News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Articles from the August 16, 2023 edition


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  • Firefighters slow blaze west of Lake Billy Chinook

    Updated Aug 21, 2023

    Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue, contractors, and local partners have significantly slowed the Juniper Creek Fire through an aggressive initial attack. Firefighters were able to establish a control line completely around the fire and will continue firefighting operations into the night. Control line is the term used to describe dozer and hand-line used create a fire break. The Juniper Creek Fire is l... Full story

  • 15 miles of 242 closes due to fire

    Bill Bartlett|Updated Aug 19, 2023

    In an abundance of caution, ODOT announced Friday that it was closing 15 miles of the 82-mile McKenzie-Santiam Scenic Byway (Highway 242) between mile posts 61 and 76 due to activity from the Lookout Fire that so far has consumed over 6,000 acres. The closure is 14 miles west of Sisters. The popular Dee Wight Observatory at mile post 77.5 remains open. ODOT’s decision was not based on the threat of actual fire reaching the iconic highway. Rather it was the concern that s... Full story

  • The music never stopped

    Jim Cornelius|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they’re better left unsung I don’t know, don’t really care Let there be songs to fill the air —“Ripple,” Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia Songs filled the air everywhere in Sisters last weekend. The Sisters Folk Festival packed the lawn at Sisters Art Works with a “community hang” featuring some of the best of Sisters Country’s local musicians. At Hardtails Bar & Grill, the classic rock band NightLife served up some stunning le... Full story

  • Controversy about shelter intensifies

    Bill Bartlett|Updated Aug 15, 2023
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    Sisters City Council chambers were packed to overflowing on Wednesday, August 9. The intense interest in the scheduled City Council workshop revolved around an application by Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS) for City approval to operate an emergency shelter at 192 W. Barclay Dr. The proposed siting has stirred citizenry in vociferous opposition or support of the proposed shelter. Some 35-40 attendees were forced to stand in the doorway or vestibule, straining to hear the... Full story

  • Nancy Jeanne Ream

    Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Nancy Jeanne Ream of Corvallis passed away June 15, at Evergreen Hospice House in Albany, Oregon, within miles of where she was born in Corvallis on June 17, 1950 to Rod and Jeanne Gilstrap. Nancy is loved and missed by family and friends everywhere, but especially in Oregon, Colorado, and Tennessee. Nancy enjoyed sports as a child, especially horse packing in the Wallowa Mountains. She was proud to have been a National Merit semifinalist and for being selected to attend... Full story

  • Trailgrams: Trail blazin' around Sisters

    Scott Bowler|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    This is a new feature The Nugget will run periodically. If you have a favorite hike or trail, send it along in about 500 words to [email protected] using the following format, including a photo. The Matthieu Lakes Trail combines nicely with the PCT up to Scott Pass, providing a lovely gateway into Three Sisters Wilderness. The trail is (almost) always a great bet in the summer, with multiple highlights, including: spectacular views, fascinating geology, flowers,... Full story

  • Local astronomers to host Starwatch

    Updated Aug 15, 2023

    The Sisters Astronomy Club will host an evening under the stars on Saturday, August 19. Local amateur astronomers will bring their telescopes, eager to share with visitors many showpiece objects of the summer night sky. Known as the Stars over Sisters Starwatch, the event will take place at the Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) Coffield Center building and adjacent parking lot. The proceedings begin at 8 p.m. with a brief presentation. There is no charge for this... Full story

  • Scotties and pets in heaven

    Jean Russell Nave|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    During our four decades of marriage, my husband and I have loved and entertained nine Scotties and other pets. I look forward to seeing all of the Scotties and the many other horses and pets I have loved and enjoyed throughout my entire life. I am confident that we will meet again. Why do I have such confidence? There are a number of reasons, but I’ll only explore two of them in this column. The first reason is a huge one. Do you remember your eighth-grade general science c... Full story

