Icy roads lead to nasty wreck on Hwy. 20
On the evening of February 3, Cloverdale Fire crews responded to a serious single-vehicle accident on Highway 20, approximately half a mile west of Cloverdale Road. The incident involved a vehicle rollover with three occupants, all of whom required medical attention.
Cloverdale units arrived to find a single vehicle on its top on the southbound shoulder of Highway 20, with Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire ambulance promptly arriving to transport all three occupants to medical facilities. The incident drew a coordinated response from multiple agencies, including the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Oregon State Police (OSP), Black Butte Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), all of whom provided crucial assistance at the accident site. Authorities are urging extreme caution for all drivers in the area due to icy road conditions.
One key element of caution when driving in icy conditions is to considerably
extend following distance. Driving experts recommend doubling the two-second rule in play in dry conditions. In other words, you should stay four seconds back of the vehicle in front of you when it’s icy. Some recommend extending that to five to six seconds.
What does Sisters City Council do?
By Susan Cobb Correspondent
Sisters is a city filled with volunteers (there are over 100 volunteer organizations in Sisters) helping the elderly, unhoused, youth, four-legged and beaked visitors, preserving water and pathways, protecting adjacent forests and local trees. That work includes local government.
Sisters’ boards, city
CLARIFICATION
The Urban Growth Boundary Steering Committee agreed to seek an expedited decision from Deschutes County on rezoning of 58.5 acres north and east of Sisters High
council members and committees, are volunteers — which begs the question, ‘what do city councilors do?’
Sisters City Council is made up of five elected volunteer officials who may also be business owners, heads of families, and may volunteer in Sisters in other ways. Their job includes, but is not limited to:
See COUNCIL on page 10
School, and did not recommend a particular outcome. The headline and lede of the story on page 1 of the February 5 edition, crafted by Editor Jim Cornelius, incorrectly suggested that the vote directly supported the rezoning.
That’s a bigger space than what it sounds like. At 25 miles an hour, four seconds of following distance is almost 147 feet or 49 yards. (See staged photo accompanying this article.) Obviously, distance increases
with speed. • Braking is not your friend on icy roads; braking suddenly or hard can lead to an uncontrolled skid or slide. Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or
See WRECK on page 20
Pursuing vocational education in Sisters
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Dugan Draper is a junior at Sisters High School. He currently doesn’t see himself on a collegiate track, hoping instead to pursue a career as an automotive technician. It’s easy to see why. Entry level jobs in the field range between $20.70 and $33.38 per hour.
Oregon’s minimum wage is $14.70 per hour. This compares for example to workers with a college degree in early childhood education. The latter will have on average $55,800 in student loan debt. Draper will likely have no such debt and have a four-year earnings start on the teacher. Draper cannot get all the classes he needs for his pursuit at Sisters High School. He and three or four of his
See VOCATIONAL on page 11
Attack left man and his dog injured
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Ty Godfrey and his friend August Tripp headed up Forest Road 1505 southwest of Sisters on Thursday, February 6, planning to play in the snow with Godfrey’s beloved three-year-old Labrador/German Shepherd mix, Dazey Mae.
“Dazey is extremely special to me,” Godfrey told The Nugget. “She was gifted to me by my kids. I’ve had her since she was 10 weeks old… Everybody in town knows her. She’s a lover.”
At about 11:30 a.m. after taking a left-hand fork in the gravel road, Godfrey and his friend spotted a dog, which Godfrey identified as a pit bull, lying in the snow by the road. Godfrey stopped his truck to see if the dog was alright.
an
on Thursday, February 6.
“I got out of my truck and it came after me — fast ,” he said. Tripp got out of the truck to come to Godfrey’s aid, and Dazey Mae jumped out. Two more dogs, which Godfrey thinks were a pit bull mix, appeared out of the woods, and the three dogs went after Dazey. Godfrey carries a sheath knife on his belt. He waded into the fray to protect his dog. He stabbed all three of the attacking dogs.
See ATTACK on page 19
Dazey Mae, a Labrador/German Shepherd mix, survived
attack by three dogs in the woods southwest of Sisters
Icy conditions contributed to a single vehicle roll-over that injured three people last week.
PHOTO BY MITCH TURPEN
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.
Are you happy now?
To the Editor:
In the 2024 Election 53,318 people in Deschutes County voted for Donald Trump. How many of you knew you were also voting to turn off funding for medical research, school meal programs, and senior health services? Did you even imagine you were voting for Elon Musk to run wild in the White House and have your (up to now, private) Social Security and payroll information released to a small crew of unelected tech bros to use as they please.
Was this your desired outcome? Are you happy now?
Linda Hanson
s s s
Misleading headline
To the Editor:
The headline “Committee supports rezoning for UGB expansion” on an article summarizing the recent UGB meeting is misleading.
More precisely, the article could have been titled: “Committee supports expediting County rezoning decision on MMV forest lands.”
The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Steering Committee met January 30. Many considerations were discussed relating to
See LETTERS on page 14
Sisters Weather Forecast
The Nugget Newspaper, LLC
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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
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Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen
The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or
What’s in a wing?
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
The Nugget recently received a very nice note from an appreciative reader. One of the things he appreciates is that we offer voices from the political right “even if (we) lean left.”
Another reader recently dismissed The Nugget as “a liberal rag.” Yet another recently opined that the paper has “moved to the right.”
