News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
Traffic often creeps along through downtown Sisters. Planning to deal with that traffic is also crawling - but it's not quite at a standstill. According to city manager Eileen Stein, the City of Sisters and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently began drafting a plan to put signals at the intersections of Highway 20 and Locust Street and Highway 20 and Barclay Drive. Stein said ODOT has put forward a price tag of $1.7 million for the two signals and the... Full story
There's still some contaminants left over under ground at Sisters Chevron, but they're deep enough that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is recommending that the site be given a clean bill of health. That means plans to develop the property, which has sat vacant for more than a year, should be able to go forward. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing a "closure" plan for the petroleum-contaminated site at 462 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters... Full story
In November's election, three incumbents and one challenger are running for three seats on the Sisters City Council. We asked the candidates their views on issues facing Sisters. First, we asked about growth, "How do you plan to shape the Sisters of the future?" Second, "What are your specific solutions to Sisters traffic congestion problems?" Third, we asked how the city's planning is impacted by the thousands of people who work and shop in Sisters but who live in the surrounding Sisters School District rather than the city... Full story
To the Editor, I find it interesting that the Oregon Department of Education is even toying with the idea if it is right for the district to pay parents to tutor their children. How weird is that? Isn't that just part of parenting? My vote would be to pay those endless hours of thankless volunteer coaches before paying parents to tutor their kids; that at least keeps kids supervised, off the street, exercising while learning a skill. Webster even defines "Tutor" as a "Private Teacher." How can a mom or a dad be that? Perhaps... Full story
Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful destinations in the West. So if you were going to do something crazy like run a 72-mile race, you might as well do it there. That's exactly what local ultra-marathoner Sean Meissner chose to do September 30 - and he went on to win the first annual Lake Tahoe 72 mile Ultra-Marathon. He was timed in 10 hours, 27 minutes and 48 seconds (10:27;48), which was over an hour and 10 minutes ahead of the runner-up. The event was held in... Full story
With Hood Avenue blocked off from Pine Street at one end to Elm Street at the other, there still was not enough room for every vendor. Carvin' Marvin had to find a place across Pine Street to set up shop, which was probably better for the surrounding vendors considering the sprays of sawdust he was generating. Finding parking was the real challenge at the 25th annual Harvest Faire; an available parking spot within two blocks of the event was about as rare as sunshine in the... Full story
Residents packed the Sisters High School Commons on Saturday morning, October 7 to help shape the direction of Sisters future. Sisters Future Fair was organized by the group Greater Sisters Community Vision & Growth Strategy. For three hours, the 250 participants discussed growth and how to define the "small town feel" that residents enjoy. By the end of the meeting, the group had collectively written a vision statement, and many had signed up for action teams to carry the... Full story
The seventh and eighth grade football teams are midway through their season, and both squads are doing well. Seventeen players make up the eighth grade squad. The squad is currently 2-1 for the season, including a 28-0 shut- out against Hartman. Head coach Dan McGee told The Nugget the offensive line is working well together and doing a great job. "Our offensive line is the heartbeat of the team and we're running on all cylinders. Without them, nothing works," said McGee.... Full story
The SOAR Discount Card is now available at the SOAR office and Fotos in a Flash. The popular annual card has additions for 2006-2007. The card was originally created eight years ago. It continues to be an annual-renewal purchase for those who have enjoyed the savings it guarantees. A card-holder is able to save money every time he or she shops, eats or has service work done by the many business sponsors who participate. A one-time use of the card would supply discounts of at least $80 and could allow savings of several... Full story
Dry and mild conditions make for nice hiking in the Sisters country, but it's not the best weather for deer hunting. Crunching pine needles make it hard to stalk the mule deer buck, and warm weather tends to keep the animals hunkered down for much of the day. According to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Stephen George, hunting success was a little below average in both the Metolius Unit and the Upper Deschutes unit, which together encompass most of the... Full story
The My Own Two Hands annual fund-raiser for the Americana Project in Sisters has selected its 2007 theme: "Gather Round." The 2007 event is set for April 13-14 and tickets will be available after the new year. This is the sixth year for the successful fund-raiser and community arts project in Sisters. The funding goes to arts and music programs in Sisters area schools and the community. The 2006 event funded projects like: Sisters Middle School Art Club; scholarships to Sisters High School seniors in both visual and... Full story
Sisters' forest campgrounds are in danger of being loved to death. With more and more people visiting the area, forest campgrounds are seeing heavy use - use that destroys vegetation, erodes soil and eventually spoils the beauty and fun that drew people here in the first place. With that in mind, a wide range of forest users joined forces late last month with the Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation and SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) to restore one of the... Full story
