News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 31
Dan Fouts was in SanDiego last weekend to do commentary for the SanDiego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs game. But this was no ordinary working Sunday for the Sisters resident and NFL Hall-of-Famer. Fouts was honored as part of the Chargers' 50th Anniversary Team - named Greatest Charger of All Time. "It's pretty humbling when you think of the players that have come through in this organization in their 50 years of existence," Fouts told The Nugget. "It's really a tribute to... Full story
It was one of those "red-letter days" last Tuesday when Forest Service staff joined with a representative of the Sierra Club for an introduction to a proposed 17,000-acre forest management project in the area of Three Creek Road (FS 16) and surrounding wildland-urban interface. The discussion began with Sisters District Acting Ranger, Mike Keown, rolling out the maps, with input from Sisters District Silviculturist Brian Tandy, Wildlife Biologists Monty Gregg and Julie York,... Full story
Gary Landers, Sisters area raptor rehabilitator, received a call recently from Steven George, wildlife biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in Bend, asking Landers to come to the office, as they had an injured raptor discovered floundering around a local golf course. When Landers responded to the call he was amazed to see it was an injured juvenile peregrine falcon, one of the rarest of the raptors found in North America. "This is the first time... Full story
Folks came out in true Sisters style Saturday, November 28, for the annual Christmas parade, sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. The event was bigger and better than ever, with 40 entries this year, announced Jeri Buckmann, chamber events coordinator. "The first parade I did was small and quaint," Buckmann said. "But this is the biggest parade yet. Lots of horses and dogs and donkeys." Parade attendees agreed. "This is one of the best parades I've seen," said... Full story
It's happening all over America. Small farms are dying, replaced with larger corporate farms. Its impact on American lives is staggering, not just in how it affects the displaced small farmers who have to blend in with the workforce, but in how it affects us, the consumer. Local artist Kathy Deggendorfer is participating in a special project to give attention to small Oregon farms through art. "Farmers, who I consider artists, have one painting a year, and it's their crop," Deggendorfer said. Deggendorfer is working on a... Full story
It was all very hush-hush - but now they're talking. In secret, late-night sessions back in September, Comcast SportsNet was in town filming scenes inside Sisters Coffee Company for an upcoming TV series titled, "WANTED: Adventure Host." The reality show, set to debut this spring, pits contestants against Mother Nature and each other in an array of challenges and contests in the rugged wilds of the Northwest, all to decide who will become the next great adventure host of a new Comcast SportsNet program featuring outdoor... Full story
Developing a home fire escape plan; establishing a family meeting place away from a burning home; deciding on the items needed to take during a forced home evacuation; putting together a disaster supply kit; making a 911 call; escaping a smoke-filled mobile home; learning to use a fire extinguisher and participating in a mock trial for arson charges. These were all lessons learned in seventh-grade health classes at Sisters Middle School. Teachers Marti Dale and Tom Miller work... Full story
Art has always been a part of Rachel Lovegren's life. The Sisters High School senior has been involved in art classes at the high school since her freshman year. Mike Baynes, her art instructor and mentor throughout high school, has a deep appreciation for Lovegren. "Rachel is not only a very talented artist but a great student, always pushing herself to learn new techniques and sets a great example for other budding artists," said Baynes. Lovegren's art has been displayed in... Full story
Larry Lewis passed away peacefully Friday, November 20. He was 58. Born in Corydon, Iowa, to Willa and Eugene Lewis, he was a graduate of Sheridan High School, Wyoming, in 1969 and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1971. He married Linda Lewis in 1990 and they share three sons together. Larry worked for GJ Miller Construction Co. for 25-plus years and was a master carpenter. He lent his talents to being a musician and an artist. He loved the solitude of fishing and... Full story
The wrestling team has 16 kids on their squad this year and will fill all but three of the lower weight classes. That fact alone is exciting to new head coach, Gene O'Brien. O'Brien helped Tony Cosby start the program in 2000, and for the past eight years has coached at the middle school. O'Brien also coached the USA Club Wrestling Program, which ranges from four through 16 years of age. The Outlaws return four varsity players to the team, including senior Gilbert Porraz, who will wrestle at 171 pounds. O'Brien told The Nugge... Full story
The boys basketball team returns only two varsity players this year, senior Drew Harrison and junior Rodney Warner. Coach Rand Runco said, "These guys are steady and consistent, and we'll build around them." Harrison is a four-year player and will be key for the Outlaws this year. "The great thing about Drew is his versatility. He can bring the ball up, play wing or post up. He's one of the most versatile players I've ever coached," said Runco. Runco commented that Warner is... Full story
Attending the Camp Sherman Holiday Bazaar has been a long-standing tradition for residents and visitors to Sisters and Camp Sherman. Another tradition over the years has been the gifts made by Camp Sherman's Black Butte School students to contribute to the bazaar, which is a fundraiser for the school. This year the children made cards, soaps and wreaths. "We added coloring and scent to the soaps, and embossed them with Celtic Knots," said student Madison Mayfield. "It took us... Full story
The girls basketball team returns a core group of players to their squad this season, including four starters. They have also added depth that the team has not seen in a long time, and Coach Kevin Cotner feels his team will be able to go nine or 10 deep on any given night. "The depth will provide great flexibility and options as to how you want to attack an opponent, whether it be the press, transition or defensive schemes," said Cotner. Susie Ruettgers, Danelle Allen, Nicole Meadors, Marin Allen, Chelsie McConville, Hannah... Full story
