In the last 10 days dozens of flyers have been posted along Cascade, Hood, and Main asking readers to oppose the establishment of a planned emergency shelter in an industrial area on West Barclay Drive. Some of the flyers were tacked up with the permission of
Last week’s fire of a fully loaded fuel tanker truck headed for the Space Age station in Sisters was brought under control by the quick actions of the driver, neighbors, Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District and a specially equipped fire engine stationed at Redmond airport.
The tanker truck was carrying 11,200 gallons of diesel and regular unleaded gas in its two tanks. Each tank has three cells to separate fuel types. Only one cell was breached when a passenger car drove through the stop sign at Cloverdale Road and
See FOAM on page 9
business owners and others were placed without their approval, or on public property.
No person or organization is taking responsibility for the flyers, and as quickly as they go up some citizens are removing them in objection to the nature of the messaging. The intent and verbiage
See SHELTER on page 7
An international story detailing Chinese funding in American public schools raised eyebrows in the Sisters community last week.
The Daily Mail, a British daily tabloid, ran a story on
July 30 reporting that “China is funding America’s public schools to the tune of $17 million dollars, it has been revealed, with Republicans now probing the disturbing donations.
“The report by Parents Defending Education states
See CHINESEon page 14
Matt Hilgers has taken over the role of athletic director for Sisters High School following Gary Thorson’s tenure of five-and-a-half years.
Hilgers moved to Sisters in 2021 after a number of years working at Taft Middle School and High School in Lincoln City. He spent the past two years teaching social studies at Sisters Middle School and coaching the varsity baseball team. His wife, Brittney, teaches language arts at Sisters High School.
The couple has two children, ages 5 and 7.
Athletics play an important role to Hilgers. He was a three-sport athlete at Redmond High School, where he graduated in 2004. Hilgers credits sports for making his high school years more palatable.
“I didn’t really like school so much and sports gave me a reason to go to school,” he said.
Upon graduating Hilgers attended Chemeketa
Community College in Salem, where he played baseball. He finished his undergraduate degree at Western Oregon University and had the good fortune to get into coaching at nearby LinnBenton Community College during those years.
Having grown up in a one-team town in Redmond (Ridgeview did not open until 2012), Hilgers has kept an affinity for such places,
including where he did his student teaching, along with his time at Taft.
“I love the sense of community in a one-high-school setting like Sisters,” he said. “It’s fun to be the only show in town.”
Hilgers recognizes the challenges of the job as athletic director and is grateful that Thorson, who is back as
See HILGERS on page 14
There was a heated meeting at the Sisters Fire Hall Community Room on Tuesday, August 1, concerning plans to establish an emergency homeless shelter on Barclay Drive in Sisters. The State of Oregon is responsible for a lot of the heat in that room.
The shelter is poised to be established under legislation designed to get around local land use planning and public input. HB2006, passed in May of 2021, requires local governments to allow siting of qualifying emergency shelters by qualifying entities, notwithstanding land use laws and regulations.
Set aside for a moment the merits or demerits of the proposed shelter (see related story, page 1). The process itself — such as it is — was guaranteed to create strife. Most of those who came out to the meeting at the Fire Hall on Tuesday are business owners in the area where the shelter is proposed. Many of them have had to go through exacting land use processes to establish and/or conduct their business. The State is telling them that there is a different standard for a project that offers the State a desired outcome. The State is telling them that their concerns are irrelevant and that their voices don’t matter.
That’s guaranteed to make people angry. Really angry.
Opponents of the shelter would probably be opponents of the shelter if it was proposed in a locally controlled process. But at least there would have been a mechanism for their concerns to be heard and hashed out. Their
view might or might not prevail, but it’s one thing to lose an argument and another thing entirely to be told that you don’t have standing to make an argument.
The State has put the City of Sisters and other Oregon municipalities in a terrible position, removing local control and most local input. The only recourse for appeal is the courts, so the City will potentially be sued whether they approve the application for the shelter or not.
City staff had to stand and take the slings and arrows of an angry crowd in a situation not of their making.
This is not a matter that can or should be dodged with a shrug of resignation because there’s supposedly nothing the City can do. Staff and elected officials need to be very clear about the parameters for making a decision on this project, and they also need to ensure that all voices are heard, regardless of those parameters.
The City Council is set to hold a workshop on the matter at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9, followed by an opportunity for the public to weigh in during visitor communications. This is at least a good faith effort to try to find a way forward through a minefield sown by state overreach, one that threatens to blow up the civic life of Sisters.
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This proposed “cold weather shelter” at 192 W. Barclay Dr. is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and will become a magnet for vagrancy to our small town — “build it and they will come; enable it, fund it, and it will grow.” Here in Sisters, we do not have large indigenous need, and we are not prepared for the increased influx.
There had been no transparency nor meaningful public input until a group called private meetings at the fire house community center on August 1. The City has hidden behind a new state law to jam through this project without a process or public input. The takeaway here is just because you can do something does not mean you have to do it or should do it. The City staff works for the citizens, and should be exclusively aware of our concerns, and should be protecting the quality of life and safety of its citizens.
The applicant, Luis Blanchard, was supposed to attend the August 1 meeting, but did not show up. Did he cancel because of the crowd, because he thinks City staff is going to approve this project on August 9, or because he thought he had such a compelling letter to the editor coming out August 2 in The Nugget?
Since it appears that the City is not going to immediately disqualify the applicant, there should be full public disclosure. Before being allowed to receive approval they should prove that they are competent as an operator and qualify under the state law they were trying to slip into town on under the radar. Under these terms they do not qualify.
The application states that there are police, transportation, and medical resources in Sisters; there are not. For example, Sisters’ medical facilities are private and are not walkin urgent care, and we do not have a hospital in town. The sheriff’s station is by contract, small, only staffed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and closed on the weekends.
What about all of the homes near 192 W. Barclay that the application states do not exist within the
allowable distance? How do we compensate the industrial and commercial business owners on Barclay for the impact of this facility? These buildings are a major investment providing livelihoods and employment.
What date was their 501(c)(3) fully approved and EIN issued? I do not believe the applicant has been around long enough to qualify under the status they are seeking.
How much are the nonprofit’s officers / BoD compensated? What is the ratio of overhead/salaries to funds available to provide benefits? Present tax returns; to be a “high rated” nonprofit it must have an audit.
How are the taxpayers going to be reimbursed for the added cost impact from a 20- to 40-bed facility?
What protocols are in place to handle the problem cases that are beyond the “most vulnerable in our community,” meaning the drug addicted, criminal, or mentally ill that are always a part of the equation and will be attracted from out of the area to this magnet?
Who do our citizens call when one of the shelter’s “guests” are in town, at a school, or in a neighborhood intoxicated, loitering, stealing, or having a mental breakdown? How many kids walk home by themselves from school or to town for lunch? Welcome to Portland, Salem, and San Francisco.
Deception is everywhere. For example, the applicant’s representatives at the August 1 meeting said it was a 20-bed facility, but Luis Blanchard’s letter says it’s a 40-bed; they say its only for cold weather but Blanchard states heat and smoke — if you add cold, hot, and smoke, that is all year in Sisters.
The truth is the applicant and City have no plan nor the resources for the impact. The applicant does not meet some basic terms of the program, and this whole subject should moot. It is a mystery why the City has not turned them down already.
A small, privately funded shelter should get organized, trained, and funded to handle the small need that is locally generated and we should not allow the City staff and the applicant to create a magnet to our town.
Tragedy struck the Sisters Country firefighting community on August 1, 2013. John Hammack, a legendary logger and rodeo cowboy from Sisters, was preparing to fell a lightningstruck 64-inch Douglas fir tree on a lightning-sparked fire north of Highway 242 in the Mt. Washington Wilderness near Dugout Lake.
A Forest Service report recounts that “at approximately 0911 hours, after several actions to prepare for a safe felling environment and just as John was returning to the base of the tree, a large portion of the tree burned out, broke
BOARDS,
Al -Anon
Julie Tadlock loves lifting weights.
She acknowledges that she has an intense personality, and weightlifting helps her channel that intensity.
“I’m able to take my intensity to the barbell,” she told The Nugget
The Sisters woman took it to the barbell in exceptional fashion last month at the U.S. Powerlifting Association (USPA) national championships in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Tadlock, competing in the 50-54-year-old category and the 115-pound weight class, notched four
consecutive world records in the deadlift with lifts of 102.5, 105, 107.5, and 110 kilograms (242.508 pounds). She broke the record on her first attempt, then proceeded to knock out progressively heavier lifts in each of her follow-on lifts. She outlifted her personal best of 109kg.
The deadlift is one of three powerlifting exercises — the others being bench press and squat. In a deadlift, a weighted barbell is lifted directly off the floor to hip level and brought back down again.
Crushing the record wasn’t a given. Two years ago, in Houston, Texas, she
See LIFTER on page 5
loose, and tragically fell directly onto John, killing him instantly while indirectly striking and injuring his falling partner.”
Hammack’s partner was transported for medical treatment and recovered.
Firefighters rappelled in to the spot where Hammack was killed and stayed with his flag-drapped body overnight. The next day, a procession of firefighters escorted by Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office units rolled through Sisters with lights on, as citizens lined Cascade Avenue in silent respect. The procession provided an escort of honor for the fallen firefighter’s remains, recovered from the site of the incident and transported to Redmond
Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383.
Alcoholics A nonymou s
Memorial Gardens. The procession included his family and members of law enforcement and wildland and structural fire agencies from throughout the area.
On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, family members, Forest Service personnel, firefighters, and members of Sisters Rodeo Association congregated at the Sisters Ranger District headquarters for a memorial to mark the 10th anniversary of Hammack’s death.
“Today is a day of celebration of John, a day of supporting each other, maybe sharing a story,” said Kim Lightley, herself a survivor of an incident in
See FIREFIGHTER on page 8
The Sisters Community Garden received some good news last week. The organization was asked earlier in the year to find a new place for its 50 members to garden. The Sisters Community Garden has occupied land adjacent to Sisters Eagle Airport since 2012. This spring, the Benson family, who own the airport, notified the board of directors that expansion plans include utilizing the garden area.
Now the Benson family has offered the nonprofit organization another year to garden at its current location.
Council on Aging of Cent ral O rego n Senior Lunch In- person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters C ommunity
Church. 5 41-4 8 0-18 43
Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158
Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church. 5 41-5 49 -6157.
Sisters Red Hat s 1st Friday. For location infor mation, please c all: 541- 8 48 -1970.
Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.
“This unexpected gift is quite a relief to us,” said Janie Boyl, garden manager. “We have been diligently working to find a place to move our garden beds and greenhouse, but have no strong leads at this time.”
A site search committee has been meeting with private and public landowners in the Sisters area to discuss possible options for a permanent location. Ideally, the new garden would measure about a half-acre of land, have access
See GARDEN on page 16
Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly, Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule online at www ssd6.org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002.
Thursday, 7 p.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration / Satur day, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration / M onday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church / Big Book study, Tuesday, noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church / Gen tlemen’s meeting, Wednesday, 7 a.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Sober Sisters Women’s meet ing, Thu rsday, noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fr iday, noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440.
Central Oregon F ly Tye rs G uild
For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om
Ci tizens4Communit y New neighbor meetup, last Tuesday of t he month, 5 to 6:3 0 p.m. at T he Bar n in Sisters
Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday, 10 to 11:3 0 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.
East of the Cascades Quilt Guild
4th Wed. (September- June), Stitchin’ Post . A ll are welcome. 5 41-5 49 -6 061.
G o Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 541-771-2211
Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s)
2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Siste rs Communit y Church. M ater ials provided.
541- 408 -8 505.
Hero Q uilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 5 41-6 68 -1755
Milita ry Parent s of Sisters M eetings are held quarter ly; please c all for details. 5 41-388 -9 013.
Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant.
541- 549- 64 69
SAGE (Senior Activities, G athering s & Enrichmen t) M onday- Fr iday, 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at Sisters Par k & Recreation District. 5 41-5 49 -2091.
Sisters Area Woodworke rs First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97
Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.
Sisters Caregi ver Suppor t G roup
3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Siste rs Episcopal Church. 5 41-719 -0 031.
Sisters Cribbage C lub M eets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at S PR D. 5 09 -9 47-574 4.
