News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 23 of 23
To the Editor: I am in full agreement with Mr. Cornelius’ comments (Let the people park, The Nugget, December 14). I took a tour of the ‘’new’’ building while I was home over Thanksgiving and was completely apalled by the parking situation. While winter did sneak up on us a little early this year, we do live in the mountains, and the administrative employees of the school district should not be held responsible for acts of nature. On a lighter note, if they aren’t allowed to use the lot through the winter, they should feel... Full story
On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Samaritan Children’s Home in Sri Lanka. A year later, Dayalan Sanders is still working to rebuild the orphanage — with help from donors in Sisters. “The children are currently living in two rental homes,” Diyana Sanders Gunaratnam, the sister of Dayalan Sanders, told The Nugget on Monday, December 26. “Dayalan has bought land away from the ocean,” she said. “They have started rebuilding.” The orphanage house... Full story
If giving to your neighbor is the true spirit of Christmas, Sisters had it in spades this year. Some 130 families received Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, toys and treats for their pets thanks to a massive volunteer effort that included the Kiwanis Club of Sisters, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District and The Nugget Furry Friends. The Kiwanis Club of Sisters has sponsored the Christmas Food Share program for more than 15 years. Qualified families ap... Full story
Nicholas Patterson remains in jail on charges that he set fire to the unfinished McDonald’s restaurant in Sisters on July 10. His hearing has been continued to January 10. “If we have a psychologist’s report by that time we may enter a plea,” his attorney, Jacques DeKalb, told The Nugget. “A psychologist has been hired to gather a history (and do an evaluation).” It takes time, DeKalb said, to gather a thorough history and to get funding from the state for the services. Patterson has been charged with six counts of Arson I... Full story
Deschutes County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Jeremy Shane Hall of Sisters on Friday, December 23, on allegations of sexual abuse of a juvenile. According to sheriff’s office reports, Hall, 33, was arrested Friday morning and booked into Deschutes County Jail on five counts of first degree sex abuse and one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. Hall is listed as pastor of Christ’s Church of New Beginnings, which meets at Sisters Elementary School. Bail was set at $300,000, the sheriff’s office reporte... Full story
Sisters continued to draw more people and businesses to the area in 2005 to enjoy the natural beauty of Central Oregon and the charms of a small, tight-knit community. That influx is bringing growth and change. Hayden Homes won approval to develop 400 new homes in the Sisters area and several other subdivisions were either approved or added homes to new phases. The growth is prompting concern among some residents about the impact on already crowded schools. To counteract some... Full story
The Sisters Library opened on December 20 without any fanfare, but with many ooohs and aaahhs of appreciation from patrons. The 8,000-square-foot library will house expanded collections, more computers and a children’s section about the size of the entire “old” library. The children’s section was popular last week, with families stopping by on Christmas vacation to check out the spacious new facilities. “We like it,” said Jill Dyer, who was visiting with son Hudson (fou... Full story
Sisters will start off 2006 a little on the sloppy side as warmer-than-average temperatures bring rain to Central Oregon. The National Weather Service out of Pendleton was predicting rain through the early part of this week, tapering off to a chance of rain and showers through the New Year’s weekend. Temperatures will continue to be in the 40s with lows sliding into the 20s. Snow levels were expected to remain above Sisters’ 3,300 feet of elevation, though they may dip down enough at night to give us a little more of the whi... Full story
The seventh annual Sisters Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was not an easy time for the 17 or so dedicated people who plowed through and skied on top of ice and slush this year. They only counted 51 species — an all-time low. One count team found a total of 273 pinion jays in a single flock, while one feeder-count had 33 wild turkeys under it. A gray jay turned up, American crows are here, and Cooper’s hawks are still patrolling the bird feeders in Sisters resident’s backy... Full story
Robert A. Cook of Sisters died on December 20 of natural causes. He was 60. A private service was to be held at Willamette National Cemetery. Mr. Cook served in the United States Air force from 1965 to 1969 and studied at Northridge University. He was a marketing manager for Tektronix. He was affiliated with the Catholic church and the United Way. He enjoyed four-wheeling, horseback riding, traveling and exploring the great outdoors. He is survived by his wife Barbara Marie Cook of Bend; mother Mary Cook of Bend; son Robert... Full story
Robert James Lutz died December 8 at age 81. Services were held at Prineville Community Church on December 17. He was born June 9, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, to George and Esther Lutz. His sister Wanda was two years older. Because of the hard times of the depression which took away the family farm, the four of them went west in an old Ford. The family survived in California by picking seasonal crops of cotton and fruit. Bob joined the peacetime Army at age 16. From 1941 to 1945 his military service was spent mostly in the... Full story
