Week of January 22, 2025
Week of January 22, 2025
The City of Sisters City Council is inviting members of the public to participate in an upcoming Open House to provide input and feedback on the Council’s proposed goals for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which will begin on July 1. This is an opportunity for residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to have their voices heard as the City Council shapes its priorities for the coming year. City Council considers goals from the following categories: Environmental Sustainability; Essential Infrastructure; Economic... Full story
Oregonians born today are likely to experience a future of more drought, more rain, and less snow under warming average global temperatures due to human-caused climate change. That’s one conclusion in the 314-page Seventh Oregon Climate Assessment, which was published Wednesday and authored by more than 65 scientists, experts, and engineers, including from Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Two engineers from Portland General Electric and Principle Power, a... Full story
Sisters was certified as an International DarkSky Community this month by DarkSky International, making the city the second community in Oregon to be so designated (Antelope announced their designation several weeks ago). Sisters is the sixth International DarkSky Place in Oregon, joining such places as the Oregon Outback to the east and Oregon Caves National Monument. The designation is the culmination of many years of dark sky advocacy by the Sisters community to help bring... Full story
To better assist those in Sisters Country struggling with food insecurity, the food pantry, previously run by Wellhouse Church and since January 1 operated by Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS), will change its schedule from Thursdays to Mondays starting Monday, February 3. Both the pantry and the Kiwanis Food Bank operated on the same day for years. By switching to Monday, volunteers hope to offer needy users more nutrition balance, and convenience in scheduling food... Full story
Deschutes County is seeking citizens interested in serving on the County’s Facility Project Review Committee (FPRC). There are currently two unpaid, volunteer positions open. The FPRC makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, at the Board’s request, about pending and future building and facility projects at the county. The projects are generally considered high profile, critical, and challenging. The county is looking for applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including those who have... Full story
Connection Cafés, sponsored by The Peaceful Presence Project, are set to provide a welcoming and compassionate space for supportive conversations about illness, death, and grief. The weekly gatherings, held in Sisters on Wednesdays from January 29 through February 26, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Sisters Library, will bring people together for supportive dialogue. “We all know how difficult it can be navigating care in the best of times, and we all know the challenges that are present in a rural and dispersed community like... Full story
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officials announced a $10,000 cash reward for information regarding a wolf poaching incident on private property in Morrow County. The Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) has a standing reward of $10,000 for wolf poaching in that area, raising the reward total to $20,000. Wildlife officials discovered the carcass of a gray wolf, identified as OR 159, on November 8. The wolf was on private land, about 20 miles south of Heppner, and law... Full story
Raging fires in Los Angeles are set to be the most catastrophic natural disaster in the state's history surpassing the 2018 Camp Fire in the town of Paradise that scorched more than 150,000 acres and was the deadliest wildfire in California's history. Ninety-five percent of the town burned in that fire. The fire killed 85 people and destroyed almost 19,000 buildings in November 2018. The fire was active for 17 days. Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday predicted that the Los... Full story
In an effort to get a snapshot of the number of people living in vehicles and tents in Sisters Country, the Homeless Leadership Coalition and Sisters Community Leadership Initiative will conduct their annual Point In Time (PIT) Count in Sisters Country January 28–February 3. Surveys will be conducted on where individuals resided on the night of January 27. The PIT Count collects data used for funding requests and to build awareness and engagement within the community. The count will seek data on those living in the woods... Full story
As of January 8, Sisters has a new mayor, Jennifer Letz, who won re-election to the Council, and new president, Sarah McDougall, who is new on Council. The five-member body also includes newly elected Councilor Cheryl Pellerin and Councilors Michael Preedin and Gary Ross who continue the remaining two years of four-year terms. The three recently elected councilors were each sworn in by City Manager Jordan Wheeler. Every two years, the newly elected and returning councilors determine who amongst them will be appointed mayor... Full story
