Week of July 24, 2024
Week of July 24, 2024
A man identified as a 37-year-old transient accidentally shot himself in the leg earlier this month in Sisters. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported that at approximately 10:27 a.m. on July 7, deputies responded to Ray’s Food Place in Sisters to a report of an accidental gunshot wound. Upon arrival, they located the involved red 1997 Chevrolet 1500 pickup parked on the south end of the lot. Deputies located the driver seated on the tailgate of his truck. The man was being attended to by a citizen, who was... Full story
Jonathan Kelly considers himself one lucky man. The Sisters Middle School teacher just took possession of a new home in Sisters Woodlands subsidized under a workforce housing program. Without assistance from a project created by the not-for-profit Rooted Homes and backed by a consortium of foundations, Deschutes County and Business Oregon, Kelly would still be commuting from Redmond and wondering if he could sustain working in Sisters at all. Kelly cut the ceremonial ribbon... Full story
Nugget freelancer Jarod Gatley was on a long trail run in the Three Creeks area recently when he got a text from a family member alerting him to a report of a fire at Lower Three Creeks Sno Park. While that fire was quickly dealt with, the encounter sparked a question for him: Hikers are commonly equipped for various types of weather and terrain, hazards from avalanches to flooding, and predators from animal to human, but how should you prepare or act for wildfire?... Full story
Campfires are now banned across Sisters Country, including in developed campground and wilderness areas. Due to continued hot weather and extremely dry vegetation, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, and Crooked River moved into Stage 2 public use fire restrictions and Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III on Monday. Effective on Monday, July 22, Stage 2 public use fire restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires on all Central Oregon public lands including... Full story
Andrew Dutterer's family, friends, and partners in river and watershed restoration gathered Saturday morning to dedicate the "Otter Be Fishing" bench and plaque beside Whychus Creek in Creekside Park. The bench is dedicated to Dutterer who, before his tragic death in an auto accident in 2021, was instrumental in supporting the various agencies and individuals involved in the restoration of the creek. For Andrew Dutterer, fishing connected his past, present, and future.... Full story
They came. 10,000 strong. And they came early, even before the 1,000-plus quilts had been completely hung across downtown Sisters. In part because it was 85 degrees by 8:30 a.m., and more to get a first-hand look at one of the premier quilt exhibits in the country. "We drove through on our way to McDonald's for breakfast around 7:15 and when we came back at 8:30 it was like, 'Whoa! How'd that happen?'" said an amazed Cory Archer from Redmond, playing in a golf foursome at... Full story
Along with the rest of the state, Sisters will soon see the release of the Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map risk map (Click here to see related story.). A key takeaway is the change in name from “risk” to “hazard” map. The semantics are subtle, but significant. Risk implies impacts on insurance, whereas hazard suggests something more temporary that can be mitigated. Ben Duda heads up the Sisters Sub-Unit Office of ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry). He is also a... Full story
The process of shaping the future of Sisters — both figuratively and literally — is underway. According to projections used by the state, the population of Sisters will nearly double by 2043. To meet the needs of a growing population, the City has embarked on the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion process. Over the next year the City will effectively decide where the city limits will be in 20 years. To aid in this work, the City has assembled the UGB Steering Committee, whose first meeting was held on Thursday, June... Full story
A chip-sealing project on Locust Street/Camp Polk Road went badly awry this week, causing damage to numerous vehicles. The Deschutes County Road Department is making good on the damage. Road Department Director Chris Doty told The Nugget what happened on Wednesday, July 10. "Chip sealing can be very finicky," he said. "In this case, a little too much oil was applied and we released the road to traffic before the oil had time to settle." The result was "traffic driving on the... Full story
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, on Wednesday, June 12, unanimously approved funding for a new pilot program that encourages builders to construct and sell new homes at prices attainable to median-income earners. The program, called Workforce Home Ownership for Median-income Earners (Workforce HOME), was established in partnership with NeighborImpact, Housing Works, and the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA). It will provide developers a $30,000 builder credit for each home they build that is sold within a... Full story
The Roundhouse Foundation has awarded grants to 106 organizations throughout rural and indigenous Oregon communities, with nearly $1.7 million in total support. These organizations were selected as part of the Spring 2024 Open Call grants cycle which closed in March with decisions shared in May and June. The recipients, or grant partners of the Roundhouse Foundation, are either nonprofits or government entities. They vary in missions, but fall into these core focus areas: arts and culture, education, social services, and... Full story