  • Found along the river

    Chester Allen|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Over time, a river flows into your mind. What you see, hear, feel, smell, and touch swirl into memories. Sometimes what you see, such as swarms of mating mayflies rising, falling, and rising again 20 feet over the river's surface, becomes knowledge that helps you lure trout to your fly. Other times, you discover simple beauty that will vanish in a matter of minutes, hours, or days. I always want to catch trout, but sometimes I catch other things as well. I fish the Metolius... Full story

  • Creating a jazz community in Sisters

    Jim Cornelius|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Robert Sposato is a man on a mission. Carrying a deep passion for jazz music, he has built a successful jazz series at Sisters Depot in Sisters. That series continues with Michelle van Handel’s Something Good Quartet on Saturday, August 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sisters Depot. According to Sposato, “Popular keyboardist and jazz vocalist Michelle van Handel has been a staple of jazz in Central Oregon for several decades, but she rarely performs in Sisters. She brings a tal... Full story

  • PMR seeks artists in residence

    Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture (PMRCAA) invites artists, ecological scientists, researchers, and scholars whose work explores the theme of "Transitions & Migration" to apply for a 2024 residency in Sisters. This residency provides a unique opportunity to explore and engage with the multifaceted aspects of migration and transformation, encompassing human movement and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The application deadline is September 30, 11:59... Full story

  • In a pickle over court shortage

    Bill Bartlett|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    There are now 5 million pickleball players, or "picklers," in the United States, according to a recent report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Pickleball, a mash-up of tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton, grew some 40 percent between 2019 and 2021, making it America's fastest-growing sport. The sport trended older in its early years - half of all serious pickleball players in 2021 were 55 and older, according to the USA Pickleball Association. But the vast majority... Full story

  • Letters to the Editor 8/16/23

    Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Topic headers To the Editor: Really Mr. Cornelius? You are getting your leads from British tabloids now? A new low for The Nugget. With “Chinese” in the title, the yellow background caught my attention. When I saw “British daily tabloid,” I figured yellow journalism had been resurrected right here in Sisters. But after reading the article the tone definitely told me your rag is back in the McCarthy era of the Red Scare with paranoia abounding. The tipoff was “Parents Defending Education.” A little online research into this v... Full story

  • SAR rescues hikers on Three Sisters

    Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) spokesman Sgt. Jason Wall reported that on Saturday, August 5 at approximately 6 p.m., DCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) was dispatched to two lost and disorientated hikers between North and Middle Sister, near Hayden Glacier. Due to poor weather conditions and remote location, the unit requested assistance from a helicopter. Life Flight agreed to fly two DCSO SAR volunteers to a landing zone as close to the subjects as possible. Life... Full story

  • Shelter advocates respond to concerns

    Bill Bartlett|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    Several citizen speakers before the City Council meeting of August 9 expressed frustration that the applicant for proposed emergency shelter on Barclay Drive was not clear in their intent or were purposely misleading. Some cited conflicting or contradictory statements made by the nonprofit Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS) in various public communications. The Nugget interviewed SCWS Board President Luis Blanchard at length Friday, and sought definitive clarification.... Full story

  • Gas station denial stands

    Sue Stafford|Updated Aug 15, 2023

    The City of Sisters Planning Commission decision to deny the application for a major renovation of the Space Age Fuel station at the corner of Highway 20 and Pine Street will stand. “No appeal of the Planning Commission denial of the Space Age service station (file nos. SP22-02/MCU 22.01) proposal was filed prior to the end of the 14-day appeal period which ended August 3, 2023. Therefore, the Planning Commission decision is final,” according to Matthew Martin, City principal... Full story

  • Work begins on Sunset Meadows

    Sue Stafford|Updated Aug 15, 2023
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    Work has begun on the Sunset Meadows development by Woodhill Homes located between Felicity Lane and Highway 242. Trees are being removed to make way for street construction. The entire 12.92 acres was approved as three parcels, one for the single-family homes and townhouses, one for apartments, and a third one on the southeast corner of the property bounded by West Hood Avenue and Highway 242, which will be an open space with trees. During their January 19 hearing on the... Full story