The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVII No. 03 // 2024-01-17 by Nugget Newspaper

The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 3

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News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

www.NuggetNews.com

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Snow piles up across Sisters Country By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

The snow that fell in Sisters Country much of last week causing some havoc and disruption was not a record — not even close — but it was nonetheless the main topic of conversation. What made it the talk of the town were the winds and temperatures that tagged along. Sustained winds in the 20 mph range kept some folks up at night and consistent gusts in the 30s rattled windows and nerves. The wind brought down a 30-plus foot ponderosa pine Friday on Steve Allely’s property in the alley between South Elm Street and West Hood Avenue that crashed in a ball of sparks on central power and broadband lines taking out both and leaving hundreds in the vicinity without electricity or internet. CEC restored power (and a new pole) within hours while TDS (cable) required two days to bring back the internet and in some cases telephone for those who WI-FI calling. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Protection headquarters station on Elm Street was without phone or internet until late Friday, but maintained

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

Sisters tightens dark skies code By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

15 feet or more into tidy mountains. Dozens of westbound motorists could not get past Sisters for several days as they lacked chains or traction tires to summit the Santiam Pass. Ray and Jill Clausen

Sisters residents and visitors alike value the ability to enjoy the night sky — and the City of Sisters has passed new dark skies code language to promote that ability. Sisters City Council chambers burst into spontaneous applause as Council voted unanimously to approve amendments to the Sisters Development Code that have long been in the works. City planning staff noted that City code around dark skies was adopted in 2010. “Since the adoption, there have been many changes in lighting, including many technological advances and how lighting is measured and evaluated, as well as an increasing desire in the community to do more to protect our dark skies from the negative impacts of poorly

See SNOW on page 19

See CODE on page 17

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

Heavy winds brought down a ponderosa pine on Ash Street, taking down power and internet to a portion of town. radio communication. The Sisters Athletic Club closed for a few days due to a city main water line to their premises breaking. Broken water lines kept plumbers out for hours and hours. And merchants all over Sisters reduced hours or closed altogether as commuting

employees struggled to get to their jobs. Sisters Public Works crews worked tirelessly, virtually around the clock, to plow streets and roads and public sidewalks. Their work is visible at downtown intersections where snow cleared from the streets is piled

Victims recount lasting Emergency shelter set up in Sisters impact at sentencing By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Multiple women made statements at the sentencing hearing for Michael Boyle on Tuesday, January 9, recounting the lasting impact on their lives of the acts to which he pleaded guilty via Alford plea last month. One victim testified in person, while the others had their statements read into the record by a Deputy District Attorney. “Mike Boyle is a predator and must be held accountable,” one of the victims stated, while another characterized him as “an opportunist and an extreme threat to society.”

Inside...

Boyle pleaded guilty via Alford plea in Deschutes County Circuit Court on December 4, to one felony count of attempted sex abuse in the first degree, two misdemeanor counts of thirddegree sex abuse, and three counts of practicing massage without a license. In his plea petition, Boyle recognized that the maximum punishment for the crimes he entered pleas to could have been nearly a decade in jail and fines of over $156,000. An Alford plea is a guilty plea in which the defendant acknowledges that there is sufficient evidence that they See VICTIMS on page 21

It was 0 degrees Fahrenheit Friday night, -5 at 8 p.m. Saturday, and -3 Sunday morning before the skies cleared after the biggest snow storm to hit Sisters in several years. Concern started rising at the start of the week as City staff looked at the forecast, and worried that some families in Sisters could be at grave risk, especially the homeless living in the nearby woods. On Wednesday night, at its regularly scheduled meeting, the Sisters City Council approved a staff-prepared resolution that would authorize the rapid deployment of a temporary emergency shelter. The emergency

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

The former Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce office was turned into an emergency cold weather shelter. resolution runs from January 10 through January 25. On Thursday a location was finalized — the

City-owned building at 291 E. Main Ave. previously See SHELTER on page 19

Letters/Weather ............... 2 Property Guy......................7 Announcements...............10 SMS Honor Roll ................14 Crossword .......................21 Meetings .......................... 3 Obituaries .................. 8 & 9 Entertainment .................12 Fun & Games ................... 20 Classifieds................. 22-23

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Letters to the Editor… The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address, and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.

It takes a village To the Editor: Sisters’ average minimum income (AMI) was $81,016 in 2021, up from $75,662 in 2020 (per Data USA). A 7 percent increase. Point2Homes.com agrees with that 2020 AMI and adds that Sisters’ 2020 average income was $99,679. Another source, Census Bureau Data reported an AMI of $84,088 for Sisters in 2020. Using a 5 percent yearly increase in AMI (rather than 7 percent), considering both 2020 AMI sources as a base, and knowing there’s far more than a percentage that can impact AMI, here is a novice’s forecast: • In 2022 Sisters’ AMI was between $85,067 and $92,698, • In 2023 our AMI is likely between $89,310 and $97,333, and

• In 2024 our AMI may be between $93,776 and $102,200. This year, we might have an AMI of $98,000! 30 percent of AMI is the bottom range of what is considered affordable on up to 150 percent of AMI. 30 percent of this 2024 novice’s forecast is $29,400 which a worker earning Oregon’s minimum wage at $14.20/hour can afford. Yay! But who builds 30 percent of AMI affordable for the service workers all around us? No one because, “it does not pencil out.” Not enough revenue to cover the expenses to build. Instead, the city must seek out government funding and applicable NPOs, and give tax breaks and other incentives to encourage developers to build lovely abodes for our working families. This is why it takes so darn See LETTERS on page 15

Sisters Weather Forecast Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

January 17 Rain

January 18 Rain/Snow

January 19 Showers

January 20 Rain/Ice

January 21 Showers

January 22 Rain/Snow

January 23 Showers

44/35

39/26

35/30

42/34

44/32

40/35

43/35

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC Website: www.nuggetnews.com 442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon.

Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius Production Manager: Leith Easterling Creative Director: Jess Draper Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May Proofreader: Kema Clark Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen

The Nugget is mailed to residents within the Sisters School District; subscriptions are available outside delivery area. Third-class postage: one year, $70; six months (or less), $45. First-class postage: one year, $110; six months, $80. Published Weekly. ©2024 The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All advertising which appears in The Nugget is the property of The Nugget and may not be used without explicit permission. The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories, lists, calendar etc. within this publication. All submissions to The Nugget Newspaper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyrighting purposes and subject to The Nugget Newspaper’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially, that all rights are currently available, and that the material in no way infringes upon the rights of any person. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photos, or manuscripts.

Fun on the slopes — finally…

Chad, Kyle, Carter (11), Aiyla (4) and Zaydee (3) from Prineville enjoyed the slopes on Hoodoo last week as the resort got its first heavy snowfall of the season. PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Wolf hate on the rise By Adam Bronstein Oregon Capital Chronicle

The wolf issue continues to heat up across the West, with states like Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and now Colorado, all getting a chance to show their preferred flavor of wolf management. Here in “progressive” Oregon, wolves are continuously being slaughtered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, often with the help of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. This statesponsored killing (plus private poaching) has resulted in suppressed wolf numbers and a hampered recovery effort. Oregon finished 2022 with only an estimated three individuals added to the state’s meager wolf population on top of the 2021 census. As of the end of 2022, Oregon stands at a minimum count of 178 individual wolves. For context, a study by Dr. Bill Ripple of Oregon State University estimated that Oregon can naturally support a population of around 1,500 individuals. Wolf-hate has been on the rise across the West. Let’s consider Idaho where the climate has been extremely hostile particularly since 2011 when wolves were removed from the endangered species list and returned to state management. Beginning that year, and following every year since, first USDA Wildlife Services and then the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has killed wolves to boost elk numbers – even while Idaho’s department has been culling elk for crop depredations and sport harvests are at record highs. Escalating in 2021, Idaho passed a law allowing the killing of up to 90 percent of the state’s wolves, enabling hunters to use methods like night-vision equipment and snowmobiles. The state’s Wolf Depredation Control Board has funneled bounty payments to private trappers who kill wolves and recently approved paying a private contractor to gun down wolves from the air. In just three years, since 2021 with expanded hunting and trapping seasons, about 1,000 wolves have been killed in the state. Like in Idaho, Oregon ranchers are in the driver’s seat when it comes to wolf management in the state,

despite claims to the contrary. Disproportionate livestock industry influence over ODFW in Salem is too obvious to ignore, from the overzealous issuance of wolf kill permits to expanding mismanaged wolf-livestock compensation funds that make questionable payments to ranchers. Forest Service land in Oregon is the best available habitat we have to properly recover wolves in the state. There are only 285 livestock permittees who run cattle on U.S. Forest Service land on 411 allotments spanning 7,290,140 acres. This group represents just .00007 percent of Oregon’s population, but their private businesses impact an area equaling four Yellowstone National Parks. If not for these few ecologically harmful livestock operations, wolves would actually have a chance at recovery. As an example. livestock displace wolves’ natural prey (elk and deer) and eat their forage; forcing them onto private lands where the wolves follow. Such a small constituency cannot be allowed to dictate what happens to our public wildlife and management of our public lands when the majority of Oregonians want wolves to be recovered. On December 14, the state Wildlife Commission opted not to “open up” the Wolf and Conservation Management Plan to revision in the spirit of “working together,” and instead, voiced their desire to make the current plan somehow current through “adaptive management.” In doing so, the Department is tossing aside a growing body of science that suggests lethal management is counterproductive when the goal is to maintain viable wolf populations and protect livestock. In short, more wolves killed destabilizes packs leading to more livestock conflicts. Reforms are desperately needed at the federal and state level. For instance, the U.S. Forest Service must begin properly managing habitat and state Fish and Wildlife must stop killing wolves because it is scientifically indefensible. As long as livestock interests control the state wildlife commission, change will not come soon enough. Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 courtesy of https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

Views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or The Nugget Newspaper.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Coping with long-term effects of caregiving

PHOTO PROVIDED

Regan Roberts has taken the helm at Sisters Graduate Resource Organization (GRO).

Roberts takes helm at Sisters GRO By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

With the local scholarship season about to open for the class of 2024, the Sisters Graduate Resource Organization (GRO), which manages the program, has announced a new executive director, Regan Roberts, who started in mid-August. Roberts is taking over the duties left by the previous director Laura Kloss who served for the previous two years. A Sisters resident since 2005, Roberts is ecstatic about the chance to fill the role for GRO, which is part-time. “The GRO position felt too good to be true as a blend of everything I was looking for a position that

would utilize my technical and financial skills, my love of problem solving, my need to interact with a variety of people in the community, while also doing good and without taking away my priorities of being a mom.” Roberts and her husband Dave have two children, Colby, a sophomore, and Tucker, who is in seventh grade. Prior to taking the GRO job, Roberts worked at Sisters Athletic Club as the finance and human resources directors. She has a degree from the University of Washington in Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences, but now says she should probably have majored in accounting. She has also worked as a tutor, a bank teller, and an

office manager. In her first months on the job, Roberts has been focused on the transition to a new system for the scholarship application process. “Over the past years GRO has learned that the initial software chosen wasn’t the best fit for the organization so I have spent the first few months implementing a new software that we believe will be so much easier not only for student applicants but for our gracious donors and their scholarship review committee members. There are so many volunteers that make this organization successful and we value their time and hope this new process will reflect our commitment to them.” See ROBERTS on page 14

“Everyone has been or will be a caregiver at some point in their lives, and everyone will be a care recipient at some point in their lives.” D r. R i c h a r d S c h u l z knows this: He has devoted his career to studying the effects of disabling late-life illnesses on patients and their families and to exploring strategies for mitigating the adverse health effects of caregiving. He will share his insights on Tuesday, January 23, at 7 p.m. at the next lecture in the Frontiers in Science series, presented by the Sisters Science Club at The Belfry. “More than 17 million family and friends provide

unpaid care to older adults,” Dr. Schulz adds, including himself. “I’ve had multiple episodes of caregiving experiences with family members. These experiences led me to appreciate the distinction between the pragmatic challenges of caregiving —for example, the day-to-day tasks that need to be performed to support another person — and the independent effects of being exposed to the suffering of a loved one.” Dr. Schulz, who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, earned his academic degrees at Dartmouth College and Duke University. Studying See CAREGIVING on page 13

School seeks budget committee members The Sisters School District will be appointing three community members to fill vacancies on the Budget Committee. The people appointed will serve on the committee for three budget terms: 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026. The term will expire June 30, 2026. To be eligible, a candidate must live in the school district, not be an officer or employee of the district, and be a qualified voter in the district. Candidates should participate in school

activities, be a positive problem solver and commit time to review materials and attend budget committee meetings. Contact Amy Bionda, school board secretary, via email amy.bionda@ssd6. org or pick up an application at the District Office. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Applicants will be notified of interview times. Upcoming budget meeting dates are April 17, and May 1, 2024. The budget hearing will take place on June 5.