Sisters Garden C lub For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com.
Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Board of D irectors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m. Location infor mation: 5 41-5 49 -1193.
Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:3 0 a.m., at Aspen Lakes Golf Cours e. 541- 410-2870
Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298
Sisters Veterans Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 903-1123
Sisters Trails A lliance Board Meetings take plac e ever y other month, 5 p.m. In- person or zoom. Contact: info@sisterstrails.org
Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t
Board of Direc tors M eets 1st Tuesday 4 p.m., TSI D Of fice. 5 41-5 49 -8 815
Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd
Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279.
VF W Po st 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 1st Wednesday of the mont h, 6:3 0 p.m., M ain Church Building Sisters Community Church. 8 47-344 -0 49 8
SCHOOLS
Black Bu tt e School Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203
CITY & PARKS
Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022.
Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th Tues., 4:30 p.m., SPR D bldg. 5 41-5 49 -2091.
Sisters Pl anning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022.
FIRE & POLICE
Black Bu tt e Ranch Polic e Dept Board of Dire ctor s M eets monthly 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date Black Bu tt e Ranch R FPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m BB R Fire Station. 5 41-595 -2 28 8 Cloverdale R FPD Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Wed., 5:3 0 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 5 41-5 48 -4 815. c loverdalef ire.com.
For much of Sunday, July 30, the entirety of Sisters, Black Butte, and a good portion of Redmond were without Internet as a result of a fire that occurred when a passenger vehicle hit a gas tank truck headed toward Sisters ( see related story page 1). Power was out for some four to six hours, depending on location.
The burning truck was parked immediately under the high-tension electrical lines, the main feed from the Redmond power distribution station to Sisters.
By Bill Kelly Guest Columnist
Trail Oregon’s beautiful outdoors awaits, and one gem among the state’s natural wonders is the trail from Scott Lake to Tenas Lake via the Benson Lake Trail. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy this marvelous hike.
Why go? With a perfect balance of challenge and charm, this 4.9-mile, outand-back trail offers something for every outdoor enthusiast. From the wildflower viewing to the breathtaking lake scenery, the route invites hikers to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Mt. Washington-Central Cascades Wilderness. For those who enjoy tranquility, the trail offers plenty of solitude during quieter times, allowing for personal reflection amid nature’s splendors.
When to go: The best times to embark on this hike are from June through November. Those who choose to visit during this window will be rewarded with lush landscapes, vibrant wildflowers, and a chance to see fish leaping
in Tenas Lake. On July 25, the weather was ideal, and the early morning hours are known for being particularly peaceful, with the trail all to yourself.
What to expect: This moderately challenging route takes an average of roughly two hours to complete, leading hikers through picturesque forests and meadows, and along the shores of stunning lakes. While the path may test your physical abilities, the enchanting surroundings make every step worth it.
Dog lovers will be pleased to know that their fourlegged friends are welcome and may even roam offleash in some areas.
Getting there: The trailhead for Scott Lake to Tenas Lake is easily accessible. From Sisters, take Highway 242 west toward McKenzie Pass. Just past the Scott Lake Campground, you’ll find a well-marked trailhead parking area. From here, follow the marked signs, and you will be on your way to an unforgettable hiking experience.
To hike this trail, you must have a Central
Cascades Wilderness Permit-Day Use Deschutes National Forest. Permits can be purchased online at Recreation.gov for just $1. Once you’ve secured your permit, you can drive to the trailhead, which is accessible by most vehicles.
What you’ll need: Besides the mandatory Central Cascades Wilderness Permit, you’ll want to pack the usual hiking essentials: comfortable footwear, water, insect repellent, snacks, sun protection, and perhaps a camera to capture the breathtaking beauty. Don’t forget to bring your spirit of adventure and appreciation for nature’s wonders, as this trail promises a memorable experience filled with beautiful lakes, vibrant flora, and maybe even the sight of a fish jumping in Tenas Lake.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to explore Oregon’s great outdoors, the Scott Lake to Tenas Lake via the Benson Lake Trail is waiting to share its treasures with you. Embark on this journey and let the wonders of nature rejuvenate your soul.
Flames burned through the power and communications lines overhead. Central Electric Cooperative (CEC), with crews always on stand by for such events, restored power in relatively short order. TDS Telecom, however, took hours longer to restore the lost fiber optic cable that carries nearly all of Sisters’ internet and landline phone traffic. Even some cell phones experienced erratic coverage as the complex
system shut down. Electricity, being critical to infrastructure — even life-saving — is always restored first and telecom repair crews cannot even start their work until the power lines are repaired.
Without Internet to connect to credit card processing or online order systems, a number of businesses could not open their doors Sunday. Sno-Cap closed for the day, a major loss as up to 25 percent of their weekly gross occurs on Sunday. McDonald’s had their full crew at the ready, but could not open its doors.
All other businesses up and down the tourist core resorted to cash-only, sending shoppers scurrying to ATMs, some of which were out of order from the same Internet outage. A few merchants are fed by satellite and avoided any disruption. When asked about redundancy, a TDS spokesman explained that the only affordable way into town was to hang its telecom cable on the power lines. Buried cable is out of the question due to local terrain.
Continued from page 3
faced a discouraging disappointment on the platform.
“I failed it,” she recalled. “I didn’t make the lift, and I hurt my back in the process. My technique was crappy, and I wasn’t strong enough.”
The lifter, who has trained with coach Ryan Hudson at Level 5 CrossFit Sisters for a decade, went back to the gym and started rebuilding.
She cleaned up her technique and did chiropractic work at Pangea Chiropractic in Bend to get her body properly aligned so she could exercise that technique. She uses Daybreak Wellness treatments for recovery from intense workouts. Hudson inspired her by coming back from a failed attempt at a world record to pick it off a year and a half later.
“I feel like he paved the way as far as motivating me — and his coaching, definitely,” Tadlock said.
She credits the chiropractic work, the recovery treatments, and the inspirational coaching with getting her prepared to make her recordbreaking effort.
Tadlock also brought a different outlook to the platform. She acknowledges that during the Houston competition she got too much in her head, and succumbed a bit to the pressure of the moment. In New Orleans, she decided to focus on the joy she gets
from her lifting.
“I love lifting weights,” she told herself. “Why not have fun with this? I’m just going to do what I love and take the pressure off myself.”
She skipped out onto the platform — and made lift after record-breaking lift.
There’s a touch of irony and a lot of inspiration in the fact that Tadlock’s success came in a lift she had previously despised.
“I used to hate it, honestly,” she said. “I think I’ve grown to love it because I’ve cleaned up my technique and I’m using the right muscles.”
While she’s justifiably proud of her measurable accomplishments, lifting touches more important but less quantifiable aspects of life.
“As I get older, I want to be strong and stay healthy,” she said. “That’s the deepest motivation I have.”
Intense exercise gives her pleasure and serenity each day.
“It changes every aspect of my life, honestly,” she said. “Even though it’s just part of the day, it affects my whole day and it affects my whole body.”
Deadlifting, in particular, provides a means to a kind of transcendence. At least that’s the way she thinks of it.
“It’s cheesy,” she says. “It’s a deadlift — but it’s my ‘life lift.’”
Tadlock’s next tournament won’t require an airplane flight. She has her sights set on a world championship masters competition in Eugene, Oregon, in October.
World War II is often hailed as “The Good War,” fought by “The Greatest Generation.”
That characterization is accurate. The massive mobilization to defeat Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan was morally justified as few conflicts in human history have ever been. Those regimes were evil and had to be crushed and wiped from the slate of history. The men and women who made the Herculean effort — and then crafted a post-war order of remarkable durability and stability — deserve the plaudits of history.
Leaving it at that, however, obscures some less palatable truths. The Allied power that did the most to defeat Nazi Germany — Stalin’s Soviet Union — was every bit as evil as the powers we sought to destroy. They ended the war empowered and aggressive.
The Allies engaged in actions to win the war that have created lingering moral questions that gall us to this day.
I am currently immersed in Annie Jacobsen’s “Operation Paperclip: The Secret Operation that Brought Nazi Scientists to America.”
Jacobsen’s books shine a light into dark corners of American military and intelligence activities in the 20th and 21st century, with a particular focus on the intersection of technology and the military sciences. She is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a New York Times bestseller.
I was versed in the general outlines of Operation Paperclip, in which the U.S. Army sought out top German scientists and technicians at the end of World War II in order to gain intelligence on highly advanced Nazi aeronautic, chemical, and biological sciences. The details as exactingly and dramatically portrayed by Jacobsen are truly mind-blowing. And,
frankly, appalling.
The program ultimately brought several hundred German scientists to the United States to live and work under the auspices of the U.S. government and private firms that formed the foundation of the militaryindustrial complex. Jacobsen focuses on a couple dozen of the most important of these men — men such as Wernher von Braun, “Hitler’s favorite scientist,” who ran the V2 rocket program for Nazi Germany — and would help get America to the moon.
These were not “good Germans.” Most of them were ardent Nazis, who were deeply implicated in slave labor programs where prisoners from occupied countries were worked to death wholesale in the effort to produce the Third Reich’s armaments, including their most advanced weapons. Others were implicated in human experiments to advance biological and chemical
See WWII on page 15
The City of Sisters is trying to keep up with advances in technology in order to preserve Sisters’ night skies. Last Thursday, the Sisters City Planning Commission discussed updating the City’s current dark-skies standards and outdoor lighting ordinance in a work session at City Hall.
Updating the dark-sky standards is one of the City Council’s 2023-24 goals. According to the project packet: “The purpose of the update is that the existing ordinance — which was last updated in 2010 — does not adequately address recent technological improvements in lighting, does not incorporate latest best practices that are beneficial in preserving the dark sky, and includes an outdated timeline for existing lights to be brought into conformance.”
An outdoor lighting ordinance sets the standards for lighting the city streets, residences, and businesses at night, and how to best keep areas safe and well-lit while not contributing to light pollution. Light pollution decreases the visibility of the night sky.
The purpose of the darksky standards is to utilize responsible lighting practices to protect the resource of the night skies, preserve the viewing of the stars and planets, protect the wildlife that needs darkness, and many other factors that involve protecting the viewing of the night sky.
Astronomers and avid astro-photographers often travel to different areas to capture and study the night sky. Eastern Oregon and the Prineville Reservoir State Park are known nationally for being among the state’s best night sky viewing areas. Those areas are just a short distance from Sisters Country, and there are spots here that are also compelling.
Sisters City Council and the planning commission want to figure out the best practices for keeping the town safe while also promoting best practices for darksky viewing.
This workshop aimed to continue workshopping ideas from a previous session.
The last work session was July 7, 2022, when the Planning Commission directed staff to do additional work before bringing new standards back for adoption, including public outreach with the community and businesses about the proposed ordinance and
the costs to retrofit lighting; looking at the public lighting exemption – whether or not street lighting/string lights should be exempt from the ordinance; as well as the discussion about the length of time the ordinance allows for phasing out nonconforming lights.
Since the last work session, City staff has been working with Dark Sky Consulting LLC., which was brought on to help audit the current ordinances in the code. The firm has extensive experience advising local governments nationwide with their outdoor lighting ordinances and the DarkSky certification process if a community chooses to pursue it. The owner of the firm, John Barentine, joined the work session via Zoom as a resource to answer questions.
Community Development Director Scott Woodford presented to the Planning Commission the purpose of having the standards, different guiding principles of the use of lighting in the outdoors, different definitions of light casting, color, etc. He also described the requirements of the lighting level based on the types of residential areas, including the definitions in the code about downcasting light, fully shielded lights, and the maximum allowable brightness of lights measured in lumens. The overview provided context for commissioners
to understand what already exists in the code regarding outdoor lighting standards.
String lights, a popular decorative lighting source for homes and businesses, were a topic of discussion. The planners are considering whether placing a curfew on string lights would help decrease the light in town throughout the night.
Another topic of discussion was how to better retrofit the city’s current lighting for its streets and businesses, versus trying to replace all lighting to conform with stricter outdoor lighting standards. Some ideas discussed included shielding the streetlights and downcasting flag display light fixtures. When new developments in Sisters go up, part of the land-use application has to do with dark sky lighting code, and developers can start with
fixtures and types of light that conform with the code.
