for Region 4 of the Oregon Department of Transportation, has been talking to a lot of people in Sisters Country in recent weeks. From sitting down with citizens and business owners to speaking to service clubs, Farnsworth has been talking about a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Barclay Drive and Highway 20. But more than talking, Farnsworth has been doing a lot of listening. "I have to be willing to listen and absorb and learn things," he told The Nugget last week. What he's learned... Full story
With three Sisters city councilors stepping down over the space of four months and high turnover on the Sisters Planning Commission, City officials are considering what it takes to attract and retain qualified people to step into these volunteer positions in a challenging environment - and stay through thick and thin. "The biggest thing is we have to be up-front with people that apply for the position(s) - that it's a tough job," said Mayor Chris Frye. "It's not a lot of pats... Full story
Sometimes it takes a lot of human intervention to make things natural. That's what work crews are up to over about 176 acres of woods along Forest Service Road 16 south of Sisters. Now that Whychus Creek runs unfettered by irrigation dams, work crews are spending the summer helping Mother Nature create new, more natural stream channels and creating in-stream habitat with logs and gravel to make miles of stream more hospitable to fish. They'll also be replacing the pedestrian... Full story
To the Editor: I think Hayden Homes should live up to building the high-density housing they promised to build when they started their development. Sisters needs housing affordable to families with young children if we want to keep our schools open. What do we see as the future of Sisters? A retirement community where everyone who works here has to live in Redmond, or a vibrant mixed-age community with children? Bruce Berryhill s s s To the Editor: I finally have to write a letter about bike trails. I have been very... Full story
Painter Kathleen Keliher is the featured artist in the annual art show that accompanies the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration's Country Fair. The Art Show and Country Fair is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, August 7-8. Friday evening features an artists' reception with many of the artists featured in the annual art show in attendance. Keliher is a Bend artist, but she is developing ties to Sisters Country. She is a member of the Hood Avenue Art gallery in Sisters. This is... Full story
Brandon Pollard, a 2014 Sisters High graduate and incoming sophomore at Gonzaga University, captured the silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the Junior Pan-Am Games on Saturday, August 1, in Edmonton, Alberta. His U.S. teammate Blake Haney edged Pollard by .02 seconds to win the race. Haney, a sophomore-to-be at Oregon, placed third in the 1,500 at the NCAA Championships in June. Haney was timed in 3:56.49 to Pollard's 3:56.51 Pollard's performance caps a very successful freshman season in which he established a school... Full story
Athletes ranging in age from kids to over-50s tested themselves in a grueling series of trials on Saturday morning at the Sisters High School track. At stake was the title "Fittest in Sisters," but what drove most of the athletes wasn't a first-place finish, but the feeling of having taken on a tough challenge and come out the other side. The event is billed as the Level 5 Summer Games, and it was staged by Ryan Hudson, owner and coach at Level 5 Fitness in Sisters. More than... Full story
The new lifestyle apparel boutique Wander + NW, located in Town Square, offers folks in Sisters an opportunity to shop local and enjoy some active, sporty style. Owner Ann La Flamme has been in the retail business for 25 years. "I named the shop Wander because of my wanderlust gypsy soul. And NW because that's where I love to do all my outdoor activities, in the Northwest," said LaFlamme. La Flamme grew up in the Nevada City area of Northern California. She studied design and... Full story
Amanda Smith is discovering how important extra effort is. She has seen it pay off during her sophomore softball season at Sisters High School when she was named second-team all-Sky-Em League. Now she is putting in motion a plan to see just how far that extra work will take her. "I'm now giving time outside of regular season practice," said the six-foot Smith, who pitches and plays first base. "I'm taking private (pitching) lessons, doing a lot of drills and practices at home... Full story
The 20th Annual Country Fair and Art Show is set to roll at the Episcopal Church in Sisters August 7-8. Festivities kick off with an artists' reception on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., which includes refreshments and a silent auction. Patrons are invited to come and mingle with the artists. The Art Show continues on Saturday along with the popular Country Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The art show and sale includes participation from many outstanding regional artists and there is a diverse collection of original high-quality oils,... Full story
