News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 24 of 24
Six weeks ago, Ten Friends founders Mark LaMont and Rand Runco accompanied the largest group they had ever taken to Nepal for a month-long, life-changing trip. Sisters High School students Elisabeth Kokesh-Carhart and Will Saunders; graduates Eric Adler, Zander Albertson and Parker Bennett; and teachers Kirk Albertson, Sally Benton, Kathy Powell and Allison Rayburn accompanied LaMont and Runco. Pasadena, California school principal Josh Brody, who has worked closely with Ten F... Full story
The Oregon Supreme Court will review a lawsuit filed by Mike Morgan against the Sisters School District. Morgan sued the district in 2007 after it borrowed $2.1 million to fund replacement of the elementary school roof and other facilities needs. The lawsuit argued that the "full faith and credit"-backed $2.1 million in Certificates of Participation (COPs) agreed to by the school board on March 12, 2007, were in fact bonds, and the school board should not have obligated the district without a vote of the taxpayers. The... Full story
The City of Sisters received word last week that the Cascade Avenue Improvement Project has been awarded a $1.66 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). On Wednesday, August 17, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced more than $19.4 million in grants for Oregon to fund an array of highway-related efforts, including the improvements on Highway 20/Cascade Avenue in Sisters. "This now brings the committed funding for the project to $4.5 million," said Eileen Stein, city manager. At a community... Full story
Shelby Ross, the 2010 Sisters Rodeo Queen, became the 2012 Miss Rodeo Oregon on Saturday night at the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo in a premier event presented by the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant. The 2009 Sisters High School graduate was announced as the winner as her parents, Melinda and Brian Witt and Candia and Dale Ross, waited in nervous anticipation. The sold-out crowd included about 30 enthusiastic supporters who were there for the conclusion of a long year of... Full story
To the Editor: It has been a wonderful experience teaching music at Sisters Elementary School the past eight years. Recently, I was offered a teaching position in the Denver area with Cherry Creek School District, a nationally regarded school system. The opportunity occurred suddenly and required a quick reply. I accepted the position yet feel reluctant leaving many friends, families, and most of all the students of the Sisters community. I will always have special memories of our time together. Many of you have touched the... Full story
In regard to Karen Kassey's editorial in the August 10 issue of The Nugget ("Recycling Center in peril") I would like to offer some perspective and invite the community to further comment. The recycling depot was designed to operate on a "self-service" basis as Ms. Kassy puts it. As such, she implies the depot should not be costly to operate. The depot has always required significant funding to cover operational costs, including staffing and hauling. In 2008, when the city was faced with a need to increase garbage rates,... Full story
Last Saturday was a big day for the unknown, often overlooked, tiny residents of Whychus Creek. Thanks to the efforts of The Xerces Society, The Upper Dechutes Watershed Council, Deschutes River Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Central Oregon Flyfishers, stoneflies, caddis flies and other tiny organisms-literally-had their moment in the sun. Twenty-two volunteers from all over Central Oregon, from age 12 to 80, gathered at Creekside City Park in Sisters early in the morning to... Full story
Outlaw Martial Arts Taekwondo School has two new second-degree black belts and a new third-degree black belt. Sherri Hermans, Tammy Haynes and Kristina Trahern tested for second-degree black belt on Saturday, August 13. Master Marty Kaczmarek, founder and instructor of Outlaw Martial Arts, conducted the testing at the training room in the Coffield Center. The test, a grueling 2-1/2 hours of poomsae, board breaking, and sparring was the culmination of many years of training... Full story
The Sisters community gathered together on Tuesday, August 16 to celebrate the grand opening of the new playground at Cliff Clemens Park on Larch Street. Mayor Lon Kellstrom was on hand to officiate, recognizing Sisters Kiwanis and the Clemens family for their generous donation to the city for the playground equipment. On hand to cut the ribbon and open the playground was Cliff's son, Dave Clemens. The playground includes a swing set, the first ever installed at a Sisters... Full story
Sisters Habitat for Humanity runs on the strength of volunteers. From board members to thrift shop workers, from homebuilders to ReStore assistants, the organization works because volunteers work. Last week, the local chapter honored its workers with a volunteer appreciation barbecue. Slick's Que Co. provided the eats and Three Sisters Floral provided floral arrangements presented to volunteers who hit an important milestone. "Twenty-one people were honored as being members... Full story
• Malinda Sue Marr, Sisters High School Class of 2010, graduated from basic military training (Air Force), on August 5. She is now in tech school at Keesler AFB in Mississippi for two months, then she moves on to Sheppard AFB in Texas for four months. She will serve as an electrical warfare systems apprentice. She has signed up for six years. • Sheila Reed and Lanie, her guide dog for the blind, salute City of Sisters Public Works Director Paul... Full story
Fresh off the release of his rave review album "Eleven Eleven," Americana pioneer Dave Alvin will perform two sets during the Sisters Folk Festival, September 9-11. "Having recently discovered Dave, I'm incredibly excited to see his performance. He's a guitar virtuoso whose songs span from dive bar blues to Steinbeckian musings of California," said SFF operations manager, Pete Rathbun. Festival chairman Jim Cornelius has been following Alvin for years. "Dave Alvin is one of... Full story
