News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 20 of 20
• The small-business owners of Sisters are invited to lunch presentations throughout the month of October on select dates at Sisters Coffee. These presentations will review the legal, identity theft restoration, and business consultation services provided to members by three separate companies: LegalShield, Kroll, and GoSmallBiz.com. The focus will be on the many choices available to small-business owners, including voluntary employee benefits at no cost to the employer. Reservations are required. For... Full story
As the youngest candidate for city council, at 29, McKibben Womack looks to bring a youthful perspective to the city council. In his last seven years in Sisters, Womack has started his own landscaping business, brought three new citizens into Sisters (ages 4, 2 and 1 month), and served on the city's budget committee. He also served on the ad hoc Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that wrangled over the city's water system capital budget for almost 50 hours in 11 meetings,... Full story
If city council candidate Brad Boyd has an agenda, it's focused on downtown Sisters. As a business owner for 23 years and counting, former mayor Boyd said, "My business, which is my only source of income, is in downtown Sisters. My home is here, I want to see everyone do well. I need to see this downtown do well. "It is about making the city vibrant; a vibrant downtown is key to attracting 'those jobs' (family wage jobs), along with an economic development zone, as well as a w... Full story
Every once in a while, wildlife scientists get a big win. The recent return of the first ocean-run sockeye salmon to the Metolious River in 45 years is one of those times. The recent de-listing of the bald eagle is another win. Those projects didn't succeed by accident; it requires a lot of hard work, along with a great deal of planning, money, and dedication to see the salmon return and to continue to see eagles in the sky. It comes down to habitat. Wild salmon and trout... Full story
To the Editor: Mayor Lon Kellstrom said, "... I am running to continue what we have been doing for the last four years." Consider that during the last four years, in spite of overwhelming public opposition, Kellstrom pushed to support the development of a destination resort in the Metolius. He almost singlehandedly engineered the selection of an economic development director, completely out of sight of the city council and the public, and stonewalled every effort to disclose the details. He tried for 18 months to raise... Full story
Sisters' voters will soon receive their Deschutes County voter's pamphlets for next month's election. Three statements by council candidate Brad Boyd seriously misrepresent key community issues. The most egregious statement relates to the recycle center. Deschutes County was initially a financial partner in the center's operation but is decreasing their financial contribution in light of the struggling economy. The county's long-term intent is to eventually eliminate all support. That means Sisters taxpayers, with some help... Full story
Former Outlaws girls soccer coach Nik Goertzen is suing the Sisters School District and three Sisters citizens. Goertzen's contract as a coach was not renewed for this school year. Last season he coached the Outlaws to an appearance in the state championship game. Goertzen was named league and state coach of the year in 2012. The suit alleges that Goertzen's "termination without cause was wrongful and in violation of his right to continue his employment with the school distric... Full story
Sisters High School health students are teaching health lessons at Sisters Elementary School in all 13 classes (K-4). Each Tuesday for one month, 45 students make a connection through mentorship in a variety of health activities. The 13 teams of student-teachers teach two lessons. The last two weeks will be taught by a different group of 45 student-teachers, with two more health lessons. The health topics include: keeping self, family and others healthy (belonging, diversity, feelings and friendships), stress and conflict.... Full story
There was plenty of polka-dancing and potato salad to be had on Sunday for the annual Oktoberfest party held at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church. Guests ready for a taste of old Munich enjoyed an authentic Rhineland lunch of smoked German sausages, potato salad and homemade sauerkraut, washed down with crisp amber ale in honor of the yearly event. And what's an Oktoberfest without a lively lot of accordions, clarinets and lederhosen, served up by the band Polka Express... Full story
When Portland piano great and philanthropist Michael Allen Harrison drove along the Metolius River and into the secluded woods to reach House on Metolius, his mind churned with ideas for the evening's performance. "This is a coming-home kind of place," he smiled after his arrival. Inspired by the sounds of the river and views of the Cascade Range and Metolius meadow, he entered the room ready to transport the audience. Harrison welcomed everyone and thanked them for allowing... Full story