Troy Anthony Crabb, age 35, of Blue River, Oregon, was killed Friday morning, July 24, while en route to his job in Sisters at The Garden Angel. He was a great dad and an avid outdoorsman. Troy is survived by Shylla Costello and their son, Parker John Crabb; parents, Sherry Crabb of Blue River and Mel and Katie Crabb of Sisters; grandmother Louise Sansburn of Blue River; and brothers Guy, Mel, and Jordan Crabb. A Troy Crabb Donation Account #557063 has been set up at... Full story
At one time or another, most Central Oregon hikers have taken the opportunity to enjoy Canyon Creek Meadows and witness the rich and varied displays of wildflowers. Because of our warm and dry year, wildflowers peaked early this year; but that doesn't mean that all the flowers are completely gone. Regardless, there are still plenty of other good reasons to hike into this unique and scenic area. This hike explores the eastern base of Three Fingered Jack, and there are a number... Full story
There is a special "zoo" in the library community room created by children who have participated in the Super Animals - Super Powers summer program. The zoo is part of the Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) August/September art exhibit. Paige Bentley-Flannery, community librarian, introduced the idea of super animals to children during story time this summer, to the after-school kids before school ended, to the children in summer school who make weekly visits to the... Full story
A group of a dozen or so youngsters gathered outside the library last Saturday to "Meet a Real Hero" as part of the Summer Reading Program. Several firefighters from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department came by to engage with the kids and share some fun and some fire-safety tips. Community Librarian Paige Bentley-Flannery opened the program with some songs about firefighters sung to familiar tunes like "The wheels on the fire truck go round and round..." then she handed out... Full story
The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce has lent its support to a proposed paved path between Sisters and Black Butte Ranch. The board provided a statement of support to Deschutes County Commissioner Alan Unger, who has taken on the role of championing a path. The board said, "The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce considers the United States Forest Service and the Sisters Ranger District a unique partner in our community. Given that partnership, we are uniting as a board to stand in strong support of the proposed paved path from... Full story
Last week, Governor Kate Brown helped Sisters Habitat for Humanity keep about $10,000 a year in its coffers. The governor signed House Bill 2690, which provides a property tax exemption for proven nonprofit housing developers that acquire land for the purpose of building low-income housing. HB 2690 allows nonprofits to hold the land tax-exempt for seven years from the time of application. The bill was co-sponsored by local Rep. Gene Whisnant, and board members and staff of Sisters Habitat for Humanity traveled to Salem... Full story
The Sisters City Council will discuss revisions to the municipal code regulating business licenses, transient merchant licenses, and public event permits on Thursday, August 6. The workshop will begin at 8 a.m. at City Hall. Discussion items include a provision for temporary business licenses, changes in the regulation of transient merchants, and changes in the fee structure for public events. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information contact Lynne Fujita-Conrads, Finance Officer, at 541-323-5222 or at... Full story
I may sound old-fashioned, or maybe just old, but it appears to me that as a country, as a culture, even as a small Central Oregon town, we are in an ongoing decline when it comes to everyday civility. It even seems like I have seen that word mentioned a number of times in the last few weeks - and always referring to a lack of it. I watch the TV news any night and see a growing onslaught of rudeness on the part of our politicians - in the U.S. Congress, in the run-up to the 2016 election. The office of President of the... Full story
Cats are the world's most popular pets, outnumbering dogs by as many as three to one according to the Humane Society of the United States. This popularity can be attributed to the fact that cats are affectionate and pretty self-reliant. Many people still consider felines a mystery. To others, understanding a cat is simply a matter of paying attention, watching her body language and responding accordingly. As you already know, communication is the key to a healthy... Full story