Perceptions of “left” and “right” in politics tend to come down to where you sit. Literally. The concept had its origins during the 1789 French Revolution, where the members of the National Assembly that supported a reformed version of the old regime sat to the right of the president, while the more radical supporters of the Revolution sat to the left.
Ever since, we’ve been shoving ourselves — and especially others — into ill-fitting political boxes. We seldom define what we mean by “left” and “right” and “liberal (or progressive)” and “conservative.”
Many people hold heterodox views, liberal on some issues, conservative on others — which infuriates fundamentalists of either stripe.
The left-right spectrum is ancient, imprecise, and unwelcoming to those who reject it — yet we cling to it.
How much regulation is too much — what is necessary and effective, and what is an unnecessary and a harmful economic drag — can and should be debated.
Most folks agree that a social safety net is appropriate and valuable, that a civilized society needs to take care of its own. How broad that safety net should be, and how to prevent it from being abused… up for debate.
How can we fix our manifestly broken health care system? What role should government play in that fix? Up for debate.
But to have those debates, we have to be willing to recognize that the other side has a case, and that our side has its flaws. We’re becoming less and less capable of that kind of adult discussion. Even reasonable people are retreating into corners — or being driven into them. When that happens, dissent from your tribe becomes heresy for which you risk being cast out into the political wilderness — and nobody can see clearly.
The spectacle of Elon Musk’s army of nerds, flying on energy drinks and plumbing the deep dark dungeons of the administrative state has been … bracing.
It is possible, and probably appropriate, to be wary of the dangers such a wrecking crew poses — while at the same time recognizing that the great slough of waste and unaccountability in outfits like USAID desperately needs a mega-dose of disinfectant sunshine.
Members of two Deschutes County Indivisible groups, Indivisible Sisters and Vocal Seniority, gathered in Bend to express their anger and alarm over what they consider “the unlawful intrusions by Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the unofficial agency he heads, into the computer and payments systems that enable the government to function. More than two dozen Indivisible members braved a pelting snowstorm to deliver their message to Senator Wyden’s Central Oregon field staffer while waving signs at supportive passing motorists.
I was bemused and a little alarmed by a letter to the editor a while back that condemned a fullthroated defense of the First Amendment by one of our columnists as “right wing extremism.” If any American political principle should be above partisan attack, it should be freedom of speech. Yet that notion has eroded significantly over the past decade.
My own politics, such as they are, are built around the Bill of Rights, the 1st, 2nd and 4th most especially. Outside of stringent adherence to the fundamental rights that the Constitution recognizes (it does not grant them; they already belong to us), questions of policy should be up for debate — and compromise.
There’s legitimate debate to be had over how much of a role, and what kind of a role, government should play in our lives. Most folks agree that there is a role for government in regulating businesses — say, for example, for food safety and environmental impact.
A similar high-profile proctology exam is way overdue in the Department of Defense, which consistently flunks audits, and can’t keep track of 63 percent of its own assets — yet never seems to be held accountable in any meaningful way.
All taxpayers — liberal, progressive, conservative, whatever — should want full accountability for their dollars spent.
Who knows — if we shake out a few hundred billion here and there, maybe we could actually afford universal health care. And maybe we could have an actual debate about what that might look like, between different political philosophies and policy preference. Maybe we could hammer out an effective, workable compromise.
Too much to hope for? Maybe. We’ll see.
Students challenge themselves
Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone is a great way to increase personal growth, and right now two new students at Sisters High School are achieving this on a new level.
Ana Garcia Andujar and Levi De Sousa Brigido are exchange students at SHS. They traveled here with the goal of learning and experiencing as much as they can before they return home.
Ana is a 16-year-old junior from Madrid, Spain, who arrived on August 29, 2024.
“I’ve always wanted to come here, I’ve known people who have done it and I wanted to do something like it too,” said Andujar.
Levi is also a 16-year-old junior, travelling from his home in Fortaleza, Brazil, through the International Exchange Student Program.
“My father went to Texas when he was about the same age as me and got me interested in the possibility,” Brigido said.
Both students are staying with local host families while they attend high school.
They came with certain cultural stereotypes.
“I thought there was going to be a lot of fat people,” said Andujar.
“I thought there was going to be a lot of eating out and easy classes,” said Brigido. “But the classwork is more challenging than I expected. I didn’t think I would have any homework,
but I couldn’t pass any of my classes if I didn’t do my homework.”
The two students also describe challenges they have faced during their time here.
“It was a little hard to understand teachers’ accents at first,” says Brigido. “ And I’ve only met two people so far who speak Portuguese. When I’m alone I feel more free to think in my own language and sometimes sing songs from back home.”
“The biggest challenge wasn’t learning English,” said Andujar. “I’ve been learning English since I was three, so it wasn’t that hard. The biggest challenge was definitely making friends, and being away
See EXCHANGE on page 16
Sisters artist featured in national magazine
Renowned artist and designer Valori Wells announced the release of her feature article in the latest issue of Where Women Create magazine. The article, titled “Art in Business,” offers an intimate look into Wells’ inspiring career, highlighting her unique path as a creative entrepreneur, her artistic evolution, and the challenges and triumphs of her artistic journey.
In this feature, Wells opens up about her deep connection to art, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and her unwavering commitment to making a
living from her creative passion. Her narrative emphasizes the importance of resilience, risk-taking, and trusting the creative process, offering an inspiring example to fellow artists and aspiring creatives.