Stefan Redfield, a 2007 graduate of Sisters High School, was the top finisher for Willamette University at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships held at Highland Park Golf Course near Cleveland, Ohio on November 21. Redfield clocked 26:26 for the eight-kilometer course, good enough for 57th place overall among 276 finishers. The Bearcat team placed 20th among the 32 teams competing in the meet. North Central College of Illinois won the team title by a landslide... Full story
Nominations are being accepted through December 18 for the annual Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce awards. Sisters Country Business of the Year and Sisters Country Citizen of the Year awards will be presented to the most deserving individual and business. For the first time ever, the chamber is announcing two new awards; Sisters Country Nonprofit of the Year and Sisters Country Volunteer of the Year. All four will be awarded at the chamber's 2010 Annual Black & White Ball, held February 12. All four awards require the... Full story
An orange-capped deer hunter dangles from his lanyard in the pine branches like an Orvis Christmas ornament, having fallen from his trusty tree stand. A rescue team jogs up the bank and discovers him up in the trees. Someone yells "CUT" and the team trots back down the trail for another take. We're witnessing a mock rescue being filmed off Camp Polk Road for a new video series by Lance Piatt, owner of Rescue Response Gear Inc., of Sisters, and Eli Pyke of Zion Pictures. "My... Full story
•Jeri Buckmann, events director for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, wrote: First I want to thank everyone for a beautiful tree lighting ceremony. Many thanks to Joel and Dude Aylor of Sisters Tree Service for donating your time and equipment to bring the tree in, Deschutes Land Trust for donating the beautiful tree, Brad Grimm and his crew from the City of Sisters for all your help, Sisters Folk Festival for the sound equipment and Gary Frazee for the stage. The sounds of Christmas at the tree lighting from Lola... Full story
A maintenance employee with the Oregon Department of Transportation died Monday while working at ODOT's Santiam Junction Maintenance Station, on Highway 20 near Sisters. ODOT reports that a fellow worker found 60-year old James Michael Yankey lying on the ground near a snowplow at approximately 2 p.m. Yankey was unresponsive. The fellow employee administered CPR, but Yankey never regained consciousness. Since no one witnessed what happened, the exact details remain unknown. Oregon State Police will conduct an investigation.... Full story
•Venus Motors has announced the selection of Sisters as the location for its U.S. Corporate Headquarters. Venus Motors is preparing to assemble and distribute high-performance electric vehicles. "We're very excited to have the opportunity to bring to Central Oregon much needed high-tech jobs in a green industry at a time when the need is so great," said Katie Cavanaugh, VP Venus Motors. Representatives from Venus Motors headed to Washington D.C. last weekend to engage legislators in a conversation about job creation,... Full story
Potential home buyers who thought they had missed out on an $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit have another chance. President Obama signed an act extending the credit past the November 30 deadline and offering a new $6,500 "move-up" tax incentive for current homeowners. Impressions of the effects of the tax credits in the Sisters Country market are mixed, but there is wide agreement that the incentives could benefit some local buyers - and add impetus to a market that is showing its first signs of life since the summer... Full story
A change in staffing of special education programs at Sisters Middle School has some parents concerned. A group of parents of special needs students and their supporters, the Sisters Parent Network, sent a letter to Superintendent Elaine Drakulich detailing their concerns and asking for a response by December 3. The school district is planning to move special education teacher Susie Werts from the middle school to Sisters High School for one period four days a week to shore... Full story
From Brand 33 Restaurant at Aspen Lakes in the east to The Lodge at Suttle Lake in the west, a special trail winds its way through the Sisters Country. It's the Gingerbread Trail, a holiday tradition that raises the spirits - and much-needed cash - for Sisters Habitat for Humanity. At 19 locations across the Sisters Country, business owners and creative helpers have created gingerbread houses in an astonishing variety of themes. You can view each of the houses and vote on... Full story
Family is at the center of most folks' family traditions in the Sisters Country - whether it's venturing out into the woods in search of the perfect tree or relaxing with the family and watching a movie. "We're diehard tree cutters," said Julia Rickards. Her family ventures out, wherever the snow cover will allow, in search of the ideal tree. Each year the family event takes place after December 5, daughter Emily's birthday. They've never missed a year since moving to Sisters. "Opening presents by the fire is our... Full story
The Nugget's Furry Friends Pet Food drive fed 386 pets last year. Now in its 16th year, the need is expected to be greater than ever this year. Dry pet food, treats and toys will be distributed before Christmas in conjunction with the Sisters Kiwanis Holiday Food Share program to insure that those families who have pets will not be left lacking when caring for their pets this holiday season. "We are thankful American Nutrition has pledged their donation of four pallets of food again this year, but we know we'll need twice... Full story
For generations, the Christmas tree has been a familiar symbol of the holiday season; and, for many Americans, this means a trip to the local Christmas tree lot down at the corner or to the parking lot of a super store. This type of tree hunt, however, hasn't always been the norm; and for people who live in places like Sisters, there is a more "traditional" option. With thousands of acres of National Forest surrounding Sisters, obtaining the annual Christmas tree can become... Full story
