News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 8 of 8
Despite disagreements among its members, and strong opposition from two local residents, the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission recommended on November 15 that the city council approve the construction of a wireless communications tower -- or towers -- within the Sisters Urban Growth Boundary. At the marathon, three-hour public hearing, the dispute among the commissioners centered on one issue: the height of the tower. Citizen speakers, however, objected to both the proposed height and the tower's location. Spectrasite... Full story
Steve Swisher is thankful to be alive, thankful to be with his family and thankful to be living in a community that has demonstrated the depths of its love and appreciation for him through a terrible crisis. Swisher nearly died in a head-on collision on Highway 20 at the east end of town on Friday, September 22. Though he was only vaguely aware of it, he faced death several more times in subsequent days, before his condition stabilized. That kind of experience makes the... Full story
Sisters area residents on November 7 rejected by a 50-47 percent vote-tally the $22 million bond for the construction of a new high school. Less than a week later, the five-member District 6 Sisters School Board began brainstorming about whether to ask voters to reconsider. The construction of a new high school would allow middle school students to move from an aging downtown facility to the current high school. Discussions at the November 13 meeting focused on how best to go back to voters, but left details of any new bond,... Full story
The job is nearly done, but late last week the Forest Service called a halt to its own burning program. For the past few weeks, Forest Service employees have been racing the advancing winter weather to finish burning thousands of slash piles. Most of the slash consists of fallen limbs and small trees cut to thin the forest. "Last week was a pretty big week for burning, " said Mark Rapp, Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Sisters Ranger District. "We've ceased new ignitions, however, primarily because of the air... Full story
Four Sisters area youths were cited for a total of 108 charges associated with a spree of criminal mischief in Sisters in recent weeks. David Helton, 14, and Jeb Partner, 15, each were cited on more than 40 charges, including felony charges of second degree arson and second degree burglary. According to sheriff's office reports, the two youths vandalized businesses on a five night spree. Two other youths participated on individual nights. One of those was also cited for arson and burglary. Sheriff's deputies believe that yout... Full story
The middle school sports program run by SOAR (Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation) is in financial trouble. The five-members of the Sisters School Board were jolted at their November 13 meeting by a report from middle school principal Lora Nordquist. "The participation of students in our sports programs, and their options, are a success this year," she said. "However, the program is losing money and could finish the school year running a deficit anywhere from $8,000 to $13,000." The looming deficit puts next... Full story
The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday. To the Editor: Don Jacobson and... Full story
Mayor Wilson and the city council should tread very carefully in facilitating a transfer of Forest Service land on the west edge of Sisters to Multnomah Publishers. The city needs to first ask a central question, with full participation of as many citizens as possible: What is the highest and best use of this property for the future of Sisters? The community may need land for traditional neighborhoods on the smallest possible lots. Commercial or office development could house 60 or so small businesses. The city might need... Full story