As a multi-faceted artist, Wells is celebrated for her striking fabric designs, quilting collections, and diverse range of artistic expressions. Her work resonates with a global community of creatives, and her story is a testament to the dedication required to thrive in
Ticket sales push Rodeo into extra night
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
When tickets went on sale in 2023 for Sisters Rodeo, they booked $42,000. Last year’s first day sales were triple that at $117,000 and on opening day this year a whopping $279,000 in tickets were sold.
Both Saturday performances sold out within days and the board of directors could see both blockbuster revenue and disappointed fans unable to get seats. Fortunately, the schedule typically has Thursday night free between XTreme Bulls on Wednesday and the first
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
Al -Anon
Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383.
Alcoholics A nonymou s
Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Thursday, 7 p.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration
Central Oregon F ly Tye rs G uild
For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om Central Oregon Trail A lliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@cotamtb.com for info.
Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:30 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.
Council on Aging of Cent ral O rego n Senior Lunch In- person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters C ommunity Church. 5 41-4 8 0-18 43 East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September- June), Stitchin’ Post . A ll are welcome. 5 41-5 49 -6 061.
G o Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 541-771-2211
Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Siste rs Communit y Church. M ater ials provided. 541- 408 -8 505.
Hero Q uilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 5 41-6 68 -1755
Living Well W it h D ementia Sisters
Care Par tner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:3 0 p.m. T he Lodge in Sisters. 5 41-6 47-0 052.
Milita ry Parent s of Sisters M eetings are held quarter ly; please c all for details. 5 41-388 -9 013.
Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 549- 64 69
Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158
Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church. 5 41-5 49 -6157.
Sisters Area Woodworke rs First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97
Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.
Sisters Caregi ver Sup por t G roup 3rd Wednesday., 10:30 a.m., Siste rs Episcopal Church. 503 -616 -8712.
Sisters Cribbage C lub M eets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at S PR D. 5 09 -9 47-574 4.
Sisters Garden C lub For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com.
Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Board of D irectors 4th Tuesday, 4:3 0 p.m.
Location infor mation: 5 41-5 49 -1193.
Sisters Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Lodge in Sisters. 5 41-6 32-3663.
Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298
Sisters Red Hat s 1st Friday. For location infor mation, please c all: 541- 8 48 -1970.
Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.
Sisters Veterans no- host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welcome, 5 41-241-6 56 3.
Sisters Trails A lliance Board Meetings take plac e ever y other month, 5 p.m. In- person or zoom. Contact: info@sisterstrails.org
Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t Board of Direc tors M eets 1st Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSI D Of fice. 5 41-9 03 -405 0.
Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279.
VF W Po st 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 541-241- 6563
SCHOOLS
Black Bu tt e School
Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203
of four sanctioned PRCA performances starting Friday. Rodeo president Scott Talerico thinks it’s a combination of events and “just plain hard work” that has led to this moment. “We were voted Committee of the Year at the Las Vegas Awards,” he said, adding, “We keep making improvements every year to the grounds, and our program.
“It’s hard to say exactly what’s driving it,” he said. “The (escaped) bull incident last year drew a lot of national attention, but I can’t see that being the main
Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly, Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule online at www ssd6.org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002.
CIT Y & PARKS
Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th Tues. 4 p.m., C of f ield Center. 5 41-5 49 -2091.
Sisters Pl anning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022.
FIRE & POLICE
Black Bu tt e Ranch Polic e Dept. Board of Dire ctor s M eets monthly 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date
Black Bu tt e Ranch R FPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m BB R Fire Station. 5 41-595 -2 28 8 Cloverdale R FPD Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Wed., 5:3 0 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 5 41-5 48 -4 815. c loverdalef ire.com. Sister s- Camp She rman R FPD Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Tuesday 5 p.m., Siste rs Fire Hall, 5 41-5 49 -0771.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA NIETO
Levi De Sousa Brigido and Ana Garcia Andujar are in the midst of an international exchange program, studying at Sisters High School.
See ARTIST on page 17
See RODEO on page 16
By Olivia Nieto Correspondent
Outlaws skiers excel at invitational
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws Alpine ski team turned in strong performances on Saturday, February 8, at the Emerald Ski League Invitational, which hosted teams from the Central League at Willamette Pass. The giant slalom event showcased more than 125 racers from Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley, including schools such as Bend, Summit, Caldera, and Mt. View High Schools.
Sisters’ athletes secured three of the top seven spots in the girls’ competition. Ella Eby and Ava Riehle finished first and second with impressive times of 1:59.35 and 1:59.45. They were followed by Bend High’s Ellie Heron who took third (2:00.07), Sisters’ Tallis Grummer took fourth (2:01.12), and Bend’s Ebie Neville rounded out the top five at 2:01.53.
Other times from Sister’s racers included: Mary Roberts seventh (2:04.77), Kiara Martin 21st (2:16.02), Pia Grummer 23rd (2:16.83), Payten Adelt 24th (2:18.49), and Nona Smith and Grace Hudson finished very close together with times of 2:32.11 and 2:32.42, respectively. Lauren Sitz, who was unable to complete her first fun, finished with a solid second run time of 1:11.97.
The boys’ competition saw tight racing from the region’s top competitors. Bend High’s Gray Tasler claimed first with a combined time of 1:53.73, and Sister’s Styopa Myagkov was close behind at second with a time of 1:54.81.