However, the older developments and some areas in city limits were not necessarily built with dark skies in mind. Hence the discussion and workshop on better retrofitting the current lighting fixtures.
Discussion as to whether there would be any funding available for people to
retrofit their businesses or homes was also brought to the table. It is up to the Council to decide the amount of funding they could put forth.
The Planning Commission agreed there needs to be additions to the code. They recognize how difficult it is to enforce the
Continued from page 1
of the flyers is resistance to the shelter proposal, and asking concerned citizens to join in opposition.
Since the first flyers appeared, organized challenges to the application by the nonprofit Sisters Cold Weather Shelter to operate the facility have grown. Organically, with no central organizing party, a public meeting was quickly assembled on August 1 at 9 a.m. at the community meeting room at the Sisters Fire Hall.
In attendance were some 40 persons, most in expressed opposition to the shelter’s siting. The city manager, city clerk and community development director were present but when asked, City Manager Jordan Wheeler said he did not know if or how City officials received an invitation to the meeting.
“I think we saw it on Facebook and one of our team thought it would be a good idea to be present,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler and his colleagues were soon the recipients of most of the oftenheated questions or accusations, in absence of anybody speaking officially for Sisters Cold Weather Shelter. Attendees had been led to believe that Luis Blanchard, board president of the 501(c) (3) not-for-profit, would be there to answer questions.
Blanchard had agreed to meet with three or four Barclay Drive business owners at the Fire hall that morning at 10 a.m. to continue his discussions that he had been having one-to-one by
phone with them.
“By 9:45 I realized I would be walking into a hostile situation with a large group of people, not the three or four I had been asked to meet with,” Blanchard said.
“It felt like an ambush.”
He declined to attend, further aggravating the attendees.
A good number of the attendees were business owners who expressed frustration and asserting that the City was working on behalf of the applicant. They were not satisfied with Wheeler’s and his colleagues’ response that they were still working through the application, which has turned into a contentious issue.
Some in the audience believe the applicant doesn’t meet the controversial legislatively established criteria and want the City to conduct a regular land use process. Wheeler and Community Development Director Woodford both acknowledged that HB2006 (the state law providing funding for the shelter) was designed specifically to avoid land use process, “because people don’t like shelters; we know that.”
Some attendees asserted that there was a disconnect between public officials and its citizens and were asking why neither the Mayor nor any Council members were on hand. Council has scheduled the matter to be discussed at its regularly scheduled August 9 workshop session. Opponents and proponents are marshaling their constituents to attend the 5:30 p.m. session and address Council.
On August 3, a group of nine business owners located near the site of the proposed
Shelter wrote a five-page letter to the City laying out in copious detail their objections and citing various Oregon statutes and provisions that would disqualify the application.
The Nugget spoke at length with some of the cosignors to the letter. One, Curt Kallberg, a contractor, summarizes the opposition on grounds that the building, originally a feed store, is not suitable for the applicant’s intended use. Moreover he said he is irked at the “State’s ramming this down our throats. It just rubs me the wrong way.”
Another co-signer, Julie Bartolotta, owner of Sani Star, says her objections revolve mostly around what she perceives as the lack of a business plan and other contingencies.
“It’s a business and needs to be run like a business. The whole thing is super vague and we’re not getting much information,” she said.
For his part, Blanchard says he has been meeting with neighboring businesses and residents almost every day and has answered every question put to his group by the planning department.
He admits to being taken aback by the level of opposition, and doesn’t understand how there can be any objection to the location or purpose of the shelter.
“I believe we have broad community support for helping those unfortunate enough to be outside when it’s 15 or 20 degrees,” he said. “I’m sure once people have all the facts and we’ve answered all their questions, that Sisters will be convinced of the merits of the shelter and our ability to manage it.”
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is warning citizens of a recurring warrant scam hitting the area.
The DCSO said it had taken numerous reports from a community member who was contacted by a subject who identified themselves as a member of Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and asked for money to clear up a warrant issued after missing jury duty. The citizen was also told they could clear up the warrant by paying the bail with prepaid gift cards.
Law enforcement has recognized the subjects involved in these scams are able to utilize local Oregon phone numbers, making the scam appear more legitimate.
The Sheriff’s Office states that law enforcement will never contact a citizen and ask for money to clear up a warrant or any other legal matter. If a citizen has a warrant, a member of a law
enforcement agency will likely contact you in person and have the proper credentials to identify themselves. Citizens should always be skeptical of any situation where an unfamiliar person is asking for money over the telephone.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office asks community members to share this scam information with others.
“Unfortunately, we have had community members fall victim to this scam in the past and we would like to prevent anyone else from falling victim in the future,” said DCSO spokesman Sgt. Jason Wall. Consider talking with a neighbor, calling a friend or family member, and/or sharing this information on social media.
If you have fallen prey to this or similar scams and have lost money contact Deschutes County nonemergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.
and Happiness, a historical and cultur al investigation into why married women delete their names in our countr y. Dr. Morg an discusses the stories fr om heterosexual and same-sex couples about their name decision — w hat wor ked or didn’t work for them
SAT., AUG. 19 • 3:30-4:30 PM
CATHERINE COWLES, REBECCA JENSHAK, AND A.L. JACKSON
join us in celebr ating romance fiction — its books, eader s, and writer s. Author
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which firefighters were killed, who now works to develop programs to help firefighters who have experienced trauma and loss.
Some of the firefighting personnel on hand for the memorial had been on Incident 398 when the tragedy occurred. They share memories of Hammack as a skilled faller. Many of the firefighters on hand were young men and women stationed in the Sisters District who attended to pay their respects and to hear stories of a legendary man of the woods.
Sisters Ranger District Fire Management Officer Andrew Myhra was instrumental in organizing the memorial, part of a commitment the fire service makes to always remember their fallen. He noted that the incident in which Hammack was killed reminds firefighters that, regardless of preparation and skill, we don’t always control outcomes.
Myhra pointed out two large photographs of
Hammack in rodeo action. They encapsulated Hammack’s operating philosophy: “You gotta give ’er hell, right? And when you giver ’er hell, you might as will look good doing it.”
Hammack’s rodeo days were well represented.
Longtime Sisters Rodeo Association member Curt Kallberg recalled meeting Hammack when Kallberg was a young contestant in Wild Horse Races.
“I was an urban cowboy in the Valley,” Kallberg said. “(Hammack) was the real deal. We wanted to be John Hammack.”
A bareback rider and bulldogger, Hammack won All-Around Cowboy at Sisters Rodeo in 1974, 1977, 1980, and 1984. He won his hometown bareback riding buckle several times.
He also won the Champion Bareback Rider title in Madison Square Garden,
The Sisters Rodeo honored Hammack, who was a champion in the 1970s and ’80s.
New York City, in “The World’s Toughest Rodeo.”
Kallberg allowed as how he was a little starstruck when Hammack offered to push his horse out of the chute at Sisters Rodeo.
“That’s like having Elvis Presley ask, ‘Do you want me to sing you a song?” Kallberg said.
Kallberg learned the work of a chute boss under Hammack’s tutelage.
“He was a mentor,” Kallberg said. “I’m still doing it because of what he taught us.”
Family members shared memories of growing up in Sisters, and a young logger noted that he looks up to the Hammack name to this day.
Hammack was remembered as a tough man, wild in his younger days, who mellowed a bit with age and loved his family deeply. He was a top cowboy and an expert faller. A decade on from his death in the forest west of Sisters, he is a man to be remembered.
On Saturday, August 5, members of Sisters VFW Post 8138, American Legion Post 86, and Sisters Band of Brothers assembled with several veteran family members to honor 13 Sisters veterans who have passed in the last year (May 2022-May 2023).
Their names were permanently placed on the Village Green Memorial Rock. Those honored for their service in war and peace were:
Rodney (Rocky) Doane Davis, U.S. Navy; Robert (Bob) Ernest Grooney, USMC; Alfred Theodore (Ted) Goodwin, U.S. Army;
Jack Gulick, USMC; Chance David-A Halley, U.S. Army; Fred E. Hamlin, U.S. Coast Guard; Charles William Harper, U.S. Army; Charles R. (Chuck) Marshall, USAF; George (Stan) McLean, U.S. Army; Thomas Joseph Molloy, USMC; Rodney Gene Moss, U.S. Army; Sylvester (Van) Van Ort, U.S. Army; Lester W. Stiles, U.S. Army.
The names are permanently posted to remind the Sisters community of their dedication to duty to their country so they will not be forgotten.
• Sisters artist Jill Haney Neal has made the cover of Pink Magazine for the third time. In announcing their cover artist for the month of August, Pink wrote: “Ladies, raise your wine glasses in salute to Jill Haney Neal, our August-issue cover artist, whose whimsical, bodacious babes have graced a variety of artworks including paintings, wine labels, coffee mugs, and Pink’s October 2016 and June 2020 magazine covers: Welcome back, Jill!”
Jill believes women were created in God’s image with a universal spirit and are equally loved regardless of size, ethnicity, or background. “There is an edginess to my art, and from what I’ve been told, I’m still breaking barriers. When you get women together, they are funny and sexy, it’s just part of our essence.
“‘I have two lives,” Jill explained, “I have my fine art life—more impression istic, pen-and-ink wild life and horses, but what people know me for is my women—life from a wom an’s point of view. I always want it to be empowering. I want it to have mixed races, all nationalities, and women in all different shapes because God loves us all.”
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Highway 126 colliding with the rear end of the truck so severely that it disabled its rear axle.
The truck driver, sensing the danger of igniting trees, deftly moved the rig about 100 yards and got it off the road, sandwiched between the highway and the fence of a hay field. The fire did not start upon impact but minutes later as fire crews were positioning.
The decision was made to bring in Redmond Fire and Rescue, who deployed foam to extinguish the flames. The foam — F3 (flourine-free foam) — is made of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s.
Many organizations worldwide mandate the use of firefighting foam that
(AFFF), because of its effectiveness in fighting aircraft fires. However, per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), certain PFAS can cause serious health problems, including cancer, if people are exposed to them over a long period of time, and they can also be harmful to aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Some Cloverdale residents became alarmed upon learning of the foam’s use, concerned that it got into the groundwater. The vicinity is abundant with high-value livestock like alpacas, cattle, and sheep, as well as highend hay and orchard grass.
A week later trace amounts of the foam residue were visible on the highway as a white powder. Chief Thad Olsen of Cloverdale Fire District told The Nugget that 2,800 gallons of fuel was burned. Had the entire 11,200 gallon load ignited the fire could have been catastrophic.
“It’s now a DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) matter,” Olsen said. “Fortunately the ground there is hard and compact and it
Still, some neighbors are worried.
Spokesperson Lauren Wirtis of the DEQ told The Nugget, “We will be taking core samples Wednesday and evaluate them before crews are sent in to scrape and remove any remaining product, most of which is already
gone. There is no fuel residue as it was consumed in the fire.”
SMAF Environmental in Prineville was tasked with the removal. Oregon Department of Transportation has already repaved a 30- to 40-foot section of the highway in both directions by the incident.
The BEST way to stay IN THE KNOW about Sisters’ happenings… www.• Janelle Guiney of Sisters has made it to the Little League World Series as part of the Bend North softball team.
Ice Cream Social
Come join us for an oldfashioned Ice Cream Social at the Camp Sherman Community Hall August 12 at 4 p.m., sponsored by Camp Sherman Historical Society. Enjoy some ice cream…no charge; donations gladly accepted. And be one of the first to get your copies of the new Walking Tour Guide to Camp Sherman Historical Places. Members of the Community Hall Association will be in attendance promoting the Association’s paver fundraiser for Hall restoration project s . For more information contact Lori, 541-595-2719.
Join Citizens4Communit y for a game night at Paulina Springs Books (252 W. Hood Ave) on Monday, August 21, f rom 4:30 to 6 p.m. All ages welcome. Bring your own board game or play one of our classics. Visit citizens4community.com/event s for more details
STAR S Seeks
Dispatch Volunteers
While working from home, help STAR S transport Sisters Country resident s to nonemergenc y medical appointments . Needed: A computer, the abilit y to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-9 04-5545 . STAR S is an AFC S Action Team.
Weekly Food Pantry
e Wellhouse Church hosts a weekly food pantr y ursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N . Trinit y Way Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-st yle distribution are available. Call 541-549-4184 for information.