Pine Meadow Ranch, School of Ranch, OSU Extension, and High Desert Food & Farm Alliance, is set to host the workshop, “Howdy Do: Practical Land Management,” on Thursday, July 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Howdy Do workshops turn the model on its head, tapping into community wisdom of farmers, ranchers, hay growers, and gardeners on what works and what doesn’t work in Central Oregon when it comes to making things grow here. Hosted at the picturesque Pine Meadow Ranch in Sisters, this workshop offers participants a unique... Full story
Many in Sisters will remember Phyllis Yankey, who lived in the community for a number of years. Phyllis Yankey’s husband, Mike, an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) employee, was killed in an accident at the ODOT yard at the Santiam Junction in 2009. In 2020 Phyllis left Sisters to be closer to her children. On July 8, Hurricane Beryl ripped through her current neighborhood in Conroe, Texas, a tree fell and destroyed her home. In a GoFundMe narrative, her son Chris reported that, “because of some now... Full story
A statewide “wildfire risk map” that drew the ire of many Oregonians will return in several weeks with few changes but with a new name following a yearlong makeover. The new “wildfire hazard map,” set to debut in mid-to-late July, will not differ in substance too much from the previous map published in 2022, according to lead researcher Chris Dunn, an Oregon State University forestry professor and wildfire expert. That first map was quickly taken offline in August 2022, just months after it was released, due to... Full story
CORVALLIS — Forest scientists at Oregon State University studying tree regeneration have found that wildfire smoke comes with an unexpected benefit: It has a cooling capacity that can make life easier for vulnerable seedlings. An OSU College of Forestry collaboration led by faculty research assistant Amanda Brackett made the discovery while working to determine the effect of forest canopy cover on summer maximum temperatures near ground level. The study’s goal was to describe how heat waves and other future climate... Full story
Since June, there have been 100 human-caused wildfires on national forests and grasslands in Oregon and Washington. While firefighters have been largely successful in putting out these preventable fires, the extremely hot and dry conditions are significantly ramping up fire danger across the region. “We’re entering a very dangerous time period in the Pacific Northwest wildfire season,” said Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations. “Mother Nature turned on the oven for a week in local... Full story
After campaigning for the state Legislature as a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights six years ago, U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer has a mixed record in Congress on these issues. She introduced a bill to automatically reverse the dishonorable discharges given to gay members of the military because of their sexual orientation, and she voted against an amendment to an appropriation's bill that would have stopped the Department of Defense from acknowledging Pride Month. But she also co-sponsored and voted for a "Parents' Bill of Rights"... Full story
Professor Shane Larson, a research professor of physics at Northwestern University, will join the Sisters Community on Wednesday, July 31, to present a lecture titled "Astronomy Frontiers: 35 years ago and 35 years from now." In this talk, Professor Larson (who has participated in some of the newest instruments that are moving our knowledge of the universe to even greater dimensions and detail) will discuss the tapestry of astronomical technology and knowledge 35 years ago,... Full story
All the bulls remained inside the arena Saturday for the second annual Red Rock Bucking Bulls Futurity at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds. That's not to say the young bulls weren't determined to put anything on their back onto the ground. They came snorting and bucking and kicking and twisting, all trying out their moves for the judges. These young bucks were auditioning for a chance to move up the ladder and into the professional circuit. Sisters was stop No. 4 on a six-town,... Full story
As the heat wave continues, Sisters Arts Association assures you that some of the coolest places in town are the galleries of Sisters. The July 26 Fourth Friday Artwalk, between 4 and 7 p.m., promises new featured work by artists along with light nibbles and good deals. At Sisters Gallery & Frame look for raven figures by Michelle Deaderick, and functional pottery pieces by her husband, Mitch Deaderick. Mitch and Michelle met at Sisters Rodeo 45 years ago and have made a... Full story
Writer Laurie Wilhite will share a presentation on her new book "Paddle to the Pacific: A Journey of Reflection on the Columbia River" on Thursday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Paulina Springs Books. Geology, wildlife, history, and people along the river come together to form this rich tale of adventure. A kayak journey down the Columbia River from John Day Dam to Clatsop Spit near the Pacific Ocean was not on Laurie Case Wilhite's retirement bucket list. However, after a few fun... Full story
NeighborImpact is calling on local potters and artists to support its annual Empty Bowls event by donating handcrafted bowls. This event aims to raise awareness and funds for NeighborImpact’s regional food bank, which plays a crucial role in feeding Central Oregon’s hungry. An “empty bowl” serves as a poignant reminder of the many individuals who go hungry every day. NeighborImpact invites local artists to join in the fight against hunger by contributing their time and talent to this important cause. The Empty Bowls... Full story