One of Sisters' largest employers, founded in 1984 in San Diego and operating locally since 1993 under the ownership of Ed Fitzjarrell, has been acquired by WM Partners, LP, of Aventura, Florida, a suburb of Miami Beach. Metabolic Maintenance produces pure, preservative-free nutraceuticals without added excipients, fillers, or binders. Their products, created, formulated, and packaged in Sisters, are sold nationwide. The company with sales of around $10 million, according to... Full story
Visitors to Sisters Country Vision, www.sistersvision.org, will now find an independent, redesigned website showcasing the Vision, its history, reports, news, and more. The website was developed by Citizens4Community (C4C) with support from the Vision Implementation Team (VIT) - a group of local agency representatives, organizational leaders, and community volunteers. The website offers more details about the VIT, its membership, and opportunities for community members to share their ideas and feedback with local leaders.... Full story
Fifteen Oregon strike teams mobilized to help with the wildfires in the Los Angeles area arrived Thursday, January 9. These 300 firefighters and 75 engines are assigned to the Palisades Fire burning north of the Los Angeles area. The firefighters will be deployed for up to 14 days and are protecting homes and other buildings. The teams will be patrolling for hotspots and working alongside CAL Fire and other state and federal agencies. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District contributed one engine and three personnel to the... Full story
The threat of wildfire hitting Sisters is at the forefront of people’s minds as they watch the destruction underway in Southern California (See related story.). Coincidentally, Sisters City Council got a look at the latest iteration by staff of the changes to the Sisters Development Code (SDC) regarding defensible space at the January 8, regular council meeting. The proposed changes focus on enhancing and improving fire mitigation and safety codes for all new development in Sisters. This includes development to add new... Full story
Oregon fire experts have finalized their redo of state maps of wildfire hazard areas, showing that about 106,000 tax lots are in high-risk spots that could be subject to new building and landscape codes. Those property owners, who hold nearly six percent of the nearly two million tax lots in the state, could be subject to new building codes and landscape regulations designed to protect properties from fire. State officials said they would get a “hefty packet of information” in the mail explaining what happens next. The... Full story
The length of Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake is the most dangerous highway in Oregon for deer and elk. According to studies conducted by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the 35 miles of single and double laned highway experiences between 350 to 600 mule deer and elk vehicular kills annually. The assessed expense associated with one killed mule deer is $17,000, and for elk it is $57,000. This expense in Oregon accrues into the tens of millions of dollars... Full story
There's a wide range of people who would claim that travel is the best thing that's ever happened to them. Visiting new countries, continents, and cultures can be a life-changing experience. When you're young it can seem like an unattainable hope reserved for future years. The Gilman Scholarship Program is an opportunity that allows international travel for a wide range of students. Funded by the U.S Department of State, the program's goal is to provide specific support to... Full story
Each summer and fall, SFF Presents (SFFP) brings world-class music to the stage in the Big Ponderoo Music + Art Festival in June and Sisters Folk Festival at the end of September. Throughout the year, they host concerts featuring touring artists. Those events bring thousands of people to Sisters and provide an economic boost to the community. Equally important is the long-term effort to support music and arts education in Sisters. Earlier this month, SFFP Presents, announced... Full story
Being a high school student is no easy feat. Transitioning from middle school to freshman year feels like you're living in a whole new world and by the time you finally start to settle in you need to start thinking about moving on. Anxiety about the future is natural, especially when transitioning from high school to something like college or a full-time job. In a survey done by Appily among over 6,000 high school students, almost half of the students reported that they have... Full story
Birds have incredible adaptations for coping with environmental challenges such as wildfire and storms, but these strategies have evolved alongside historical climate patterns. Rapid shifts in climate can alter the consequences for birds that use different coping strategies. In this era of rapid climate change, many birds are exposed to more extreme conditions, and resilience will be key to maintaining populations and biodiversity. What are the strategies that birds use to... Full story
Paulina Springs Books will host a gathering and poetry open mic in honor of beloved Oregon poet William Stafford on Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. This January would have been Stafford's 111th birthday, and the community is invited to gather in celebration of his life and legacy. William Stafford spent much of his life in Oregon and taught at Lewis and Clark College for over 30 years. His first major collection of poems "Traveling Through the Dark" was published when... Full story
