News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 30
Sisters schools asked the chief of Oregon's schools to reconsider withholding $1.2 million in state school funding from Sisters in the wake of a disallowed homeschooling program. She reconsidered - and her decision stands. Oregon State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo has reaffirmed her order to withhold $1,208,286.15 in State School Funds (SSF) from the Sisters School District. Depending upon which withholding plan the school district chooses, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) could start... Full story
The chainsaws won't roar in the forests southwest of Sisters. Several Oregon conservation groups and the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday, October 2, announced a settlement agreement that prevents logging in forests that burned last year in the Black Crater Fire. The settlement ends a lawsuit brought by Cascadia Wildlands Project, League of Wilderness Defenders-Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project and the Sierra Club to stop the project. The groups argued that the project had a... Full story
As the last of the burning embers were extinguished and the GW Fire became a part of local lore, Incident Commander Mark Rapp emerged as a local hero. His handling of the fire and evacuation of Black Butte Ranch (BBR) was carried off with so few stumbles, it appeared seamless. Although Rapp has functioned in various rolls over the 20 some years that he has been in the area, his position as the Forest Service's division fire manager officer for the Cascade Division has brought... Full story
To the Editor: Yes, I do think that the CEC system rebuild, as (what) my eyes behold everyday is an abomination. I always thought the old poles and wires were tacky and a blight on the landscape, but I was sort of able to look past them. The new pole/wire regime just plain overwhelms the skyline in front of my house, towards Mt. Washington. The visual pollution is impossible to ignore now. I take offense at a comment by the CEC spokesman, Mr. Guggenheim. Guggenheim plays the "greater good," and "what's fair to everybody,"... Full story
The Outlaws celebrated homecoming last Friday with the crowning of King Kanoa James and Queen Jena Rickards. The pair and their court paraded through Reed Stadium during halftime of the Outlaws football game (see related story, page 7). Festivities kicked off with the traditional Sisters High School Homecoming Parade. Parade highlights each year are the floats created by members of the school's four classes and the honoring of the homecoming princes and princesses. This... Full story
The current Sisters home of the U.S. Forest Service on the west end of town remains an opportunity in search of a vision. The city again asked, at a two-day workshop last Saturday and Sunday, October 6-7, for input from the community as to the needs, desires, hopes and dreams of locals regarding the future use of the 50-plus acre parcel that will soon become an integral part of city life. The latest visioning session was more lightly attended than was hoped, and the day-and-a-half time commitment was perhaps the culprit.... Full story
In the drizzly early morning late last month, a group of Sisters residents meandered along the switchbacks leading to the bottom of Whychus Creek Canyon. The group was led by Janet Zuelke and Forrest Babcock, a local couple who has taken up the cause of acquiring a piece of canyon property for Wolftree Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing science literacy through community-based outdoor education. These canyon walks, called "Passion Building Walkabouts,"... Full story
Every one of the 134 students who graduated from Sisters High School last June left the school knowing what they were going to do this fall. The school's ASPIRE program (Access to Student Assistance Program in Reach of Everyone) was instrumental in helping students attain this goal. Again this year, Sisters High School is offering the ASPIRE program to students to discuss and outline post-high school plans. Adult volunteers assist students to explore vocational, technical and career school opportunities, as well as community... Full story
The girls soccer team lost 1-3 in overtime against the Pleasant Hill Billies on Monday, October 1. The Lady Outlaws jumped out quick and at the four minute mark took a 1-0 lead. Katie Taylor dribbled in and took a beautiful shot that went to the left of the keeper for the goal. Sisters controlled the game the remainder of the first half on the Billies' home field. The Outlaws had three clear opportunities at shots on goal with no keeper in sight but were unable to finish.... Full story
The Sisters Outlaws boys cross country team earned the highest place among Central Oregon teams in the Elite Division of the Puma Classic, finishing sixth at the meet held on Saturday, October 6, in Drake Park. The only two Oregon schools to beat Sisters, North Medford and Grant, are ranked third and sixth respectively at the 6A level. Teams behind Sisters included four of the top 10 ranked 5A teams. "I didn't have to tell the boys not to be intimidated," said Coach Charlie... Full story
The Outlaws struck first, fast and often and never looked back in their 57-20 victory over La Pine on Friday, October 5. Sisters scored four touchdowns (TD) in their first six plays from the line of scrimmage to take a quick 28-0 lead. Cory McCaffrey scored Sisters' first TD on a 58-yard run behind the blocking of Evan Eady just one-and-a-half minutes into the game. Levi Goins intercepted a pass, and the Outlaws regained possession. McCaffrey took it in on an eight-yard run... Full story
In the aftermath of the GW Fire which resulted in the evacuation of Black Butte Ranch, the developer of Aspen Lakes is attempting to achieve certification as a "Firewise" community. To date, there is only one other subdivision in the entire state of Oregon that has achieved the certification, which indicates the level of defensibility in the event of a wildfire: Fall River Estates in Bend. The process to build a safe development began a long time ago for the Cyrus family. "Dad (Keith Cyrus) has been in the fire department... Full story