Free Lunches for Seniors
For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers a f un, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. No reser vations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., f rom 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.
Free Weekly Meal Service Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Community Church, 130 0 McKenzie Hwy Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org
Celebr ate Summer with the Library
It’ s not too late to join a summer of reading , exploring, and earning great prizes at the Sisters library! All ages can participate. ere will be f un giveaways and the chance to win some amazing prizes. For more information and to sign up, visit the librar y website: www.deschuteslibrary.org/ summer
Free Pet Food
Need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4 023 to schedule your pickup. Located at 412 E . Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get
26th Annual Countr y Fair
Includes silent auctions, music, homemade Marionberry cobbler & ice cream, café with delicious food, children’s games and activities , animals, country store, book sale, and more. Free admission! All proceeds are donated to local community support agencies. Silent Auction and reception on Friday, August 18, 5 to 8 p.m. Silent Auction and Countr y Fair on Saturday, August 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration at the corner of Hwy. 242 and Brooks Camp Road (1/8 mile f rom the intersection of Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 242). For more information call 541-549-7087.
Join a Saturday Morning
Interpretive Walk
Friends of the Metolius is sponsoring free walk s for all interested parties . On August 12 f rom 9 to 11 a .m. explore the upper river f rom the Camp Sherman Bridge to the site of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps camp at the Riverside Campground while learning about the natural and human histor y of the Camp Sherman area. Meet near the Camp Sherman Bridge fish-viewing plat form. Leader : Scott Blau. For information call 541-595-6 439, or 503-730-8034
Historic Sisters
Docent-led Walking Tours
Family-f riendly and free! Take the “Downtown Sisters L andmarks
Tour ” and learn the histor y of Sisters’ oldest buildings and early pioneers . Held Wednesdays and Sundays at 10 a .m. For reservations email museum@ threesistershistoricalsociet y. org or call the Sisters Museum at 541-549-1403 . Or take the “Camp Polk Cemeter y Tour ” led by a direct descendant of our earliest families . “Martha Cobb” has stories to tell! Aug. 13 , Aug 27, or Sept. 2 at 10 a .m. C all Jan at 541-788-0274 to make a reservation.
Sisters Farmers Market
Seek s Volunteers
Sisters Farmers Market is looking for Market Day helpers
Volunteers assist with market set-up and breakdown, sta the information booth, and help with a variet y of other tasks . To learn more, call 541-9 04-1034 or email sistersfarmersmarket@ gmail.com . Sisters Farmers Market is located at Fir Street Park, 150 N Fir St., Sisters . e market is open Sundays , 10 a .m. until 2 p.m., through September
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Caregiver Support Group
elma’s Place Adult Day Respite Program in Redmond host s a monthly support group for those caring for someone with Alzheimer ’ s or another dementia-related disease. e support group is held ever y third Wednesday of the month f rom 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. is is a f ree family-caregiver support group featuring local organiz ations Call 541-548-3049 for more information.
Attention Submariners
Central Oregon Submarine Base will be having their annual picnic Sunday, August 13 f rom 1 to 3 p.m. at the covered pavilion at Sam Johnson Park in Redmond All folks interested in the Submarine Ser vice are welcome to come. Please bring food enough for three other people and let Fran Davis (541-527-5484) know what you will be bringing. ere are tables with benches so you don’t have to bring chairs. From Sisters , take Highland Ave (Hwy. 126) in Redmond, east to 15th St., turn lef t, go down a small hill & take the first lef t, go past the tennis courts to the pavilion on the right. For more info: Base Commander, Rick Neault 530 -434-1102.
Craf ters Wanted Qualit y craf t-consigners wanted for the 47th Snowflake Boutique, Nov. 3 & 4, 2023. Juries will be held on Saturdays , August 12, September 9, and Octob er 7, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church, Redmond . An evening jur y will be Monday, October 16 at 6 p.m . Find more information at www.snowflakeboutique.org or call Tina 541-4 47-164 0 or Kim 541- 640-2536
Sunday School for Children
Church of the Transfiguration is now o ering Sunday School for children, ages 5 to 12, regardless of church a liation, during both Sunday worship ser vices. Protestant/ecumenical ser vice is at 8:30 a .m. and Episcopal service begins at 10:15 a .m. e church address is 121 Brook s Camp Rd . Sisters . For more information contact Margaret Doke at 541-588-2784.
A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meet s 10 to 11:30 a .m. on the third Tuesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church of e Transfiguration, 121 Brook s Camp Rd . For more info, please cont act Kay at 541-719-0 031.
SHS Class of 2003
20 -Year Reunion
Sisters alumni, come join your classmates to reconnect after 20 years away! Celebration held at Pole Creek Ranch “Elkatraz”, 15425 Old McKenzie Hwy. on August 12, 6 to 9 p.m. More event info and ticket s at www eventbrite.com/e/573273304887 or at the door.
Deschutes Public Librar y Is Seeking New Art
New construction and upgrades to our Deschutes Count y libraries have created an oppor tunity for our Deschutes Libraries to expand their art collections . e Art Committee seeks art in all media and genres: this can include painting , printmaking , sculpture, glass , fiber, f unctional, digital, photography, installation, mixe d-media, and new media genres . Applications f rom artists will be accepted through the CaFÉ website. Visit https:// artist.callforentr y.org/festival s_ unique_info.php?ID =116 44 Send direct questions to: DPL art.commit tee@gmail.com.
Volunteer Oppor tunities in Sisters
Sisters Countr y Connects is a website that allows volunteers to connect with oppor tunities to ser ve in Sisters Country Organizations post volunteer needs and those seeking to serve can read details about oppor tunities and find contact information. Go to www sisterscommunity.org/volunteer/.
STAR S Seek s Volunteers to Transpor t Patients Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergenc y medical appointments in Sisters , Redmond , and Bend . Attend a free t wo-hour training. Emails from STAR S dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included . Learn more at www starsride.org. STAR S is an AFCS Action Team.
Interactive storytime with books, songs , and rhymes . For ages 0 -5 yrs . Sponsored by the library, at the SPRD Co eld Center. Wednesday, August 2 and 9, f rom 10:30 to 11 a .m. More info and event s at https:// www.deschuteslibrary.org/kid s/ programs
Humane Societ y of Central Oregon 541-382-3537
Beth is an adorable, playful, 2-month-old Australian cattle dog who was transferred to us f rom a partner shelter after being raised in foster care. Raising a puppy is hard work but can be such a rewarding bonding experience. Beth can’t wait for her adopters to bring her home and give her lots of love, training , and socialization so she can grow into a confident adult and join her new family on all their adventures!
— SPONSORED BY —
541-549-4151 & SUPPL Y
Baha’i Faith
For information, devotions, study g roups , etc. , contac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai.org • www bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching.org
Wellhouse Churc h
442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
121 N Brook s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087
8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship
10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship www.transfiguration-sister s.org
Sisters Church of the N az arene
67130 Har ring ton Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz .org • info@sistersnaz .org
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)
130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201
9:30 a .m. Sunday Worship www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com
Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N . Fir Street • 5 41-549-5831
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
www.shepherdof thehillslutheranchurch.com
St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h 123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391
5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a .m. Sunday Mass
12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a .m. Tuesday-Friday Mass
e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s
452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 541-420 -5670;
10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting
Calvar y Church
484 W. Washing ton St , Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288
10 a .m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
386 N . Fir St. • 541-595-6770, 541-306 -8303
11 a .m. S aturday Worship
POLICY: Nonprofits, schools , churches , birth, engagement, wedding , and anniversar y notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows . Email janice@nug getnews .com or drop o at 4 42 E . Main Ave. Deadline is
p.m. on Fridays
Continued from page 6
lighting ordinance. The City has a code enforcement officer, but he can’t go out in the middle of the night and check all the areas that could be violating the code.
Woodford wants to increase education to the citizens. Without a definitive way to enforce the lighting code, the Commission and Staff hope that education and discussion amongst neighbors and continued work sessions at City Hall will help increase dark-sky awareness.
They plan to focus more enforcement on the areas with more light pollution, such as streetlights and parking lots.
Citizens that spoke during the public commentary section of the meeting echoed the sentiment that the city’s lighting should follow code, and residents and businesses should be empowered to retrofit their lighting.
Commissioner Sarah McDougall suggested putting resources toward educating citizens by providing information on improving their lighting or changing it to something better for dark-sky viewing.
There will be another work session on August 17 to further discuss the remaining issues and the code language, specifically regarding the duration of the compliance timeline. Those proposed timelines were: publicly owned lighting to be brought in conformance within five years and private within 10.
The string light discussion will continue into the next workshop, figuring out how to regulate the use of string lights without eliminating them from businesses entirely, whether that be with a curfew or another sort of mechanism. They will also continue to workshop the language for public lighting, whether it is exempt from the ordinance, and how to best retrofit current lighting fixtures.
Given the difficulty of regulating and enforcing darksky lighting, the Commission and Staff want to provide resources and education for the public and housing boards on dark-sky lighting and how to improve it for everyone’s benefit.
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 9
The Barn in Sisters Live Music: Pete Kar tsounes 6 to 8 p.m. Weather permitting Info: thebarninsisters.com.
Lake Creek Lodge Live Music: Skybound Blue 5-7 p.m. Harmony-driven dig-deep-and-tell-the-story-in-your-bones
Americana music on the deck. 13 375 SW Forest Service Rd #1419, Camp Sherman. Information: www.lakecreeklodge.com/events/.
THURSDAY • AUGUST 10
Paulina Springs Books Book Talk Marcia K. Morgan presents “Should I Change My Name? The Impact of Your Last Name on Identity, Marriage, and Happiness.”
6:30-7:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.
Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night
Sign up at 5:30 Starts promptly at 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dogand family-friendly Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471
FRIDAY • AUGUST 11
Hardtails Live Music: Nightlife brings the classic rock
7 to 10 p .m. Free For more information call 541-549-6114.
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Car Show & Live Music: Haystack Jack 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool or vintage car for the car show — or come to see them! For more info call 541-549-2471
SATURDAY • AUGUST 12
Hardtails Live Music: Nightlife brings the classic rock
7 to 10 p .m. Free For more information call 541-549-6114.
Sisters Depot Live Music: The Gypsy Travellers
6-8 p.m. Blues/rock fusion band will play originals from their debut album and crowd favorite covers on the outside stage. Reservations recommended. Info: www.sistersdepot.com/events.
SUNDAY • AUGUST 13
Hardtails Live Music: Sam & the Band
4 to 7 p.m. Country rock all the way from Arizona! Free For more information call 541-549-6114.
Sisters Saloon Live Music: Call Down Thunder
6 to 8 p.m. on the patio All ages Free Information at facebook.com/SistersSaloonAndRanchGrill.
Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 16
Lake Creek Lodge Live Music: Jim Cornelius & Mike Biggers 5-7 p.m. Jim’s rich baritone and rhythm guitar make for fine delivery of well-crafted story-songs. Mike’s originals are a fun mix of sweet and hysterical, and he laces in bright lead guitar and mandolin. 13 375 SW Forest Service Rd #1419, Camp Sherman. Info: www.lakecreeklodge.com/events/.
THURSDAY • AUGUST 17
Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night
Sign up at 5:30 Starts promptly at 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dogand family-friendly Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471
FRIDAY • AUGUST 18
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Car Show & Live Music: JuJu Eyeball 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool or vintage car for the car show — or come to see them! For more info call 541-549-2471
Hardtails Karaoke with KJ Mindy 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. For more information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • AUGUST 19
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Countr y Fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fun for the whole family Free admission. Silent auction, music children’s games, café, book sale animals, fire trucks, and more. Proceeds donated to community support agencies. 121 N. Brooks Camp Rd Info: www.transfiguration-sisters.org/country-fair
Paulina Springs Books Bookstore Romance Day
Panel: Catherine Cowles, Rebecca Jenshak, and A.L.
Jackson join in celebrating romance fiction — its books, readers, and writers. Authors will share about their books and writing process. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.
Sisters Art Works Live Music: Rainbow Girls
Presented by Sisters Folk Festival. 7 to 9 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. This dynamic trio seamlessly combines soul-touching harmonies, vari-textured instrumentals, and poignant, lyrical content into a beautiful sonic tapestry Tickets at https://aftontickets.com/rainbowgirls.