Other times for Sisters racers included Spencer Tisdel, seventh (2:02.66), Ben Hayner 13th (2:04.52), Spencer Davis 16th (2:05.61), John Berg 18th (2:06.91), Casey Bennett 33rd (2:18.92), Jack Turpen 37th (2:22.67). River Dalton and Mac Maloney finished close together at 41st (2:25.21) and 42nd (2:53.33) respectively.
In the provisional seventh and eighth grade competition, Sydney Welbourn represented Sisters well, winning the girls’ race with a time of 2:20.30.
Coach Natalie Grummer said, “The invitational gave our athletes a great opportunity to compete against racers they don’t typically see during the regular season. Racing against the Central Oregon teams helps our athletes gauge their progress and pushes them to give their best effort.”
Pop-up children’s museum coming to Sisters
Families looking for kidfriendly activities in Sisters will soon have a special weekend-long option.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23, the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon (CMCO) will bring their Mobile Museum to Sisters. The event will be hosted in the Sisters Elementary School commons from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Admission is free, with donations accepted at the door and refreshments for sale by Fika Sisters Coffee House.
The Mobile Museum will feature seven STEAMinspired exhibits designed to engage and empower children through hands-on exploration and discovery. Activities will include a construction zone, wind tunnel, giant building blocks, light tables, magnet wall, costumes, puppets, musical instruments, coding mice, and much more. Geared toward kids up to age 11, the museum will offer youth and their caregivers a fun, interactive environment to explore and play together.
The event is being coordinated by local nonprofit Citizens4Community (C4C), with co-sponsorship and volunteer support from Sisters Park and Recreation District (SPRD), Circle of Friends, and the Sisters Elementary
School Parent Teacher Community (SPTC).
“I recently took my kids to one of CMCO’s popup museums in Bend, and they had a blast,” said C4C Executive Director Kellen Klein. “I knew we had to find a way to bring that experience to the Sisters community, and I’m thrilled that so many groups have now teamed up to make it happen!”
“We’re always looking for opportunities to provide welcoming, fun, and accessible activities for local kids and families, especially during the colder winter months,” added Nicole Woodson,
executive director for Circle of Friends. “The kids in our program are really looking forward to the Mobile Museum.”
Founded in 2015, CMCO is working to create a region where all children have access to hands-on learning and play that enriches their development. The organization is currently fundraising for a brick-and-mortar children’s museum that could serve the entire region. While that work progresses, CMCO has begun offering pop-up museums in Bend and other cities. The February event will be the Mobile Museum’s
first time in Sisters.
“The mission of our Mobile Museum is to provide unique, playful learning experiences to children throughout all of Central Oregon,” said CMCO Programs Manager Erica Segal. “We are so excited to host a pop-up in Sisters, and are grateful to C4C, SPRD, Circle of Friends, and SPTC for helping to organize the event!”
The free event is open to the public, and will take place in the elementary school commons. Families can learn more by visiting bit.ly/CMCOsisters.
It’s a g
a great time to begin planning and prepping for listing your home in 2025 – I’d love to help!
Kennedy, Principal Broker
Children’s Museum of Central Oregon (CMCO) will bring their Mobile Museum to Sisters Elementary School this month.
PHOTO PROVIDED
What makes a Sisters home ‘affordable?’
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Affordable housing is generally defined as housing that its occupants can afford to pay and still have money left over for other necessities like food, transportation, and health care. What’s considered “affordable” depends on the occupant’s income.
The federal government typically defines housing as affordable when it consumes no more than 30 percent of a household’s income.
A large and growing share of the population cannot afford its housing costs. Nationally, more than one in seven households are what economists call “severely cost burdened.” This means that they pay half or more of their income on housing.
Highlights from a statewide housing report prepared for the governor shows Oregon saw a 21 percent population growth between 2004 and 2023, equaling more than 753,000 people. To keep pace with the growth, the state must add about 500,000 housing units in the next two decades.
For every extra $1 Oregonians earned, the median sales price of a home increased by $7.10.
Both renters and homeowners are significantly cost-burdened, and more than half of renters and one third of homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
The state is approximately 128,000 affordable housing units short right now for people who are considered extremely low-income or very low-income.
Many of the fastestgrowing occupations in the state do not pay high enough wages for people to afford a one-bedroom apartment.
Evictions are going up;
the number of eviction cases filed in 2023 was the highest Oregon has seen since 2011.
Oregonians are facing the least affordable housing market since the pandemic began in 2020.
Affordable vs. workforce housing
Much of the concern in Sisters about so-called affordable housing isn’t the $800,000 median price that retirees and empty nesters are having to pay when only four years ago that was under $600,000. It’s a common refrain among Sisters homeowners that they could not afford to buy their own house today from what they paid not that long ago as housing inflation has soared.
The greater concern is having adequate housing for the workforce — especially our teachers, first responders, medical and other essential workers. The Nugget has published numerous stories about the lack of affordable housing and the various efforts in the community to combat the problem.
Readers still ask: Why isn’t there more affordable housing? Many have looked at the growing number of smaller homes and cottages and apartments, such as those found in Sisters Woodlands and Sunset Meadows.
They are shocked by the price per square foot, on average about $415 in Sisters and in some cases over $700.
As with any home sale the age of the home and neighborhood are the biggest factors in comparing prices.
