News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 9 of 9
It’s not only at the school board meeting where frustration is mounting in Sisters Country over mask protocols and expectations. (See story page 1.) Guidance from the CDC and the White House has shifted dramatically in the last 10 days and at times appears confusing. As recently as May, President Joe Biden was emphatic to a reporter’s question: “If you’ve been fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask. Let me repeat. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer... Full story
Last month, my wife and daughter and I hit the road to Montana to join some 25,000-30,000 other people at the Under the Big Sky Music & Art Fest, held on a ranch just outside Whitefish. Three days of the best in “Americana” or “alt-country” music on two stages, on grounds packed with people. None of us are much for crowds in general — but there is something primal and exhilarating about being part of an exuberant tribal gathering, joyously caught up in music. And we felt... Full story
Sisters McDonald’s has taken a severe beating in the news and on social media for the past month — for something that did not happen. A viral Facebook post, amplified by a story run on KTVZ-21, led people across the nation to believe that the local McDonald’s had refused service on July 13 to firefighters battling the Grandview Fire, who were then treated to a steak dinner at another Sisters restaurant. But a timeline and evidence from security cameras, confirmed by Ore... Full story
Some property owners have reported that their water wells had run dry. Fortunately, those cases are sparse. The larger issue remains water curtailment for farmers, especially hay producers, who are facing uncertainty that they will have enough water for a second cutting. The second cutting is the difference between profit and loss. Worries are mounting particularly in the north county. Canvasing four well drillers and pump service outfits leads to the conclusion that the vast... Full story
The boardroom at the Sisters School District office was packed with over 30 citizens for the monthly meeting held Wednesday, August 4. Most were there to express their opposition of the recent mask mandate for K-12 students handed down by Governor Kate Brown two days earlier. Twelve of those in attendance spoke during the community comment portion of the meeting, addressing concerns about masks along with the issues of critical race theory, bullying, and Black Lives Matter (BLM). Board members in attendance included Jeff Smit... Full story
Cooler weather on Sunday assisted firefighting crews in gaining increased containment on Sisters Country fires that were sparked by lightning in a storm that moved across the region last Thursday, August 5. The Bean Creek Fire and Monty Fire started about a mile apart east of the Monty Campground near Lake Billy Chinook. Air resources were a significant help in keeping the fires from getting big. Central Oregon Helitack deployed three trucks and a helicopter within hours... Full story
Camp Sherman in Sisters Country To the Editor: Re: Bill Bartlett’s “News Nuggets” If the definition of “Sisters Country” is indeed “up for debate” I would encourage you to include the Camp Sherman community and not limit it to the Sisters School District boundaries. Our community, while small, is so important to our region both culturally and ecologically. We have a public K-8 school (Black Butte School) that is often overlooked in the reporting The Nugget does on “Sisters Country” schools. Camp Sherman kids eventually a... Full story
Wally Rietz passed on July 26. Wally was born at the home of his parents, Walter Sr. and Margaret Rietz in Highland Park, Illinois. Wally graduated from Highland Park High School and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1941. Wally joined ROTC on campus in December. Finishing Officer Candidate School as a second lieutenant, Wally was assigned to the 11th Armored Division, 41st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron under the command of General George Patton. On... Full story
Call it “the Sisters area” or go for “Sisters Country,” a successful marketing tagline rolled out by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce a while back. I like calling it Sisters Country. Our home. Where we live and work and play. Where the heck is it, exactly? Bill Bartlett mentioned in last week’s issue of The Nugget that it might be defined by the borders of Sisters School District. I respectfully disagree. Wherever The Nugget covers news and community? That’s Sisters Cou... Full story