Hardtails Gold Dust a tribute to Fleetwood Mac, 8 p.m. Summer Tribute Series. Tickets at www.BendTicket.com.
Sisters Depot Live Music: Michelle Van Handel Trio 6-8 p.m. Reservations recommended.
Info: www.sistersdepot.com/events.
Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music by Haystack Jack, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. Info: sistersfarmersmarket.com.
Sisters Saloon Live Music: Matt Martin and The .45’s 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio All ages Free Information at facebook.com/SistersSaloonAndRanchGrill.
Sisters Community Church Live Music: JuJu Eyeball (Beatles tribute band) Summer Concert Series on the lawn. 6 p.m. Free (donation to local nonprofits who provide assistance for those in need in our community, is appreciated). Bring chairs or blanket. More info at www.SistersChurch.com.
Lake Creek Lodge Live Music: Brent Alan
5-7 p.m. Multi-instrumentalist Americana Project educator Brent Alan brings his music to the deck. 13 375 SW Forest Service Rd #1419, Camp Sherman. For information see www.lakecreeklodge.com/events/.
THURSDAY • AUGUST 24
Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night
Sign up at 5:30 Starts promptly at 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dogand family-friendly Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471
FRIDAY • AUGUST 25
Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. For additional information go to sistersartsassociation.org.
The Belfr y Live Music: Mama’s Broke with Drew Harrison 7 p.m. Mama’s Broke brings their dark, fiery folk-without-borders sound to The Belfry! Americana Project alumni Drew Harrison opens the show. Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets, $20, at www.bendticket.com.
Hardtails Karaoke with KJ Mindy
8 p.m. to 12 a.m. For more information call 541-549-6114.
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Car Show/Live Music: Dave and Melody Hill 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool or vintage car for the car show — or come to see them! For more info call 541-549-2471
Hardtails Live Music: In The Pink a tribute to Pink Floyd, Special 3-hour performance with light show starts at 8 p.m. Summer Tribute Series. Tickets at www.BendTicket.com.
Sisters Depot Live Music: Jim Cornelius & Mike Biggers 6-8:30 p.m. Jim’s rich baritone and accomplished rhythm guitar make for fine delivery of well-crafted story-songs. Mike’s originals are a fun mix of sweet and hysterical, and he laces in bright lead guitar and mandolin throughout. $5 cover. Reservations recommended. Info: www.sistersdepot.com/events.
SUNDAY • AUGUST 27
Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.
Sisters Saloon Live Music: Fog Holler 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio All ages Free Information at facebook.com/SistersSaloonAndRanchGrill.
TUESDAY • AUGUST 29
The Belfr y Live Music: Kruger Brothers 7 p.m. The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets, $30 at www.bendticket.com.
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 30
Lake Creek Lodge Live Music: Dirk Van Houweling 5-7 p.m. Info: www.lakecreeklodge.com/events/.
FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 1
Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Live Music: Paula Dreyer Canoe Concert Series, 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy the concert on the lawn, or take a pair of headphones out in a canoe (your own or one of ours) Paula will be accompanied by painter Karen Eland for this special performance. Tickets $10 at https://bendticket.com.
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Car Show/Live Music: Toothpick Shaker 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool or vintage car for the car show — or come to see them! For more info call 541-549-2471
Sisters Depot Live Music: Robert Lassila Quintet 6-8 p.m. Reservations recommended. Info: www.sistersdepot.com/events.
SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 2
Sisters Depot Live Music: Doc Ryan Trio & Friends 6-8 p.m. American Roots music $5 cover. Reservations recommended. Info: www.sistersdepot.com/events.
For decades, Sisters author Greg Walker has been on a quest to track down the story of a martial arts and U.S. special operations icon
Mike Echanis (1950-1978), gravely wounded in Vietnam, rehabilitated himself through a massive effort of will, became a master of multiple martial arts, and in the mid1970s trained America’s elite warriors in hand-to-hand combatives, including DELTA Force and SEAL Team 2. He was killed while working as a CIA operative in Nicaragua in September 1978.
Walker, who lives in Sisters, is a retired Special Forces (Green Beret) veteran. He is the author of seventeen fiction and nonfiction books, including “At the Hurricane’s Eye: U.S. Special Operations Forces from Vietnam to Desert Storm.” Walker was the co-author of “Teammates: SEALs at War,” the memoir of the late Sisters resident Barry Enoch, who was one of the most decorated SEALs of the Vietnam War, and “Violence of Action,” one of Navy SEAL Commander Richard Marcinko’s “Rogue Warrior” series.
Walker is currently in the final stages of compiling what is expected to be the definitive family authorized biography of fellow Oregonian Michael Echanis.
“I’ve known about him since 1977 and started writing about him in 1981,” Walker told The Nugget. “The book effort (started) 15 years (ago).”
Echanis’ presence loomed over Walker’s military service, though the two men never met. When Walker was serving in a U.S. Army reconnaissance company, Tom Downing
from the 9th Infantry Divison’s Recondo School cadre spent a week teaching hand-to-hand combatives to Walker and his soldiers.
“He had been trained by Echanis at Fort Bragg,” Walker said.
Walker recalls he was struck not only by the techniques imparted by the training, but also by the spirit of pushing beyond one’s perceived limits. He would learn while attending the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1980 that this was the core of Echanis’ training philosophy.
Walker read all three of the books Echanis wrote about the Korean art of Hwa Rang Do.
“Echanis was really entwined in the Special Forces community at that time,” Walker said. “I was learning skills and thought process from people I admired who had learned from Mike.”
Wounded Warrior
Echanis grew up in Ontario, Oregon, in a Basque family and in a community that prized “Duty –Honor – Country.”
“He’d grown up in that environment,” Walker said. “Ontario at that time was — still is — a very promilitary community and the Echanis family possessed a long history of military service.”
Echanis skipped his high school graduation and enlisted in the army on May 12, 1969. He attended Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and the first two phases of
Major Joseph Ignacio Echanis, an Air Force Weapons Service Officer, was shot down over Laos on November 5, 1969. He was declared Missing in Action at the time. Mike Echanis, with a young man’s idealism, joined the Army that same year with the hope of serving in Vietnam where he might be able to learn more about his favorite cousin.
Major Echanis would years later be declared Killed in Action although his remains were never recovered. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Special Force qualification at Fort Bragg. By 1970, Special Forces was slowly being withdrawn from Vietnam. Echanis was informed that he would not be sent to Vietnam after graduation but to Okinawa. Echanis, whose cousin Major Joseph Ignacio Echanis, an Air Force aviator, had been shot down in 1969 over Laos was being carried as Missing in Action, was determined to serve in Vietnam.
Just two months into his tour in Vietnam, Echanis was caught in a firefight that would leave him gravely wounded and earn him a Bronze Star for Valor.
Echanis was serving with Charlie Company (Ranger), 75th Infantry when a truck he was riding in ran into a company of North Vietnamese Army regulars. In the ensuing firefight, Echanis was struck four times by AK-47 fire. His actions saved the six others riding in the truck with him.
The young man after a year in three Army hospitals was rated 100 percent disabled and told by the VA he was a cripple for the rest of his life.
“He should never have been heard of again,” Walker reflected.
Echanis returned to Ontario, where he lived in the basement of his parents’ home. He fell into depression. But the warrior spirit still lived in him and, with the support of his family and a childhood friend and fellow warrior named Chuck Sanders, he resolved to rehabilitate himself. He improvised a way to brace his foot so he could walk and practiced by hitching himself around the pool table in his basement room. With a regimen of weight training, nutrition, and steroids, he regained weight and muscle.
Decades of mystery and intrigue regarding Echanis’ employment by the Central Intelligence Agency in Nicaragua (1977/1978) was resolved in 2022 when author Greg Walker was provided this official Army document attesting to Echanis’ service as a paramilitary operator for the intelligence agency.
“Basically, he committed himself to recover, rehabilitate, and thrive,” Walker said.
That is the part of the story that most captivates the Sisters writer. Walker spent the last years of his working life in programs that aid wounded warriors from the Special Operations community — injured
Mike Echanis was invited to teach a “Black Belts” only nightly class at Chuck Norris’ karate school in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1977. Echanis’ influence on the Norris System of Self-Defense would be honored in July 2023 when the Norris brothers posthumously ranked Mike as a 5th Degree Black Belt, a Master’s ranking and the only posthumous honor the Norrises have extended.
in body and spirit during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He saw in Echanis’ self-directed recovery a primal example of the protocols that were helping the men and women he worked with restore their lives years later.
“Mike Echanis was doing this from 1971 through mid-1975, and he did nothing else,” Walker said. “He worked on his body; he worked on his mind. He did all these things at a time when such an approach was unheard of. Echanis was a pioneer in the wounded warrior care and treatment protocols that we have been doing since the Global
Greg Walker likens his quest to honor fellow wounded warrior, martial artist, and author Mike Echanis to a quote from Apocalypse Now: “It was no accident that I got to be the caretaker of [Mike Echanis’] memory... There is no way to tell his story without telling my own. And if his story really is a confession, then so is mine.”
War on Terror started to bring our special operations war fighters back online. As a wounded warrior myself, his story was inspiring.”
World-class martial artist
During his rehabilitation, Mike Echanis rediscovered the martial arts that he had enjoyed in his youth — and he pursued mastery with relentless, single-minded determination.
“There was no stopping him,” Walker said.
Echanis trained in a variety of disciplines, but he was not interested in dojo techniques — he cared only about effective, realworld hand-to-hand combat.
“He only wanted what worked,” Walker said.
By 1975, he was, as Walker describes him, “a holy terror on the marital arts circuit.”
Charismatic and “incredibly likeable,” Echanis swiftly made connections in the special operations community, and began to train the top-tier operators of the day — including the recently formed DELTA Force. He became the martial arts editor for Soldier of Fortune Magazine, was featured frequently in Black Belt Magazine, and taught his combatives program to a young Chuck and Aaron Norris.
He taught devastating combatives techniques, but, more importantly, he trained men in methods to control their own minds under tremendous stress and how to overcome the negative workings of the psyche that can defeat a fighter as surely as an opponent can.
In an online treatise on Echanis, Walker cited a letter written in 1977 by Special Forces Major Juan A. Montez: “Mr. Echanis’ totally comprehensive approach to the development of soldiers, physically, mentally, and his focus upon the fighting spirit of men, gives us an approach to hand-to-hand combat well exceeding the usual physical programs developed today.”
Death in Nicaragua
Echanis would go back into the field in 1977, as an insurgency was heating up in Nicaragua. The Communist Sandinista movement sought to oust the government of Anastasio Somoza through violent revolution. Walker has teased out documentation for Echanis’ activities in a dangerous clandestine world that will be included in the forthcoming book.
Echanis had a dual role in the Central American nation — he trained commandos for an elite counter-terrorism unit which he
commanded, and he helped to develop an intelligence cell directly on behalf of Somoza and at the behest of the CIA.
“The whole point was to conduct aggressive counter-intelligence operations against the Sandinistas,” Walker said.
His work would have a long echo. When Somoza fell in 1979, the commandos Echanis trained became the nucleus of the Contras, counterrevolutionaries supported by clandestine operations in the United States in what Walker describes as “an infamous chapter in American imperialism, if you will, in Central America.”
Echanis was killed on September 8, 1978, when a bomb went off in an aircraft in which he was a passenger, along with his old friend and fellow warrior Chuck Sanders, former South Vietnamese Army officer Bobby Nguyen, and Nicaraguan National Guard Chief of Operations General Ivan Alegrett. After years of research and interviews Walker has discovered who ordered the assassination of Alegrett, the Americans onboard considered collateral damage.
A Legacy
Walker has traveled across the United States following the trail of Mike Echanis. He became close with Echanis’ late mother, Pat, who was leery of anyone she thought might be trying to exploit her son’s life, legend, and legacy. She came to trust Walker. For him, recounting the true and accurate story of Mike Echanis became a commitment to her.
“Pat and I became close friends,” Walker said. “Not long before she passed I promised her I would write her son’s story, truthfully and
Author Greg Walker became close over a period of years with Mike Echanis’ mother Pat Echanis, who lived in Ontario , Oregon. She has since passed, and Walker considers completing a complete and truthful account of the life of her son as a commitment, a promise made to her.