SFF Presents returns with another electric Summer Concert at Sisters Art Works with a rare Pacific Northwest performance from the genre-bending New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band on Friday, July 26, in Sisters. Tickets are available at https://aftontickets.com/dirty-dozen-brass-band. Celebrating over 45 years since their founding in 1977, the Grammy Award-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a... Full story
Clarke Berryman is a man in his early 80s who jokes that he doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up. Hearing about his life so far, it's plain to see he hasn't been spending much time in a recliner watching other people lead adventurous lives. He's traveled around the world to African nations, India, and South America. His paintings and photographs are a stunning collection of beauty found in animals around the world. His life began in Montana where he was raised on... Full story
It's easy to think of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS) as an impressive display of quilt-making, all taking place on a single day - a tourism-driven event showcasing both artists and the town. Generally overlooked is what locals call quilt week - the multiple days preceding the famed outdoor show held on the second Saturday of every July. From Monday through Friday nearly a thousand quilters take part in Quilter's Affair, sponsored by the Stitchin' Post. This is the... Full story
Poet Kim Stafford will celebrate the release of his new book "As The Sky Begins to Change" at Paulina Springs Books on Thursday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. Stafford will be joined by local singer-songwriter/poet Beth Wood, who will share an original song inspired by Stafford's new work. "As the Sky Begins to Change" is a book of poems to wake the world, lyric anthems for earth and kin. In his third poetry collection from Red Hen Press, Kim Stafford gathers poems that sing with... Full story
A limited number of single-day tickets and the full performance schedule for the 2024 Sisters Folk Festival will be available at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17. This year's lineup includes 33 acts set to perform at seven venues in Sisters, Friday, September 27–Sunday, September 29. Patrons can purchase tickets and view the schedule at www.sistersfolkfest.org. The diverse and talented lineup of artists represents multiple genres of roots music from all over the world. Each of... Full story
It was a perfect day for a trail run in Central Oregon as runners gathered for the ninth annual Kiwanis Run to The Top at Hoodoo Ski Resort. Temperatures were still in the 60s as the runners set out at 8 a.m. for their 13.2 or 3.1 mile adventures. It's a simple concept - with an evil twist. Run a 5K or half marathon trail course around the beautiful Hoodoo Ski Area then finish the last mile gaining over 1,000 feet as you climb to the top of Hoodoo Mountain. "It's an awesome... Full story
Managers of the Deschutes National Forest are asking for public comment on a draft change in administrative rules that would allow approximately 160 miles of trails to be freed for use by Class 1 e-bikes. Currently, no e-bikes of any class are allowed in the Forest except on roads shared with other motorized vehicles. E-bikers say this is dangerous, often confronting high speed UTV and ATV users on narrow roads. Conversely, some non-e-bike users and pedestrians say that it is... Full story
The height of summer is a good time to take the 4.8-mile Clear Lake Loop. Why go? The scene, the wonderfully enchanting intermittent combination of topaz and turquoise water mixed with old growth conifers and ancient lava flows. When to go? Pretty much any time works but best when snow is off the trails. And in the summer, like most all Central Oregon hikes, start early in the morning to get a good parking spot and to beat the heat. What to expect? This easy-to-moderate hike... Full story
The Forest Service is proposing to approve special use permits for two local businesses, Stagecoach Adventures and Cog Wild, to provide shuttle services to and from several trailheads within the Sisters Ranger District. Both companies have provided proposals for their operations and the District is currently completing the environmental effects (NEPA) and special-use permitting reviews. According to District Ranger Ian Reid, the two companies have proposed to operate shuttles that would serve hikers, bikers (mountain and/or... Full story
The Center Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Care & Research and St. Charles Health System have signed a letter of intent to explore expanding their relationship to preserve and strengthen access to orthopedic, neurosurgical, physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine, in the Central Oregon region. Central Oregon is experiencing a rapid reduction in access to care across many different types of medicine. As costs to provide care are increasing while reimbursements for services remain flat to declining, many independent... 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
The Nugget’s story on the proposal by two companies to provide shuttle services to and from several trailheads on the Sisters Ranger District appeared in the July 17 edition, two days before the end of the official Forest Service comment period on July 19. That timeframe is not optimal for informing our readers about a project of interest in our National Forest. Unfortunately, The Nugget was made aware of the scoping letter for the project — by a citizen — only on July... Full story