For some 80 folks in Sisters, the Sisters Fire Hall was the center of celebration for the Christmas holiday. Volunteers served a complete Christmas dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day. Hosted by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Firefighters Association, the meal included turkeys and hams provided by local churches, served with mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, dressing, salad, rolls and dessert prepared by volunteers. Preparations started at 6 a.m. on Christmas Day with... Full story
• Sisters deputies responded to numerous “slide-offs” when roads were icy. • Deputies arrested a man for driving under the influence — and on a felony warrant. • A 19-year-old was busted for attempting to buy alcohol on a fake ID. • A Sisters man died of a heart attack in his driveway. • A woman reported cougar tracks around her house. • Detectives arrested a Sisters man on sex abuse charges. Black Butte Ranch •Black Butte Ranch Police responded Monday afternoon to a wreck just east of Santiam Pass which took two lives. •Th... Full story
Sisters isn’t the only place we’ve been where wild turkeys prowl. We lived on farms in New Zealand for 18 years, where turkeys have no predators but man (and not many people want to eat a wild turkey). They were introduced decades ago, joining a long list of non-native species now present in New Zealand. They’ve earned a reputation with farmers as pests. They consume and contaminate the green pastures that make New Zealand so distinctive. Their summer diet consists large... Full story
The Sisters High School Class of 1996 will hold its 10-year class reunion next summer over the weekend of June 24-25. The reunion will include a family afternoon gathering in Sisters and an evening get-together at McMenamins Old St. Francis School brew pub in downtown Bend. Sisters High class of ’96 was the first freshman class in the new Sisters High School and the first class to attend SHS all four years of high school. Classes before them transferred to SHS from Redmond since Sisters did not have a high school until the fa... Full story
The Outlaws defeated Burns 66-34 at home on Thursday, December 22. The win was a strong team effort, demonstrated by the way the stats were spread across the entire roster. Three players hit double digits for the Outlaws. Guy Mount, Nick Purvis and Nate Jackson each scored 10 points to lead Sisters to the home victory. Chris Ashley and Brian Knotts added eight points each. Andy Burke, Brian Knotts and James Bristow hit the boards, each bringing down four rebounds. The Outlaws... Full story
• “The Robert Newton family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Camp Sherman and Sisters communities and churches for their loving kindness and generosity shown to us: the delicious meals, beautiful flowers, cards, prayers, love and support. “A special thanks to Xpress Printing for the beautiful Memorial Service folders, to the Boy Scouts Troop #188 for the awesome flag ceremony and to Sisters Coffee Co. for the fabulous coffee and cake for the Memorial Service. Thanks again; we were blessed!” • Shelley Marsh “wo... Full story
• Cascade Fitness and Curves are both offering specials for those making New Year’s resolutions of improved health and fitness. • Celebrate New Year’s at Tramondo’s Italian Restaurant; seating is limited, call 549-1588 to make your reservation. • Enjoy New Year’s eve at the Lodge at Suttle Lake with live music by The Mixed Nuts, 595-2628, reservations required. • Shop year-end sales around town with big savings at Common Threads, Paulina Springs Books, The Stitchin’ Post, Sisters Mercantile, Rainbow Connection and Si... Full story
The winter edition of the Central Oregon Horse Journal (COHJ) is available in Sisters. The magazine covers the equestrian lifestyle of Central Oregon. The current issue has stories on first response after a back country accident, profiles of local breeders, a feature on the Icelandic horse, a story about an endurance racing champion and more. The magazine has two features on Sisters area residents. One profiles John Leavitt, who worked in a Wild West Show and competed in... Full story
The Sisters High School Nordic Ski team and Hoodoo Mountain Resort will serve as hosts for an all-comers ski race set for Saturday, December 31 at noon. The event will include both a freestyle (skating) race and a classic race. The freesyle race will start things off at noon with the classic race to follow. A $5 entry fee covers both races. Competitors can choose to skate either one or both races. Nordic ski coach Lee Fischer hopes to attract entrants of all ages, skill levels and experience. “It’s really just about celebrati... Full story
Two people died Monday afternoon, December 26, on Highway 20 about 2.5 miles east of the Santiam Summit when their vehicle lost control and crossed sideways into the opposite lane and was struck by a pickup. Oregon State Police stated that the victims’ names will not be released until next of kin have been notified. On December 26, at approximately 4 p.m., a 1989 BMW two-door with two occupants was westbound in one of two lanes travelling up the grade on Highway 20 near milepost 82.5 when it lost control on the rain/slush mix... Full story
While most Western gray squirrels, Sciurus griseus, are as their name implies — gray all over and often difficult to see in a tree — there’s a white one hanging out at Sage Meadow that stands out like a sore thumb — usually. When we had that big snow on the ground and trees a while back it was like a ghost. Bill and Jane Moore were the first to call me about the beautiful albino squirrel visiting their bird feeder. Bill was especially helpful, calling me several times during t... Full story
Let’s see: The library, city and school district agreed to build a parking lot for their new campus. The library said they would do it and the three would share costs and responsibilities. So far so good. The parking lot didn’t get finished before it snowed and the contractor told the library he would finish it in the spring, and take care of any winter damage. So far so good. But if it is used, the contractor also said he didn’t want to pay for damage if some bonehead spun cookies on the unpaved gravel, and the city should k... Full story