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday. For location information, please call: Al-Anon 541-848-1970. Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Sisters Area Woodworkers First Lutheran Church. 541-610-7383. Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645. Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897. Alcoholics Anonymous Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday, Sisters Veterans Thursdays, Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills East of the Cascades Quilt Guild noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846. Lutheran Church 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ 541-903-1123. Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Sisters Trails Alliance Board Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church p.m. at Sisters Community Church. Meetings take place every other month, Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday Wednesday, 7 a.m.,Gentlemen’s Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com. 5 p.m. In-person or zoom. Contact: meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 7 p.m., Sisters Community Church. Sisters Caregiver Support Group info@sisterstrails.org. 541-771-2211. Church 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Three Sisters Irrigation District Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) Church. 541-719-0031. Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Board of Directors Meets 1st Tuesday, Lutheran Church Community Church. Materials provided. Sisters Cribbage Club Meets 11 a.m. 10 a.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815. every Wed. at SPRD. 509-947-5744. Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of 541-408-8505. Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd the Transfiguration Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Sisters Garden Club For monthly Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, Friday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com. Restaurant. 541-419-1279. 1 to 4 p.m. 541-668-1755. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. VFW Post 8138 and American Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board Military Parents of Sisters Meetings 541-548-0440. Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday of the of Directors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m. are held quarterly; please call for Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of month, 6:30 p.m., Main Church Building Location information: 541-549-1193. details. 541-388-9013. the Transfiguration Sisters Community Church. Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild 541-549-1462 (John). a.m., at Aspen Lakes Golf Course. Chapter meets Wednesdays, For Saturday meeting dates and SCHOOLS 541-410-2870. 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. location, email: steelefly@msn.com. 541-549-6469. Black Butte School Citizens4Community Community Sisters Parent Teacher Community Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visit Elementary School Commons. 541-595-6203 503-930-6158. citizens4community.com for location. 917-219-8298.

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In-person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab-and-go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sisters Community Church. 541-480-1843.

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church. 541-549-6157.

This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to nugget@nuggetnews.com.

Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www. ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.

CITY & PARKS

Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tues., 4 p.m., Coffield Center. 541-549-2091. Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.

FIRE & POLICE Black Butte Ranch Police Dept. Board of Directors Meets monthly. 541-595-2191 for time & date. Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BBR Fire Station. 541-595-2288. Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 67433 Cloverdale Rd. 541-548-4815. cloverdalefire.com. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541-549-0771.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Initiative seeks to mitigate wildlife collisions By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

In the five years between 2017 and 2021, 721 elk and mule deer were killed in collisions with vehicles on the Highway 20 Bend to Suttle Lake corridor. The heaviest concentration was east of Sisters, and in the Black Butte Ranch stretch there were higher numbers. Numbers for 2022 and 2023 are not yet available. The removal of dead animals on state roadways is undertaken by Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). “ODOT is responsible for removing road hazards on state highways, including animal carcasses. Our maintenance crews do a great job of recording when and where large wildlife are moved off the highway. But the data are very conservative since just as many animals that are struck wander off the highway and die elsewhere,” Cidney Bowman, wildlife passage coordinator for ODOT told The Nugget. ODOT is working with partner state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations on a privately funded feasibility study between Bend and Suttle Lake. The density of wildlifevehicle collisions (WVCs) is quite high — among the highest in the state — and portions of the highway pass through U.S. Forest Service lands. The Oregon Wildlife Foundation is leading the contract for the study, but

Central Oregon LandWatch is one of the main leaders of this effort. “Mitigating collisions is a bipartisan effort,” said Jeremy Austin from LandWatch, citing a Pew Research Study that found 86 percent of all Oregonians favored action to reduce the toll. “Over a period of time, the Oregon legislature has provided $12 million in various funding rounds to find solutions to the problem,” Austin said. The feasibility study to be completed this summer will give planners tools and options to work with by which time more data will have been released. “We have very good data on migration patterns,” Austin said, indicating that they knew where and when Cervidae (deer, elk) roam. There are about 1.5 million deer and car collisions a year causing more than $1 billion in damage losses. Some 10,000 motorists a year are injured in such encounters with 175 to 200 resulting in death. With deer and elk frequently on the move during breeding season and migration to winter ranges in the fall and back to summer feeding grounds in the spring, more wildlife are crossing roads statewide. Oregon has 79,045 miles of roadways across the state, including 4,295 miles of national highways. Drivers travel over 35.8 billion miles on these roads each year. A 2019-2020 report on Animal

A partnership beyond expectations

Collision Likelihood listed Oregon in the “medium risk” category nationwide, with an overall collision rate of 1 in 180, although it has the highest rate of WVCs when compared to other West Coast states, according to the legislature. In Deschutes County, there is already one active wildlife passage corridor near Sunriver. “The Lava Butte wildlife underpass near Bend is frequented by all sorts of wildlife from elk and deer to bobcats and badgers. As expected, the crossing saves the lives of wildlife and drivers. For instance, deer-vehicle collisions in the area are down by 90 percent,” said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, state director of Environment Oregon. A commissioned study on the other hand shows mixed results when factoring in all the tactics for this corridor that include 13 foot exclusion fencing and jump-outs, a ramp deer can use to get back if they somehow jumped into the highway. “In conclusion, it appears that the wildlife crossings have provided a means of safe passage for mule deer and other wildlife that routinely cross Route 97; however, the fence and jump-out configuration may be limiting the overall effectiveness of the project,” said the report’s authors Western EcoSystems

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Technology. Most commonly, underpasses (tunnels) or overpasses ( bridges) are used to direct animal crossings across major highways. The Black Butte Conservancy has a keen interest with the problem as some 200 elk make their home on Black Butte Ranch, and regularly cross Highway 20 in

some cases multiple times a day getting from the Ranch to Green Ridge. Tom Sawyer, a BBR resident and Conservancy member, imagines his group supporting the initiative and lending volunteers to the project as it moves from study to implementation — likely in 2025, possibly 2026.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Life is a

GAME Robert Kruger Columnist

Introducing an ‘old dork’ In 2015, when my nephew Eli was about 9 years old, I explained “Dungeons & Dragons” to him while my daughter Alyx was present. I left the room after delivering a long-winded monologue where I told him that I’d started playing D&D when I was his age and that it had inspired me to write stories and helped me make new friends. He seemed to be chewing thoughtfully on my revelations. Later, Alyx informed me: “Dad, after you left, he said to me, ‘You know, your dad is kind of an old dork… no offense.’” In late 1993, when we lived in Seattle, my wife brought me the Sunday paper and pointed out a tiny job ad seeking editors for an unnamed roleplaying game company. I’d been working downtown since the beginning of the year in a converted autobody shop with windowless cinderblock walls, proofreading municipal codes. I had recently been promoted and trained

as an indexer. I hated it. Knowing that most independent game companies struggled to survive, I answered the ad without much hope. Within a few days I received a package from a “Wizards of the Coast,” not exactly the name of a blue-chip company. Their editing test comprised several pages of a badly punctuated and inconsistent key to a map that detailed a fantasy metropolis. The enclosed letter instructed me to mark up the pages and attempt to catch all the mistakes. I turned the test around in a couple of days, and then I heard nothing back: not the following week, nor the next, nor the next, and I put it out of my mind. Meanwhile, feeling desperate about my career prospects, I spiraled into clinical depression that obliged me to quit my job. Three months later found me playing “Doom” at my computer, when the roleplaying-game company unexpectedly phoned and asked if I’d come down to Renton to interview. I wanted to quickly dismiss them. After all, I didn’t need a poverty-wage gig that would probably end up as dispiriting as the one I’d just left. And what’s more, they’d interrupted my good run at slaughtering demons and zombies. With the handset balanced on my shoulder and fingers still on the keyboard, I bluntly asked what they were paying. “Eleven an hour to start.” I hit pause. That was a FORTUNE. “Wizards” flagship product, a card game called

“Magic: The Gathering,” created by math professor Richard Garfield, was climbing an exponential sales curve, and the company promised I could work on their roleplaying games after I’d edited the vampire-themed follow-up to “Magic” that Richard had just finished. Each weekend, Richard drove from Whitman College to Renton to oversee his projects, and before my official start date, I met with him several times so he could teach me his games. Richard and his cohort of highly educated colleagues (like Jonathan Tweet and Skaff Elias, who have made guest appearances at Paulina) impressed me with what statistics brought or could bring to games, even the roleplaying games that I thought of primarily as an exercise in storytelling. I asked Richard once what led to his becoming a designer, and he said, “Life is a game.” A year earlier my dad had observed, “Life is hard,” just when I needed that confirmation, and both struck me as sage pronouncements. Life is a hard game that becomes unnecessarily hard when we haven’t figured out how, or even why, to play. My work at “Wizards” led me to an interest in game theory and equipped me with a more strategic career outlook. For example, I realized that if I’d viewed the municipal code job as an opportunity to gain skills and set myself a firm one-year deadline for getting out, my life would have followed the same path with a fraction of the angst.

I got a better perspective on what academic pursuits and work options might be approached as a fun game and which would be losing propositions. After three years at “Wizards,” I took a year off to work on publishing projects and attend a sciencefiction writing workshop. During my hiatus, “Wizards” purchased the parent company of “Dungeons & Dragons,” and I hoped to make my dad swallow a rhetorical question he’d leveled at me when I was in high school: “What do you think you’re going to do for a living? Work on ‘Dungeons & Dragons’?” However, the newly acquired team dragged their feet on the question of my rehire, and I became the editor of Microsoft’s Internet Gaming Zone instead. From there, I founded an e-book publishing company and worked my way into programming an e-commerce site and other databasedriven web applications, transitioning primarily to software development, which I’ve done full-time for the past two decades. Within a year after my rebuke by Eli, I had my revenge. He’d adopted the

persona of Viz the Wizard in a D&D campaign I’d started up for him, his brother Max, and their friends Lex, Gavin, Chester, and others. Nineteen Sisters kids total joined their adventures at one time or another, along with my daughter and a few parents and other adults. As the game was winding down, my sister Katie, an occupational therapist, asked me to mentor a kid at the high school who’d been going through difficulties. I played some Magic with him and his friends, and after I got to know them, they asked if I’d teach them to program computer games, which I did once a week until COVID ended the experiment. Now both groups of students have grown up, but a new class has begun forming gaming clubs at school and attending regular “Magic: The Gathering” nights at Paulina Springs, and as AI comes bearing down on us all, I plan to integrate it with game-programming instruction to offer generally useful skills to anyone interested. We’ve got a fantastic little town offering all kinds of opportunity for adventure, and I look forward to relating what my fellow dorks get up to.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Heavy snowfall means breaking out snow blowers in Sisters By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Winter came hard and fast this year. All over Sisters, folks bundled up and fired up their snow blowers — those who have them — while most of us relied on the centuries old method of shoveling by hand; a risk for many health experts warn (see story, page 8). Snow blower sales are expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.74 percent in the U.S. and Canada from $639 million in 2021 to $935 million in 2027. More than one million of the snow tamers are sold each year. Sisters Ace Hardware sold out as of the weekend, but can order battery powered or gas powered units in oneand two-stage models. Over at Sisters Rental, there are options ranging up to $5,000 for serious jobs. “The problem we have is supply,” said Pat Thompson, Sisters Rental owner. “I order 50 and I’m lucky to get 20.” He cited ongoing supply chain issues that begun in 2020 with the pandemic. Thompson tells The Nugget that the numberone issue with buyers is mis-sizing. “Mostly they get a machine not big enough for the size of their driveway or walks,” he said. “And sometimes they get too much machine, and run into storage issues or navigating tight or smaller areas.” Snow blowers come in three configurations or stages — one, two and three. While a single-stage blower with a 12-18 inch width might look like a bargain at around $500, will it do the job? “Sisters tends to get wetter snows,” Thompson said. “It’s heavier and can bog down with an underpowered or single-stage blower.” Then there are the factors of what’s under the snow. In Sisters Country it’s

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT`

Snow blowers are a popular means of moving the white stuff. just as likely to be gravel as asphalt or concrete. And then there’s incline or slope of the drive. Those differences are important in the selection process, especially if ice is present. DIY experts, Family Handyman say: “A singlestage snow blower has a single high-speed auger that scrapes the snow off the ground and propels it up through the discharge chute. Single-stage machines are designed to handle average snowfall depths up to six inches on driveways up to two cars wide by two cars long. “They can break up and

remove compacted snow left from snow plows as long as you attack it early (before it freezes) and chop down the larger areas with a shovel. The auger has a rubber leading edge that helps propel the machine slightly as it scoops snow off the ground. But it’s not a true self-propelled mechanism. If your drive or walk is at a steep grade, choose a two- or three-stage machine instead.” Professional landscape contractors typically use twostage machines. Two-stage machines utilize a slow turning corkscrew-like auger that gathers snow and moves it to the center of the housing.