The harsh terrain and climate of Afghanistan takes its toll on military equipment. Vehicles get battered to pieces on bad roads; radios break down; weapons need constant maintenance. That's where Sisters resident Vern Johnson steps up. Chief Warrant Officer Johnson is currently serving at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan with the Oregon Army National Guard's Company B, 141st Logistics Task Force, 41st Combat Task Force. "He supervises two shifts of maintenance people, and... Full story
Sisters Country Historical Society (SCHS) has started a project to save the 1939-vintage Sisters Library building and convert it into a conference/meeting hall. Once threatened with demolition, the old building has had its siding removed to be replaced by new cedar siding. Seed money of $25,000 for the restoration start was donated by the Winch family of Sisters. "We need an additional $38,000 to complete the restoration," said Jean Nave, Treasurer of SCHS. Started in December... Full story
The girls' soccer team defeated Pleasant Hill (PH) 2-1 at home on Monday, October 2 to continue its perfect season. PH scored 20 minutes into the contest. The Outlaws had a defensive breakdown, and the Billies got a breakaway and scored on a very nice shot. Katie Taylor scored for the Outlaws with four minutes left in the first half. Hattie Tehan initially took a shot, but the PH keeper was there to make a diving save. The keeper was unable to clear the ball far enough away, a... Full story
Packed houses enjoyed dinner and theater at Black Butte Ranch's (BBR) Big Meadow Restaurant last Thursday and Friday. The Black Butte Players offered three short, one-act plays. BBR resident Lou Ann Gibbs wrote the first play, "The Judge, CC&Rs, and You" a marvelous spoof of covenants, codes and restrictions used in many residential communities. The judge, played by veteran performer Monroe Weinberg, was assisted by a bailiff, actor Jim Kindorf, and a participating audience ju... Full story
Sisters beckons to photographers with spectacular mountain vistas, roiling rivers, rich colors and gorgeous light. Truly capturing the beauty of the area is not as simple as it seems. Some 17 local photographers took a long step in the journey toward creating genuine photographic art in a workshop titled "Shooting in the Aspens" at Black Butte Ranch earlier this month. The workshop was taught by master photographer Rick Schafer, famed for his shots of the natural wonders of... Full story
Bill Smith, candidate for state representative from District 53, tackled education issues during a meeting with Sisters citizens at Sisters Athletic Club on Friday evening, October 6. Smith, a former teacher and track coach, is a current member of the Bend/La Pine School Board. Smith is running as a Democrat; however, he says that his candidacy is bipartisan. Addressing the group of approximately 40 who attended Friday's meeting Smith said, "I am really humbled with this group. I'm coming over here to talk education." Smith s... Full story
The boys' soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss to Elmira on Wednesday, October 4. Elmira scored one goal in the first half off a free kick and one in the second half off a self deflection. Coach Rich Hummell told The Nugget that his boys came out flat for the first time this season. "My boys had an off game. They did not possess the ball, and they had a hard time transitioning from defense to offense. Elmira is a very physical team and created lots of scoring opportunities. They played well," said Hummell. Two days later the... Full story
The Sisters' varsity volleyball team lost in a five-game, 2-1/2-hour marathon battle against Junction City (JC) at home on Thursday, October 5. The Outlaws lost the first game 10-25 and then came back to win the second game 25-13. JC won the third game 25-19, and Sisters battled back to tie it up at 2-2 with a 25-19 win. JC took the fifth and final game 15-13 to secure the win. Coach Chris Crosby said, "We felt pretty good going into game five. We were 2-0 in five game... Full story
Elva Lorraine Campbell died of cancer on October 1, 2006 at age 85. Lorraine was born August 29, 1921 in the small settlement of Antone, Oregon, to Roy and Nona Miller. She spent her childhood with her loving parents and dear sister, Glenna Faye in Antone and Dayville, Oregon, graduating from Dayville High School in 1940. After a year at Eastern Oregon College in La Grande, Lorraine moved to Portland to work for the Veteran's Administration. In 1948, she married her devoted... Full story
Sisters School District no longer offers any home schooling services, according to Superintendent Ted Thonstad. The district had an active home schooling outreach program, but it has been dismantled in the wake of changing state regulations. Thonstad said that homeschooling has reverted to the way it was years ago. If a parent wishes to homeschool a child, the child must be registered with the High Desert Educational Services District (ESD). Thonstad said, "That saves you (the parent) from having me coming after you for not... Full story
Sisters School District Superintendent Ted Thonstad has approved the revised application/proposal for the establishment of the Sisters Charter Academy of Fine Arts. Thonstad said he approved the application "with provisions." Thonstad said that the charter school will have to provide all required information by the dates he has requested to insure that there will be no delay in reaching agreement on the school's charter which would, in turn, delay the opening of the school. Thonstad also confirmed that the district had... Full story
• Buckboard Provisioning Co., a new Sisters-based company, is trying to reinvent school fund-raisers nationwide. Instead of of traditional cookie-dough and beef-stick items, the company's online catalog of wholesome products available for fundraising sales drives includes unique batter bread mixes (pumpkin or zucchini bread, carrot muffins, blueberry pancakes and more), healthy snacks such as tamari almonds and buffalo strips, organic fruit spreads, and coffees and teas. For more information visit www... Full story
Roxanna Matthews has had plenty of time to think about the magic of yarn in her decades of knitting. So it's no surprise that her first book features a heroine who finds magic healing powers in the fiber arts. Matthews recently published "Sanna, Sorceress Apprentice" and is continuing her adventures with more books in the series. "There is a great deal of spirit and Zen involved in knitting, and it segues into mysticism quite easily. Well, after all, the crafts require long periods when the fingers are busy and the mind is... Full story