Sisters resident and local author Greg Walker served as a “Green Beret” in El Salvador and later in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired in February 2005, and medically retired from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 to pursue his recovery and rehabilitation from wounds and injuries sustained during his 24 years of service. In 2009, Walker became a DoD trained and certified Warrior Care case manager for the U.S. Special Operations Command, where he worked with our nation’s most seriously wounded, injured, or made ill Special Operations soldiers and their families. He attributes Mike Echanis’ commitment to become a re-enabled wounded warrior to his own efforts at becoming the same.
accurately. She was fiercely protective of Mike. He was her first child and son.”
Walker has since been successful in seeing Echanis inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame and the Special Forces Association. He was also granted posthumous ranking as a 5th Degree Black Belt in Chuck Norris’ organization on July 8th in Las Vegas during the annual Norris World Championships.
“The Norris brothers agreed this acknowledgement of Mike’s contributions to the Norris system of karate was long overdue,” said Walker. “This is the only time Chuck Norris has bestowed a posthumous rank in the history of the United Fighting Arts Association.”
The Sisters man believes that Echanis’ story has intrinsic value. Although deceased for 45 years, members of the U.S. special operations and marital arts community still talk about him today.
“There are so many people who were influenced by Echanis that even now he commands attention,” Walker said.
And there is inspiration to be taken from the story of a man who — dealt a literally crippling blow while serving his country — willed himself back into the fight and who, in the words of the British poet Rudyard Kipling, was able to “fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distance run.”
The takeaway, for Walker, is clear: “Be like Mike. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Give it everything you’ve got — right here, right now.”
Continued from page 1
the head football coach, is available to answer questions.
“Gary has been great,” he said. “Every day I have five or six questions I have jotted down to check in with him about.
“It’s a big job with a lot of details,” he continued. “From getting to know our sponsors who help with our funding to figuring out officiating and dealing with schedules, there’s plenty to keep up with already.”
Having coached for the past two years, Hilgers has witnessed a positive uptick in participation, support, and enthusiasm.
“I really noticed last year how much better everything seemed compared to the first year of coming out of the pandemic,” he said. “We had our biggest baseball crowds ever last year, including our state playoff game. Having the support of the community and the student body was really great.”
Hilgers says he has no big changes in mind for his first year in the job.
“I am just focused on learning all the systems that I will be using and forming relationships with our parents and kids, our supporters, all of our coaches, and other ADs.
Athletic director is just part of Hilgers’ new job. As an assistant principal he will have other duties, including supervision, overseeing 504 plans for students with particular needs, and other administrative tasks.
He says knowing virtually all of the incoming freshmen and sophomores from having them in class when they were in middle school is a plus.
“I really think it’s important for me as the athletic director and assistant principal to know the kids by name,” he said.
Gary Thorson believes Hilgers will do well in his new role.
“I am super excited to see him in that position,” he said. “I have watched him as a coach and seen his passion and skill. He knows what it takes to run quality programs and I know our coaches will appreciate his leadership.”
With fall sports practices at Sisters High School officially beginning August 14, Hilgers is excited and encourages all students to consider getting involved. Registration has changed from FamilyID to a new system, which Hilgers says can be accessed on the Sisters High School website http:// ssd6.org/athletics/.
Fall sports include girls and boys cross-country, volleyball, cheer, football, and girls and boys soccer.
Continued from page 1
that the close coordination between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and U.S. schools to establish Confucius Classrooms has historically included 143 school districts in 34 states and Washington, D.C.”
A graphic prominently featured Sisters School District as one of the recipients of grant funds from Confucius Institute. The story raised concerns nationally and locally about propaganda and indoctrination being introduced through the programs funded by the institute.
Sisters School District (SSD) is no longer connected with the Confucius Institute, according to Superintendent Curt Scholl, but there was a long-standing program established in 2013 that funded teachers for SSD’s Mandarin Chinese language program.
Sisters schools were part of the Confucius Institute at Portland State University (CI-PSU) starting in 2013.
The institute promoted cultural exchange and cooperation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.
In 2007, the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (HanBan) and PSU’s Office of International Affairs jointly established the Confucius Institute at PSU as a cultural resource center and
non-degree-granting entity. They worked with public and private schools throughout the state that offered Chinese as a part of their curriculum.
“The Confucius Institute worked with PSU,” Scholl told The Nugget. “At least from our end, they were working to provide support for public schools to have Chinese language learning classes and to provide opportunities for cultural exchange.”
A group of students in the Sisters Mandarin Chinese language program traveled to China in the summer of 2018. The Nugget’s coverage of their trip may be found at: https://www.nuggetnews. com/story/2018/08/28/news/ students-broaden-horizonswith-china-trip/28737.html.
The Mandarin language program in Sisters was sparked by David Perkins, a Black Butte Ranch resident who had been an executive for a shoe company that manufactured product in China. He and his wife, Paula, spent 25 years living in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Perkins, a certified teacher, supervised the program and its content and curriculum, and “was responsible for optimizing what we got” from the PSU/Confucius Institute program, Scholl said.
At the height of the program, there were three teachers and an associate working in all three Sisters schools.
Elementary school students were exposed to calligraphy and cultural experience, along with some basic vocabulary. Sisters Middle School got
— Curt Scholl
more vocabulary development, and the high school program was a full-scale “language acquisition” program.
There were three to four teachers in Sisters funded through the PSU-Confucius Institute program at its height.
“David managed them, found them housing, provided transportation up to Portland State University for training,” Scholl said. “I think it was cultural exposure for them (the teachers) as well.”
As relations between China and the U.S. became strained around 2018, Scholl said, “we didn’t see that flow anymore.” By 2019, the teacher program was no longer available through PSU, Scholl reported.
“That’s also the year that David retired,” Scholl noted.
The current Chinese language program is taught by Ada Chow, and her position is funded through the SSD budget, with additional funds from a $26,000 grant from Soochow University.
“They’re a partner with us,” Scholl said. “We see the relationship as a way to offset costs and provide a strong program.”
The program operates primarily at Sisters High School.
“We’d love to have both Spanish and Chinese from 7th grade all the way through, but
we just don’t have the FTE (full-time equivalent staffing) to do it,” Scholl said. “We don’t have the teaching corps to do it.”
He said the District would also like to reestablish the China trip for students.
Scholl said that until last week, the only concerns that he ever heard about the program were worries that SSD would no longer be able to offer it. Many students who went through the program have continued their studies to become fluent in the language.
“Most of the people who are involved in it are looking at it through a very capitalistic perspective,” Scholl noted. “How is this going to help my kid in the business world, open doors for them down the road?”
The SSD is determined to continue offering the program, which is one of several programs that makes Sisters stand out among its peers in public education.
“It’s one of our unique programs, right?” Scholl said. “A small school district offering Chinese? You don’t see that. You don’t see Chinese in a lot of big schools, honestly.”
A contractor grinding metal in cheat grass on Mountain View Road on Thursday, August 3, sparked a brush fire.
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews were dispatched to the fire at 11:27 a.m. and arrived to find approximately one-acre of grass and juniper on fire near a cabin under construction. The cabin was not damaged. The fire was contained at 3.8 acres.
Oregon Department of Forestry Regulated Use Closures are in place to help prevent these types of fires, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District notes. Before operating machinery, check and follow all your local regulations. https://www. oregon.gov/odf/fire/Pages/ restrictions/aspx.
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District was aided by Oregon Department of Forestry, Cloverdale Fire, Black Butte Ranch Fire, Black Butte Ranch Police and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Due to funding provided
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weapons programs.
The imperatives that drove the operation are understandable in context. Germany was about 20 years ahead of the Allies in some technological areas. In 1945, the Allies, principally the U.S., were still fighting Japan, and wanted every technological advantage we could bring to bear. And Britain and the U.S. did not want advanced Nazi science to fall into Stalin’s hands.
So the U.S. engaged in a morally compromised operation, providing professional advancement and a nice American life for some truly reprehensible people. The program birthed our tech-driven world. It’s a mind-bender of a story, and a compelling tale that is worth your time.
The front-page photo accompanying the story “Tanker fire disrupts Sisters” ( The Nugget , August 2) was credited incorrectly. The photo was taken by Joel Tonneson.
A swift and large response to a grass fire kept it contained to 3.8 acres last week.
months, another due to grinding over grass and several escaped
by the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District was able to put two additional firefighters on this incident. One seasonal firefighter was funded through the Wildfire Season Staffing Grant, the other fulltime firefighter was funded through the Oregon Fire Service Capacity
Grant program.
The machine operator was cited for the fire.
Sisters has experienced several small fires this season —all human caused. one was also caused by grinding over grass, and others were escaped debris burns. Fire season will continue through September.
urged to be cautious under summer fire conditions.
Gated community of Aspen Lakes. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths in 3,170 sq. ft. on 1.25 acre lot. Vaulted ceilings, oversized windows, stacked-stone fireplace, and luxury finishes.
Jen McCr ystal, Broker 541-420-4347 • jennifer.mccrystal@cbrealty.com Cascade Ave., Sisters 541-549-6000 | www.cbbain.com/sisters
GARDEN: Program has been hosted at Sisters airport for years
Continued from page 3
to water and electricity, and get plenty of sun. The board of directors plans to salvage as much material as possible from the current space. Plans also include disassembling the 20-by-40-foot greenhouse to move it to a new location.
“We are extremely grateful and feel very fortunate to have been able to use this land at no charge for all these years,” said Mimi Schaefer, board president.
“The Benson family also has generously covered some of the costs associated with the Garden,” she added.
In addition to 49 garden beds that members use, the community garden also has shared vegetable, herb, berry, and flowerbeds. Members also tend apple trees, a butterfly garden, a composting area.
The goal of the Sisters Community Garden is to establish a beautiful place that fosters community connections among Sisters area residents. The garden serves as a gathering place for a mosaic of people, a venue for education, a farm-to-table resource for local food banks, and an opportunity to realize the benefits and pleasure derived from gardening.
William “Bill” Duff, 92, of Sisters passed away peacefully at home. Bill was born in Oak Harbor, Ohio to George & Marian Duff. After graduating High School, Bill attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, achieving an art degree.
After college, Bill joined the Army and was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 1956, Bill moved out to Southern California and was employed by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company of Long Beach for more than 30 years.
He married Janice Antram in 1958, and together they had two daughters, Pamela and Laura.
After retirement, Bill selected Sisters as his new home. His love of the outdoors and the rich artistic community in Sisters made this a perfect place for Bill to follow his passion of creating art. He was a talented artist in many media, including metal, wood, sculpture, painting, and more.
Bill’s other passion was traveling. Over his lifetime,
Passed October 3, 2022
he traveled to all fifty states, as well as Brazil, England, Scotland, Wales, and France. He loved to camp in the great outdoors and travel the back roads and small towns of the U.S. with his wife, Ronni.
He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Ronni, daughters Pam Duff Pickering (Alan), Laura Duff Phillips, and five grandchildren, Megan, Emily, Joe, Ben, and Maia. He will also be missed by many nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces, and a long list of friends he made in Central Oregon during the 33 years he lived here.
Family meant the world to Bill and he spent much time researching his ancestors and their history. His family tree is immense!
A local Celebration of Life is planned for the fall.
Sam Ethan Simone, age 32, died October 3, 2022. Sam is survived by his parents, Glenn and Paula Simone, his brother Joshua Simone, and sister Miranda Brooks. Sam was always such a loving and caring soul and those close to him will always remember his wonderful smile. Sam loved creating and crafting anything he found and, upon his death, was found with his wire and pliers in his pocket.
Sam graduated from Sisters High School, was involved in Camp Fire USA, had a brief stint with LaPine RFPD, and several seasons with ODF-Sisters Unit.
Sam had some loves in his life: his family, his friends, football, writing music, playing guitar, drawing, crafting little trinkets, journalism, and firefighting.
While Sam was attending COCC, he was part of the Broadside Newspaper and his editor said he was a “natural” for journalism. Sam’s path was that of an untraditional nature, but he always brought a warming smile to everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him.
He is truly missed! We love you Sam!
A Celebration of Life will be held at his parents’ residence on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 3 p.m.