The average teacher salary in Sisters is around $58,000. With one income and a $46,000 downpayment, that worker can afford a home of no more than $255,000. Using the 30 percent rule, the same teacher would qualify for an apartment renting at $1,611.
Obviously, there are no homes in Sisters for $255,000 and rare is it to find one under $350,000. Originally conceived as workforce housing, the Sisters Woodlands got hammered by the sudden run up in materials costs and labor shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic. One of their smallest cottages, less than 900 square feet, sold in November for $600,225. That’s $677 per square feet.
Spiraling home costs have created a demand for more apartments and city planners encourage this kind of dense housing. The Grove at Sunset Meadows is nearing completion and is taking applications for tenants. Rents range from $1,740 to $2,440 per month. The apartments are promoted as “first-class comfort…. with an elevated lifestyle.”
Using the 30 percent rule, our example teacher would not qualify for one of the 84 units. There is currently only one unit in Sisters for which this teacher would
qualify, a 600-square-foot one-bedroom unit on West Hood Avenue for $1,495 per month.
Calculating the demand for apartments renting for $1,500 or homes selling for under $400,000 is difficult, developers say.
“Just how many teachers and other essential workers are we talking about?” asks Les Fowler, a builder in Redmond who specializes in eight-plex units. “Ten, 20, 30? There’s no crying demand that we can find. And despite everybody’s best intentions, with so few parcels left and the cost of
permitting, utility hookups, and the land itself, it’s an impossibility.”
With respect to the possibility of increasing the city limits by 250 acres under the umbrella of expanding the Urban Growth Boundary, Fowler asks: “What makes anybody think those acres will produce low cost or lowincome housing? Those landowners cannot be forced to sell below market,” he said. Recent tensions about fire insurance in Sisters further exacerbate the affordability issue, realtors say, leaving the entire picture of affordable housing in Sisters uncertain.
Outlaws secure playoff spot in basketball league
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws fell 54-58 at Creswell on Tuesday, February 4, but on Friday, February 7 at Elmira they came back and posted a 66-39 win, which secured them a spot in the league playoffs.
Sisters got off to a great start in Tuesday’s game against the Bulldogs. Big points came from Will McDonnell, who downed two three-pointers and Landen Scott and Kieren Labhart who also hit threes. The Outlaws held onto the lead for the remainder of the quarter and were up 18-13 at the buzzer.
The Bulldogs came back in the second period with a 7-0 run and snatched the lead from the Outlaws. Oliver Bernhardt scored all but three of Sisters second quarter points. He connected on a three-pointer with 5:30 left in the quarter on an assist from Bodie Schar to give the Outlaws the lead back at 22-20, and his second long ball was two minutes later on a baseline out of bounds play on a pass from Scott, which cut the Bulldogs’ lead to one point at 25-26.
Sisters only scored two more points in the quarter. They had trouble navigating the Bulldogs’ 1-3-1 zone and missed several contested shots in and around the basket, which helped to fuel the Creswell fast break where they scored 10 of their 21 points. At the half the Outlaws trailed 27-34.
Sisters battled during the third period, but just couldn’t close the gap. McDonnell hit a three-pointer and a jump shot for the Outlaws’ first points. With under four minutes left Scott scored on a layup, followed by Kale Gardner, who stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a layup to close the Bulldogs’ lead to 36-43. In the final two minutes the Bulldogs went on a 6-0 run. Bodie Schar did go two-for-two from the free-throw line to close out the scoring, but at the end of three the Outlaws trailed by nine, 40-49.
Sisters came back with a vengeance at the start of the final period with a 7-0 run in the first two minutes, which included a three from Bernhardt, and cut the Bulldogs’ lead to two at 47-49.
Sadly, the Bulldogs answered with five straight points and extended their lead to seven.
The Outlaws plowed back with another 7-0 run that culminated when Gardner took the ball from the top of the key, drove through the defense, and scored on a layup to tie the game at 54-54.
The Outlaws had a couple opportunities to score, but the first attempt rimmed out, and the final chance bounced off the front of the rim. The Outlaws were forced to foul, and the Bulldogs went fourfor-four from the foul line to win by four.
Scott scored 13 points in the contest and also had four rebounds and three assists.
McDonnell also scored 13 points, Bernhardt had 11, and Gardner contributed six points, four rebounds and four steals. Labhart tallied six points and four rebounds and Schar added five points and four assists.
Coach Chad Rush said, “This was every part of the battle that we thought it was going to be coming into the game. Having beaten Creswell at our place earlier in the season by just two points, we knew it was going to take a tough defensive effort to come away with the road win.
“Despite not playing particularly well in the middle part of the game, the team showed its grit in fighting back in and having a chance to pull out the victory,” added Rush.
On Friday at Elmira, McDonnell came out on fire and scored the first nine
points of the game off three straight three-pointers. Scott and Gardner also scored buckets to give the Outlaws a 13-2 lead at the start of the contest. Sisters never looked back and continued to build momentum and at the close of the first period held a 16-8 lead.
Sisters scored the first four points of the second quarter off a Scott transition lay-up and McDonnell on a traditional three-point play when he drove and made the basket while being fouled and then made the free-throw.
The Outlaws forged ahead by 18 when Labhart connected on two consecutive three-pointers that capped off an Outlaws 7-0 run. At the half the Outlaws were on top 35-18.
