News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 22 of 22
At least some folks in the Sisters community want the City of Sisters to make things tougher for transient vendors - people who come into town on a temporary permit to set up a tent and peddle their wares. Some businesspeople feel that transient vendors take away shoppers' dollars without having the responsibility of keeping a business going and supporting the community day-in and day-out. Last Tuesday, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum on transient... Full story
Forest Service officials are warning hikers to be wary of the possibility of falling dead trees on forest trails. With higher winds kicking up as winter approaches, thousands of fire- and insect-killed trees may pose a hazard to hikers. Despite the fact that most trails were cleared of downed trees over the course of the summer, the trees are continuing to fall. As the dead trees rot and deteriorate, the rate of falling windblown trees will likely accelerate as time goes on and, the more the wind blows, the more the danger... Full story
One way to reduce smoke pollution in the Sisters Country from forest thinning projects is to haul the slash piles someplace else and burn them there. Over 250 loads of chipped wood products have left the USFS lands near Camp Sherman in the form of "hog fuel," at about 30 tons a load; a total of over 7,500 tons. It wasn't done in an effort to reduce smoke pollution, but to make money selling electricity - and there are a lot more loads slated to go. Keith Moll, owner of one of... Full story
To the Editor: Councilors Merrill and Weed are to be commended for their position on the annexation of McKenzie Meadows. As others have pointed out, there is a vast oversupply of undeveloped land in the city and there are serious questions about the economic costs and benefits to the city if the annexation went forward. By focusing on these threshold issues, Merrill and Weed rightly conclude that annexation is not right for the city at this time. They are doing exactly what we should expect of all elected officials: paying... Full story
Sisters used to be a timber town. Lumber mills dotted the landscape and many a young man got his start in life working in the woods for companies like Barclay Logging. Times have changed, but wood products are still an important part of Sisters' culture and economy. Now, instead of raw timber and board lumber, Sisters turns out wood crafts, from furniture to sculpture. Sisters will celebrate the full range of its heritage in wood with "From Timber to Turned Wood," a new event set for Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.... Full story
Two recent fires caused by apparent problems with heating elements in electric ovens has Sisters Fire Marshall Dave Wheeler concerned. Last Friday, a homeowner in Tollgate had a fire in his electric oven after having contacted the manufacturer with concerns about an apparently faulty cleaning cycle. The fire, called out at 5:10 p.m. was confined to the oven, thanks to quick action by the homeowner, who shut the oven off and cut power. There was no damage to any other area of the kitchen or home. Another recent fire in a... Full story
Sisters students are getting an early taste of careers that could shape their futures. Sisters High School has adopted a school-to-career program to help students prepare for college. Sisters High School principal, Bob Macauley, has put a competitive edge on what students need to reach their goals. "You have to be on your game in today's economy to find your career. The more you do, the better job opportunities you will have," Macauley said. "Kids graduating from high school... Full story
Sisters celebrated the official opening of the "Outlaw Outpost" at Reed Stadium during homecoming festivities Friday night. Sisters School District Superintendent Elaine Drakulich cut the ribbon marking the completion of the community project that raised over $31,000 from 38 individuals and businesses to build the open-air structure. Building the Outlaw Outpost was a class project of participants in the Ford Institute for Community Building's Leadership Program. The institute... Full story
Artist Connie Mulligan is currently showing her landscapes at High Desert Hair Company next to Ray's Food Place in Sisters. Mulligan's art has toured several galleries through the 65 years she has been painting. Many of the artists she studied with are no longer with us, people like Don Ricks, known for his still lifes. Mulligan's favorite subject is the ocean. One of her favorite seascape painters, also gone, is Harvey von Baeseman of Portland, whom she studied with for many... Full story
Postal patrons of all ages will have to satisfy their sugar cravings somewhere else, as Anita Boucher retired from the Sisters Post Office this Friday after 32 years of service. Boucher's trademark candy bin and XM Radio tunes were a comforting touch to all her customers in Sisters. A cake decorated with the American eagle and Sisters peaks awaited guests on her final day last Friday, sliced and served up by her husband, Joe. "I came to Sisters from the Prineville Post Office... Full story
With cold weather clamping down early on the Sisters Country, thoughts are turning toward escape to sunnier climes. The recession has put a chill on many people's travel plans, but Phil Arends, of Desert Wings Travel Services in Sisters, says there are ways to find the sunshine without blowing your budget. "The time there's some deals is the first couple of weeks of December, and the first couple weeks of January is also soft because people are getting over their holiday... Full story
