The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLIV No. 25 // 2021-06-23

Page 1

The Nugget Vol. XLIV No. 25

POSTAL CUSTOMER PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15

News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

www.NuggetNews.com

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Crest the Cascades

ODOT will look into tree die-off along highways

offers cyclists spectacular ride

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Cyclists crested the Cascades in a ride over Highway 242 in support of Sisters Park & Recreation District on Saturday. PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

More than 50 cyclists started a journey on Saturday at the Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) Coffield Center and rode the Oregon Scenic Bikeway over Highway 242 to the top of the old McKenzie Pass last weekend in the annual Bjarne Holm Crest the Cascades event. Some riders went as far west as Camp Yale on the west end of the highway. Crest the Cascades returned to Sisters last weekend after riders took a year off

due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by SPRD, the cycling event brings together friends, families, and fellow cyclists to experience some of the most majestic views in Central Oregon. This year’s event brought many local riders, who were thrilled for the return of Crest the Cascades. In addition, it also drew people from all over the Pacific Northwest, including many from Portland and Washington. As riders gathered to share stories

Citizens’ initiative seeks nonpartisan commission By Sue Stafford Correspondent

Deschutes County is currently the scene of a citizendriven effort to place an initiative on the ballot that, if approved, would make the office of Deschutes County Commissioner a nonpartisan position. Of the 36 Oregon counties, only 10 (including Deschutes County) have partisan county commissioners running as either Democrat or Republican. The initiative effort is being led by Susan Cobb, Democrat, of Sisters; Mimi Alkira, former Republican, now independent and vice president of the Deschutes County League of Women Voters; and Drew Kaza, independent

Inside...

of previous events that saw snow, hail, and more, they were grateful for the pristine weather that greeted them the morning of June 19. While it was a hot day in Sisters, the higher temperatures and low winds made for a spectacular ride and even better views. Established in 2010, the Crest the Cascades ride was originally created as a fundraiser for projects on the Deschutes National Forest. It has since been renamed in memory of Bjarne Holm, who

passed away after serving the Sisters community for many years as a dedicated ride volunteer. With the support of Sisters Chamber of Commerce and Sisters Trail Alliance, SPRD began hosting this event in 2016 with funds now going to support district activities in beautiful Sisters Country. For more information about SPRD and upcoming events, visit www. sistersrecreation.com or call 541-549-2091.

Trees are dying along Highway 20 and Highway 126 east of Sisters. That sets off alarm bells in a community that saw a large-scale die-off in recent years tied to the use of the herbicide Perspective. That die-off led to the felling of some 2,100 trees — mostly ponderosa pines — along Highway 20 from Sisters to beyond Black Butte Ranch in 2019. The problem with the trees near Sisters began developing from 2013 to 2015 when the herbicide Perspective was used along the highway corridor to remove brush within the Oregon Department of Transportation right of way. The herbicide harmed See TREES on page 14

Fire Chief Roger Johnson named

‘Community Champion’

and owner of Sisters Movie House. These three citizens stepped forward after the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted down placing a referendum on the May 2021 ballot, with Patti Adair and Tony DeBone voting against. Commissioner Phil Chang fulfilled his campaign promise of bringing the issue of a nonpartisan County Commission before the commissions and was the only one supporting it. Chang said, “Deschutes County is a leader in so many ways. In this particular area we’re lagging.” He reported that DeBone may be open to the possibility, but was not in

Sisters Fire Chief Roger Johnson has been named a Community Champion by the Sisters Country Vision Implementation Team (VIT) for his efforts in helping Sisters become a more resilient community. Team members surprised Chief Johnson with the award last Wednesday. In its citation, the team stated that: “Chief Roger Johnson is the fearless leader of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District who calmly and humbly manages a very high level of responsibility and a very demanding workload, never more so than during the pandemic, a year that also included devastating

See COMMISSION on page 16

See JOHNSON on page 15

PHOTO PROVIDED

Chief Roger Johnson was presented with a Sisters Country Vision Implementation Team (VIT) Community Champion Award for his efforts in making Sisters a more resilient community. Johnson is pictured with Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District public information officer Julie Spor, left, and Tammy Baney of the VIT and Emme Shoup.

Letters/Weather ............... 2 Obituaries ........................ 4 Announcements...............10 Fun & Games ....................16 Classifieds.................. 19-21 Meetings .......................... 3 News nuggets ....................7 Entertainment ................. 11 Crossword .......................18 Real Estate .................21-24


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLIV No. 25 // 2021-06-23 by Nugget Newspaper - Issuu