April 8, 1936 — July 21, 2023
David Snow, 87, of Sisters, died at his home on Friday, July 21, surrounded by those closest to him.
Dave, a longtime resident of Sisters, was the youngest son to Walter and Alice Snow of Stowe, Vermont. Dave was born on April 8, 1936, in Moscow, Vermont and moved with his family to Stowe in 1938 where he was raised with his four siblings on the family farm.
After graduating high school in 1954, Dave worked for his father on the farm and at Mount Mansfield as a handyman. A desire to go into Forestry and some encouragement from an adventurous friend led Dave to move to Oregon in 1957, where he began his career of government service.
Starting out as a laborer with the U.S. Forest Service in 1957, Dave found his passion and eventually moved into fire control. He took a hiatus to serve his country with the U.S. Army and had the very difficult jobs of lifeguard and jeep driver at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas and later at Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Oregon and his career in forestry.
Ultimately, he stayed with the U.S. Forest Service until his mandatory retirement in 1991.
Retirement did not slow
Dave. He worked as a bus driver for the Sisters School District, he drove snowplow for the Oregon Department of Transportation, and worked fire control and fire lookout for the Oregon State Forestry Department.
Eventually he decided it was time to give someone younger a chance and hung up his boots in 2015.
Dave was very big on volunteering his time to support young people. He volunteered with Sisters Little League as president, as the starter for ski races all over the Northwest, and he served on the Sisters School Board. Dave always gravitated to work that took care of nature and young people.
While working for Bend Ranger District in the mid1960s he met a nice young co-ed at Southern Oregon College and was immediately smitten. He and Sharelle “Shari” Roberts of Bend were wed and settled in Sisters shortly after marriage. They adopted and raised two boys, Mike and Casey, who have gone on to raise his three grandchildren.
Dave and Shari eventually divorced after 27 years of marriage and in 2004 he married Anne Holcomb of Madras, Oregon. They stayed married until she passed in 2017.
Dave always had a ready smile and never believed in judging others. Nobody ever heard him raise his voice or utter a harsh word. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, whether that was
1937 — July, 30 2023
Richard E. John was born in San Diego, California in 1937. He passed away on July 30.
regular gourmet dinners, rafting with the Sisters River Rats, annual elk hunting trips, or just a chin wag over a beer. He enjoyed traveling and, as he often put it, “just seeing what there is to see.” His absolute favorite thing to do was watch his kids and later his grandkids play sports; it never mattered what the sport, weather, or location; there was Dave bundled up to his ears, or sweating and sunburnt.
Dave is survived by his son Mike and wife Amy of Gresham, son Casey and wife Melanie of Sunshine Coast, Australia; grandsons Hunter and Tucker; granddaughter Tenley; sister Kay and her partner, Paul Nesky, of Hyde Park, Vermont; sister-in-law Rose of Stowe; nieces Donna of Stowe and niece Wendy and her husband, Robert Parrish, of Morrisville, Vermont; and Ann’s children Katherine, Robert, and Michael.
He is preceded by his sister Joyce and brothers Walter, Jr. and Douglas.
To our wonderful Dad and Grandpa Snow, you will be missed.
He served and enrolled into the Air Force in 1957. He served for almost four years. He is survived by his wife, Sung Choi, two kids, daughter Julie and son Richard Jr. from a previous marriage.
He had successful business in the cell phone industry in the Seattle area and got bought out by AT&T, which meant he had to move out of the state, and moved to Sisters in 1995.
He joined the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy and served for 15 years.
He loved being a reserve deputy; he wanted to serve forever, but his health was in the way and had to retire in 2010.
He enjoyed fly-fishing
and riding motorcycles.
Since the end of May he was in hospice care with Partners In Care; the team was great taking care and meeting his needs. Thank you, all of you.
A celebration of life is scheduled for August 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the John residence. Call 541-9044710 for address or directions. Please come and share your memories with the family and friends.
Decades of data show that despite billions in taxpayer investment, salmon and steelhead hatchery programs and restoration projects in the Columbia River Basin have failed to support or boost native fish populations and in fact are contributing to their decline.
Oregon State University economics professor William Jaeger and Mark Scheuerell, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington, looked at 50 years of native and hatchery salmon and steelhead return data from the Bonneville Dam near Cascade Locks. The Bonneville Dam is the last of 14 dams on the Columbia River before it empties into the Pacific Ocean, and it is where many salmon and steelhead — both those born in hatcheries and in the wild — return to deposit their eggs after one to seven years in the ocean. The two also reviewed decades of spend ing on habitat restoration and hatcheries programs in the river basin, meant to save the
Jaeger and Scheuerell found that while the number of salmon and steelhead born in hatcheries that return as adults has grown slightly, wild populations of salmon and steelhead have not, and in some cases they’re being hurt by the hatchery fish. The growth in hatchery fish populations has in some cases resulted in the spread of disease and increasing competition for food with native fish, Jaeger noted. Scientists have even found that some hatchery fish prey on wild fish.
The study was published July 28 in the journal PLOS One.
“The actual impact of all of these efforts has always been poorly understood,” Jaeger said in a news release.
There are about 200 salmon hatchery programs in the Columbia River Basin, and 80 percent of all salmon and steelhead that return to the Columbia River as adults started their lives in hatcheries, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries
The cost to taxpayers to maintain these hatcheries during the last 40 years
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has been about $9 billion when adjusted for inflation, according to Jaeger. This does not include any of the money spent by local governments or nonprofits and nongovernment agencies.
“We found no evidence in the data that the restoration spending is associated with a net increase in wild fish abundance,” Jaeger said.
David Moskowitz, executive director of the nonprofit Conservation Angler which works to protect wild salmon and steelhead, said $9 billion dollars in the last four decades is probably a low figure.
“That doesn’t even take into account the costs of all the management that goes on,” he said.
Steelhead, chinook, coho and sockeye numbers have been declining in the Columbia River Basin for more than 150 years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Overfishing and damming of the river for hydropower have played the largest role. Other factors hurting the fish include farming pollution and the loss of water to irrigation, climate change,
as well as habitat loss due to logging and mining.
The growth of hatcheries during the last century was a response to the growth of dams. State and federal governments made a promise to Columbia Basin tribes and to the public that any salmon or steelhead lost to dams would be replaced.
“The hatchery promise was made without any idea if it would work. It was a failed promise,” Moskowitz said.
Prior to damming, an estimated 16 million salmon and steelhead returned to the Columbia River in the area above what is now Bonneville Dam each year. But by the 1970s, less than 1 million were returning.
By 1991, 12 runs of Columbia River salmon and steelhead were listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, leading to a boom in restoration and hatchery spending, the researchers found.
An investigation by Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica last year found that several federally-subsidized hatcheries on the Columbia River
— responsible for 80 percent of all the salmon in the Columbia River — spent between $250 to $650 for every hatchery salmon that returned.
Efforts to increase the salmon and steelhead population in the Columbia to 5 million by 2025 are not on target, Jaeger found. Annual adult returns at the dam averaged about 1.5 million in the previous decade, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“We’ve lost so much,” Moskowitz said. “It is a death by a thousand cuts, but we’re just whacking ourselves in the back of the head, too, by spending so much on hatchery fish.”
State officials will look at that. The recently passed Senate Bill 5509, which Gov. Tina Kotek signed on Monday, includes $1 million for a third-party assessment of hatchery programs in the state, including analysis of their costs versus benefits.
Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 courtesy of https://oregon capitalchronicle.com
KNOCK! KNOCK! WHO’S THERE? LETTUCE. LET TUCE WHO? LETTUCE IN, WE’RE WILTING IN THIS HEAT!
April 23, 1920 — July 31, 2023
Dinzel passed away on July 31 where she lived in Sisters, at the age of 103. She was born on April 23, 1920 in Bristol, Oklahoma. She was the last survivor of seven brothers and sisters and daughter to Wiley and Minnie Neal. She was known by her father as Din Doodle and by her brothers as Dink. We called her Nana.
The matriarch of our family is survived by her daughters Deanna Sabbato of Springfield, Oregon and Diane Mulnix of Rancho Cucamonga, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren Lori (Dan) Flanders, Shaun Burnette, Kevin (Kelly) Sabbato, Erika Burlingame, and Dionne (Adam) Keeler. Dinzel had 11 great-grandchildren: Chelsea Clark, Seth Flanders, Austin Smith, Jacob Sabbato, Peyton Burnette, Sydney Sabbato, Blake Sabbato, Tyler Burlingame, Brianna Burlingame, Abigale Keeler, and Emma Keeler. Lastly she is survived by three greatgreat-grandchildren; Dani Lynn Clark, Roisin Clark, and Astrid Smith-Acevedo.
Dinzel was married in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma and moved to California looking for a new start. After overcoming some of life’s challenges, Dinzel was not about to feel sorry for herself. She took on many different fields of employment. Some, but not all skills included picking cotton and grading oranges at Sunkist. She also worked at Newberry’s 5-and-10-cent store. While working at a food manufacturing facility, the plant was
transitioned to a factory to support war efforts where she continued to help. She also managed an upscale women’s clothing department store, which is fitting as she was always dressed so nicely.
Faith was a major contributor toward Dinzel’s livelihood. As a young adult she had a calling to visit those who were in need of family, especially those who were ill and without. She would visit those in need and send cards of encouragement. Dinzel was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church since the 1980s and was a member of a quilting circle that made comfort items for shelters. She continued this ministry well into her 80s. Dinzel continued her role as a prayer warrior until the day she died.
Some of Dinzel’s favorite things were flowers, birds, and keeping her hands busy with endless hours or crochet, word search, and embroidery.
A special thanks to Dan and Lori Flanders for their selfless acts of love and care during Dinzel’s last chapter of her life.
A service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Springfield on Saturday August 12 at 11 a.m.
SALEM (AP) — For the first time in 72 years, Oregon motorists can grab a fuel nozzle and pump gas into their cars on their own, since a decades-old ban on self-serve gas stations has been revoked.
Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill on Friday, August 4, allowing people across the state to choose between having an attendant pump gas or doing it themselves. The law takes immediate effect.
That leaves New Jersey as the only state that prohibits motorists from pumping their own gas. A few countries also ban it, including South Africa, where attendants offer to check fluid levels and clean the windshield, with tipping expected.
“It’s about time. It’s
long overdue,” said Karen Cooper, who lives in Salem, shortly before the bill was signed.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in California,” Cooper said. “I know how to pump my own. Everybody should know how to pump their own gas.”
Kacy Willson, 32, who has lived in Oregon her whole life, said she doesn’t have much interest in pumping her own gas. She’s only tried it a few times in her life.
“It’s kind of nice to have someone do that,” she said.
“I don’t really leave Oregon very much, and when I do, I have to ask someone how to pump gas, and I feel weird.”
When Oregon prohibited self-service in 1951, law makers cited safety concerns, including motorists slipping on the slick surfaces at filling stations.
ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.
CLASSIFIED RATES
COST: $2 per line for first insertion, $1.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $2 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.
101 Real Estate CROSSROADS ESTATE
HOME. 14818 Bluegrass Loop, Sisters. $420,000 cash. 1977 Guerdon doublewide 960 sq, ft. home on 1.07 acres. 2 bdrms, 2 ba's, laundry, double detached garage, shed, well house. Call Joany or Jim at 541-997-6611.
Camp Sherman home for sale by owner, 1,800 sq. ft., 0.8 acre lot, large shop, greenhouse, creek frontage, forest setting, $799,900. Call 541-588-0649.
102 Commercial Rentals
STORAGE WITH BENEFITS
• 8 x 20 dry box
• Fenced yard, RV & trailers
• In-town, gated, 24-7 EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com
Storage Space, 20 x 8 ft. $150/month. Available now. Mt. High RV Storage. Call 541-410-0458.
MINI STORAGE
Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631
Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.
103 Residential Rentals STUDIO APT. FOR RENT
1 bed, 1 bath with private patio, private entrance, off-street parking, 3 miles from Sisters, gorgeous mountain and meadow views. $1,500/month. Wifi, cable, and all utilities included. 541-359-7827 or lydiaspost@gmail.com
Transformed by God’s Nature Daily readings accompanied by beautiful illustrations explore the attributes of God as revealed in Scripture. Readers are encouraged to know God more deeply and be spiritually transformed in the midst of trials and suffering. Available right here in Sisters directly from the author for only $10/copy! Text or call 541-420-2324.