Basketball enthusiasts and the Sisters Park & Recreation District are teaming up for some fun - and a good cause. They will host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Proceeds from the tourney will start a scholarship fund to help families who have trouble meeting new, increased pay-to-play fees for school sports. "We decided to do this because we have raised the pay-to-play fees and there are families who are flat not going to be able to have their kids participate in sports - and that's... Full story
A Bend-area Oregon State Police trooper, seriously injured August 12 when a disabled van with a flat tire slipped off a jack and fell onto him underwent five hours of surgery Saturday at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. Trooper Colin Tracy was to be released Monday, August 22, to return home. Trooper Tracy and his wife, Katie, released the following statement in appreciation for the support they have received: "Colin has a long recovery ahead of him. His facial and head injuries required him to come to Legacy... Full story
More than 50 people of all ages and athletic abilities came to the tennis courts in Sage Meadow this past Thursday to see a demonstration of Pickleball. Most people accepted the invitation to join in and tried it themselves, finding it to be easy to learn, invigorating, and lots of fun. "Even a guy with gimpy knees can play this game," said Bob Winn. Winn had a knee replacement done about eight weeks ago, and this was an opportunity for him to give his new knee a good test in... Full story
The Sisters City Council is set to consider an ordinance this week that will change the city's public bidding practices. The ordinance will introduce "weighted value" criteria into the city's bidding processes, meaning public bids will be awarded based on several factors, not just price. According to a draft of the ordinance, the city will be able to use "weighted criteria" on bids. "The weighted criteria will include a provision related to the contractor's use of local resources and/or the contractor's community... Full story
Volunteers from local service organizations, Boy Scout Troop 139 and interested citizens canvassed 800 in the Sisters Country on Saturday to talk to their neighbors about emergency preparedness. The outreach was an effort by a grassroots movement called "Sisters Country: Prepared and Ready," whose mission is to encourage individuals and families to have plans and supplies for coping with emergencies from wildfire to severe weather to a major earthquake that could isolate the... Full story
There is something about the music of The Shanghai Woolies that makes you want tap your toes, or get up and dance. Both were on full display last Sunday evening at Black Butte Ranch for the Live at the Ranch summer concert series. An appreciative audience of nearly 300 people were on hand to hear the sultry sounds of another era that were just as energetic and viable as they were eighty years ago. Gavin Bondy and band hit the stage just after 5 p.m. on another hot Central... Full story
• A horse and rider fell down a ridge. The rider sustained minor injuries. The horse became trapped between two trees and had to be rescued. The horse was taken to Bend Equine Medical Center for treatment. • A dog owner became irate when a deputy raised concerns about her dogs barking at night. The deputy had to leave after being dispatched to a higher priority call. • A woman reported hit-and-run damage to her 18-year-old son's vehicle. A deputy concluded that her son had likely backed into... Full story
Mike Biggers will be on stage three times at this year's Sisters Folk Festival - once with his band The Anvil Blasters and twice as a solo artist. It's an opportunity for Biggers to showcase the songs on his new release, "Smoke Signals In A Hurricane." "It'll be fun to play some of those tunes and stick the CD out there and see what happens," he told The Nugget. "Some of the songs I've had for three or four years; a couple I wrote while doing this project." Biggers has be... Full story
Tuesday, August 16, just 11 days short of his 91st birthday, Paul passed away, surrounded by his loving family. His lungs and heart were just too tired to keep going. He had understood that it was coming and recently called a family meeting to discuss arrangements following his death. It doesn't make it any easier, we were just more prepared. He will be missed by many, but mostly by his children and wife, Jessie, all of whom relied upon his love and counsel more than he could have known. Paul was one of seven children born... Full story
Martin Lake clearly appears on most wilderness maps, but you will not find any marked trails leading there. For a little off-trail adventure, however, Martin Lake provides a worthy destination; but it would not be wise to attempt it alone. This hike involves a difficult and steep off-trail section in dense forest that should not be attempted unless the hikers are experienced and in excellent condition. Further, anyone considering this hike should possess and know how to use a... Full story
No sector has felt the economic earthquake that shook America and the world more strongly than the real estate market. Changing its name and its location, Sisters' RE/MAX Revolution is adapting to changes in the market and in the way people want to use technology to find properties. RE/MAX Revolution (formerly RE/MAX Town & Country Realty) has moved to a new location in Outlaw Station, right next door to High Desert Hair Co. and around the corner from Ray's Food Place.... Full story
Deirdre Kanzig thought she had creatures from the Black Lagoon living in her backyard pond, and made contact with me to find out who they actually were. Coming face-to-face with an axolotl - a larval salamander - could set one back her heels. For some people they would appear grotesque; for others, frightening, and in Deirdre's case, a big question mark: What are they, are they natives, is it OK for them to be in my pond, and, most important of all, will they hurt my frogs?... Full story