Mandi Alderman, a 2010 Sisters High School graduate, is following her dreams. "Ever since I was a little kid, I've been interested in flying," Mandi said as she was pre-flighting the Robinson R44 Raven helicopter on the flight line of Leading Edge Aviation at the Bend Airport. Alderman is a very serious pilot; she has earned her FAA Certified Private Pilot Helicopter Rating, and has accumulated a total of 95 hours in helicopters. As soon as she got her act together after high... Full story
Fifty-two people, including several children and parents, pulled in to the Whychus Creek Discovery Outpost (WCDO) last Saturday to begin the Wolftree Challenge fundraiser. Teams from as far away as Eugene and La Pine arrived just as the volunteer challenge monitors left to set up sites around Sisters Country. After the Wolftree staff gave out provision packs, lunches, water bottles and final instructions, seven teams with names such as "La Pioneers," "Frog Jumpers," "Team... Full story
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) costs are up 50 percent, enrollment is trending down, state pass-through funds have been reduced by 30 percent over the last three years, and state mandated academic growth requirements have been increased. Times are challenging for Sisters schools. Yet Sisters is relatively well-positioned to navigate the shoals. A number of years ago, under then-superintendent Steve Swisher, the district took the precautionary step of refinancing their PERS debt and creating an account that provides... Full story
Sisters Country artist Rod Frederick won the ODFW Habitat Conservation Stamp Art Contest with his painting of a kit fox in the desert. He will receive $3,000, and the painting will be used to produce a 2013 collector stamp and other promotional items to benefit Oregon's native species and habitats. A total of 47 entries were received, each depicting a mammal identified in the Oregon Conservation or Oregon Nearshore strategies. Photographs of all entries are posted in the... Full story
The Outlaws bounced back from their devastating loss last weekend to stomp the Junction City Tigers 52-42 on Friday, October 5. Sisters scored on their first play of the game. Tristen Lewis handed the ball off to the left side to Ethan Luloff, who went 42 yards for the touchdown behind key blocks from Mitch Keranen, Kyle Wattenberg and Nate Kaping. Josh Andrade missed the PAT but Sisters took a quick 6-0 lead. In less than one minute the Tigers answered with six points to tie... Full story
If you've been despairing of a waning hiking season, take heart! The hiking season isn't over yet; and, as the Pole Creek Fire continues to burn itself out, there are still excellent fall hiking opportunities to be enjoyed. So far, we've had beautiful fall days, and even the high country trails remain snow-free. One of Central Oregon's best places for fall hiking and fall colors lies just over Santiam Pass at Clear Lake. Only a half-hour away, Clear Lake offers some of the mos... Full story
The Outlaws shut out Sweet Home 6-0 at home on Thursday, October 4, to push their league record to 4-0. Jake McAllister had a stellar performance and tallied a hat trick to lead Sisters to victory. McAllister got the Outlaws on the scoreboard at the 16-minute mark. Jake got the ball, dribbled forward and when he saw an open gap, blasted a shot right through the keeper from 35 yards out. Three minutes later Evan Rickards had a perfect corner kick to McAllister, who crushed it... Full story
The Lady Outlaws posted two league wins this past week to move into second place in league standings. Sisters clipped the Hawks 5-0 at La Pine on Tuesday, October 2, and on Thursday earned a 3-0 victory over Sweet Home. In Tuesday's action against La Pine, Haley Carlson scored Sisters' first two goals of the game. The first goal came off a corner kick at the four-minute mark. Carlson sent an amazing curved ball from the left corner up into the top left corner of the net.... Full story
With a twinkle in his eye and surrounded by good friends and loved ones, Gordon "Spud" Halsten celebrated his milestone 90th birthday at the Tollgate Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon. In a party that was part All-American barbecue reunion and part masquerade dress-up, nearly 100 of Halsten's old-time buddies and family members, including Sisters mayor Lon Kellstrom, took time to mark the memorable occasion on a sublime and special autumn day. "Ninety is a pretty good... Full story
Downtown merchants let Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials know on Friday just how concerned they are about the impact of the Cascade Avenue renovation project, set for 2014. And they may be moving toward finding options that protect them as the project moves forward. A meeting was held at Sisters Fire Hall to air merchants' concerns over ODOT's announced schedule that would shut Cascade Avenue down completely from January 2, 2014 to May 30, 2014. At the close of the nearly three-hour meeting, Cascade Avenue... Full story
