News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 25
A 26-year-old man drowned on Monday afternoon while swimming in the Deschutes River at Awbrey Falls below White Rock Loop. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, Todd Sampson and his brother Jeffrey, 18, had been swimming in the river when Todd ventured behind the falls into the lava tube and did not surface. Jeffrey attempted to locate his brother in the tube but was unable to reach him due to the current. Jeffrey then called 911 dispatch for assistance. Members of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Search and... Full story
A small plane crashed at Sisters Airport Monday evening, but the pilot walked away with only minor injuries. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, deputies and the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire personnel responded to the Sisters Airstrip on Barclay Drive to investigate a report that a plane had gone down at the north end of the runway. Units arrived on scene at about 6:40 p.m. to find a 1961 Cessna Skyhawk 172 B single engine plane sitting approximately 150 feet from the east edge of the runway. The pilot, Tom... Full story
Cycling over the McKenzie Pass can be an exciting, exhilarating experience. For Adrienne Banks, her ride up to the Dee Wright Observatory provided a little more excitement than she had bargained for. She was heading back down the highway toward Sisters about 12:30 p.m., when she heard something strange. "I heard this clicking on the road behind me, and I looked down and thought, 'Oh my god! There's a dog chasing me.'" She quickly realized that the "dog" was a coyote - and it w... Full story
For some Sisters youths the Deschutes County Fair is not about testing their bravery by going on hairy carnival rides or seeing how much junk food they can eat. For some, the fair is about raising livestock for the annual 4-H auction. Sisters youths traditionally do well, and this year was no exception. Pam Mitchell, leader of the 25-member Cloverdale Livestock Club, said her sheep group performed very well. "Adam Hunt was Champion Senior Showman, and then he was Reserve Grand Champion Sheep Showman (and) ... Reserve... Full story
Recently two issues have generated a lot of attention locally. I am talking about the possible relocation of Gutenberg College and the concerns of a few developers with the performance of the city's planning department. Before I tackle these issues, let me share with you some of my thoughts on the role of city government. As mayor I am tasked with upholding the constitution (both state and federal), all applicable state and federal laws, the city charter and local laws. Within this context the council represents the will of... Full story
To the Editor: Joseph Duerrmeyer's excellent reminder of the deluge waiting to inundate Sisters from Carver Lake is a day late and a dollar short ("Lake threat looms over Sisters," The Nugget, August 1, page 1). The Sisters Planning Department or Deschutes County has already set the stage for a "natural disaster" or "Act of God" by allowing all those lovely homes to be built on the Whychus Creek flood plain east of Sisters. Local papers and historical documents show even the most uninformed person that seasonal flooding has t... Full story
Members of the Sisters School Board and superintendent Elaine Drakulich are fine tuning their understanding of public meeting law. Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) leadership services directors Gregory McKenzie reviewed the records-keeping practices required by law during a workshop last week. The subject is of particular concern to the district currently, as on April 9 Sisters resident Mike Morgan filed suit in the Deschutes County Circuit Court against the Sisters School District and the directors of the Sisters... Full story
Members of the Sisters City Council and the planning commission have come under fire from members of the Sisters business community for allegedly interfering with city operations and overreaching their bounds to make demands or suggestions based on personal opinions and interests. (See "Community concern focuses on leadership," The Nugget, July 25, 2007, page 31.) Councilors think that their role is appropriate. City Manager Eileen Stein created a framework that allows council members to approach city employees outside of... Full story
What started 25 years ago as the Sisters Saturday Market evolved into the Village Green Craft Show in 2001. In 2003 the event was renamed the Sisters Summer Faire for its July and August venues and the Western and Native American Arts Festival for its September extravaganza. "The event has taken on a new life," said Jeri Buckmann, events director for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. In its early years the show was a one-day event; later it became a two-day, weekend affair... Full story
Irv Weston, a 76-year-old retired physician from Sisters, recently rode the Alaska Highway for 1,400 miles on a bicycle. Weston is no stranger to long-distance quests; he is an ultra-marathoner who has run numerous 100-milers over his lifetime. He started his bicycle trek at Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on June 12 and rode for 22 days, ending at Delta Junction in Alaska, at mile marker 1,422. The highway was built in 1942 during World War II for military use. The doctor's... Full story
Sisters Coffee Company held a concert, and it went to the dogs - literally. The "Hoffman and Hounds" concert, on Saturday, August 4, featured singer, songwriter, guitarist and recording artist, Jonathan Hoffman. Unfortunately for concert guests, Hoffman's backup could not make the performance due to a prior commitment. Watson and Cricket are the two dogs that cohabit with the Hoffman family. "I could have brought Watson, but my wife was at the Metolius Meadows Homeowners Association meeting today. He (Watson) sings with one... Full story
A passion for vintage cars can lead down many interesting roads. Some race them; many drive all over the country to show them off and talk to like-minded car buffs. Bill Zilk and Steve McGhehey are building car condominiums in Sisters. The partners in Classic Garage LLC are creating climate-controlled, insulated 12-by-20-foot homes for classic cars with a clubhouse and other amenities - a sort of exclusive resort for autos. The project, located on Aylor Court, grew out of a... Full story