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and three stage machines, the latter for commercial and municipal users primarily. The pro units are more likely to be driven by tread tracks — think tank, versus wheels. Wheeled versions are easier to store, and can be moved without starting them. Track models need power to move, but provide more traction by far. The biggest service issue Thompson says is fuel which degrades over the summer, leading to machines that won’t start when you urgently need them.

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Then the snow is pushed into a high-speed impeller that propels it out the chute. They’re designed to handle snowfall depths up to 12 inches on larger driveways up to two cars wide by three cars long. Most are self-propelled with multiple forward speeds. They have a larger auger and engine so they can chew into compacted ice and snow much easier and faster than a single-stage machine and handle more snow in a shorter period of time. Electric start is virtually standard with two

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

City offers grant funding for housing The City of Sisters has established an affordable housing program to offer eligible agencies and private developers grant and/or loan funds for purposes of constructing and offering affordable housing to low-and moderate-income persons in the City. The applicant must be a housing authority, a qualified nonprofit organization that constructs affordable housing, or a for-profit developer of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households. The applicant must demonstrate compliance with all eligibility requirements and conditions including: the

project for which program funds are sought must be an eligible qualified project and the applicant must apply for program funds on the City’s current program application. Application forms for program funds were available at Sisters City Hall or at www. ci.sisters.or.us as of January 12. Each application must be filed with the administrator no later than March 1. For more information visit https://www.ci.sisters. or.us/community-development/page/affordable-housing-grant-program or contact Scott Woodford, community development director at swoodford@ci.sisters.or.us, or call 541-323-5211.

Being a good citizen means shoveling snow Like it or not, clearing your sidewalks of snow is the law. It’s probably better to think of it as common courtesy. The City puts it this way: “Many of our neighbors rely on a clear sidewalk to get to and from work or school, or to access the school bus. When a sidewalk has not been cleared of snow and/or ice, pedestrians may be forced to walk in the road, causing a dangerous situation for both the pedestrian and the driver of a vehicle.” City code requires every property owner or occupant to maintain the adjacent sidewalks in good condition. Commercial properties are responsible for snow shoveling/de-icing the adjacent

sidewalks within six hours of daylight following the snowfall or ice event. This includes sidewalks adjacent to an empty lot. As you clear your sidewalks, remember to remove snow in the bulb-out area and all the way to the street. Connect to your neighbor so there is no gap between your property and theirs. This will vastly improve connectivity and make for a safer town for everyone to enjoy. The City asks that we refrain from using ice melt or similar products that contain salt because they can damage sidewalks. The City uses bird seed or sand as an alternative method for keeping the sidewalks safe and accessible.

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Dear Property Guy By Mike Zoormajian

Sisters is a town that means different things to different people: the (slightly larger) small town they grew up in, an opportunity to live where one plays, maybe a place to spend California retirement bucks, for many it’s where they do business, and for others it is a vacation destination. Smashing all these different visions, wants, hopes, and dreams into one community is bound to create spots of friction. Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are one of these spots. Many Sisters residents are happily tripping through life not knowing or caring about STRs, while others are quite upset they exist at all. An STR is a private residence that is available to rent on a daily or weekly basis. These are better known by the market leaders VRBO and Airbnb. Understanding the drama surrounding STRs requires understanding the past. First there were dinosaurs, they walked in peace among the beautiful mountains, lakes and calderas of Central Oregon. Then people came, which may or may not have been a good thing.

Things were cool among the people for hundreds of years. Eventually people from strange lands, like Portland and San Francisco, decided they wanted to see our beautiful mountains, lakes and calderas. They came, they hung out, got a latté, bought a T-shirt, and left. These tourists stayed in campgrounds, dispersed in outlying areas, and hotels. At some point, locals figured out they could make a few bucks renting their houses. And so STRs were born. At first, these STRs lived in peace, harmony and love with the community. Then city council started receiving negative feedback about: increased traffic, noisy guests, and reduced housing for locals. It’s 2018, the rules begin, and so ends the Wild West era of STRs in Sisters. Before we visit these rules, let’s note the source here: tourism. No tourists; no STRs. But people want to visit Sisters. Elected officials want people to visit Sisters. Local businesses want people to visit Sisters. And most locals seem to enjoy coffee shops, galleries, stores and events that the economy wouldn’t support without tourism. Tourists like STRs — generally, a more positive experience than hotels. And Sisters just doesn’t have enough rooms to accommodate demand for events like: Rodeo, Quilt Show, Folk Fest, and now Big Ponderoo. People in charge of the whole tourism thing realize this and decided that Sisters should offer multiple lodging options (including STRs) for tourists. And while some locals aren’t happy with the whole tourism

thing, these events and tourists don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Cities manage STRs with different tools. The most common being limiting how close they can be together or limiting total permits. Sisters currently requires STRs to be no closer than 250 feet from another. That translates into 1 to 3 potential STRs per city block. With about 110 STRs currently permitted. That’s more like 8% of total residences. In addition to having an eligible property, running an STR requires jumping through some hoops. The owner needs to get a permit from the city, pay a bunch of fees, obtain a business license from the state, prove use at least once a year, and pay revenue taxes to the city (9 percent) and state (1.5 percent). Quick math shows that to be about $280,000 to Sisters. Not game changing, but not insignificant either. This all leads to lots of questions, such as: What is the right number of STRs? How often are they rented? Do they affect housing prices? Do STRs lead to drunk naked tourists running through our neighborhoods at three in the morning? These are the questions facing City Council in the coming year(s). This is the first part of an ongoing look at the subject. Next time we’ll take a deeper look at these questions, address some of the community concerns, and check out some of the City’s next steps. Mike Zoormajian is principal at WetDog Properties in Sisters. Providing local real estate, property management and investor services.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Snow shoveling is risky business By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Old man winter came late this year, but when he arrived he packed a wallop on Sisters Country. At Black Butte Ranch, there was two feet on the ground by noon on Friday. Throughout the weekend temperatures plummeted and the white stuff kept piling up. For many, like skiers and snow boarders, the long wait for snow materialized and Ski Hoodoo opened last Wednesday to excited crowds. Although only two of four lifts operated as the job of grooming trails and readying all the mechanical apparatus took more effort with the rapid buildup of snow. Mt. Bachelor, already open, also struggled to keep lifts running and trails open with five feet of snow falling in a 72 hour window. They closed Saturday for the first time in two decades due to extreme conditions. As if on a universal cue, out came the snow shovels and snow blowers all over town and the hard work of clearing sidewalks — required by municipal code if you live within the city limits — and driveways began. And with it the universal and perennial warnings from health officials to think twice before attacking the snow. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Roger Johnson noted, “Safety groups recommend warming up prior to engaging in extensive snow shoveling. Warm up exercises such as stretching can prevent most injuries and emergency room visits. Other recommendations include wearing footwear with good traction and moving smaller amounts of snow at a time. Trying to lift too much, too fast can result in serious injuries.” Barry Franklin, Ph.D., FAHA, is one of the leading experts on the science behind the cardiovascular risks of snow shoveling. He has authored a number of studies on the topic, estimating that hundreds of people die during or just after snow removal in the U.S. each year. Reporting for the American Heart Association, he said. “Shoveling a little snow off your sidewalk may not seem like hard work. However, the strain of heavy

snow shoveling may be as or even more demanding on the heart than taking a treadmill stress test, according to research we’ve conducted. “For example, after only two minutes of snow shoveling, study participants’ heart rates exceeded 85 percent of maximal heart rate, which is a level more commonly expected during intense aerobic exercise testing. The impact is hardest on those people who are least fit.” Franklin noted five key ways snow shoveling affects heart health: • Snow shoveling involves mostly isometric or static exertion that involves the contraction of muscles without any movement in the surrounding joints. • The act of shoveling snow is mostly arm work, which is more taxing and demanding on the heart than leg work. • While straining to lift heavy loads, such as a shovelful of snow, you often unconsciously hold your breath, which causes big increases in heart rate and blood pressure. • Since you are mostly standing still while shoveling, your legs are not moving much which results in pooling of blood in the lower extremities, so it is not getting back to the heart which needs the oxygenated blood. • Breathing/exposure to cold air causes constriction of blood vessels throughout the body, disproportionately raising blood pressure and simultaneously constricting the coronary arteries (which

are about the size of cooked spaghetti). “The movements of snow shoveling are very taxing and demanding on your body and can cause significant increases in your heart rate and blood pressure,” Franklin said. “Combined with the fact that the exposure to cold air can constrict blood vessels throughout the body, you’re asking your heart to do a lot more work in conditions that are diminishing the heart’s ability to function at its best.” Those who are over 40, especially men, or have risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure or who smoke or live a sedentary lifestyle should think twice before shoveling snow, experts warn. Adding: those with a history of cardiovascular problems, including chest pain, heart disease or previous heart attacks, or those who have had procedures such as an angioplasty or bypass surgery should not do it at all. Snow shoveling can be risky and warrants common sense, particularly as temperatures plunge below zero as they did last Saturday. “While cardiac emergencies can occur during snow removal activities, it is a pretty rare event statistically,” Chief Johnson noted. “Remember to take it slow and work within your physical capabilities. If you aren’t physically able to remove the snow, consider hiring a private contractor or asking neighbors or family for help.”

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Obituary Lucille Trowbridge

February 9, 1927 – December 21, 2023

Lucille ‘Lu’ Trowbridge passed away December 21, 2023, at her home in Medford, Oregon. She was born February 9, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, and married the love of her life, Ira Trowbridge in 1946. Ira joined the Air Force and Lu and Ira raised their four children while moving all over the country from Base to Base. After Ira retired from the Air Force in 1966, the family moved to Oregon. Lu worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Alaska and the U.S. Forest Service in Bend and Sisters. When Lu retired, they bought a trailer and traveled, checking out the west and southwest (especially Las Vegas) for a few years then settled in Medford in 1991.

Lu was fun, funny, feisty, and hardworking, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children and their families: Barry Trowbridge and Kathy McCanst; Sandy and Bill Rowan; Denise Trowbridge; Carol Trowbridge; grandchildren: Charles, Rebecca, Spencer, Matthew, and Scott; and great-grandchildren: Sophia, Lucas, and Jacob. We will never stop missing her.

Obituaries Policy: The Nugget Newspaper does not charge a fee to publish obituaries. Obituaries may be up to 400 words and include one photo. Obituary submissions must be received by 10 a.m. on Monday to editor@nuggetnews.com or hand delivered to 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Obituaries Werner Sebastian Heinrich Storch

E. Paul Janssen

Our beloved husband, dad, uncle and grandfather Werner left us suddenly on December 15, 2023. He had recently celebrated his 93rd birthday — quite a milestone! We r n e r S e b a s t i a n Heinrich Storch was born November 24, 1930, in Tiefenort, Germany. The oldest of four children, he was quickly followed by Hannelore, Heinz and Anneliese. The family ran a butcher shop — a business that Werner was expected to overtake. In October 1948, however, at age 17, Werner had an argument with his father so severe that his father demanded he leave. He left with only the clothes on his back, 10 German marks and a cardboard briefcase. This was three years after the end of World War II, and he knew that he needed to head to the West to avoid being caught in what would soon become East Germany. Werner escaped by train and was helped by family in the West to start a new life. He worked as a bricklayer in Aachen before pursuing his love for math, geometry, physics and chemistry at the Ingenieurschule fur Bauwesen in Berlin, where he earned his engineering degree. After graduating in 1955, Werner obtained a job in Duesseldorf. This is where he learned of The World Council of Churches accepting applications to immigrate. They were looking for candidates that escaped from behind the “Iron Curtain.” His application was selected by The Rose City Methodist Church. So, in 1957, he and his first wife, Gitta, boarded a ship to the USA, ending their journey in Portland, Oregon. We r n e r ’s f i r s t j o b was working for Pacific Northwest Bell, but his goal was to become a civil and structural engineer. Though he spoke little English, he studied when he could to take the Professional

This is Paul Janssen’s story. It is one of honesty, gentleness, and a love for his family and community. Born to Pastor Emil C. Janssen and Alfrieda (Monke) in St. Louis, Missouri on May 11, 1936, he was raised in the Midwest where he developed a strong work ethic and an empathetic mind. He graduated from Washington University in Chemical Engineering. Paul married Judith Diane Meierhoff in 1958, and they fell in love with mountains on a driving trip to Colorado. They had three children, Jill (Bob), Rachel (Gary), and Robb (Ginger); and five grandchildren: Ridge and Rainier; Ella, Lily, and Laela. Paul worked for Monsanto Company and had a 35-year career helping make important products. His career led to various assignments; diverse locations in the states plus Brazil and Japan from where he retired. They then moved to their beloved Oregon where they lived 30 plus years in the home that they designed and built at Black Butte Ranch. He had a strong desire for volunteerism like building homes with Habitat for Humanity. He remained well respected both professionally and personally. His faith and curiosity were strong throughout his life. Paul’s interests were

