News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 24 of 24
The Lady Outlaws defeated Elmira at home in three straight sets with scores of 25-16, 25-6, and 25-21, on Tuesday, October 1. At home two days later they lost in four sets to top ranked Pleasant Hill (PH) with scores of 25-17, 26-28, 12-25, 15-25. In Tuesday’s action, the first set against the Falcons was close until midway through the set when the Outlaws were able to pull away for the win. Back-to-back kills from Audrey Sybesma and back-to-back aces from Kathryn Scholl pulled the Outlaws to a 9-6 advantage. Sybesma had b... Full story
The Outlaws suffered a disappointing 28-19 loss at Cottage Grove (CG) on Thursday, October 3. The contest started off great with Dawson Roberson getting an interception in the end zone which ended CG’s opening drive. Sisters took possession on the Lions’ 20-yard line. Hunter Bronson hit Hudson Beckwith on a nice pass for a 79-yard touchdown (TD) run. Reid Woodson’s point-after-touchdown (PAT) was good and the Outlaws went up 7-0, and held that score to end the first quarter. Sisters forced the Lions to punt just one minut... Full story
We will soon have another election. At my age I have seen a lot of them, some decidedly more important than others. But one common factor in most elections is concern about the economy. A growing economy is usually seen as good. We currently have a strong, growing economy, so it is a bit surprising many consider it to be poor. The reason is “inflation.” This is not the first time that inflation was heatedly argued in a past election. If you remember the economy in the 1980s, that was serious inflation. The surprising thi... Full story
A dark, postpunk musician I’ve admired for decades, a man beloved of Goths and Johnny Cash fans, has somehow become both a mainstream rock star and a religiously inspired advice columnist. Yes, I’m talking about the inimitable Nick Cave. On his beguiling blog “The Red Hand Files,” Mr. Cave usually answers questions. Recently he turned the tables. He asked us, his readers and fans, to answer his question: “I have a full life. A privileged life. An unendangered life. But somet... Full story
The Outlaws boys and girls cross-country teams continued their steady growth over the past two weeks with two meets against strong 3A/2A/1A competition. Thursday, October 3, the squad competed at the Regis/Stayton Invitational where the boys placed second and the girls third among sixteen teams represented. 4A Stayton won both team titles. George Roberts continued his strong season with a fifth place finish on the hilly course, clocking 17:39.4. Freshman Zachary Kemp had a bre... Full story
We wrote about this trail four years ago, but it bears repeating given its proximity and beauty. A near perfect trail for families or hikers simply looking for an easier outing full of scenery. It's mapped as a 2.6 mile out and back undertaking, longer if you take an extension. Plan on a bit more than an hour. It's well maintained and easy to navigate with new trail markers to guide you at the junctions. It's a great trail for dogs, especially those fond of water. Why go: The... Full story
Black Butte Ranch’s new Lodge was selected as a “2024 Building a Better Oregon (BBO) Award” winner by the Central Oregon Association of Realtors (COAR). The award recognizes projects that “have enhanced their community with outstanding new or renovated buildings” and are judged on economic impact, neighborhood improvement, unique design and/or use of materials, and environmental friendliness. Black Butte Ranch (BBR) unveiled its $20 million dining and meeting facility in 2023. The new 22,100-square-foot lodge includes the Lod... Full story
Jean Linda (Fitzpatrick) Kern, born on November 30, 1927, in Susanville, California, passed away on September 23, 2024, in Camp Sherman, at the age of 96. She died of natural causes, surrounded by her loving family. Jean is survived by her three children: Timothy "Oly" Kern of Hawaii, Larry Kern of Arizona, and Sweet Medicine (Kern) Nation of Oregon. Sister Willa (Fitzpatrick) Sigler of California. Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive her. Jean was... Full story
Pamella Jacqueline Kirk, 81, of Sisters passed away on October 1, 2024. Pam was born in June 1943 to the late Kenneth and Mary Bage in Ontario, Canada. Pam is survived by her husband Russell Kirk, two daughters, Tammy Robillard and Dana Thill, and two grandchildren, Devin and Brooke Robillard. Pam's life was full of dancing, laughter, and making friends everywhere she went. She embraced every moment, living fully and creating lasting memories and lifelong connections. Pam's... Full story
Central Oregon Community College is among just a handful of higher education institutions in the nation that can now offer federal Pell Grants to people who are incarcerated. COCC was the first school in Oregon to receive approval for its Prison Education Program, or PEP, at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Madras. Pell Grants are the U.S. Department of Education’s single largest source of need-based funding for undergraduate students. The grants, which do not have to be paid back, typically go directly to students f... Full story
The Lady Outlaws soccer squad fell 3-0 to Central Linn at home on Monday, September 30, but bounced back on Thursday, October 3, and defeated Creswell 2-1 in another home contest. On Monday, with the Central Linn Cobras ahead by one, the Lady Outlaws were sure they’d scored a goal to knot it up in the 35th minute of play. The referees saw it differently and the goal did not count. The Cobras scored their second goal of the contest in a quick counter attack and went up by two. Coach Makena Zorza said, “The girls struggled to... Full story
With a median price of $825,000 and an average price of $889,010, September single family home transactions in Sisters Country show a continuing trend of lack of affordable housing stock. The inventory of available homes remains low as sellers are stuck in their homes sitting on mortgage rates of three to four percent. Were they to sell and finance a new home at current 30-year lending rates of 6.365 percent such sellers would be often doubling their monthly payment.... Full story
