News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 26
Cheryl Mills resigned as Executive Director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce last Friday. The resignation was effective immediately. In a brief press release, the Chamber said Mills had left to "pursue other opportunities." "We're moving forward," said Chamber President Tate Metcalf. "The current board of directors is a very enthusiastic crew." That crew will step up to make sure the Chamber's Cowboy Christmas events and its Black & White Ball scheduled for February... Full story
Sisters School Board members may decide to levy an one-time excise tax on new construction and on some remodels within the Sisters School District. Senate Bill 1036 gives school boards the right to impose the tax, although the tax must be approved by local school board members before it can be adopted within a district. The new law allows a tax of up to $1 per square foot on residential new construction and up to 50 cents per square foot on non-residential new construction, with a cap of $25,000. The law calls out some... Full story
It took a grueling, tension-filled three hours last Saturday for Jarred Hasskamp and Tanner Hodges to lead the Outlaws football team to a thrilling 50-49 semi-final victory over Ontario. Hasskamp completed 19 of 35 passes for 421 yards and four touchdowns, and Hodges caught seven of those passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. The Outlaws needed every single point they could put on the board to hold down a fired-up Ontario squad. Sisters, on their second possession, got... Full story
To the Editor, On a recent trip to Ray's in Sisters, my daughter had major autism-related meltdown in the store. While patrons glared at her with disgust, I was once again met with compassion, kindness and understanding from Ray's employees who twice this month opened up a register to allow us to get through the checkout without delay. During this holiday season shopping with any young child and, let's face it, any age can be trying with more people crowding the aisles, the next time you witness a seemingly "normal" child... Full story
On December 11, 2007, the Sisters School Board will vote on the implementation of the new Construction Excise Tax (SB 1036). By their estimate it will generate $200,000 to $400,000 annually. I am sure that the new revenue stream will benefit the district. This revenue will be dedicated to the priorities of a "Facilities Plan" that is required to be in place before implementing the tax. Not surprisingly, the district already has a "draft" (if this were a class assignment, it would be deemed incomplete) of the Long-Term... Full story
The holiday season is a time of joy for many, but for those who are grieving the death of a loved one, it can be the most difficult and depressing time of year. Fortunately for residents of Central Oregon, Hospice of Redmond-Sisters offers unique events each December to honor those who have passed on and to provide support for those who are grieving. One of the most moving and profound of these events is the annual Light Up a Life celebration, which will be held this year at 4 p.m., on Saturday, December 15, at Sisters Art... Full story
O'Keeffe's Company of Sisters has no problem finding international markets for its Working Hands and Working Feet cremes. This week the company made a very special shipment to a particularly needy market: O'Keeffe's donated more than 50 cases of hand and foot creme to a small village in Guatemala. It's actually the second time that Tara O'Keeffe-Broadbent has donated her product to a project that brings medical care to Mayan Indians in the central highlands of the Central... Full story
Sisters Christian Academy students honored the achievements of one of their own at a special chapel last Wednesday morning. Fourth grader Bethany Bachmeier is a winner in the Inventerprise 2007 competition. Steven Parks, a research chemist for Bend Research, Inc., presented a first place certificate and tee shirt to a very surprised Bethany at the ceremony. Bachmeier, along with this year's other winners, will be invited to a special science night in January. "We'll stay... Full story
The Outlaws wrestlers traveled to La Pine to compete in a five-way wrestling tournament on Thursday, November 29. Kody Johns (145 pounds) turned in one of the top performances of the night and won all four of his matches. Johns is expected to be a standout grappler this year. The junior placed second at district as a freshman and last year placed fourth following a knee injury that sidelined him most of the season. Coach Jeff Smith describes Johns as a great competitor and the most complete wrestler on the team in terms of... Full story
"Hey Chipper. How're you doing?" a voice rang out as skiers and boarders streamed into the loading line of the Manzanita chairlift at Hoodoo Mountain Resort Saturday morning. The big beaming grin of lift operations and guest services manager Mike "Chipper" Anderson, who was there greeting guests, was a happy and familiar sight to all the returning Hoodoo snowsport crowd enjoying their first runs of the season. "Hi Matt. Great to see you again!" Chipper said. Chipper has been... Full story
In what could possibly be the largest Civil War party in the history of Sisters, nearly 100 fans gathered at Aspen Lakes to cheer and groan as the Ducks and the Beavers went head-to-head last Saturday afternoon. This year's battle was the 111th Civil War fought between the Oregon State University Beavers and the University of Oregon Ducks. The game is a major event in Oregon that has been sold-out for more than 50 consecutive years, and it annually sends dozens of Sisters alumni of both schools over the Santiam Pass in... Full story
The girls' basketball team suffered a 14-45 loss in their first game of the season against Stayton. Stayton returned six players from their state championship team and were just too much for the young Lady Outlaws team to handle. Coach Kevin Cotner said: "Throughout the game we saw glimpses of what is possible, but consistency is going to be the key for us. We need to play consistent ball for 32 minutes on the offensive end, and we need to eliminate mental mistakes. As a team we have to find a way to get the ball in the hoop... Full story
