News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 17 of 17
Some utility users in the city of Sisters will see bigger bills for water and sewer usage. However, low usage could result in reduced bills for others. The findings of a recent rate study of the City water and sewer utility rates by FCS Group resulted in a recommended 2 percent increase in annual rate revenues for both sewer and water utilities, to reflect the actual cost of providing service. The increase is driven primarily by capital funding requirements that the City has embedded in its utility rates. The proposed... Full story
Several Sisters City Councilors are calling for tighter regulation on vacation rentals. Councilors reviewed recommendations from the Sisters Planning Commission regarding changes to the City vacation rental (VR) regulations at the November 29 Council workshop. Several councilors want more regulation on density and spacing between rentals. Over the past three months, staff has been working with the Planning Commission to evaluate the current VR regulations, identify key... Full story
Sisters Girl Scout Troop #10732 has placed large decorated boxes in both the elementary and middle schools, asking for donations to the Sisters Cold Weather Shelter. Donations will be accepted from now through Friday, December 15. The types of items the Scouts are asking for include: twin-size bedding; plastic storage bins; Tracfone minute gift cards for shelter phone; movie DVDs, puzzles, and playing cards; disposable plates, coffee cups, paper towels, and toilet paper;... Full story
I have a suggestion/challenge: School district officials should arrange to have the site and footprint of the proposed bus barn flagged, and then invite the community (taxpayers) to come out and see for themselves what is being considered. Patrick Eckford To the Editor: Bonnie Malone's letter on November 29 could have been written by a number of people in Sisters who frequent the library and always looked forward to finding Charlotte Nichter present. What a loss to the library and the community. Having an... Full story
General Michael Flynn's guilty plea for lying to the FBI about contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak is a major step forward in an investigation that will lead to the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Or it's not. In fact, it's a sign that Robert Mueller's investigation is running out of steam. The rampant speculation as to what Flynn's plea means or doesn't mean in the ongoing "Russia investigation" is a perfect reflection of the tribalism that afflicts... Full story
For the past 10 years, Sisters Graduate Resource Organization (Sisters GRO) has been helping Sisters graduates realize their post-high-school plans and dreams. Sisters GRO was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2008 to offer assistance and administrative support in the scholarship process to Sisters High School graduates. There has been a long history of support for higher education in the Sisters community, but prior to 2008, no central entity to facilitate coordination... Full story
It's hot and humid in Cambodia, the sun intense on this November day. Sweat is pouring onto my mortar bucket. Heat emanates from the blocks I am setting as we construct an exterior wall. Water from last night's rain puddles on the dirt road we tread to reach the construction site. Most of us do not perform manual labor on a regular basis, certainly not in these tropical conditions. If we visit the tropics, we play in the ocean and imbibe in fancy drinks with miniature paper um... Full story
Fifth- and sixth-graders at Sisters Middle School were treated to a program about the elephants of the Namibia Desert of Africa on Monday, November 27. Don and Linda Miller, elephant researchers from Whidbey Island, were in town to deliver a similar message to the folks of the Sisters Country the next day in a Sisters Science Club/Friends of the Sisters Library event at The Belfry. Don Miller is a great believer in getting people involved in his talks, and true to form, he... Full story
Caroline Stratton-Crow stepped back from hanging the last piece of art on the wall and exclaimed, "This is really pretty scary - seeing all of my art in one place!" This month, Stratton-Crow's whimsical, natural watercolors and acrylics are hanging on the walls of the Community Room at Sisters Library. This collection is not a comprehensive view of her creative art. She left the three-dimensional spirit masks and horses at home. More than 20 paintings in the library represent... Full story
If there was ever a time to examine the wisdom and efficacy of attempting to govern 320 million people as a single entity, maybe now is it. The GOP's tax bill came in at 479 pages. It's a safe bet that not one single professional representative - on either side of the aisle - has read the bill in its entirety; not even Al Franken or John Conyers, who clearly have the time after tossing grenades into their own offices. It's an even safer bet that no one, and I really mean no si... Full story
The Outlaws jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, as they sailed to a 58-37 win at Crook County (CC) on Friday, December 1, in their first pre-season game of the year. Sisters was up 11-5 at the close of the first quarter and up by 15 at the half, with a score of 29-14. The Outlaws held the lead from tip-off until the final whistle blew. Sisters did get into some early foul trouble, but quickly adjusted, and played better as the game went on. The Outlaws had a... Full story
Standout Outlaws football player Brady Wessel has earned Athlete of the Month recognition for the month of October from the coaches at Sisters High School. Wessel earned all-league honors and was also named Defensive Player of the Year statewide, an honor he shared with a player from Cottage Grove. His coach, Neil Fendall, cited Wessel's hard work and determination as the factors that make him stand out as an impact player on the field. "Often I hear the younger players in... Full story
The Lady Outlaws defeated the Cowgirls 36-35 at Crook County (CC) on Friday, December 1. Sisters led by four at 12-8 at the end of the first quarter, and at the half it was still a four-point game at 22-18. With four seconds left in the contest, CC made a basket and drew a foul on the shot. They made good on the freethrow and narrowed the Outlaws' lead to one, at 36-35. Sisters was able to inbound the ball and hold on for win. CC outscored the Outlaws 17-14 in the second... Full story
It's time to get ready for the annual Christmas performance at Sisters Community Church by the Sisters High Desert Chorale under the direction of Connie Gunterman. This year, Lola Knox's Renaissance Sisters, Children's Choir, and High Desert Bell Choir, along with Peggy Tehan's ukulele players will also be taking part. This year's performance has been named "Christmas Traditions," in which the chorale will be offering such dear old-timers as: "White Christmas," "Go Tell it On... Full story
A proposed marijuana production facility east of Sisters can move forward after a 2-1 vote of the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, November 29. Norma Tewalt proposes a 3,600-square-foot marijuana greenhouse on her approximately nine-acre property at 69188 Goodrich Road, north of Highway 126. The proposal had earlier won administrative approval, but that action was appealed by a neighbor. The Commissioners held two public hearings and tentatively upheld... Full story
Even though Santa has been real busy in Sisters this holiday season, he couldn't go back to the North Pole without a visit with Sisters' furry kids - it's an annual Sisters tradition. Loads of super-excited dogs stopped by Sisters Art Works on Saturday to get their Pet Photos with Santa taken with the jolly bearded man in the red suit. For the second year, Sisters Art Works hosted a Holiday Open House Celebration with Furry Friends Foundation. Various artists showcased their... Full story
Willpower won't save a diet or fitness program this holiday season Many understand that in order to succeed in health and fitness goals, diet needs to be in order, and they're going to need to exercise on a very frequent basis. This needs to be consistent over a period of months. It's a a hard journey, especially this time of year; tempting foods, familial obligations, and celebratory beverages spin a web of inescapable indulgence. Those of us seeking better health and fitness often rely on willpower. We hope to say no to... Full story