News nuggets - 6/30/2021

• Gas prices continue to rise. The average gallon of regular unleaded in Sisters hit $3.63/gallon on Sunday. For the four petrol stations in town, this is an average increase of 20 cents in a week and 86 cents since January. This weekend should bring even higher prices, dealers say, typical for the holiday period. The higher tank costs do not seem to deter vacationers.

• 30 single family homes in Sisters sold in June (through June 27) with a combined value of $22,307,273 — an average of $743,576. Included in the total was a three-bedroom, three-bath property on McKenzie Highway that fetched $2,235,000. Realtors see no relief for double-digit rising home prices until at least November.

• The Sisters firehouse and community hall got a fresh coat of paint as part of scheduled maintenance. Residents report it “looks like new.” Outdoor burning is now closed for the season with a target date of October 17 for resumption.

• Patrick Environmental of Redmond, wildland firefighters, joined other contracted fire crews in a preventative staging area over the weekend at the Sisters Ranger District station. Their presence is part of a rapid response strategy as the forest heats dramatically from rising temperatures and low humidity.

• Salvage logging and restoration has begun on the 4,300-acre Green Ridge fire. Motorists are advised to use care when traveling Forest Road 11.

• Avelo Air provides Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 737 jet service from Redmond to Los Angeles (Burbank) for $89. The airport has recovered from pandemic levels with passenger traffic for May of 2021 at 72,319 vs. May of 2020, when only 10,462 passengers enplaned or deplaned.

• Fir Street Park splash pad usage has spiked with prolonged warm temperatures. Kids of all ages — and the occasional dog — are beating the heat with the cooling spray.

• Deschutes Land Trust holds a 6.8-mile mellow mountain-bike ride Wednesday, June 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. on its 1,240-acre Metolius Preserve.

• Campfires in Deschutes Nation Forest Sisters District are banned effective last Friday, except for designated campgrounds: Allen Springs, Allingham, Blue Bay, Camp Sherman, Candle Creek, Cold Spring, Driftwood, Gorge, Graham Corral, Indian Ford, Jack Creek, Lava Camp Lake, Link Creek, Lower Bridge, Lower Canyon Creek, Perry South, Pine Rest, Pioneer Ford, Riverside, Scout Lake, Sheep Spring, Smiling River, South Shore, Three Creek Lake, Three Creek Meadow, and Three Creek Horse Camp.

• Sisters folk heading to the beach to escape the heat will pay a hefty price. In Bandon, where the high Sunday was more than 30 degrees cooler, had zero vacancy. Travelers had to settle for less-scenic Coos Bay, where even Motel 6 cost $178 night. The same for Florence, where not a single room could be found, forcing visitors to Reedsport for $123/night.

• Sunday was the last day of business for Cascade Trailstop Market. Gallimaufry, located directly across the street, will move to the Trailstop’s vacated space in about a month, following renovation work.