Born May 11, 1936

November 24, 1930 – December 15, 2023

Engineer’s Exam- a 16-hour exam that had a 60 percent failure rate. Although the English-German dictionary he was allowed to use was missing most of the “E” section, he passed the exam on his first try. While living in Portland, Werner and Gitta had four childrenAndrea, Craig, Danielle and Tyson. Werner was able to start Storch Corporation Engineers in 1960. He started with two employees, which soon grew to 20. He helped design and build steel and grain mills, cement plants, and perhaps most famously, Portland’s Fremont bridge. For several years this was the longest free span bridge in the world. He had projects in Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Alaska and Ohio. Then came international projects in China, Germany, Indonesia and the Philippines. In July of 1991, Werner married Dolores O’Conner, bringing two more sons into the family — Scott and Mark. Werner and Dolores were happily married for over 32 years. They enjoyed remodeling various homes in Central Oregon, Washington, and California. They traveled extensively, returning often to Germany, and participating in the 875th birthday celebration of the city of Tiefenort. Werner enjoyed reading,

classical music, traveling, fly fishing and spending time with his family. Werner leaves behind his beloved wife Dolores, children Andrea (Jeff), Craig (Norma), Danielle (Kevin), Tyson (Melissa), Scott and Mark (Julie Anne) and nine grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at Black Butte Ranch in Sisters, Oregon on August 10, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. “What was once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose. For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” — Helen Keller

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numerous, and he notably loved the outdoors, taking his family on camping, skiing, and sight-seeing trips. Close friendships were formed as they traveled worldwide. He was knowledgeable and well read. He always kept a history and a mystery book on his bedside table, and he loved collecting book series by authors. He had a passion for antique tool collecting and worked in his wellorganized woodshop every chance he got. His love of classical music extended to his singing in the choir performing solos and duets. Paul had an artist’s eye. Paul’s life ended on a high note having lived his entire life to the fullest with his time on earth well spent. His life was said to be a life very well lived which included being loved by his wife and his family, friends, and their dog, Charlie. Memorial contributions could be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or Seed to Table Sisters. His smile will be missed, but his story continues.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

A N N O U N C E M E N T S Free Bridge Lessons

Mondays, January 22 through March 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy., Sisters. Contact: Jane at 541-977-2218 for further info and to sign up.

THIS WEEK’S

HIGHLIGHTS Monday, January 22 Free Bridge Lessons Sisters Community Church

Free Weekly Meal Service

Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. Visit www.FamilyKitchen.org.

Free Lunches for Seniors

For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers a fun, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches take place weekly on Wed. and Thurs., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.

Weekly Food Pantry

The Wellhouse Church hosts a weekly food pantry Thursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N. Trinity Way. Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-style distribution are available. Info: 541-549-4184.

Three Sisters Historical Society Seeks Volunteers

If you have an interest in local history, please consider donating some of your time to the Three Sisters Historical Society. They are especially looking for members to join the Board of Directors and volunteers in the areas of grant writing, social media, historic preservation, exhibits, or any other talents you are able to contribute. Call 541610-6323 or email museum@ threesistershistoricalsociety.org.

SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS

Family Story Time

Interactive story time with books, songs, and rhymes for children ages 0-5 years. These stories, songs, and rhymes are designed to support early literacy skill development, social emotional awareness, and family engagement. This 25-minute program is on Wednesdays, January 17, 24, and 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Sisters Library.

Know Stories: Tribal/ Shared History Reflection & Storytelling

On Wednesday, January 24, from 11 a.m. to noon at Sisters Firehouse Community Hall. Laurie Danzuka, member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, shares tribal history, impacts on public education, engaging with tribal students/families, and indigenous ways of living. She will also share current issues facing tribes and their members. These topics center around treaties, ceded lands, tribal life-ways, cultural restoration, and language revitalization.

Sisters Habitat Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for something fun to do with your free time? Volunteer with Sisters Habitat for Humanity! Call 541-549-1193 to get connected.

STARS Seeks Dispatch Volunteers

While working from home, help STARS transport Sisters Country residents to nonemergency medical appointments. Needed: A computer, the ability to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-904-5545. STARS is an AFSC Action Team.

Sisters Garden Club Journal

Sisters Garden Club has a Garden Journal that is available for $15 at Paulina Springs Books, The Gallimaufry, Three Sisters Floral, Home Styled, & Metamorphosis, all in Sisters. The multi-year journal includes pages for notes on weather, monthly garden activities, plant details, and more. Sales support the Club and other local nonprofits. Get your copy now. They make great gifts. Please call 971-246-0404 for questions.

STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transport Patients

Help Sisters Country residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters, Redmond, and Bend. Attend a free two-hour training. Emails from STARS 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. STARS is an AFSC Action Team.

Making a Difference Made Easy in Sisters Country

Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) fiscally sponsors three great Action Teams, and two of them currently need your help to advance their projects to improve livability in Sisters Country. Help the Family Friendly Restroom Team get their project (literally!) off the ground by going to www. agefriendlysisters.com and following the links to volunteer. Go to starsride.org to learn more about their Action Team. Call AFSC directly at 541-241-7910 to learn more about what we do.

Volunteer Opportunities in Sisters

Sisters Country Connects is a website that allows volunteers to connect with opportunities to serve in Sisters Country. Organizations post volunteer needs and those seeking to serve can read details about opportunities and find contact information. Find the website at www.sisterscommunity.org/ volunteer/.

Hunter Education Class

Starts February 14, 2024. Register online at odfw.com For info call Rick Cole 541-420-6934.

Sunday School for Children

Church of the Transfiguration is now offering Sunday School for children, ages 5 to 12, regardless of church affiliation, during both Sunday worship services. Protestant/ecumenical service is at 8:30 a.m. and Episcopal service begins at 10:15 a.m. The church address is 121 Brooks Camp Rd. Sisters. For info call Margaret Doke at 541-588-2784.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Caregiver Support Group

Thelma’s Place Adult Day Respite Program in Redmond hosts a monthly support group for those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease. The support group is held every third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. This is a free family-caregiver support group featuring local organizations. Call 541-548-3049.

Free Pet Food

Budget tight this month, but you still need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furry Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule your pickup. Pickups available Thursdays, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located at 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind The Nugget.

American Legion and VFW

Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, excluding January and July. Next meeting is on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Spoons, 473 E Hood Ave, Sisters. All members and interested veterans are encouraged to attend. For more information contact: SistersVeterans@gmail.com or https://sistersveterans.wixsite. com/sistersveterans

Sisters Cold Weather Shelter Open

In response to the extreme winter weather conditions, the City of Sisters is designating the currently vacant city-owned building at 291 E. Main Ave. as a temporary emergency shelter. This facility will provide overnight warming shelter services specifically for houseless families and individuals within the community. The emergency declaration was approved by the City Council for the shelter to operate from January 10-25, 2024. The emergency declaration may be extended by the Council if necessary. All visitors to the emergency shelter must agree to adhere to a specified code of conduct to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone. The shelter will operate from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. and no re-entry will be allowed after 9 p.m. Beginning Wednesday, January 17, the Sisters Library will be available during the day for warming. In case of any issues or concerns, individuals can contact the Deschutes County Sheriff ’s Office non-emergency number at 541-693-6911. The emergency shelter will also provide a daily contact number, accessible through the City’s website at www.ci.sisters.or.us.

Your Announcement Here

Schools, churches, nonprofit, recreational, and community groups: this is your page to announce your free gatherings and events! Regularly occurring Sisters Country meetings are listed on the Sisters Area Meeting Calendar on page 3 and special events or featured meetings can be listed on this page. All submissions are subject to editing and run only as space allows. Email janice@ nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Your text must include a “for more information” phone number. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Announce Your Celebrations!

Birth, engagement, wedding, and milestone anniversary notices from the Sisters community may run at no charge on this Announcements page. All submissions are subject to editing for space. Email nugget@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.

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Although this 13-year-old rat terrier mix would prefer to be in a quieter home, Rocky is a happy gentleman who still has plenty of pep in his step. He loves treats and needs a snuggle buddy this winter. If your heart is open to Rocky, stop by the shelter today to meet him!

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SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES

Baha’i Faith For information, devotions, study groups, etc., contact Shauna Rocha 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching.org Calvary Church 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153 10 a.m. Sunday Worship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship The Resting Place meeting at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. (Beginning January 28) www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 5 p.m. Sunday Worship

Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir St. • 541-815-9848 11 a.m. Saturday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz.org • info@sistersnaz.org 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a.m. Tuesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship

POLICY: Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding, and anniversary 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@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Outlaws defeat Falcons in buzzer-beater on the hardwood By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws boys basketball squad defeated the visiting Elmira Falcons 55-53 on Monday, January 8, with a layup from Landon Scott at the buzzer. In the first quarter, the score went back-and-forth in the first quarter with several lead changes. With 1:30 left Austin Dean made a driving layup to tie it up 13-13. On the next possession, Dean stole the ball, and dished it off to Oliver Bernhardt who scored the layup. Bernhardt was fouled on the shot, made the free throw, and took the Outlaws to a 16-13 lead. Elmira hit one of two free throws with just under a minute left in the period, and Brody Fischer wrapped up the first quarter scoring with a three-pointer that put the Outlaws on top 19-14 at the end of the period. The Outlaws caused eight Falcons turnovers that resulted in 11 of the Outlaws’ 19 points. Sisters led the entire second quarter, and outscored the Falcons 15-12. Kale Gardner scored the Outlaws’ first eight points of the period on driving layups and a jumper, and Landon Scott scored the final seven points to give the Outlaws a 34-26 lead at the half. Diego Silva and Scott scored the Outlaws first four points of the third period, but then Elmira scored 12 consecutive points and tied the game at 38-38. The score stayed close, and then with two seconds left in the quarter Gardner made a lay-up to bring the Outlaws to within one point at 43-44. Gardner grabbed his own rebound for a put-back to start

…as a team we stayed strong mentally and kept our heads up, which allowed us to come through in the end — Kale Gardner

the fourth-quarter scoring and regain the lead for Sisters at 45-44. There were several lead changes in the first four minutes and the game remained tight. With approximately two and a half minutes left in the game, Scott took a Gardner pass and made a strong baseline drive for the layup and tied it up 51-51. Gardner pushed the Outlaws’ lead to two points a minute later when he took a Garrett Sager pass in the opposite corner and made a strong baseline drive for the layup. The clock ticked down, and with just 6.8 seconds left the Outlaws were called for a foul. Elmira made both shots from the charity stripe and the contest was knotted up at 53-53. Gardner inbounded the ball from half-court to Sager, who immediately passed it back to Gardner, who raced up the floor and found a wide open Scott under the basket. Scott made the layup as the buzzer sounded, and

fans were on their feet as the Outlaws recorded the twopoint victory. Scoring leaders for the Outlaws were Gardner and Scott. Gardner finished the night with 26 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Scott followed with 15 points and seven rebounds. “We faced a lot of adversity this game and missed some easy looks at the rim,” said Scott. “We also didn’t shoot well from the three, but as a team we stayed strong mentally and kept our heads up, which allowed us to come through in the end. I’m proud of the way our team fought late in the fourth.” Gardner added, “I was glad we got the win. We went through some adversity, after being down by foul, and getting a technical, but we stuck with it and didn’t give up. Our team never gives up.” Coach Chad Rush told The Nugget that the win was a great testament to the growth the Outlaws have

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made as a team. “After giving up a 12 point lead, and seeing Elmira take a lead during that time, this team could have been so discouraged and just given up. Earlier in the season I don’t know if we would have had the mental toughness to recover from something like that,” he said. “But tonight, the players did a great job of staying with it and never letting Elmira get too far out of reach. The defense sunk in and held Elmira to just one field goal in the final period, which was the reason we were able to have the

opportunity to get the victory the way we did. “The last play of the game was so exciting to see when Kale hit Landen under the basket for the winning points,” added Rush. “This was a true team victory in many aspects.” The Outlaws were to host Siuslaw at home on Friday, January 12, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather. Sisters will play at Creswell on Wednesday, January 17, and then play at home against Harrisburg on Friday.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Baby changing stations make debut By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

A poop-filled diaper and nowhere to change it has led to an initiative to make bathrooms in Sisters businesses more family-friendly. For small business owners, installing a diaper changing table might not always be affordable or top-of-mind. A new program by Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) has created an action team to make it easy to add changing tables. The action team’s aim is to help them out by offering free sourcing and installation of changing tables and other kid-oriented bathroom amenities, such as handwashing stools, wipes, and diaper starter packs. Storefront window stickers inform patrons that there is a baby changing station inside. Support from Citizens4Community’s (C4C) Momentum Grant, and the

City of Sisters Community Grant, provided funding for the initial round of restroom enhancements. You can check out first installations at Fika Sisters Coffeehouse, Luckey’s Woodsman, Suttle Tea, High Camp Taphouse, and Eurosports. Team leaders for the project are Kellen Klein and Jane Cartwright. Klein is the executive director of C4C, and Cartwright is a staunch community volunteer, having a long career with corporate icons like Nike, North Face, and Echo HealthStream. Klein explained the genesis of the program: “This all started one day when I had to change my son’s poopy diaper on the floor of two local businesses due to their lack of changing tables. My wife and I figured we could either complain, or turn it into something positive. We chose the latter, and Family Friendly Restroom Team

was born. We’re so grateful to AFSC for giving us the guidance and infrastructure to make this project possible and help local caregivers and business owners.” Cartwright added: “Parents and caregivers do such hard and important work, and unfortunately they often don’t get the credit they are due. The changing stations we’re providing are one small way to make their work easier, and help them feel seen in our community.” The couple is also exploring opportunities to work with other local organizations to develop a map of Sisters Country’s changing stations, and plans to create an “action toolkit” to guide others eager to catalyze similar work in their own community. The cost is about $250 per restroom and AFSC hopes to add 15 more installations this year, to be funded by donations.