202 Firewood SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS
DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD
• SINCE 1976 • Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir Compost by the yard DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com
Order Online! 541-410-4509
LODGEPOLE PINE
Very Seasoned Firewood Logs
Sun Mountain Ranch neighborhood garage sale.
Fri, Aug 11- Sat, Aug 12, 9-4
Multiple locations. 67089 Central St., 67077 Central St., 67180 Central St., 18080 Third Ave. Look for signs.
Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!
Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?
Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150
206 Lost & Found FOUND WATCH
On Camp Polk Road near airport. Call 408-691-0372 to identify.
301 Vehicles
We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality
Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397
Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com
CUSTOM CAR GARAGES
HEATED, INSULATED 541-419-2502
302 Recreational Vehicles
EXCELLENT CONDITION
Class B 2021 RoadTrek Zion. $109,900. One owner, used only one season, under 15,000 miles. Modern, fully contained interior; exterior is Sandstone Pearl. Extras incl. Sumo Springs, StowAway rear locking compartment, Fiama bike rack. Call 402-496-9579.
401 Horses
ALFALFA TRITICALE
ORCHARD GRASS HAY
New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $250-$390/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895
UPLOADED
EVERY TUESDAY!
Great Pyrenees Puppies
All white, ready now. Males, Females $450 each. Call or text for details. 530-905-2250
500 Services
Makin and Associates
Accounting Solutions
Located in Sisters, we specialize in payroll solutions that fit your needs! Give us a call for more information on how we can help you and your business. Contact jennifer@ makinandassociates.com, or call 503-826-7909. We’ve got your cats covered!
Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com
541-306-7551 • Julie
Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475
SMALL Engine REPAIR
Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental
331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS
Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792
Property management for second homes.
CascadeHomeRentals.com
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES
–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002
Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com
Printed list at 221 S. Ash, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC
104 Vacation Rentals
Downtown Vacation Rentals Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom
SistersVacationRentals.net
Great pricing. 503-730-0150
~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 www.SistersVacation.com
– Sisters Oregon Guide –Pick one up throughout town!
201 For Sale
Barbie Doll clothes and 7 sewing patterns for Barbie wear. $150. 541-410-2890
Streamline acrylic soaking tub.
58" (l) x 27.5" (w) x 22" (h). All plumbing hardware included. Cash only $500. 541-549-6142.
Delivery avail. • Call for quote 541-306-8675
203 Recreation Equipment
The Nugget Newspaper C L A S S I F I E D S are at www.NuggetNews.com
403 Pets
Three Rivers Humane Society
Where love finds a home! See the doggies at 1694 SE McTaggart in Madras • A no-kill shelter Go to ThreeRiversHS.org or call 541-475-6889
Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE
“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871
• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279
SUDOKU Level: Easy Answer: Page 23
Mad River Canoe 15’ Expedition. $375. 541-420-6091.
205 Garage & Estate Sales
A MANDATORY Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on August 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Black Butte School, located at 25745 SW Forest Service Road 1419, Camp Sherman, OR 97730.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF DESCHUTES [Probate Department]
ATTENDEES MUST BE SIGNED IN AND PRESENT AT THE PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE BY 1 PM TO BE CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL CM|GCS. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
In the Matter of the Estate of:
DEANA HOOVER deceased.
Project Scope of Work:
Date of Death: December 30, 2022.
Modernization of existing facility including replace the aging roof, and flooring. Remove asbestos. Upgrade the HVAC system. Install energy efficient windows to improve air circulation.
Case No. 23PB04746
NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS
Improve safety and security, including creating secure entry to better control access and upgrading door locks and hardware. Construct an addition to expand instructional space, provide confidential meeting space as well as improve current instructional space. New restrooms.
The complete Request for Proposal may be reviewed and obtained from http://hmkco.org/bid-documents/.
The CM|GC firms responding to this RFP will be evaluated based upon company overview, firm experience, similar project history, and other criteria identified in this RFP.
This solicitation does not obligate the Owner to pay any costs incurred in preparation of Proposals. The Owner reserves the right to reject any Proposal that is not in compliance with all prescribed requirements. For good cause, the Owner may reject any or all Proposals upon a written finding that it is in the public interest to do so.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative at Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC, 8455 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97225 within four (4) months after the date of first publication of this notice, or the claims will be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative, or Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC, the lawyers for the personal representative.
ANY PROTEST OR REQUEST FOR CHANGE
DATED AND FIRST
MUST BE DELIVERED IN WRITING to David McKay, Principal in Charge, HMK Company, at PO Box 3223, Salem, OR 97302, ON OR BEFORE SEVEN (7) DAYS
PUBLISHED ON August 2, 2023
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Fathom Fiduciaries, LLC
PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE FOR PROPOSALS. PROTESTS WILL ONLY BE RECEIVED BY POTENTIAL CM|GCS. NO EXCEPTION WILL BE MADE.
Attn: Mark D. Ropp 8455 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy Portland, Oregon 97225
Tel 503.206.6401
Fax 503.214.8962
August 7, 2023
David McKay, Principal in Charge HMK Company, on behalf of Jefferson County School District 41 (Black Butte School District)
mark@swpdxlaw.com
ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Lindsey N. Daniel, OSB No. 192115
Southwest Portland Law Group, LLC 8455 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy Portland, Oregon 97225
Tel: 503.206.6401
Fax 503.214.8962
lindsey@swpdxlaw.com
T H E N U G G E T
N E W S P A P E R JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 41 BLACK BUTTE SCHOOL
Proposals Due 2:00 PM, September 6, 2023
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The Jefferson County School District 41 (“the Owner”) Requests Proposals from experienced Construction Manager|General Contractors (CM|GC) for the construction of the Black Butte School project. Proposers shall provide five printed copies and one (1) electronic copy of their proposal on a flash drive in a sealed envelope. Proposals will be accepted by David McKay, Principal in Charge, HMK Company, at the HMK Company Salem Office, located at 363 State Street, Salem, OR 97301, until 2:00 PM Local Time on September 6, 2023, after which time no further Proposals will be received.
A MANDATORY Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on August 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Black Butte School, located at 25745 SW Forest Service Road 1419, Camp Sherman, OR 97730. ATTENDEES MUST BE SIGNED IN AND PRESENT AT THE PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE BY 1 PM TO BE CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL CM|GCS. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
Project Scope of Work:
Modernization of existing facility including replace the aging roof, and flooring. Remove asbestos. Upgrade the HVAC system. Install energy efficient windows to improve air circulation. Improve safety and security, including creating secure entry to better control access and upgrading door locks and hardware. Construct an addition to expand instructional space, provide confidential meeting space as well as improve current instructional space. New restrooms.
The complete Request for Proposal may be reviewed and obtained from http://hmkco.org/bid-documents/.
The CM|GC firms responding to this RFP will be evaluated based upon company overview, firm experience, similar project history, and other criteria identified in this RFP. This solicitation does not obligate the Owner to pay any costs incurred in preparation of Proposals. The Owner reserves the right to reject any Proposal that is not in compliance with all prescribed requirements. For good cause, the Owner may reject any or all Proposals upon a written finding that it is in the public interest to do so.
ANY PROTEST OR REQUEST FOR CHANGE MUST BE DELIVERED IN WRITING to David McKay, Principal in Charge, HMK Company, at PO Box 3223, Salem, OR 97302, ON OR BEFORE SEVEN (7) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE FOR PROPOSALS. PROTESTS WILL ONLY BE RECEIVED BY POTENTIAL CM|GCS. NO EXCEPTION WILL BE MADE.
August 7, 2023
David McKay, Principal in Charge HMK Company, on behalf of Jefferson County School District 41 (Black Butte School District)
for puzzle on page 21
Craig Rullman Columnist
I have been interested in the White House cocaine imbroglio, mostly because it marks the closing of an interesting historical loop. To be sure, this probably isn’t the first time a bag of yayo has ended up in the West Wing, and it’s doubtful it will be the last, but in the age of suspicious white powders it is certainly the most public.
In 1971 Richard Nixon declared a War on Drugs. As a veteran of that war, with the scars to prove it, I can say with utter certainty that we have lost it. It wasn’t a failure, not really, because the first time an infant crawls out of filth, underfed and crying, and hands you a bag of his mother’s meth you know to a moral certainty that drug trafficking isn’t a victimless crime. What you know instinctively is that you are battling a bottomless evil with profound generational effects. That seems like a fight worth having, even if most of the country appears to have given up.
Americans have largely thrown up their hands, are legalizing possession everywhere, and now react in predictable horror to the openair drug markets in major cities, and the wave of drugrelated mental illness and addiction cases wandering the streets like zombies. The decriminalization experiment is doomed to failure, in the same way locking up addicts and street-level clowns was doomed to failure. To fight the war on drugs effectively you must follow the money. Arresting Tweety Bird with an ounce
might get you one rung up the ladder, but in the end it does nothing to arrest the flow of money — which is when you start getting somewhere.
We know all of this but rarely do anything about it — not in any meaningful way. And it’s likely that at the international level the U.S. Government is in bed, in one form or another, with many of the cartels, given common enemies in the form of terrorist organizations like the IRGC and Hezbollah, which have staked out huge territories in South America, and have a significant presence in Mexico.
In 1989 President Bush the Elder went on national television and showed the nation a bag of crack cocaine seized across the street from the White House. “This is crack cocaine,” he said, lamenting the horrors it was visiting across the United States, even as credible evidence would later emerge that the CIA was, at that very moment, facilitating cocaine shipments into various parts of the United States.
Fast-forward to 2023 and cocaine is now inside the West Wing of the most secure building anywhere in the country. Worse, fully half of the electorate wanted that little baggy to get pinned on the president’s son, which maybe says something dreadful about our national condition. In the end, the Secret Service claims they couldn’t identify who it belonged to, which seems odd given the 600 or more arrests after the January 6 invasion of the Capitol building. Nobody had any trouble identifying those people, who showed up out of nowhere and enjoyed, at least temporarily, the anonymity provided by a mob.
We will never know for certain if the Secret Service couldn’t, or just wouldn’t, identify a suspect, and in the end, if it wasn’t Hunter’s, a relevant question remains: how many cokeheads are actually working there?
Members of the U.S. military are required to submit to random drug tests — the ubiquitous whizz quiz — so maybe we should just
drop a random screening on those people working in and around the Situation Room. The results of that would probably be interesting.
We know how to fight better if we wanted to. We know lots and lots of things. We know that the precursor chemicals for meth and fentanyl are shipped from China. We know they offload them in Mexico. We know that Mexico is a narco-terrorist state, and that no one there gets elected unless they are puppets to their cartel masters. We know that, while they may hang each other from bridges all over Guanajuato, and occasionally roll a few heads across the disco floors of Cancun, these are internal beefs over control of the plazas and therefore distribution into the United States. We know that our southern border is a sieve and that for every highly publicized seizure metric tons of dope — cocaine, meth, fentanyl, and heroin — get through.
We know that we have corrupted border agents, corrupted judges, and corrupted politicians throughout our own system. We know that much of the violence in our own cities is spawned by downstream turf wars fought by teenagers over control of the supply. See Chicago, Atlanta, New York. We know that virtually every crime has, somewhere, a nexus to dope.
We also know that America is home to its own cartels, but that they operate under legal cover and are known collectively as Big Pharma. They’ve been stringing people out on opioids and other drugs, with the help of quack doctors and insurance companies, for years. And it’s perfectly legal, though at least under the spotlight of the moment, frowned upon.
Given what we know, we could easily fight a much smarter fight. But we probably won’t. It’s easier to mass-produce addicts. And if we know anything about ourselves in the modern age, it’s that given a choice, we choose easy over hard. Even if it eventually kills us.
Katy Yoder isn’t horsing around when it comes to her freelance writing for The Nugget. With a strong sense of empathy and deep dedication to telling the remarkable stories of folks in the Sisters community, Katy specializes in features that are always memorable and often profoundly touching.
You can support Katy’s work — and all The Nugget freelancers — with a SUPPORTING SUBSCRIPTION. 100% of your donation goes to paying freelance contributors.
And if you like doing the “write” thing, too, we’ve got a complimentary pen for you! Just stop by the office and say hello!
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