The Nugget Vol. XLVI No. 48
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Going a-caroling…
Farm program names new director
Dr. Fauci, one of six miniature horses who paraded at The Lodge in Sisters, is greeted by resident Esther Morrison. The horses, their owners, and a group of about 20 children and adults from the community sang carols as they walked from door to door greeting enthusiastic residents. The tradition is now in its fifth year. PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Public transportation in and out of Sisters By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Most folks in Sisters Country know that there’s public bus service to Bend and Redmond. They’re often surprised to learn that it’s free, until further notice. Even at no charge, ridership remains flat. There are three buses a day, Monday through
Friday, between Sisters and Redmond (Route 28) and three between Sisters and Bend (Route 29). Both routes are timed to coincide with common work schedules. The two morning buses from Redmond, where many Sisters workers live, arrive in town at 6:40 a.m. and 7:52 a.m., in time for 7 See TRANSPORT on page 7
Fire district offers safety inspections Home should be a safe place, but there are hazards that can lead to accidents — hazards we might not even be aware of. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District is offering residents a one-onone review and consultation at their homes about maximizing safety concerning
Inside...
fire and fall risks. Services are conducted by a team of trained volunteers. The District’s concern comes from experience and knowledge that many citizens within the community are at a higher risk of needing emergency medical or See INSPECTIONS on page 21
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PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
The Sisters-based farm and educational outreach program Seed to Table has named Holly Haddad as the new executive director starting January 4, 2024. With a 25-year background in food systems development, nonprofit management, and agriculture, Haddad brings years of experience to the organization. The nonprofit is celebrating 10 years of success and growth led by the passion, skilled guidance, and depth of knowledge of founder and current executive director Audrey Tehan, who is moving into the organization’s new position of farm director. “Holly and I connected deeply around our passion See DIRECTOR on page 8
New deputy joins Sisters patrol By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Deputy Jerad Bearson is on patrol in the town where he lives, having joined the contingent of Deschutes County Sheriff ’s Office (DCSO) deputies assigned under contract to the City of Sisters. While Deputy Bearson is a relatively new face in Sisters, he’s a law enforcement veteran with considerable depth of experience. He came to DCSO from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office in September 2021. He has previously served in the Sisters area as the west county deputy. “I opted to work west because I live out here,” he said. “I fell in love with coming out here. I already was kind of a de facto Sisters guy.” When an opening became available with the City of Sisters contingent, he jumped at the opportunity. “The hours are better — more time with my kids,” he said. “I love working with the lieutenant (Chad Davis) Announcements...............10 Entertainment ................. 11
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Veteran law enforcement officer Jerad Bearson has joined the City of Sisters contingent of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. and the team.” The work itself is more gratifying than police work in the area he left behind. Like many law enforcement officers, Bearson found the work less and less respected and less and less rewarding post-2020. In 2020, during the throes of COVID-19, downtown Portland was convulsed in the nationwide turmoil that followed the murder of George
Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The climate became very hostile to law enforcement — and the city began to unravel under months of unrest. “Our riot team was downtown for half a year, it seemed,” Bearson recalled. “The whole downtown area during those
Of A Certain Age ...............19 Crossword .......................21
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See DEPUTY on page 15