"Stepping Up" was the theme of the third annual Volunteer Appreciation Event held for Sisters Transportation and Ride Share last Thursday at Sisters Depot. Recognized for their outstanding contributions to STARS over the past year, the STAR Dispatcher of the Year is Debbie Hewett and the STAR Driver of the Year is Rita Weber. Many individuals, organizations, businesses, and donors were recognized for stepping up over the past five years to establish and grow STARS. Just last... Full story
The Outlaws fell 2-1 on the road at Siuslaw on Monday, September 30, and three days later suffered a tough 1-0 loss to the Eagles at Santiam Christian (SC). Despite the loss to Siuslaw on Monday the Outlaws proved they are able to compete with the best teams in the league, and that bodes well as the Outlaws finish up the second half of the season. Siuslaw is one of the strongest teams in the league, they are well-coached, and can score goals. They have fast forwards and can beat their opponents’ defense with speed. A... Full story
Eli Madrone is an active man. He's the owner of a small business - Madrone Communications - chair of the City Parks Board, father of an elementary school-aged child, a youth soccer coach, and a volunteer with Sisters Folk Festival. Now he's thrown his hat into the ring to serve on the Sisters City Council. Five candidates are vying for three available seats on the Council in the November 5 election. "I was encouraged by a couple of Council members," Madrone said. He believes... Full story
Cheryl Pellerin got interested in participating in city government when Sisters faced a controversy over the citing of a shelter in town last year. "I was pretty interested in how the City was going to handle this," she recalled. She started learning about the processes of local government - and found herself hooked. Soon, she was serving on the City of Sisters Budget Committee, and the Urban Forestry Board. She participated in the City's inaugural Civic Leadership Academy, wh... Full story
The music of renowned classical pianist concert pianist Jim-Isaac Chua will fill the auditorium at Sisters High School on Friday, October 25, starting at 7 p.m. Peter Hoover, Executive Director of Sisters Habitat for Humanity, described the event as "an event for the community, to say thank you to the community for their support over three decades." The performance is "an opportunity for those who enjoy classical music to come together and enjoy each other's company and enjoy... Full story
Lights out! (Do it for the birds.) To the Editor: Two reasons we are so lucky to live in Central Oregon are for our potentially dark night skies, and because we live along the Pacific Bird Flyway. With a few simple choices, we can preserve these attributes and lessen our unintended consequences. Eight out of 10 bird species in North America migrate at night, relying on the stars and moon to navigate. Our electric lights reduce visibility of starry night skies for birds (and us). Artificial light can attract night-migrating... Full story
On November 5, we will learn who the next elected Sheriff will be for the next four years. Our choices : Candidate Kent Vander Kamp – Endorsed by the Deschutes County Sheriff Employee’s Association — reduce violent crimes, property crimes, and traffic issues in Deschutes County; address the homelessness, mental health, and drugs crisis; restore public trust and accountability in the Sheriff’s Office; connect with the community and collaborate with other public safety partners, improve deputy and employee wellness. Candida... Full story
Well, now we know — at least in general — the nature of Deschutes County Sheriff’s candidate Kent Vander Kamp’s transgressions in La Mesa, California, nearly three decades ago. On Friday, Vander Kamp announced that he had obtained confidential personnel documents from La Mesa that he’d never seen before. Vander Kamp served as an unpaid reserve cadet in a program that grew out of a Boy Scouts Explorer program. “After high school, the explorer program pointed me toward coll... Full story
Due to the lack of significant rainfall and continued warm temperatures, open burning within the Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale, and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Districts remains closed. Central Oregon Fire Chiefs and partner agencies will meet in mid-October to re-evaluate conditions and may open burning towards the end of October. Currently prohibited in residential areas: Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.); Agricultural burning (waste crops, field burning); Land clearing, slash, or stump waste. To help... Full story
Locals citizens are continuing to map out the future of Sisters. The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Steering Committee met on Thursday, October 3 to continue discussion of the draft study area map. The committee reviewed criteria that will be used to evaluate four “concept” alternative boundaries. Andrew Parish, of MIG, the consulting firm retained by the City to support the UGB amendment process, was at the meeting to present major categories of criteria that will be used to evaluate the study area. The three main criteria all... Full story
More than 100 Sisters Country folk joined 11 speakers at Sisters Elementary School on Sunday, October 6, for a community conversation about houselessness. The gathering convened at 4 p.m. for the first public meeting at the brand new facility. Instigated by the City of Sisters in partnership with 11 organizations, the 90-minute meeting was billed as a learning and input-gathering session. Its purpose was to learn about houselessness in Sisters Country and hear ideas,... Full story
For many a year, Sisters children have been treated to a downtown event whereby school-aged kids in costume would gather at Fir Street Park on Halloween (or the nearest school day to October 31) and then in small groups of roughly 25, they would be led by an adult guide, also in costume, up and down portions of Main, Cascade, and Hood avenues. The trick-or-treaters would be rewarded by participating merchants - some 40 plus - with an array of goodies many of which were... Full story