The Outlaws continued their scoring spree and went on an 8-0 run to start the third quarter. The run included a long ball from Gardner, an offensive rebound and putback from Labhart and a baseline three-pointer from McDonnell, his fourth of the game. The Falcons fought back and went on an 8-0 run of their own to make it 49-28 but it wasn’t near enough to get them back in the game. At the close of the third the Outlaws held a commanding 51-28 lead.
Rush told The Nugget that the Outlaws wanted to continue their strong play, and were determined to come out with intensity at the start of the final period despite their comfortable lead.
The team did just that and started the quarter on a 13-4 run which gave them their largest lead of the game at 32 points, and doubled the Falcons score at 64-32. The bench unit finished out the game for the Outlaws. Teegan Schwartz took a pass from Bauer Ellis to finish the Outlaws’ scoring on the night.
Rush said, “I was really proud of the team tonight. Not just for the win, but for taking the points of emphasis we worked on in practice to fix and applying them to the game. I thought this was one of the most complete team performances we have had this year from start to finish.”
Scott finished with 21 points, followed by McDonnell who scored 17. Labhart contributed 11 points, and Gardner added seven.
“Both defensively and offensively we were able to take Elmira out of their game plan and make them react to what we wanted to do, which is usually a sure sign of success,” said Rush. “We shot the ball extremely well, and connected on eight threepoint shots. McDonnell’s stretch to start the game was a tremendous way to start a game and take the life right out of the opponent.”
The win secures a league playoff spot for the Outlaws, which was one of their goals for the season. Sisters was to play at home against Pleasant Hill on Monday, February 10. They will play at home on senior night against La Pine on Thursday, February 13.
“Sta , teachers and members are so welcoming and engaged in a friendly and authentic way.”
— Kris Bergstrom, Member for 1 year
In the PINES
By T. Lee Brown
Give it a whirl
As a NAV (non-affiliated voter) I lean progressive, centrist, and/or liberal; sometimes side with conservative ideas; and carry both a libertarian streak and a strong sense of practicality. I don’t always care how pure and idealogical a policy is. I want to see whether it actually works in the real world.
Not always successfully, I try to open my mind to approaches and people outside of whichever “tribes” I’m running around with, their preconceived notions and groupthink.
Back in the day I was a more radical and angry person. Politicians should cause extreme positive change, super-fast, in my view.
Now I understand that politicians compromise in order to get things done (usually slowly). That’s how it works in a two-party democracy that encompasses a large landmass filled with diverse residents and a confused intermingling of federal, state, tribal, and local bureaucracies.
Do I like the whole twoparty thing? No. But that’s where we are right now.
Can we work from this point in reality, work together with people we’ve been told to deem fascists or heathen cancel-culture warriors? Is it possible for someone who wants transwomen to compete on Title IX sports teams to work constructively with politicians who won’t grant transwomen the right to use a women’s restroom?
If transwoman Sarah McBride, the first “out” transgender person elected to the House of Representatives, can do it, I daresay the rest of us can manage it, too. She described the bathroom issue as an effort to “distract from the real issues facing this country.”
As we kick off a new administration with a newold president, it’s worth examining our underlying values rather than being swept away by our chosen crowd or obsessing over pet
issues that may take years to work through.
It’s extraordinarily difficult to do. We’re whipped into a frenzy by social media and 24/7 news, created specifically to “engage” audiences through fear, anger, negativity, and partisanship — in order to sell subscriptions and ads.
Humans are familial, tribal animals, like wolves. Our deep-seated, biological anxiety about getting exiled from our subgroups is real. This underlying anxiety can fuel our actions and opinions without our even noticing.
As neuroscientist Arash Javanbakht has explained: “Tribalism is the biological loophole that many politicians have banked on for a long time: tapping into our fears and tribal instincts. Some examples are Nazism, the Ku Klux Klan, religious wars, and the Dark Ages.
“The typical pattern is to give the other humans a different label than us, and say they are going to harm us or our resources, and to turn the other group into a concept.”
Income level, gender, class, race, religion, immigration status, and nationality describe only a few characteristics that we may use to dehumanize and Otherize certain groups.
“It can be any real or imaginary difference: liberals, conservatives, Middle Easterners, white men, the right, the left, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs,” wrote Javanbakht in The Conversation. “The list goes on and on.”*
With this knowledge, reminding ourselves of our base but real instincts, perhaps we can work with an era of change and chaos creatively. As any businessperson knows, chaos equals opportunity.
Many anti-Trump Republicans recognize that some of their priorities might be served by working with (or around) the new administration. Even progressives who loathe Donald Trump can take advantage of opportunities as our country’s institutions unravel or lurch into censorship. It may require an open mind and the risk of exile from entrenched tribes.
As someone who does that on occasion, here in The Nugget and elsewhere, I’m here to tell you: it is scary. Friends and strangers, conservatives and liberals, have gotten pissed off with me for taking this approach.
Critical thinking, consideration for multiple viewpoints, and sometimes Devil’s advocacy are all basic techniques I was taught to use as essential building blocks of thought
and writing. Friends warn me of backdoor gossip, worry that I’ve become a “scapegoat”... for what would’ve been considered regular ol’ thinking a couple decades ago.
My rationale extends beyond thinking through individual issues.