In little over a week, we had an assassination attempt on a former president and the current president dropped out of the running. Immediately pundits and social media tycoons began talking conspiracy, victimization chatter., the need to control what feels out of control. Fear. As this political season ramps up, the wailing pontificators are at it again. So I want to throw out a simple question—a little personal but here it goes. Do you ever think about the breath of life, how it’s used? I once followed a friend to an... Full story
Seed to Table To the Editor: As the new Executive Director at Seed to Table, I’d like to thank our community for welcoming me so warmly. Seed to Table truly is a community supported and community serving nonprofit. I look forward to continuing to meet and learn from all of our great partners, supporters, and community members. Recently, I had the honor of attending an awards ceremony with other nonprofit representatives to receive a grant from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation. This is the second year in a row we... Full story
The PCT hikers will soon be passing through Sisters for respite and refueling. They rely on the kindness of locals for rides from the trailhead to town and back. Occasionally, a generous friend of mine will go to the Santiam Pass and offer a hiker a ride. He’s the guy you see driving the Batmobile in town and has Superman in a phone booth on his driveway that is visible from Route 126. He recently installed a spaceship complete with aliens near Superman. I suggested that the next time he picks up a PCT hiker, he should... Full story
Black Butte Ranch Art Guild hosted a fundraiser during Quilt Show weekend — Art at the Ranch — to benefit scholarships for art students at Sisters High School. Since 2003, the BBR Art Guild has granted $91,000 in scholarships, helping nurture the creative spirit in young minds. This year, in addition to donations from Ranch community members, the “Art at the Ranch” committee reached out to many businesses in Sisters, and more than 30 donated an item or items to be auctioned off in a silent auction. The silent... Full story
Forest Service Shuttle Proposal To the Editor: Our Deschutes National Forest does some very good things, such as prescribed burning to clear out historically dangerous fuel loads, and the wrongly maligned Green Ridge forest management project, designed to preserve — not harm —the older growth forests. But two recent USFS proposals are a direct threat to those who enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and traditional natural activities in our taxpayer-funded forest. The Forest Service proposes to introduce to numerous trails... Full story
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America.” So said President Joe Biden in response to an attempt to assassinate former president Donald Trump on Saturday, in a shooting at a campaign rally that left an attendee dead and two others severely injured. The shooter was taken out by a Secret Service counter-sniper team. It was, of course, the right thing — the only thing — to say. But violence directed at political figures has all too often found its place... Full story
While The Nugget staff and freelancers put out our weekly newspaper 52 weeks a year, year in and year out, the paper is far from our only publication. We produce programs for organizations and agencies across Central Oregon, the visitors guide that is a primary marketing tool for Sisters, and a now-biannual magazine. The spring edition of Spirit of Central Oregon is on the street now - and it is one of my favorite projects in more than 30 years of creating content at The...
Sisters’ government agencies play a big role in the community — from City Hall to the school district, from the U.S. Forest Service to fire and police services. Covering the functions and actions of those agencies is one of our responsibilities. Local government has a big impact on the community. Sisters is deeply invested in the success of our schools, and there is a high level of interest in what goes in in the classroom, on performance stages and athletic fields....
The approach of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, gives me occasion to reflect upon my experience working as an interpreter for ABC Sports during the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany. While the 1972 games were a venue for many outstanding athletic achievements (i.e. Mark Spitz' seven gold medals), it was the Israeli massacre that most people remember. Almost 52 years ago, eleven members of Israel's Olympic team were killed during a 23-hour drama that began...
There is no better place to beat the summer heat in Sisters than at one of our mountain lakes. Suttle Lake, 13 miles west of Sisters, has been a favorite for many years with a variety of campgrounds, boat docks, picnic shelters, and resorts. The lake's name is a bungled attempt to recognize a man with quite a story. Before European settlement the lake was frequented by Native Americans who camped along its shores as they fished for sockeye salmon and travelled into the high...
Our father Harold Richard Rollins, born August 26, 1942, in Springerville, Arizona, has taken his journey to be with our mother Margie in Heaven, and all of those who have gone before us. He passed on July 5, at 81 years of age in Culver, Oregon. He is our Dad, our mentor, and our best friend. To all of us, and his many friends and young men that he became a mentor to in his life, he was Richard. A man of true integrity and of God. He raised his children, his family, in the... Full story