Outlaws compete at Oregon Classic By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The Oregon Classic, held January 12-13, attracted more than 50 teams from all Oregon classifications as one of the largest gatherings of wrestlers annually in the state. The tournament is unique in that teams pair up with other squads for a series of head to head duals, and final team results are based on which team ultimately comes out on top in the classification. Sisters, wrestling in the 3A ranks, had mixed results at the tournament, largely due to having gaps in weight classes, resulting in forfeits. “It’s tough to win dual if you don’t have enough weight classes covered,” said Coach David Kemp. Carter Van Meter led the team with a 3-1 record over the weekend. He beat Markis Boehm of Sutherlin (fall 1:06) and recorded two wins by forfeit before losing to Benjamin Dinan of Banks (fall 1:06). Tyson Kemp won his first match by fall over Aydenn Goncalves of Sutherlin (1:59), but dropped his next two matches. Senior Jake Beutler continued his improvement according to coach David Kemp. Beutler notched two wins by pin including one against Levi Casteel of Camas Valley in just 14 seconds. He also pinned Alexzander Longbrake of Sutherlin (fall 2:33), but suffered a loss against Anthony Andre of Crane (Fall 1:32). Scott Henderson, also senior, picked up a pair of

wins against two losses. He beat Christian Medina of Banks (Fall 1:16) and Oscar Maley of Crane (fall 0:35). Jozua Miller won in his final of four matches with a pin over Aaron Barry of Crane (0:59). Jace Owens had a busybut-tough weekend, going 0-4 in the 167 pound class. He battled each opponent well, according to Kemp. Three girls took part in the duals, including Brooklyn Cooper, Pidge Henderson, Kisten Elbek and Sierra Jaschke, and, although none came away with victories

over their male opponent, Kemp complimented their efforts. “These girls just want to compete and I am so proud of them for how they approach the challenge every week,” he said. “There was a girls’ division but these girls chose to stick with the rest of the team. It would have been tough to do the girls’ duals with only three kids and they helped out the program by wrestling with the boys.” The Outlaws host a dual match on Wednesday, January 17 against Santiam starting at 6 p.m.

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Sisters-Area Events & Entertainment THURSDAY • JANUARY 18 Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Jeffrey Silverstein 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.

FRIDAY • JANUARY 19

The Belfry Live Music: Sunny War and Chris Pierce 7 to 10 p.m. Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets, $20, at www.bendticket.com. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com. Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Beth and Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

SATURDAY • JANUARY 20

Paulina Springs Books Game Night 5 to 8 p.m. Bring a game or play one of ours. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SUNDAY • JANUARY 21

Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23

The Belfry Frontiers in Science Lecture Series: Dr. Richard Schulz on Family Caregiving in the US: Research, Policy and Future Directions presented by Sisters Science Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., lecture at 7 p.m. Adults $5 at the door; teachers and students free. Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Live Music: Grits N Gravy 6-8 p.m. Free entry. Info: www.sisterstaphousehotel.com.

THURSDAY • JANUARY 25

Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Nathan Earle shares his new solo record, and more of his music! 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.

FRIDAY • JANUARY 26

The Belfry Live Music: May Erlewine (one of the Midwest’s most prolific and passionate songwriters) with R.O. Shapiro (a purveyor of original Americana music, carefully crafted and soulfully sung) and Joel Chadd 7 to 10 p.m. Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets, $20, at www.bendticket.com. Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Beth and Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com. Entertainment & Events Calendar listings are free to Nugget advertisers. Non-advertisers can purchase a listing for qualified event for $40/week. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to jess@nuggetnews.com. EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

CAREGIVING: Sisters Science Club takes on common issue Continued from page 3

PHOTO BY OLIVIA NIETO

Sisters High School students are planning a group trip to Europe.

Sisters students plan trip to Europe By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

Travel is a luxury that not all can afford. Education Tours is an organization that aids in the funding and organization of student travel programs worldwide. At Sisters High School, these tours used to be a tradition, but when COVID-19 shut down travel, the school had to put their plans on hold. This coming spring of 2024, introduces the first official EF Educational Tours trip Sisters High School students have been involved in since 2020. This tight-knit group of eight are visiting five different countries over 11 days. These countries included Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Estonia. “I’ve never been outside the country, so I’m super excited to be able to go on this trip,” said senior Abigail Christopher. Trips have been historically guided by teachers Samra Spear and Gail Greaney; this year is no different. Originally taken over

from a previous Spanish teacher at SHS, Janis Quiros, Spear, and Greaney have carried on this tradition for 10 years. “We love working with EF because they truly try to immerse you as much as they can into the culture. Whether it be trying out the foods or having local guides, the kids really get to experience the culture and not just be a tourist,” said Spear. The planning for this trip began in March 2023, giving the students and teachers time to pay for and organize the trip. Their tour begins in Oslo Scandinavia for three days before they take an overnight ferry to Copenhagen. The students will get the chance to sightsee the Christiansborg Palace and climb the 17th-century Round-Tower before moving on to Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tallinn. Many of them have never ventured outside of America, but are eager to explore these new places and introduce themselves to new people and alternative ways of living. Neither Greaney, Spear have visited Scandinavia

either, which will make this a new experience for all of them. “This is my first time traveling globally. I’m most excited to visit Denmark, see their culture, eat different foods, and just travel,” said senior Presley Adelt. With the majority of students being a part of the senior class, there are no doubts as to how memorable this excursion will be. “This is a very special group of kids, we know them well, and it’s my daughter’s class,” said Greaney That combination of hearing about these places but never having been there before is all very exciting,” “Because a large part of the group is seniors it’ll be nice to just have fun with my friends. It’s a great transition before college and graduation. We’re all just excited to see this new part of the world,” said senior Molly Greaney. In addition to this tour, Greaney and Spear are planning for their following trip to Portugal which will take place during spring break of 2025.

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Dr. Richard Schulz. — and what doesn’t — is vital to the development of national and local policies that support health care for aging adults, Dr. Schulz points out. A Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry, Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Schulz will speak on “Family Caregiving in the US: Research, Policy, and Future Directions” at the January 23 event. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with light fare, beer, and wine available for purchase. Admission is $5 at the door; teachers and students are admitted free. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave., Sisters.

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The estimated worth of “free” family caregiving in the U.S. exceeds $500 billion annually. How can this emotional, often stressful, gift to others be supported by government policies and community services? How can the true cost in caregivers’ health and well-being be mitigated and honored? Seek some answers with Dr. Richard Schulz, Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry, Emeritus, School of Medicine University of Pittsburgh, and former chairman of the National Institute of Medicine Committee on caregiving policy.

Tuesday, January 23 • 7 p.m. The Belfry, 302 E. Main Ave., Sisters Doors open at 6 p.m. for social hour, food & drink! Admission: $5 at the door; Teachers & Students - FREE Save the Date: Tuesday, February 17: Dr. Donna Davis on Virtual Reality

BRING YOUR CURIOSITY AND AN APPETITE FOR KNOWLEDGE!

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Sisters Middle School Honor Roll FIFTH GRADE 4.0 Bilderback, Weston; Crabtree, Zinnia; Davis, Riley; Durham, Noelle; Eigner, Caleb; Freeman, Madison; Miller, Ezekiel; Padilla, Phoenix; Planty, B o d h i ; R e a , Wi l s o n ; Seaney, Reese; Velikonia, E v a n g e l i n e ; Wa i t l e y, Damon. 3.5 and above Morrow, Xavier; Bulloch William; Dickman, Gavin; Faldmo, Elin; Griffin, E l l i s ; H a y, D a w s o n ; Horton, Luella; Johnson, Hudson; Kemp, Blake; Knutzen, Emerson; Moffat, Bailey; Orange, Avery; Poulos, Brecken; Rude, Hudson; Scott, Louella; White, Layla; Morzov, K a i a ; G e o rg e r, L u k e ; Hansen, Avery; Martin, Camden; Neilsen, Finley; Ohlenkamp, Clark; Pasley, Parker; Taylor, Jameson; K u e n z i , M a x ; B o y e r, Savannah; Hernandez, Peyton; Hockett, Quinn; Johnson, Collier; Rosas, Roslynn; Smith, Olin; McShane, Finnley; Rowe, Cameron. SIXTH GRADE 4.0 Anderson, Jordan; Barbeau, Kammy; Beaver, Catherine; Cheney, Lena; Corcoran, Charlie; Folin, Amelia; Garcia, Ellery; Geraths, Paisley; Green, Savannah; Hagen, Quinn; H a m e r l y, V i v i e n n e ; Henry, Rylah; Jensen, Dublin; Jordan, Crosby; Kerkmann, Anika; Kidd, Mya; Kuitert, Brayden;

Kuitert, Macy; Liddlell, Campbell; Nibur, Augustus; Parzybok, Arlo;; Perry, Mallory; Skeels, Brennin; Thomas, Aspen; Vedder, Pyper; Walker, Stephen; Welbourn, Sydney; Wilkie, Echo. 3.5 and above Card, Tabor; Casey, Lillian; Cochran, Brogan; Hansen, Penelope; McCord, Aulora; Miller, Kaylee; O’Neill, Emmry; Riemer, Rilyn; Schuepbach, Brock; Sullivan, Ashly; Temple, Pete; Wall, Mason; Yoakam, Kiera; Anderson, Paige; Borla, Nealie; Connelly, Lane; Craig, Nolan; Frank, Owen; Hudson, Sydney; Mason, Amelia; Monroe, Cayden; Oncken, Naomi; Restani, Arora; Schuepbach, Bronson; Wolfe, Ava; Albeck, Lykan; Bulloch, Belle; Ellington, Delfina; Hoyt, West; Keefe, Hudson; Kuper, Rylie; Magana Ordaz, Renata Karolina; Roth, Hunter; Smithers, Layne; VanHandel, Seth. SEVENTH GRADE 4.0 Bilderback, Clara; Brang, Cameron; Dean, Caroline; Dennison, Cole; Doyle, Laef; Durham, Marshall; Erdekian, Ajax; Faldmo, Kinley; Hubbell, Georgia; Humpert, Audrey; Jaschke, Josie; Johnson, Brennan; Keeton, Kyanne; Kemp, Julianne; Liddell, Paige; Mock, Kate; Moffat, Brennan; Molesworth, Annabelle; Morris, Kole; N o r d e l l , Ry a h ; R e i d , Opal; Scott, James; Smith,

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Roselynn; Taylor, Ashlin; White, Jasmine. 3.5 and above Backouris, Kaia; Barlow, Jade; Cogdill, Katharine; Hansen, Kathryn; Labhart, Maren; Lee, Clover; Osborne, Maggie; Vitelle, Alex; Fernandez, Manny; Davis. Lydia; Dunlap, H u d s o n ; G l o e c k n e r, Hadley; Rhyne, Isla; Roberts, Tucker; Singleton, Will; Behnke, Max; Cron, Lydia; Kirkpatrick, Landon; Pronold, Boone; Taylor, Aubrey. EIGHTH GRADE 4.0 Anderson, Carter; Beaver, Elizabeth; Brent, Verbena; Davis, Kennedy; Durham, Madison; Fredland, Molly; Freeland, Avery; Fuentes, Josta; Gardiner, Jensen; Green, Silas; Hagen, Reed; Hansen, Brooklynne; Jensen, Jasper; Kirkpatrick, Makayla; Magner, Lola; Riemer, Brecken; Talus, Henri; VanHandel, Mason; Varner, Madison. 3.5 and above Fuller, Brianna; Gibney, Tanner; Guiney, Janelle; King, Siena; Kirkpatrick, M a d i s o n ; M a l o n e y, McGinnis; Roberts, Mary; Walker, Ella; Anderson, Quinn; Benton, Phineas; Clark, Sofia; Moen, Stella; Nieto, Alexander; Smith, Wynonna; Daniel, Mia; Huffman, Dominic; Jordan, Addison; Ladd, Meron; Lamb, Kendal; Padilla, Cruz; Roth, Ellie; Sybesma, Corbin; Cohen, William.