I believe that when we dehumanize people, even those we find reprehensible; when we come to accept or celebrate the dehumanization or murder of people
with whom we disagree, whether health insurance CEOs, Proud Boys, or alleged Antifa protesters; when we mentally compartmentalize people as Not Like Us and unworthy of consideration—whenever we slide into these tendencies, we nudge open the door to the biggies: fascism, civil war, genocide. True friends, families, and communities don’t melt away or commit violence over political positions. We
listen to each other, or at least try. We dare to allow that the Other might be right about some things, that a few of their ideas might be worth giving a whirl.
If we’re strategic thinkers, we also consider that the chaos being unleashed, both intentionally and unintentionally, might reveal valuable trapdoors underneath the workings of policy and government.
So whaddya say. Shall we give it a whirl?
Lady Outlaws hold on to third place in league
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws suffered a 41-56 loss to the Bulldogs at Creswell on Tuesday, February 4. This was a team they’d lost to in overtime by three points earlier in the season. On Friday, February 7 the Outlaws hit the road again for a match against the Elmira Falcons, who they beat by one in the first round. This time around they beat them by 14 in a final score of 56-42.
In Tuesday’s match-up, the Bulldogs hit the court with tight defense and fullcourt pressure. The Outlaws did a fairly good job of handling the pressure, but the shots they took on offense were from outside, and just wouldn’t fall.
Shae Wyland scored first for Sisters when she grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back for two to even the score. Maddie Durham connected on a long ball for three points and Jorja Christianson scored a lay up with just seconds left in the first quarter to close the Bulldog lead to one at 10-11.
Early in the second period Audrey Corcoran scored a three-pointer, followed by a steal and layup to give the Outlaws their first lead of the game at 17-15. The Bulldogs came back with a sevenpoint run. At the two-minute mark Durham made a short shot inside the key to close the gap to 19-22. Creswell answered with a five-point run to make it 19-27 with 1:30 left in the quarter. The final points came when Paityn Cotner hit a long field goal to make it 21-27 at the half.
Coach Paul Patton said, “At the half we were a little dispirited to be down in a game we were hoping to be winning. But, I encouraged the girls that the game was by no means out of reach and that we simply needed to take
better care of the ball and tighten the defense on cuts and drives to the basket.”
At the start of the third both teams scored three points and the Bulldogs held onto a six-point advantage, but then Cotner hit a long ball from the top of the arc to close the gap to three at 27-30. Sisters final six points in the quarter came from two layups from Verbena Brent, and a steal from Wyland that she took coast to coast for a layup at the buzzer. The Outlaws committed 11 costly turnovers in the quarter. The Bulldogs capitalized, and at the end of three the Outlaws trailed 33-42.
Norah Thorsett hit a baseline three-pointer a couple minutes into the final quarter and with just under six minutes left Cotner downed another three to close the gap to six at 41-47. That would be the Outlaws’ final points for the game, and the Bulldogs pulled away and recorded the win.
Wyland and Cotner led the scoring effort with eight points each. Wyland also pulled down 12 rebounds and Cotner dished out three
assists. Durham scored seven points and had seven rebounds and Corcoran scored seven points and pulled down six rebounds. Brent added six points and three rebounds.
“It was a disappointing loss no doubt,” said Patton. “We’d lost to these guys in overtime the first time we played in a game in which three of our starters were limited by foul trouble. But, it just wasn’t our night and we’ll have to hope that we get another shot at them in the league payoffs.”
On Friday, the Outlaws posted a win on the road against the Falcons.
The Outlaws came out on fire and went on a 9-0 run to start the contest with points from Wyland, Corcoran, and Brent. Corcoran finished the quarter with 12 of the Outlaws 18-quarter points and at the end of the first the Outlaws were on top 18-10.
Sisters continued to play tough defense, and held the Falcons to nine points in the second period. The Outlaws did a good job on the boards, especially on the offensive end, which allowed them
second and third chances at the basket. At the half the Outlaws’ were up by 14, 33-19.
“With the 14-point lead we didn’t have too many adjustments to make at halftime other than recommitting to fighting through the multiple screens they set for their top scorers and continuing to move the ball on the offensive end,” said Patton.
The scoring pace slowed a bit in the third quarter. Sisters put nine points on the board and the Falcons stayed close with eight points scored. The Outlaws got long balls from Christianson and Durham and at the end of the third the Outlaws held a comfortable 42-27 advantage.
Elmira made a run in the final period and cut the Outlaw lead to nine midway through the quarter, due in large part to three-pointers from Layla Burgess, one of their top scorers.
“Audrey reasserted herself and found gaps in their defense for baskets or drew fouls to get to the free throw line,” said Patton.
Corcoran hit four of her seven attempts at the
This was a mustwin game for us if we wanted to stay in the playoff picture...
— Coach Paul Patton
free-throw line, and finished with 10 points in the quarter.
“Our defense tightened as well with Paityn and Verbena locking down their two top scorers which allowed us to rebuild a comfortable margin of victory,” added Patton.
Corcoran had a big night and finished with 33 points, several rebounds, and a couple of steals. Christianson scored seven points, and Wyland, Brent, and Durham added five points each.
Patton stated, “This was a must-win game for us if we wanted to stay in the playoff picture.”
The Outlaws were to face top-ranked Pleasant Hill at home on Monday, February 10. They will wrap up league play with senior night on Thursday, February 13, against the LaPine Hawks.
Jazz Combo to make radio show appearance
The Outlaw Jazz Combo is preparing for an upcoming radio show performance on Saturday, February 22. KPOV 88.9 FM is hosting the young musicians from 2 to 4 p.m. The show is available for listeners to tune into.