Berries, fruit trees, roses, and native plants can be grown successfully in Central Oregon (CO). The key is to select varieties suited to local growing conditions and follow recommendations for planting and care. Amy Jo Detweiler, an Oregon State University Extension horticulturist in CO, has authored four OSU Extension online publications that provide details on: • Berries: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1621-selecting-berry-crop-varieties-central-oregon •Fruit Trees: https://exten... Full story
Singer-songwriter Dennis McGregor will play a solo concert in the intimate listening room above Sisters Depot called Frankie's on Friday, January 24, at 7 p.m, This "previously secret" upstairs space has been transformed into a dedicated venue for acoustic music. While McGregor has played in Sisters for years with The Spoilers, this rare solo show will feature many songs not featured with the band. "I'll be playing new songs, old songs, and new-old songs," he says. McGregor... Full story
Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Art and Agriculture (PMRCAA) will host its seventh annual residency program this year, which brings accomplished artists to Sisters from March through November. Through a juried application process, 36 writers, culture bearers, and artists from around the U.S. were selected. Writers and visual artists will pursue their craft, and bring workshops, lectures, and Open Studio events to the community. The residency program, hosted on a working ranch,... Full story
The Deschutes Land Trust will host a winter Nature Nights series at the Tower Theatre in Bend. From wolves to gardening for wildlife, the Land Trust is offering free, monthly presentations on nature-related topics given by experts in their field. Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. The presentations include: • Wednesday, January 29, 7–8:30 p.m., “Wolves in Central Oregon” Wolves are one of North America’s most iconic animals, occupying a unique and complex role in the natural world. Join Deschutes... Full story
Flying Horse Gallery will exhibit the original five linograph prints along with process images that resulted in the final production for the new Penguin Books' book covers for "A Song of Ice and Fire," the basis for the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones." The exhibit will run January 17–February 16. The concepts and linograph prints were created by local artist Mark Seekins and Tim Green, art director at Faceout Studio book design. In Sisters. Green worked directly with... Full story
The Sisters High School Alpine ski team was a squad to be reckoned with in their first Emerald Ski League race of the season. They put on a show of their exceptional depth and talent in the Wednesday, January 15, Giant Slalom event at Hoodoo Ski Area. Fifteen high schools were represented in the league, drawing racers from Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley. Sisters girls team was exceptional; seven racers finished in the top 10. Ella Eby claimed the top spot with a... Full story
The Outlaws posted a 49-40 win on the road at Harrisburg in the league opener on Tuesday, January 14. On Friday, they edged out the visiting Creswell Bulldogs, who were ranked No. 4 in 3A entering the game, in a final score of 43-41. On Tuesday, the game started with a Will McDonnell layup on an assist from Garrett Sager, but the Eagles answered with four straight points, and held onto the lead for the remainder of the quarter. Sisters stayed within three points, and had a trio of three-point plays in the quarter, two long... Full story
A trio of Outlaws took part in the Meissner Classic Nordic Ski race on Saturday, January 18, and held their own in a large field of skiers representing both the Northern and Southern Divisions of the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association. Spencer Tisdel placed sixth overall and first among Northern Division skiers with a time of 19:32 in the 5k classic race. Kevin Mattox of Mountain View won the race in 18:00.5. Ben Hayner placed 12th overall (22:38) and Emerson... Full story
The Lady Outlaws opened league with a heartbreaking 53-56 loss in overtime at Harrisburg. On Friday they suffered another overtime loss, this time by three at 62-65. In Tuesday’s action, Audrey Corcoran got the Outlaws on the scoreboard first with a baseline three-pointer off a Shae Wyland assist. Toward the end of the period the Eagles went on an 8-0 run to close out the quarter up by eight at 7-15. Sisters only put up five points in the second quarter and at the half trailed 12-29. Corcoran had three quick fouls in the... Full story
The Lady Outlaws overpowered the Douglas Trojans in a 58-18 win on Tuesday, January 7. At home on Saturday, they suffered a tough 47-65 loss to the Burns Hilanders. The Outlaws were in control throughout in Tuesday’s action against Douglas. The 3A team entered the game 1-10, at the bottom of all 3A teams. At the close of the first period the Outlaws held a 20-2 lead. Audrey Corcoran had several steals which she converted into baskets on the other end and had 10 of the Outlaws’ 20 points. Jorja Christianson hit a three... Full story
The Outlaws fell 53-56 on the road in a tough contest at Douglas on Tuesday, January 7, but bounced back at home on Saturday with a 53-45 overtime win. On Tuesday, Douglas came out in a 1-3-1 zone and it took the Outlaws a while to adjust. The Trojans scored their first four points of the contest on Outlaws’ turnovers, but then Kale Gardner hit a three-pointer from the baseline to close the gap to 3-4. Very soon the Outlaws found themselves down 5-15. After a timeout Sisters held the Trojans scoreless for the last four... Full story