ROBERTS: Scholarship season is about to get underway Continued from page 3

The applications for this year’s senior class opens on January 23 with scholarships from 70 different local donors. Last year over $250,000 was awarded to individuals from the class of 2023 and Roberts expects a similar amount this year. Some scholarships included numerous recipients. There are at least six new scholarships being offered this year, according to Roberts. Two are coming from Shaunette White and her family. One is the High Desert Chocolate Athletic Scholarship and the other is called the White Family Pay it Forward Scholarship. White is hosting a Casino Night March 9, 2024 to support GRO. After nearly six months on the job, Roberts is enjoying the work and is looking forward to her first scholarship season. “It’s going great for me

so far. I love being involved in such meaningful work that will directly impact students in our community. The board members are all so passionate and giving with their time. I’m looking forward to the next half of my year and getting to know the students and their families and seeing their post-high school plans develop and be supported by all of our generous donors.” With the application window about to open Roberts wants seniors and their families to understand that with such a wide variety of awards, there really is something for everyone who plans to go on to any type of further education. “Whether it is traditional college, trade schools or other technical programs we have scholarships to match,” she said. “For the last few years every student who completed the application process received at least one award.” The application process doesn’t start until Tuesday, January 23, but families are encouraged to visit the website at www.sistersgro.org.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

To the Editor: My apologies to the good folks at St. Edward the Martyr for omitting them in my column of January 10 (“Does Sisters need a cemetery?”). I found no page on their website of their Saint Winefried’s Garden and Cemetery, a beautiful addition to the church completed in the early 2000’s. It is an urn-burial place of reflection, peace and solace. According to available public burial records there are close to 100 memorials with about 30 percent GPS located and more than half photographed. I am assured by parishioners that the garden is open to all for visitors and I am headed there now to reflect on my carelessness. Bill Bartlett

their first four days taking 15 votes to elect their House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, only to oust him after 9 months. After ousting McCarthy, they fought for another three weeks over their next Speaker, only to settle on Mike Johnson who helped spearhead Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. They fought amongst themselves and went right to the brink of defaulting on United States debt, which would have created financial chaos in the U.S. and beyond. They failed to reach any agreement on a budget, and twice went right to the brink of a government shutdown before passing continuing resolutions (one of which expires this week; it is uncertain what will happen next). They voted to censure several of their colleagues as political retaliation. They fought and threatened like schoolyard bullies. And finally, in their last worthless act of the year before adjourning for a month, every single Republican voted to retaliate against Democrats for Trump’s well-deserved impeachments by launching a baseless impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. Chavez-DeRemer pretends to be a principled, pragmatic moderate, willing to reach across the aisle to get things done. She is not. In fact, she was a key player in the MAGA dysfunction, described above, that has consumed the House since 2023. For example, Chavez-DeRemer voted for HR 2811, which would have sent the US into default unless its draconian proposed across-the-board cuts to social programs like the VA, education, Medicaid, SNAP, plus the rescission of funding for renewable energy and the IRS, had gone into effect. That bill passed in the House by one vote, her vote. The MAGA threats to default on our debt and to shut down the government caused the U.S. credit rating to be lowered, making our borrowing costs higher and increasing the deficit! Any doubts that Chavez-DeRemer is MAGA, not moderate, were dispelled for good when she voted to install Mike Johnson, a “key architect of Republican’s objections to certifying Mr. Biden’s victory on January 6,” as Speaker. She touted him as a “consensus candidate” even though he vociferously opposes gay marriage, asserting that it would lead to people being able to marry their pets(!); believes in creationism; and opposes abortion under any circumstances. Americans deserve better than the strife, chaos, incompetence, and dissension that MAGA offers. And voters in Oregon’s District 5 deserve better than being represented by MAGA Representative Chavez-DeRemer. Mary Chaffin

s s s

Do nothing Republicans

Israel history

To the Editor, By all accounts, this past year of Republican control in the House of Representatives has been the least effective in nearly a century, and very possibly the least effective ever. Republicans passed just 22 mostly inconsequential bills this past year, one more than the Congress of 1932 which passed just 21 bills, but only met for 3 months. Instead of passing legislation that would benefit the nation, Republicans wasted an entire year on infighting, retaliation, and trying to salvage the candidacy of twice impeached, 91-count indicted, sexual assaulter and business fraudster, self-proclaimed dictator wannabe, Donald Trump. What did our Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her MAGA House colleagues do all year? They spent

To the Editor: I’m giving a small history of Israel. The original land of Israel given to Abraham in the Old Testament of the Bible went from Alexandria, Egypt, south to Aswan, Egypt, then northeast across Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, northwest along Euphrates River in Iraq to Adana, Turkey, south to Syria and Lebanon, and back to Alexandria, Egypt, along the Mediterranean Ocean. This is forever to the Jews. In about 135 AD, Romans changed Israel to Palestine to this day. Ezekiel 34; Jeremiah 31:35-37; Romans 11:1-6. Israel is God’s people for eternity. There is a lot more in the Bible that speaks to all this. Chet Davis

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

long to get affordable homes or apartments in our little rich town, to house those who serve us every day in restaurants, gas stations, and stores. The good news; work to address Sisters’ workforce housing gaps, done by past and present councils and past and present staff, will come to fruition over the next two-plus years. This work considers all aspects of Sisters Vision, the Comprehensive plan and numerous other City plans to which the public provided input to complete. These affordable developments will occur within the current northern and eastern city boundaries. It takes time and a village to manage our towns growth but it is happening. Speaking of it “taking a village,” the City of Sisters also donates to a few of the numerous nonprofits and groups including those helping our unhoused community to a total of $20,000 each year (we may increase that for future years). This winter, the Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS) continues to help our unsheltered neighbors (over 50 percent of them are working in Sisters), brought heating elements to those without, and assisted people with basic needs in numerous ways. Sisters Community Church helped unhoused with access to have a warm shower and continue to offer Senior Lunches. Sisters Kiwanis Food Pantry and Family Kitchen offered groceries and served all comers warm meals, respectively. You can help our unhoused neighbors get through this winter with a donation to SCWS, P O Box 1782, Sisters, OR, 97759. Susan Cobb

s s s

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Lady Outlaws win in nail-biter By Rongi Yost Correspondent

Sisters girls basketball team squeaked past Elirma on Monday, January 8, in an exciting match-up that ended in a dramatic 43-40 finish. The Outlaws got off to a slow start, but midway through the first quarter Jenna Lake banked in a threepointer that gave the Outlaws a 8-6 lead. That ended Sisters scoring for the quarter. Elmira scored nine straight points and at the end of the first period the Outlaws trailed 8-15. Sisters was held to just five points in the second period, and were outscored 5-12. The Falcons racked up their points off of well executed pick-and-rolls and fast transitions on turnovers. At the half the Outlaws found themselves down 13-27. Coach Paul Patton said, “At halftime we talked about simply playing our game a little bit better, taking care of the basketball and turning up the defensive intensity.” The Outlaws executed their plan, powered back in the third, and held the Falcons scoreless for the first six minutes of the quarter, and limited them to three points in the period. Ila Reid went five-for-six from the charity stripe, and Jenna Lake hit two long three-pointers in the final two minutes. At the end of the third the Outlaws had trimmed their 14 point deficit to three, 27-30. Sisters kept the momentum and the fourth

quarter started with a steal from Maggie Lutz, who went almost the full length of the court and scored to make it 29-30. Midway through the period Audrey Corcoran hit a long ball from the corner to tie it up 35-35. Reid was fouled and went twofor-two from the line, and then followed with a driving right-handed layup to put the Outlaws on top 39-35 with just under three minutes left in the contest. Elmira came back and tied it up 40-40 with 45 seconds left on the clock. The Outlaws took possession but a turnover resulted in the Falcons getting the ball out of bounds under their own basket. Their best player, Layla Burgess, missed the three-point attempt that bounced over the backboard, and the Outlaws got the ball back with 15 seconds left in the game. Patton called a timeout, and assistant coach Ashley Reimer drew up a play. The girls executed perfectly, and got the ball to freshman Corcoran who, with poise and confidence, drained the threepointer, and gave the Outlaws a 43-40 lead with 10 seconds left. Elmira called a timeout, and then ran a play to Burgess, but her three-point attempt bounced off the front of the iron and the Outlaws celebrated a huge come-frombehind victory. Corcoran led the Outlaws with 18 points, Reid scored 11, and Lake added nine. Patton said, “I’m obviously thrilled for the girls to

…We rose to the challenge, and worked really hard together. — Audrey Corcoran get the hard-fought win and I’m so proud of them for not giving up when things weren’t going our way early on. We shortened up our rotations off the bench a little bit with this being a league game against what we saw as an equal adversary and the eight girls who played all helped in the win one way or another. I’m also encouraged by the fact that we won when not playing as well as I think we can, so if we can clean things up a little bit maybe the next win will be a little less dramatic.” Reid said, “I’m really proud of how we came back. It will help us in the future, and we can have confidence knowing that we can come back from behind. Everyone bought into their role and we played as a team. This win will fuel us as we continue league play.” Corcoran added, “Even though we were down, we rose to the challenge, and worked really hard together.” The Outlaws game against Siuslaw on Friday was cancelled due to inclement weather. Sisters will play on the road at Creswell on Wednesday, January 17, and then at home on Friday against Harrisburg.

Sisters Country birds By Douglas Beall Correspondent

Visiting the Cascade forests in late fall and winter, the fluted notes of the Varied Thrush [zoreus naevius] can often be heard echoing through the forests and canyons. The elegant orange of the Varied Thrush can be seen throughout winter and are definitely a western bird. Their breeding range extends as far north as Alaska and western Canada to the forests of Oregon and Washington. They winter down the coast of California coast to Baja. The varied Thrush was first identified by naturalists on Captain Cook’s third voyage in 1778 at Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island. Closely related to the Robin, they also can be seen

on lawns and roadsides foraging for seeds, berries and grubs. The Varied Thrush breeds mostly in Canada and Alaska, males arriving first to sing and claim their territories. Then build their nests with spruce, fir and hemlock twigs, which are then lined with moss, fine grasses and dead leaves. The nest is normally located in a conifer about 10 feet high, and contains one to six blue-with-brown speckled eggs. Hatching in 10-14 days, the young are fed worms and insects until they leave the nest in 13-15 days. They will often raise two broods. When Varied Thrushes gather they are referred to as a “mutation” or a “hermitage” of thrushes. To view more images of this thrush, visit http://abirdsings becauseithasasong.com.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS BEALL

Varied Thrush.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Commentary...

Paige by Paige — favorite 2023 books

By Paige Bentley-Flannery Community Librarian

Do you have a favorite 2023 book? This year I curated my favorite books by themes, debut authors and favorite authors. My recommendations include creating a wife app, searching for a father and books about books. I’ve been sharing piles and piles of favorites at Library Book Pairing events at Suttle Tea, Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe, BrownBag Popcorn and PCA Art Gallery by matching a scene, event or place with a specific tea, dessert, popcorn or art piece. Favorites include “The Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose in which the murder takes place in the hotel’s tearoom floor. I matched art and tea (Mint Meadows) with “North Woods” by Daniel Mason. I paired “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld with Sea Salt and White Cheddar popcorn and “The Trackers” by Charles Frazier with

CODE: Citizens, businesses support dark skies protection Continued from page 1

designed outdoor lighting,” staff reported. “Further, it is necessary to reconsider the timeframe for non-conforming lighting, as the five-year timeframe established in the current code was not met, which would have been in 2015. “Community-led efforts to educate the community on the importance of sensitive lighting on the ability to see the nighttime stars have also inspired this effort — most notably by the Astronomy Club with Sisters High School — who have provided community education about the impacts of lighting on the ability to see the stars at night and on wildlife and the environment. Additionally, multiple letters have been encouraging steps to preserve the dark sky and goals and community input during the update of the Sisters Comprehensive Plan emphasized and supported the need to update the Dark Skies ordinance.” In developing the new code language, staff had many discussions with the business community, and found strong support for dark skies restrictions — though some businesses need exemptions for safety reasons. Some businesses would be negatively impacted by curfews. Business owners

Creamy Ranch popcorn. Explore more of my book pairings on the DPL Catalog under DPLpaigeb. Do you enjoy reading a book that takes you to an amazing destination? My favorites included, “The Wishing Game” by Meg Shaffer, “For Twice in My Life” by Annette Christie and “What You Are Looking for Is in the Library” by Michiko Aoyama. More traveling with historical fiction included, “The Wildest Sun” by Asha Lemmie and “Homecoming” by Kate Morton. I explored a variety of favorite books that take place in New York City including, “The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis, “Crook Manifesto” by Colson Whitehead, “Lush Lives” by J. Vanessa Lyon, “A Winter in New York” by Josie Silver and “The Leftover Woman” by Jean Kwok. Also, in NYC with a side of true friendships, “Someone Else’s Shoes” by Jojo Moyes and “The Wife App” by Carolyn Mackler.