When Sisters Elementary School students arrive at school and gather in the commons each morning, they are greeted by Custer the bear and the school's counselor George Shackelford. The students fondly call him "Mr. Shack." "Custer is 29 years old," said Mr. Shack. "He is just a big greeter. Sometimes I forget to bring the bear out in the morning, so the children have learned a new word called 'hibernation.' They say: 'Custer's probably hibernating, isn't he?' I say: 'Oh ya,... Full story
The Sisters Rodeo queen for 2008 is Kayla Gregory, a graduate of Mountain View High School in Bend. She was chosen from a group of six contestants on Sunday, October 7, at Sisters Rodeo Grounds and crowned by the 2007 Queen, Misty Carter. The queen is chosen based on her speaking ability, riding skills and the performance of her horse. "We had an exceptionally qualified group of young women this year, and the final decision was difficult," said John Leavitt, Sisters Rodeo... Full story
Eric Porter, the new City of Sisters Planning and Community Development Director, has brought the winds of change to the planning department at City Hall. The first change of significance is a new service that has been added to provide assistance to developers. "We are offering a new process starting on Tuesday (October 2). We are calling it pre-development, and there is no charge for the process. We will accept ideas, concepts, drawings for projects that are being considered," said Porter. The new service will allow early in... Full story
The City of Sisters passed a new ordinance last month that created a Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI). The city is looking for interested residents to be a part of the committee. It is not necessary to live within the city limits to participate. The committee will consist of nine members with five members who reside inside the city limits and two members who reside outside the city limits but within the boundaries of the Sisters School District. Additionally, two Sisters High School students, one senior and one junior,... Full story
A vibrant group of folks active in the Sisters Community Garden project came together to share good food and conversation about the fruits of their labors at an end-of-the-season potluck last Saturday afternoon at the Pine Meadow Village clubhouse. Currently the community garden is sited at 354 E. Adams Ave. on a two-lot tract leased to the garden by Sisters Habitat for Humanity. The community garden's lease on the property expires in March. On Friday, October 5, Sisters Habitat for Humanity executive director Sharlene Weed... Full story
The Lady Outlaws volleyball team moved into first place in the league standings after their victories over Elmira and Junction City (JC). Sisters crushed Elmira at home on Tuesday, October 2, with scores of 25-6, 25-9 and 25-10. Two days later Sisters beat Junction City in four games. Scores were 25-20, 25-15, 12-25 and 25-23. The highlight of Tuesday's game with the Falcons was an outside attack by Shea Kotal in game three. "That was one of the hardest swings I've ever seen S... Full story
The jazz group 7 Minus has recently come together again after three years of traveling their own separate roads. The highly original group of artists first crossed paths at the University of Oregon when they were graduate students in music and became well known in area jazz circles. The group performed in concert at Sisters High School last Sunday night and worked with the high school's band students on Monday morning, October 10, during an overnight stopover in Sisters. As ba... Full story
Residents who will serve as volunteers in this year's SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) program gathered last Thursday at Sisters Elementary School for an orientation session. Already teachers have identified 40 children in grades K-3 to participate in this year's program. This means that more than 40 volunteers will contribute to the program starting this month and continuing through May. "I'll probably use about 50 volunteers, and I'm pretty close on that number right... Full story
The boys soccer team pulled off a 3-0 win over the Elmira Falcons at home on Thursday, October 4. Eight minutes into the game Evan Sims made a solid low pass to Levi Rowe who booted it in for the goal from just inside the 18-yard box. Two minutes later Max Greuttner passed it off to Gaelan DeLeon. DeLeon put it in with a powerful shot with his left foot for a hard finish into the net, and the Outlaws took a 2-0 lead. At the 17-minute mark David Liming stole the ball from a Falcon defender. Liming took a couple of dribbles, ma... Full story
The world recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant achievements in the history of mankind. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched into orbit Earth's first artificial satellite and ushered in the space age. The tiny moonlet was dubbed Sputnik 1, Russian for traveling companion or satellite, and its very existence would change the world forever. The military applications of the accomplishment were recognized immediately. A rocket powerful enough to place an object into orbit around the... Full story
Local ranchers took advantage of National Alpaca Farm Day held late last month to get together to share knowledge and meet those who have interest in raising the remarkable South American members of the camel family. Most of the alpaca ranchers are looking toward a modest retirement income and some fun. Barbara Pieper of Panorama Ranch organized the event and invited several other small alpaca ranchers who pepper the area to join in the display of alpacas and products derived... Full story
Members of the Sisters Folk Festival's Folk Arts Circle gathered last Saturday evening at Sisters Art Works for a private concert. Each year the folk festival organizes a special evening of good food and fine entertainment to thank Folk Arts Circle members and other special friends for their continued support and dedication. Singer-songwriter Susan Werner from Chicago entertained with originality and a unique blend of folk, jazz and pop. Saturday was Werner's first time ever... Full story
Central Electric Cooperative did not have proper county permits to erect at least some of the power poles they have put up in the Sisters area, according to a county code enforcement technician. A lawyer for CEC disagrees, saying that because of Measure 37, no permits were required. Deschutes County Code Enforcement opened a case on the matter last week. The case involves "a parcel of CEC land within Deschutes County that is zoned F1 (forest)," said code enforcement technician John Griley. The exact location of the parcel was... Full story