The boys and girls wrestling teams have seen a lot of competition already in 2025 after hosting a home tournament in late December. The action doesn't let up any time soon, as the squad moves into the heart of the season. Wrestling on their home turf, the Outlaws turned in strong performances on Saturday, December 21. Freshman Zack Kemp won the 126-pound weight class under the lights at home. "Zack stepped up huge at our home tournament," said his coach and father Dave Kemp.... Full story
The New Year found the Nordic ski team busy competing with races on consecutive weekends at Diamond Lake. Saturday, January 4 at the Diamond Lake Jamboree the Outlaws squared off against most of the teams from the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association Nordic's southern league. The event featured a variety of races divided by age groups, skill levels, and ski styles. Ben Hayner took top honors in the freshman/sophomore skate race in a time of 18:39, a minute and a half... Full story
The Kelsey's Memorial Race at Mt. Hood Meadows on Sunday, January 5, kicked off the ski race season for the Outlaws. This year marked the seventh annual Kelsey's Memorial Race, which is the largest alpine ski race in the nation. It hosts upwards of 500 racers who participate in this unique state-wide opener with all seven of the Oregon Leagues coming together for a non-scored race. Racers donned costumes and won fun prizes, including new skis, and shared homemade cookies on... Full story
Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or less. The deadline for submission is Monday at 10 a.m. for publication in that week's Nugget. Please submit your letter by emailing to Jim Cornelius at [email protected] with "letter to the editor" in the subject... Full story
From the superintendant To the Editor, The recent school board meeting brought moments of reflection, gratitude, and optimism as the district celebrated its accomplishments and looked ahead to the future. The board began by honoring David Thorsett for his dedicated years of service as a school board member. In recognition of his impactful contributions, Thorsett was presented with a commemorative plaque, and board members expressed their heartfelt appreciation for his leadership. The meeting also welcomed Erik Benton as the... Full story
Every other Wednesday, I get together with a small group of men in what I guess you’d call a book club. We grapple with tough moral questions, and matters of purpose and meaning, conflict and division. Our current selection is Patrick Radden Keefe’s “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland.” There is a current dramatic adaptation in the FX/Hulu limited series “Say Nothing.” The book pivots on the December 1972 abduction of Jean... Full story
Sisters is truly one of a kind. Underneath the Western decor, pine trees, vibrant mountains, and the neighborly environment, lies a home. As a 19-year-old who has lived in Sisters all 19 years of my life, it took me going to college to truly appreciate the town. I have seen the good and the bad parts of Sisters. My little eyes watched the Dairy Queen, Dollar General, and the housing developments get built. In fourth grade my art teacher laid a giant wooden fish in front of me and told me to paint it however I pleased. I... Full story
A former boss told me once, as we were dodging a boulder garden in a raft on the North Umpqua River, “humans are like houseplants; after a couple of years, both need repotted.” So, after almost seven years here as the district ranger in Sisters, last fall I voluntarily and temporarily repotted as the forest supervisor on the Modoc National Forest in northern California. Part of the reason was curiosity, part of it was the timing, part of it just could have been a... Full story
• I backed my brand new Bronco into a telephone pole in Sisters the very first day I drove it. No problem to get the dent out. Now, though, it seems there’s no such thing as repairing a dented fender. When one fender meets another fender, or worse, the cars involved are often totaled by insurance companies because body parts comprised of “composite material” just can’t withstand a good, old fashion fender bender. • It never fails: I’ve kept certain statements for years and years and finally and at last got... Full story
Those who struggle with depression may approach everyday decisions differently from others, believing that the outcome of each decision they make, each action they take, demonstrates something fundamental about their character. The person susceptible to depression relies upon feedback from their environment to gauge their self-worth. Positive feedback validates their worth as an individual, but negative feedback can just as quickly strip them of self-worth. Good outcomes say that they are competent and intelligent, they are... Full story
I’m writing with my eyes closed. I won’t know if my words are right or jumbled. If fingers are just one key off, it’ll be nothing but indistinguishable gibberish. Writing blind isn’t something new. I started years ago during writing meditations as I asked my inner voice and Christ connection to answer questions I couldn’t answer. It worked, and despite a few pages of gobbledygook, the words still bring peace, calm, and faith in my connection to my Higher Power…. whether found inside or beyond. My eyes are closed... Full story