Family Secrets / Mysteries: “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim, “Just Another Missing Person” by Gillian McAllister, “What Meets the Eye” by Alex Kenna, “Symphony of Secrets” by Brendan Slocumb, “The Puzzle Master” by Danielle Trussoni (with puzzles in the book), “The Death of Us” by Lori Rader-Day, “The Fiction Writer” by Jillian Cantor, “Hot Springs Drive” by Lindsay Hunter and “Zero Days” by Ruth Ware. Mysteries with unique writing styles: “West Heart Kill” by Dann McDorman and “The Biography of X” by Catherine Lacey. Romance: “Picture Perfect Autumn” by Shelley Noble — I always appreciate a romance story surrounded by art — especially when the main character is searching for inspiration and discovers an amazing photographer and an art school. Do you remember reading books by Sophie Kinsella? My favorite is

also hope for time and perhaps financial support to bring non-conforming lighting into compliance. Code provides for darkskies friendly lighting to be mandated for new development, and gives five years to bring existing non- conforming lighting into compliance. String lighting has become popular in recent years, and code allows for it, with a curfew of 11 p.m. Council backed off of a stringent requirement for where string lights may be placed on a residence, which had the support of Sisters High School science teacher and Astronomy Club advisor Rima Givot. She said that location is unimportant. “What’s important is turning them off,” she said. Some residents and business owners feel that lighting is important to security. They are encouraged to use motion-sensor lights and code requires that their lighting not “trespass” on their neighbors. Sisters resident and dark skies activist Paul Bennett noted that neighbors keep an eye on neighbors’ properties. That, he believes, is more important than light when it comes to security. “You need to get along well with your neighbor,” he said. “That’s your best safety feature. If that means changing your light bulb, well, how big of a deal can that be?” Mayor Michael Preedin emphasized that the City’s approach will not be

heavy-handed. “We try to do this with education before enforcement,” he said. “We’re not going to blast people. We’re not going to go neighbor against neighbor on our lights.” Under the revised code, lighting should be: • Useful. Light should only be used if needed. All light should have a clear purpose, with consideration about how light will impact neighbors, wildlife, and their habitats. • Targeted. Light fixtures should be directed so light falls only where it is needed. Shielding and careful aiming of the light beam to target its direction downward should be employed to prevent spill beyond where lighting is needed. • L o w l ev el . L i g h t s should be no brighter than necessary, using the lowest light level possible. Attention should be given to reflective surfaces that will amplify lights and direct light into the sky or neighboring properties. • Controlled. Lighting should only occur when it is needed. Controls such as timers or motion detectors should be employed to ensure that light is available when it is needed, dimmed when possible and turned off when not needed. • Warmer color lights should be used where possible. The Sisters Development Code can be accessed at https://www.ci.sisters.or.us.

“I’ve Got Your Number.” She has a wonderful new book titled “The Burnout.” Two more: “The Sweetest Revenge” by Lizzy Dent and “Until I Met You” by Amber Rose Gill. An introduction to new authors: A few I heard speak, share their stories and talk about their writing style: “Y/N” by Esther Yi, “Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward, “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang, “Innards: Stories” by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene. Favorite authors with new books: “Family Lore” by Elizabeth Acevedo, “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver, “The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff, “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See, “The Blonde Identity” by Ally Carter, “Day” by Michael Cunningham, “The Fraud” by Zadie Smith and “The Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt Nonfiction: Sometimes my nonfiction reading was filled with history and other

times it was filled with animals: “Opinions” by Roxanne Gay, “Of Time and Turtles” by Sy Montgomery, “Astor” by Anderson Cooper and “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel. Hope and Honesty — Memoirs/Biographies: “Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems,” “Letters, Recipes and Remembrances” by Kwame Alexander, “Year of the Tiger” by Alice Wong, “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig, “How to Say Babylon” by Safiya Sinclair and “A Living Remedy” by Nicole Chung. Poetry: “Above Ground” by Clint Smith, “Musical Tables” by Billy Collins, “Rose Quartz” by Sasha taqwšeblu LaPointe. What books are on your TBR pile? Start the new year off with a debut author or a cozy mystery book. Join the Winter Reading Challenge at Deschutes Public Library January 1 through March 20, via the Beanstack app. #DPLWinterRead.

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Nugget Poetry Corner Survival Edie Jones

Falling. Falling. The snow keeps falling, onto the tall Juniper tree. Heavily ladened, cold to my eyes, White with green edges, it beckons to me. Do I go out? No. Heaven forbid. Degrees below zero, too cold. Here within warm walls, I’m planted. Stepping out – for me – far too bold. But watch I do, and ponder, as Robins flit here and there. Fluffing, for survival. I worry. How will they fare? Dozens seeking shelter. Dozens with feathers so bright. Quietly waiting on branches. Where will they bed, come the night? Berries and snow sustain them, as they fly from place to place. I, in the warmth of my dwelling, am amazed at their strength and grace. Common and unpretentious. They rest, for a moment in time. Survive though snow keeps falling. Truly God’s creation sublime. Have an original poem that you’d like to share? Email submissions to jess@nuggetnews.com.

Publication is subject to space availability and discretion of The Nugget Newspaper.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

N U G G E T F L AS H BAC K – 3 2 Y E A R S AG O

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

SHELTER: Emergency declared through January 25 Continued from page 1

occupied by Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. The building has been vacant for about a year and the City is actively seeking a new tenant. On Friday morning at 10 a.m., the building was handed over to Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS) who rushed to marshal materials, supplies and volunteers. SCWS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was the only local organization with the credentials and resources to assist the City in the effort. Critical to the ability to open such a shelter is the need for trained and approved overnight monitors. For safety reasons a minimum of two monitors must be present. Following a series of urgent calls, SCWS worked its way through the bureaucracy, and at around 9 p.m. Friday two staff members of Oregon Department of Human Services were on scene and stayed through the night.

The shelter opened at 6 p.m. Friday. Guests needed to vacate by 7 a.m. Saturday morning pursuant to the agreement between the City and SCWS. It is still dark at 7 a.m. (sunrise was at 7:44 a.m.) and the temperature had risen to only 1 degree. Friday night saw two persons, a man and woman, not related, present themselves. The woman did not stay the entire night. By midday Saturday, approval was obtained to keep the shelter open 24 hours through Tuesday morning. Sisters Library is available as a warm spot through the rest of the week. Saturday night saw three seek shelter including the man who had been there Friday night. There were four on Sunday night. Reports from both nights were that the occupants were well mannered, respectful, and grateful for the respite. One who found shelter told The Nugget of their gratitude for the opportunity to sleep inside. The guest’s name is withheld by request. “Imagine sleeping on a

bench or on a curb or in a doorway,” the person said. In addition to mattresses, linens, blankets and pillows, hot evening meals were provided and healthy fruits and snacks along with coffee are provided throughout the day by community volunteers, some of whom sign up for shifts and act as greeters and screeners — and, above all, a warm, welcoming face. Volunteers, forest service and county health workers report that roughly 80 percent of all the homeless in Sisters have pets. Pets are often their most significant relationship. Pets were barred from the shelter under guidelines imposed by the City. The inability to bring their pets was cited by volunteers as a primary reason so few came. Other reasons included transportation, as some of the homeless only have bicycles, and the snow and road conditions were difficult for cyclists. Estimates from SCWS put the number of homeless people living in the forest near Sisters during the winter at around 100.

SNOW: Warming and rain are in this week’s forecast Continued from page 1

spent Friday and Saturday nights in Ray’s parking lot in their passenger van. “Can’t afford chains. Tires are nearly bald. Guess we’re stuck here,” Ray shrugged. Trucker Manny Otero was carrying a load of auto parts from Idaho headed for I-5. He had to lay by the side of Highway 20 just west of Mainline Station as his chains had been stolen in Bend. ODOT has doubled the fine from $440 to $880 for truckers who ignore chain-up orders. Such trucks are the number one cause of road closures in snow storms. “I’m waiting for my company to authorize new chains,” Otero said. “I could be here for days.” There were a dozen more stories like Otero’s or the Clausens’ as the storm worsened and peaked Saturday. Many were huddled inside McDonald’s sharing their plight.

Camp Sherman is recording 37 inches on the ground, according to resident Dick Kellogg, tired of shoveling but admiring of the snow’s beauty. At Black Butte Ranch owners were boasting — or moaning — of the roughly three feet they got. Drifts across the golf courses were closer to four feet in parts. The folks at Tollgate swear they have more than Sisters, as if it is some kind of contest. Estimates in Sisters range from 20 to 30 inches depending on location. Sunday afternoon the temperature rose to 12 and folks poured out of their homes to walk dogs, pull sleds, don cross country skis, and generally show that even a good storm like this one wasn’t going to crimp their activities. The forecast for next week projects lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s, accompanied by rain estimated at twoplus inches. That’s a whole other problem in the making. Joined by melting snow, low lying area flooding is possible and muddy back roads and trails will be a different manner of misery.

Snowy Sisters…

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

ADDITION FUN

Fun and

Games SNOW

WORDFIND N D G T R U L E R B S Y I

H O E N B J M N L S E R F

K E I

F H H A E

F N T T Z Z Z I G O C U Z B S S K A Z E L C V N N D

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Y O T R L V U O R L Z J B

S WD WE E B M M F T Z L

G A J S B M D A U U H J G

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N T E R C E O K M

R E WO L B WO N S C X M A G I

S T B P S WWJ S A Z

B F Q T H K V A F U Y P E O O Z T S U M H M R O T S B C Find words forward, backward, horizontally, or diagonally. SNOW BLIZZARD STORM ACCUMULATION INCHES FEET RULER

SLED SHOVEL GLOVES SNOWBLOWER FREEZING JANUARY WINTER

FIND 20 DIFFERENCES

SUDOKU Easy Peasy! Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

VICTIMS: Boyle sentenced in sex abuse case Continued from page 1

could be convicted at trial — and agrees to accept all the ramifications of a guilty verdict — but maintains innocence of the charges involved. The acts for which Boyle was sentenced occurred at Hop in the Spa in Sisters — a “beer spa” on Cascade Avenue where Boyle was proprietor. “I felt weird within the first couple minutes of coming in to Hop in the Spa,” one woman stated. “He had given me an uneasy feeling the whole time.” The woman, like the others who testified, said that she has endured lasting impacts from the case, which has been ongoing since an initial complaint was filed in July 2021. “This man has continued to ruin aspects of my life,” she said. She said that her ability to trust has been damaged — yet she expressed determination to overcome the impacts. Another testified that, “I’ve avoided any situation that requires being touched.” One woman said, “I feel relief. Finally, this case is coming to an end. Finally, Mike Boyle is getting what he deserves. Finally, me and other victims can be at peace.” Boyle made a brief statement, in which he said, “It threw me when this

happened.” He said, “I’m sincerely sorry that any of these girls feel like they do… I’m sincerely sorry for the feelings they’re having, and I’m not going to discount their feelings.” Judge Wells B. Ashby expressed compassion and admiration for the victims who spoke out at the hearing, noting that he appreciated the statements made through the DA as much as that made in the courtroom. “I’m very sorry that you have been so severely impacted in this case,” he told one woman. To the woman who testified in person, Judge Ashby said, “Your words are incredibly powerful. I’ve been doing this a long time. It’s always amazing to see the strength and resilience of people who have been hurt.” Under the guilty plea and the sentence handed down January 9, Boyle will serve a 30-day jail term, with credit for time served and for “good time,” then 90 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring. He is to have no contact with any of tthe alleged victims in the case and may not practice massage. Boyle is required to register as a sex offender, and is prohibited from accessing online dating or pornography sites. He will be allowed to transfer his probation to California. Boyle was remanded into custody at the end of the sentencing hearing, and lodged at Deschutes County Jail.