If you have a hankering for a hearty meal in an idyllic setting, accompanied with fine wine and live music, Sunday nights at The Lodge at Suttle Lake could be a perfect choice. The menu is constantly evolving at The Boathouse Restaurant. "We are trying to have the best menu possible. We take things off when they don't seem to be wanted and add things when they are suggested," said Jason Schnoor, restaurant manager for The Boathouse at Suttle Lake. The new executive chef at... Full story
Monica Offield is back in Sisters' limelight. The singer/songwriter performed last Thursday evening to a crowd of well over 100 at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center's weekly concert series Music on the Pond. Singer/songwriter Reed Thomas Lawrence backed up Offield and played a couple of sets of his own tunes. Lawrence, an acoustic rock musician, is an active member of the Central Oregon music scene. The event was the third in the weekly series of buffet dinner concerts... Full story
Outlaws softball players - and those who aspire to be - got an immersion course in the sport at this summer's softball camp in Sisters. Coach Tom Mauldin is extremely happy with the results of the camp. "It was good for the girls. There was lots of progress and lots of energy. As a coach I was really pleased," he said. Coach Mauldin wants to build on success and has a plan for the upcoming week. He is hosting a "by invitation only" event that is designed for softball varsity team prospects. The event will be unique. It is... Full story
Professional Auto Repair is under new ownership. Brian Brown and Tammy Coen acquired the business almost two months ago. Previous owner Shawn Pettis recently moved out of the area. The business is a family owned endeavor; Brown and Coen are brother and sister. Brown has worked as a mechanic since age 18. He has been employed by several prominent dealerships, including Honda, Toyota and Mercedes. Tammy has been a resident of Bend for 25 years, while Brian has lived in Central... Full story
As Sisters takes a look at the Michael Moore movie "Sicko," controversy seems to surround the filmmaker rather than the facts and views that he presents. America is the richest of all developed countries yet the only developed country in the world that does not provide health care for its citizens. Of all the developed countries of the world, America also has the lowest life expectancy and highest infant mortality rates. "Sicko" has been lightly attended at Sisters Movie House; nearly everyone who leaves the film comments on... Full story
Anyone who attended the University of Oregon or who has spent time in Eugene during the last 25 plus years knows about Cart de Frisco. The operation has won numerous awards including the Eugene Registers Guard's "Best Food Cart Award" in both 2005 and 2006. Sisters resident Rick Gillaspie is now duplicating the delicious street food experience here in Central Oregon. He has cut a deal with the owner, has a duplicate cart and will be bringing the taste treat to the area as an... Full story
The players on the Sisters Junior All Star Little League team have moved from the bottom of the pack to stardom in just one year. Last season the team won only one game. This year the team placed second in the District All Star Championship the last part of June and, much to their surprise, received a berth at the state championship in July. Team members are: Marisa Calavan; McKenzie Cooper; Brittany Crawford; Mackenzie Gellings; Cassie Hernandez; Becca Pelham; Jordan Richerson; Kelsey Schaad; Zoey Wavrin; and Amy Yoder. "We... Full story
• Becki Neal is selling B-J & Friends, her long-established hair and nail salon on Cascade Avenue. • A full slate of events and activities is on tap at The Lodge at Suttle Lake. They include: August 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m. wine tasting; August 10, 6 to 8 p.m., live music at The Boathouse Restaurant; August 12, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., Astronomy Night at The Lodge, talk followed by star gazing on Suttle Lake. For more information call 595-2628. • Clean your car for a cause at the Girl Scouts' car wash in the... Full story
There is much written about living in the moment and I'm a firm believer it's a good place to be. To that end, I got a lot done today ... just in case I die: 1. Got rid of a dead sage rat floating in the watering trough. 2. Mowed the lawn. 3. Weeded and fixed up Molly's and Levi's graves - two of the best dogs a person could ever have. 4. Took the frozen garbage out to the horse trailer. 5. Took the empty egg crates (24) out to the carport closet. 6. Emptied the water bucket in the kitchen sink. One of the nicest... Full story
Pahlisch Homes is creating what is probably the most green subdivision to yet appear in Sisters. Called SaddleStone, the new subdivision is located at the end of East Black Butte Avenue. The subdivision will contain 85 homes priced from approximately $350,000 to $600,000, although some adjustments may be made to reflect market trends. Work is already proceeding on infrastructure development, and the first homes are not far in the future. "We expect to break ground on our first home there sometime around mid-September," said... Full story
Spending four days on the streets in the toughest part of Los Angeles has given 21 Sisters youths a new outlook on life. Today, these young people believe they are much less judgmental than before they embarked on their journey. Each has gained a greater appreciation for the security Sisters affords to them - a keen respect for things taken for granted. The students, under the leadership of Dan Keels, youth pastor at Sisters Community Church, spent July 16-19 in Los Angeles,... Full story
Pandora moths, Coloradia pandora, may be preparing to infest Sisters as they did about 10 years ago. You rarely see one or two without eventually seeing thousands; two were observed flying about Sisters Bakery a week ago. Pandora moths are large, with wingspans of up to 4-1/2 inches. They are heavy-bodied, grayish-brown with a dark spot near the center of each wing. Males have feathery yellow antennae, while those of females are narrow. During epidemics, thousands of these... Full story
Personal biases and varying levels of potential conflicts of interest create an ethical minefield for members of the Sisters City Council. Personal beliefs and biases are always a part of the package with elected officials and active members of any community - especially one as small and interconnected as Sisters - as they are exposed to potential conflicts of interest in their public service. One council member in particular comes to the forefront in public perception of conflicts of interest: Sharlene Weed, who is the... Full story