Correcting the record To the Editor: Dear Bill Bartlett — I enjoyed our discussions regarding the UGB and I appreciated how accurately you quoted my comments (“Sisters growth plans spark pushback,” See related story.). However, you missed the boat on my information. Bjarne and I moved to Sisters 2013 (not 1978) and we live on Bradley Road (my horse lives on Cloverdale). After 43 years in Alaska we just wanted to escape the very long winters. I did work at Camp Tamarack 1969–1970 and Sisters was a quiet village at... Full story
Last week I had coffee with an old friend — the first person I knew in Sisters. We both moved here from the same area in the foothills at the northern rim of the Los Angeles basin more than 30 years ago. We both noted how hard it hits, watching the apocalyptic destruction wrought by the wildfires that have ripped across our old stompin’ grounds. We’ve both lived in Sisters longer than we lived in L.A. — but you never quite lose your sense of connection to the place... Full story
C.J. Box started the Joe Pickett book series with "Open Season" in 2001. Now, 24 books later, the series latest book is "Three-Inch Teeth," published in 2024. Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden who, in this current book, is fighting to survive against two lethal enemies - one a monstrous grizzly bear and the other a monstrous human who is out for revenge. If you are a person who loves to hunt, fish, and enjoy life in the woods and wilderness, then you will live your love of... Full story
That raucous chatter heard often in neighborhoods across Oregon is what I refer to as the Western Blue-Jay [Aphelocoma californica]. Originally referred to as a "scrub" jay, they now have a larger population within forests and towns. This blue-with-a-gray-back jay inhabits residential areas in large numbers, gleaning food from backyard feeders and trees. Insects, nuts, snails, berries, and bees make up their main diet. A six-inch nest is built within tree branches, where two... Full story
On a clear winter evening in January, look to the southeastern sky to behold the brightest, most recognizable constellation in the entire sky. Orion the Hunter straddles the celestial equator, making it visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Hunter's shape is easy to identify because of the arrangement of its brightest stars. His belt is marked by three equally spaced stars of about the same magnitude that lie in a nearly straight line. It is tilted at... Full story
Rhonda Gay Darst (Combs), born on June 18, 1968, in Arcata, California, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Sisters, Oregon, on December 2, 2024. She was the beloved daughter of Mike and Carol Combs. A devoted mother, wife, grandmother — affectionately known as “Honey” — sister, and friend. Rhonda touched countless lives with her giving heart and unwavering kindness. She graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1986. She married the love of her life, Donny... Full story
Rhonda Lynn Perry of Brooking, Oregon, passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 27, 2024. Rhonda grew up in Southern California. She moved to Oregon in the early 1990s, and lived in Sisters for over 20 years, where she worked with the public at Christmas Mountain Magic, the Gallimaufry, and Bi-Mart. She enjoyed crafting, sewing, painting, traveling with her husband, tending her flower garden, and spending time with her family and friends. She had a passion for animals... Full story
Pat lost her years' long battle with cancer Saturday, December 14, 2024. She passed peacefully in her home with her husband, Rich, by her side. Pat was born March 24, 1947, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to William and Wilma Kirrie. She was the third of four children, Christopher, Margot, Pat, and Joclyn. In 1952 the family moved to Portland. Pat graduated from Wilson High School in 1965. She then attended Portland State, the University School of Nursing, and later Marylhurst... Full story
Irene Eleanor Liden passed away at her home in Sisters January 3, 2025. She was born in Valley Stream Long Island, New York, January 11, 1941, to Harold and Mildred Liden, who preceded her in death, as well as her brother Donald Liden, her partner of 20 years Jennings McLean, and Bertol, Quartz, Freischutz, and Rheingold, some of her beloved pets. Irene is survived by her sister-in-law Jane Liden, three nephews Lance, Lars, and Leigh Liden, their wives and children, her... Full story
In the maze of juniper, sage, and tombstones at Camp Polk Cemetery there is a grove of silent children. Little ones who left their families much too soon with familiar names from the earliest days of Sisters, like Allingham and South. Among the earliest burials are two small graves, nestled under the trees with the name of Claypool, some of the first pioneers to search for a new life east of the Cascades. The Claypools were one of the many pioneer families who arrived in the...
As you likely know, we have phased in a subscription charge for mailbox delivery to cover the cost of postage. The response has been gratifying, with a steady stream of folks subscribing online and coming in to subscribe in person. It's been a heavy lift, shifting a four-decade-old model, and adopting new subscription management software. We offer a tip of the hat to Lisa May who has been on point for the transition. When we first contemplated making this change, I sat down...