The Nugget Newspaper Crossword

County sees increase in overdose deaths Deschutes County Health Services has identified a recent increase in overdose fatalities, and is urging those who use substances and their families and friends to take additional precautions. Four overdose fatalities within a six-day period appear to be linked to the use of fentanyl and in combination with other substances. Recognizing and responding to an overdose can save a life. Here are some signs and symptoms: • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils.” • Falling asleep or losing consciousness. • Slow, weak, or no breathing. • Choking or gurgling sounds. • Limp body. • Cold and/or clammy skin. • Discolored skin, especially in lips and nails.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids — including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications — when given in time. If you need Naloxone, visit participating pharmacies or your local syringe exchange program www.deschutes.org/ harmreduction. The Deschutes County Harm Reduction Program recommends the following steps and strategies for community members: • Assume any substance purchased on the street may contain unknown substances. • Make sure everyone in the area can access Naloxone (aka Narcan) and knows how to administer it. • Naloxone is safe. Even if naloxone is given to someone who is not experiencing an overdose, it will not harm them.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

C L A S S I F I E D S

ALL advertising in this newspaper is 102 Commercial Rentals subject to the Fair Housing Act MINI STORAGE which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or Sisters Rental discrimination based on race, color, 331 W. Barclay Drive religion, sex, handicap, familial 541-549-9631 status or national origin, or an Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor intention to make any such RV parking. 7-day access. preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes Computerized security gate. children under the age of 18 living Moving boxes & supplies. with parents or legal custodians, STORAGE WITH BENEFITS pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. • 8 x 20 dry box This newspaper will not knowingly • Fenced yard, RV & trailers accept any advertising for real estate • In-town, gated, 24-7 which is in violation of the law. Our EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this Shop space wanted for newspaper are available on an equal hobbyist/woodworker. opportunity basis. To complain of Looking for about 300-400 sq. ft. discrimination call HUD toll-free at Call Jay 503-789-7183 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. 103 Residential Rentals 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 TENANT PLACEMENT minimum $5 charge for any “nothing’s more expensive classified. First line = approx. 20-25 than bad tenants” characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, call or text mike 541.588.2028 spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 mikez@wetdogpnw.com 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 CASCADE HOME & are charged at the display advertising rate. PROPERTY RENTALS DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon Monthly Rentals throughout preceding WED. publication. Sisters Country. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: 541-549-0792 Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at Property management NuggetNews.com. Payment is due for second homes. upon placement. VISA & CascadeHomeRentals.com MasterCard accepted. Billing Newer home in great available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of neighborhood. first four (4) weeks and upon 926 E. Timber Pine Dr. approval of account application. 3 bd /2.5 ba. Rent $2,400.00 CATEGORIES: monthly with lease. Deposit 101 Real Estate $3,000.00. Pet on approval, plus 102 Commercial Rentals 103 Residential Rentals deposit/pet rent. Contact 104 Vacation Rentals kirkpatrickproperties@gmail.com 106 Real Estate Wanted PONDEROSA PROPERTIES 107 Rentals Wanted –Monthly Rentals Available– 200 Business Opportunities 201 For Sale Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 202 Firewood Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: 203 Recreation Equipment PonderosaProperties.com 204 Arts & Antiques Printed list at 221 S. Ash, Sisters 205 Garage & Estate Sales 206 Lost & Found Ponderosa Properties LLC 207 The Holidays 301 Vehicles 104 Vacation Rentals 302 Recreational Vehicles Downtown Vacation Rentals 401 Horses Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom 402 Livestock 403 Pets SistersVacationRentals.net 500 Services Great pricing. 503-730-0150 501 Computer Services ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish Private Central OR vac. rentals, 504 Handyman Property Management Services 505 Auto Repair 541-977-9898 600 Tree Service & Forestry www.SistersVacation.com 601 Construction 602 Plumbing & Electric 201 For Sale 603 Excavations & Trucking 604 Heating & Cooling Sisters Carports & Metal 605 Painting Buildings start at 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint. $1,295 for 12'x 21'x 6' (WxLxH) 701 Domestic Services Free Installation. Contact Matt 702 Sewing 703 Child Care 541-728-3507 for price sheets. 704 Events & Event Services • • • • • 801 Classes & Training SISTERS 802 Help Wanted 803 Work Wanted OREGON 901 Wanted NEWS SOURCE 902 Personals www.nuggetnews.com 999 Public Notice

• • • • • Breaking News / Road Reports Weather / Letters Editorials / Commentary • • • • •

202 Firewood

SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD • SINCE 1976 • KINDLING Doug Fir – Lodgepole – Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509

205 Garage & Estate Sales

Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150 HERITAGE USA Open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 253 E. Hood Ave., Sisters.

301 Vehicles

We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

401 Horses

ALFALFA TRITICALE ORCHARD GRASS HAY New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $230-$390/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

500 Services

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475 • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279 GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE “A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871 SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines The Nugget • 541-549-9941

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008 M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090

LOLO TREE WORKS Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638 Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912 THE NUGGET SISTERS OREGON online at NuggetNews.com

601 Construction

504 Handyman

JONES UPGRADES LLC Home Repairs & Remodeling Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more. Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Local resident • CCB #201650 THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER 541 - 549 - 9941 www.NuggetNews.com

600 Tree Service & Forestry

4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057 TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825

541-390-1206 beavercreeklog@yahoo.com Log repairs, log railing, log accent, log siding, etc. CCB #235303 Insurance & Bond

Custom Homes • Additions Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

SUDOKU Level: Easy

From Ground to Finish Accurate and Efficient 541-604-5169 CCB#233074

Answer: Page 23

501 Computers & Communications

3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Cable jobs, security cameras, WAPs. CCB #191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729 Technology Problems? I can fix them for you. Solving for Business & Home Computers, Tablets, Networking Internet (Starlink), and more! Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329 Oregontechpro.com

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

C L A S S I F I E D S

Uncompromising quality. Local and personal. You can trust me. All projects: From new construction to those little projects you don't seem to get to. My team of local subcontractors and I will get it done right, fair, and pain-free so you can make your spouse happy. Call Jared 503-949-9719

Construction & Renovation Custom Residential Projects All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

Custom Homes Additions - Remodels Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701 Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218 PERENNIAL BUILDING LLC Local | Quality | Experienced www@perennialbuilding.com 541-728-3180 | CCB #226794 SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523 Earthwood Timberframes • Design & shop fabrication • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantels and accent timbers • Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com VIEW OUR Current Classifieds every Tuesday afternoon! Go to NuggetNews.com

602 Plumbing & Electric

Ridgeline Electric, LLC Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821

SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587 LEAKY PIPES ? Find your plumber in The Nugget Newspaper's CLASSIFIEDS

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051 House Cleaning Sisters & Black Butte Free Consult 503-750-3033

999 Public Notice

NOTICE OF PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE METHODOLOGY FOR CALCULATING SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES Pursuant to ORS 223.304 (6) & Complete landscape construction, (7), public notice is hereby given fencing, irrigation installation & of the City of Sisters’ intent to design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, 802 Help Wanted change the methodology for debris cleanups, fertility & water AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC calculating System Development conservation management, Competitive rates based on Charges (SDCs) for parks excavation. experience. At least 2 years of services. A public hearing on the CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 mechanical experience preferred new methodology is scheduled www.vohslandscaping.com (but negotiable during interview) before the Sisters City Council on 541-515-8462 603 Excavation & Trucking in diagnosing and repairing all April 10, 2024. The proposed make and model cars and trucks. ROBINSON & OWEN methodology will be available for General vehicle maintenance Heavy Construction, Inc. public review at the City’s web from minor to major automotive All your excavation needs site and at Sisters city hall no repairs. Ability to service brakes, *General excavation later than February 10, 2024. Alpine Landscape Maintenance tune-ups, timing belts, water *Site Preparation The city hall street address is 520 Walk & driveway snow removal, pumps, changing oil, oil filters, *Sub-Divisions East Cascade Avenue, Sisters yard maintenance and cleanup. and air filters, mounting, rotating, *Road Building Oregon 97759. Questions Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 and balancing tires as needed. *Sewer and Water Systems concerning this matter can be alpine.landscapes@icloud.com Dependable and able to work *Underground Utilities referred Mr. Paul Bertagna, without supervision. Must *Grading Public Works Director: (541) provide own tools and have a *Sand-Gravel-Rock 323-5212, or email at valid driver's license. Contact Licensed • Bonded • Insured pbertagna@ci.sisters.or.us. Jorge Solorzano (owner) or CCB #124327 Do You Provide a Service? Danny Lingo (manager) for 541-549-1848 Keeping Sisters Country CLASSIFIEDS! appointment and interview. Beautiful Since 2006 Full Service Excavation It pays to advertise in 541-904-4322 candcnursery@gmail.com The Nugget Newspaper 541-549-2345 Sisters family looking for fulltime nanny for 2 kids ages 3 & 1. All Landscaping Services $20-$25/hr based on experience. Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Email resume to Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740 sistersfamilynanny@gmail.com Free On-site Visit & Estimate – All You Need Maintenance – Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail For all the lastest Pine needle removal, hauling, .com for puzzle on page 22 from Sisters, Oregon... mowing, moss removal, edging, 541-549-1472 • CCB #76888 go online to raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, Drainfield NuggetNews.com gutters, pressure washing. • Minor & Major Septic Repair Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 803 Work Wanted • All Septic Needs/Design Austin • 541-419-5122 & Install POSITION WANTED; General Excavation 701 Domestic Services for Companion Caregiver. • Site Preparation Looking for part-time; must be BLAKE & SON – Commercial, • Rock & Stump Removal close to Sisters downtown. Home & Rentals Cleaning • Pond & Driveway Construction References upon request. WINDOW CLEANING! Preparation Please call 503-274-0214 Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897 • Building Demolition Trucking • Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water • Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly • The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want! BANR Enterprises, LLC Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls Residential & Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net

SUDOKU SOLUTION

604 Heating & Cooling

ACTION AIR Heating & Cooling, LLC Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464

605 Painting

~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com EMPIRE PAINTING Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042 541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk METOLIUS PAINTING LLC Meticulous, Affordable Interior & Exterior 541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067

Pick up your Complimentary copy of spirit of Central Oregon Magazine at The Nugget NEwspaper office or on newsstands throughout Central Oregon.

to read Spirit of Central Oregon online, scan the QR code... call 541-549-9941 To request a copy by mail.

The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 3

POSTAL CUSTOMER

News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

www.NuggetNews.com

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

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

PUT GOOD Snow piles up SOMETHING across Sisters Country Sisters

IN THEIR MAILBOX! tightens

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

dark skies A gift subscription to The Nugget is appreciated code by family & friends afar... grandparents, parents, Cornelius college students, aunts, uncles, friends, and ByEditorJimin Chief Sisters residents and visireaders of all ages!

15 feet or more into tidy mountains. Dozens of westbound motorists could not get past Sisters for several days as they lacked chains or traction tires to summit the Santiam Pass. Ray and Jill Clausen

tors alike value the ability to enjoy the night sky — and the City of Sisters has passed new dark skies code language to promote that ability. Sisters City Council chambers burst into spontaneous applause as Council voted unanimously to approve amendments to the Sisters Development Code that have long been in the works. City planning staff noted that City code around dark skies was adopted in 2010. “Since the adoption, there have been many changes in lighting, including many technological advances and how lighting is measured and evaluated, as well as an increasing desire in the community to do more to protect our dark skies from the negative impacts of poorly

See SNOW on page 19

See CODE on page 17

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

THE NUGGET NEEDS 35 NEW Emergency shelter set up in Sisters Victims recount lasting SUBSCRIPTIONS

to maintain bulk mailing impact at sentencing rates into the new year. By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

It was 0 degrees Fahrenheit Friday night, -5 Editor in Chief at 8 p.m. Saturday, and -3 Multiple women made Sunday morning before the statements at the sentencing skies cleared after the bighearing for Michael Boyle gest snow storm to hit Sisters on Tuesday, January 9, in several years. recounting the lasting impact Concern started rising on their lives of the acts to at the start of the week as which he pleaded guilty via City staff looked at the foreAlford plea last month. cast, and worried that some One victim testified in families in Sisters could be person, while the others had at grave risk, especially the their statements read into the homeless living in the nearby record by a Deputy District woods. Attorney. On Wednesday night, at PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT “Mike Boyle is a predator its regularly scheduled meet- The former Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce office was turned into an and must be held accounting, the Sisters City Council emergency cold weather shelter. able,” one of the victims approved a staff-prepared stated, while another charresolution that would autho- resolution runs from January City-owned building at 291 acterized him as “an opporrize the rapid deployment 10 through January 25. E. Main Ave. previously tunist and an extreme threat of a temporary emergency On Thursday a locaMany subscribers on the West Coast and The in theemergency Central U.S.tion report Nugget See SHELTER on page 19 to society.” shelter. wasreceiving finalized their — the See VICTIMS on page 21 By Jim Cornelius

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6 months: $45 • 1 year: $70 Visit NuggetNews.com/subscribe and select “3rd class” or call 541-549-9941 or stop by the office! Newspaper within the week, though postal delivery may take up to three weeks.

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