Many students dream about being "Principal for a Day." For most the dream never comes true. But for Sisters Elementary School third grader Andrew Stevens, it did, last Thursday. Andrew raised more money than any other student in the school's recent fund-raiser, sponsored by the SPTC (Sisters Parent Teacher Community) and organized by Sisters-based Buckboard Provisioning Co. The SPTC is sponsoring a series of fund-raisers throughout the school year with the goal of... Full story
Executive chef David Berger oversaw last Friday night's tree lighting and festive evening at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center. The event was sited in the open area behind the lodge. As the tree was illuminated, the spectacle of dueling chainsaws creating ice sculptures completed the winter wonderland scene. "This is the first time we have done this, and we are trying to establish some traditions and heritage here in Sisters. We started planning about six weeks ago, and sin... Full story
Sisters resident Greg Willitts, owner of Pioneer Group, has fulfilled a dream. He competed in the famous Baja 1000 this year. In a race where finishing is an accomplishment, Willitts placed well enough to be honored on the podium. The iconic race is a part of the Score International Off Road Racing program and is arguably the most famous off-road race in North America. "This was the 40th anniversary of the running of the race, and they had an extra special length of 1,296... Full story
The imaginations of Sisters Elementary School students were teased by the illusions and tricks of Mr. Magic last Thursday afternoon. The elementary school student body was treated to a special magic show as a thank you for all of the hard work students put into a three-week fund-raiser that will provide new play structures for the school's playground. According to elementary school principal Jan Silberman, elementary school students worked extremely hard on the fund-raiser... Full story
Sisters High School has responded to the number-one complaint parents and students have aired on surveys over the past six years. The school has lowered its grading scale standards. A score of 90 percent is now an A; a B goes down to 80 percent; 70 percent achieves a C; and 60 percent receives a D. According to principal Bob Macauley, the old grading scale was established in 1992 and was geared to a very high standard. Under that grading practice 100-92 percent was an A, 91-83 percent was a B, 82-74 percent was a C and 73-65... Full story
Since its early beginnings in 1993, Sisters Furry Friends Food Drive has grown every year. Last Saturday Santa "Claws" paid a visit, making himself available for photo ops with favorite pets. And this year, feathers were added to the furry friends guest list, as several winged pets came to the event including a chicken and a goose. The annual pet food drive is sponsored by The Nugget. Dry pet food and treat bags will be distributed before Christmas in conjunction with the Sist... Full story
Altitude and dry air, extremes of hot and cold - it all takes a toll on the skin. Diane Trammel can help. She recently opened Sweetwater Skin Rejuvenation in the Sisters Art Works building at 204 W. Adams Ave. Trammel brings a solid medical background to her business that provides particular expertise in identifying a clients needs and how to meet them. She worked for years as a nurse in Portland. "When I lived in Portland I was a nurse," she said. "I just wanted a change.... Full story
Back again after a year's absence, the eclectic art show at Sisters Art Works last Saturday drew a healthy crowd and provided a venue for exposure for artists and fund-raising for several local organizations. Visitors arrived to find Santa kicked back on the porch, often sharing his couch with a pooch (see related story, page 15). Upstairs and downstairs every little cubbyhole of the building was filled with something of interest. Local artist and former Sisters Charter... Full story
Not only is it OK to cut trees; it's necessary to maintain and grow more old growth trees. That was the theme of a recent workshop hosted by the Sisters Ranger District in the Glaze Meadow forest adjacent to Black Butte Ranch. Tim Lillebo of Oregon Wild, Cal Mukumoto of Warm Springs Biomass Project and Maret Pajutee, Sisters District Ecologist, put a lot of work into getting the Forest Service and representatives from the forest products industry, the Oregon Legislature and th... Full story
•Sisters Bakery welcomes Laura Hall, their new pastry baker, fresh from Cordon Bleu training. She is busy making heavenly Danish, classic European bear claws, cinnamon and pecan rolls. •Black Crater Clothing will host their ninth annual Christmas sale on Saturday, December 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join them for hot deals on locally made jackets, vests, pants, sweaters and hats. Limited edition items with no membership required. They are located at 592 Sisters Park Ct. •Baabaara's Wild & Wooly is having a... Full story
•Someone brought a coonhound into the sheriff's substation. The dog had been found in the woods, dehydrated and skinny. Efforts to find an owner have been unsuccessful. •A thief kicked in the door of a shed and stole tools. •Deputies served a couple of restraining orders in unrelated domestic situations. •Deputies found an intoxicated woman laying in the snow outside a home after a call regarding a verbal domestic argument. •A deputy arrested a 25-year-old Sisters man for driving under the influence.... Full story
Marvin M. Smith, who spent his retirement years in Sisters, went to be with his Lord Saturday, November 10, 2007, in Escondido, California. He was 89. Remembered as a man of integrity, faith and spirited humor, he was loved by family and friends everywhere he lived. Born on the Kansas prairie, Marvin grew up on a wheat farm with three brothers. As a graduate of Wichita Business College, he joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and was stationed in San Francisco. There he met his... Full story
Marcie Hoyt of Sisters died Thursday in her home. She was 55 years old. Marcie was born December 5, 1951 in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of William Jerome (Jerry) and Lois Jean (Mason) Farrell. She graduated from James Monroe High School in Los Angeles and later with a Bachelor's Degree from Cal State Northridge University. Marcie married Dennis McGregor, of San Diego, December 11, 1976, and had twin daughters December 31, 1977. The family resided in Ventura, California until... Full story