The boys soccer team lost 3-1 at Cottage Grove on Tuesday, October 27, and two days later earned a 1-0 victory at home over Junction City (JC) in their final league game of the season. The Outlaws were set to play Junction City on Monday, November 2, with the winner advancing to the Class 4A state playoffs as the league's No. 3 seed. In Tuesday's game, the Lions scored in the 17th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later Tim Hernandez scored for the Outlaws to tie the game... Full story
A week of homecoming festivities culminated with a 46-14 Outlaws win over Elmira at home on Friday, October 30, in front of their biggest crowd of the year. Sisters had a quick start and took the opening kickoff at their own 40-yard line and in three plays were in the end zone. Chase Kleint covered 38 of the 40 yards in two plays and scored the touchdown. Alex Novotny's kick for the extra point was good and with only two minutes gone in the game the Outlaws held a 7-0 lead. El... Full story
The girls JV soccer team defeated Cottage Grove 1-0 at home on Wednesday, October 28, to wrap up their season with a 7-4 record. Sarah Zubrick scored the winning goal for Sisters. Cottage Grove committed a foul just outside the corner of the penalty box. Three Lady Lions made a wall, but lined up incorrectly, leaving a clear shot at the near post. Zubrick saw the opening, blasted a shot around the wall that grazed the crossbar and didn't give the keeper any chance to make the... Full story
There will be two teams of Outlaws at the OSAA State Cross Country Championships Saturday, November 7. Both the girls and boys squads finished second at the Sky-Em District meet Thursday, October 29, at Lane Community College. Running in the wake of the top-ranked 4A team, Marist, the Sisters girls packed together in the second wave of runners to hold firmly to the runner-up spot. "Marist is dominating everyone they race against, so we didn't expect to make much of a dent in their top seven," said coach Charlie Kanzig. "I... Full story
The headwaters of the Metolius has been getting a haircut that has been missing for some time, said Scott Blau, of Friends of the Metolius (FOM). The cleanup along the Metolius is part of a long-term project by the Forest Service and the Johnson family, owners of the land surrounding the headwaters, to restore the living, breathing landscape cherished by visitors and residents alike. Maret Pajutee, of Sisters Ranger District, discussed the importance of the work the Forest... Full story
The Lady Outlaws soccer team lost 2-1 at home against Cottage Grove (CG) on Wednesday, October 28, in their final game of the season, to finish third in league. It was a very intense and hard-fought game. Two yellow cards and one red card were issued because of extreme physical play. "The refs did an excellent job of keeping tabs on the contact," said Coach Nik Goertzen. Cottage Grove scored on a corner kick in the 32nd minute and at the half held a 1-0 lead over the Lady... Full story
The Friends of the Sisters Library now has a used book sale area at the corner of the library next to the book drop. The grand opening will be on Tuesday, November 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will then open the following Saturday, November 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continue to be open every Tuesday and Saturday after that, with the same hours. There will be fiction and non-fiction books, paperbacks, hardbacks, CDs, DVDs, videos, and children's books for sale from 25... Full story
Work crews got started on Monday, November 2, on a street improvement project on Larch Street on the north side of Sisters. The project will include; widening of the street; adding sidewalk and parking; drainage improvement; and curb extension. The work is expected to take up to 45 days to complete. Larch Street between Main Avenue and Adams Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project. This project is being funded by federal stimulus dollars, and the work was... Full story
•Sisters High School English teacher Colin Price (photo, right) received the Teacher of the Week award from Lite 95.1 radio. •Chuck Humphreys wrote: "This is a long overdue 'thank you' to the city and ODOT for constructing the paved multiuse path along Highway 242, from Hood Avenue to McKinney Butte Road. "It's a wonderful addition to the amenities of Sisters. It's great to see so many kids using it. By increasing their safety, maybe it will encourage more students t... Full story
A lone angler stands atop a derelict sailboat, casting a swirling loop of line into the azure waters of the Bahamas. This striking image graces the current cover of Catch Magazine, a new online fishing magazine devoted to both fresh and saltwater fly fishing. The site was started in September 2008 by local outdoor enthusiasts, Todd Moen and Brian O'Keefe. "That's a great shot from an amateur photographer in Bend. He's just a hobbyist but he's got a fantastic eye and good... Full story
Sisters is working hard to project a business-friendly image in an unfriendly economy. According to Mac Hay of the Sisters Business Attraction and Retention Team (SBART), efforts to attract businesses are starting to gain traction. "We're pedal to the metal," Hay said. The organization, which works with city staff and civic leaders to market the area to businesses in sectors that fit Sisters and offer "family wage" jobs, has three or four solid prospects, Hay reports. "One of... Full story