The Outlaw Jazz Combo is a recent addition to the Sisters High School music department, consisting of five students who formed the combo at the beginning of the 2024 school year. Senior Micah Dachtler plays guitar, junior Dugan Draper is on bass, senior John Brundege plays piano, sophomore Jesus Quero is on tenor saxophone, and freshman Frankie Borla plays the drums.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to play with the combo, even though I go
to Ridgeview. It’s a great opportunity for me to play with people at my skill level,” said Brundege.
“I’m a little apprehensive for the set-up aspect but excited to perform,” said Dachtler.
“It’s definitely a great local opportunity,” added Draper.
Although there have been previous SHS combos, the Outlaw Jazz Combo has exceeded past efforts to play and create music at local venues.
“The combo is primarily student-led and actively seeking gigs,” said Sisters High School Band Director Kayla Golka.
For booking and contact information email kayla. golka@ssd6.org.
Science club takes on mass spectrometry
As part of the Frontiers in Science lecture series, Sisters Science Club is sponsoring an event Tuesday, February 25, on “mass spectrometry,” a branch of analytical science. Dr. Douglas Barofsky, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Oregon State University, will describe in rudimentary language how instruments capable of weighing atoms and molecules can be built and used to perform many tasks.
Scientists can determine genetic diseases in newborns from blood spots; detect and identify the use of steroids in athletes; monitor the breath of patients by anesthesiologists during surgery; determine the composition of molecular species found in space; determine whether honey is adulterated with corn syrup; locate oil deposits by measuring petroleum precursors in rock; monitor fermentation processes for the biotechnology industry; detect dioxins in contaminated fish; determine gene damage from environmental causes; identify potentially pathogenic bacteria in the
air; establish the elemental composition of semiconductor materials; detect explosives at airport security.
Dr. Barofsky studied physics at Washington State University and Pennsylvania State University and physical chemistry at the University of Bonn in Germany. He invented and built his first mass spectrometer in 1965 while studying for his Ph.D at Penn State. He is a fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, holds an honorary Ph.D in Ion Physics from Uppsala University in Sweden, and is a member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. He was born on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, and in 1959 was one of 28 graduates from Gold Beach Union High School on the southern Oregon coast. He is a life-long enthusiast of the great Northwest outdoors.
Books Games Events
Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door; teachers and students are admitted free. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Avenue.
Open 9:30 AM –7 PM Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM –5 PM sunday
SUN, FEBRUARY 16 • 1:30PM CREATIVE WRITING PLAYSHOP with Krayna Castelbaum Registr ation r equested. See paulinaspringsbooks.com for details.
M
MON, FEBRUARY 17 • 5:30PM PSB FICTION BOOK CLUB discussing The Frozen River by ARIEL LAWHON. All ar e welcome – no need to have r ead the book to dr op in! Meeting thir d Monday; info at paulinaspringsbooks.com.
MON, MARCH 3 • 5:30PM
MON
THE PAUSE BUTTON: A Monthly Poetry Gathering ar ound the table to take a moment to pause for poet ry explor ation. Bring a poem or two to shar e. Listen, discuss, and do a little writing No experience necessar y. (First Mondayof everymonth.)
THURS, MARCH 20 • 7-9PM
HOUSE CONCERT with Jesse Terry
Songs ar e liter atur e! An intimate evening song and story with Americana/folk singersongwriter Jesse Terry. T his is an intimate listening event w her e music is the focus Seating is limited. $20-25 suggested donation per per son goes to the ar tist! RSVP to events@paulinaspringsbooks.com.
The Outlaw Jazz Combo will be featured on KPOV 88.9 FM on February 22.
PHOTO BY ALICIA NIETO
Dr. Douglas Barofsky.
Go Fish Meeting
Go Fish Group will meet on Monday, Februar y 17, at 7 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church. Dave and May Ann Dozer of Sisters will present the program on “Selecting e Correct Fly Rod.” For more information cont act 541-771-2211.
e Peacef ul Presence
Projec t Connec tion Cafés Communit y members will come together at weekly “Connection Cafés” for supportive dialogue around personal experiences with illness , death, and grief ese gathering spaces provide compassionate human contact and ensure that people’s health-related social needs are being addressed proactively e Sisters Connection Cafés will meet Wednesdays through February 26, f rom 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sisters Lib rary. Participants may attend one café or all ere is no charge, and all are welcome. Info: 541-293-8636.
Free Lunches for Seniors
For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers
a f un, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunche s take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367
Living Well With Dementia Sisters Suppor t Groups
Living Well now o ers t wo support groups . A support group for the care partners and family of those diagnosed with some form of dementia meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month f rom 1 to 2:30 p.m . at Sisters Senior Living, 411 E . Carpenter Ln. A support group for the person diagnosed with some form of dementia in the early stages meets the same days and times , also at e Lodge. Info: 541-6 47-0 052.
SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
Family Stor y Time
Interactive story time with books , songs , and rhymes for children ages 0-5 years ese stories and songs are designed to support early literacy skill development, social-emotional awareness and f amily engagement. is 30 -minute program is on Wednesdays , Februar y 12, 19 and 26, at 10:30 a .m. in the Communit y Room at Sisters Librar y. Go to https://www deschuteslibrary.org/kids/ programs for more info.
Monthly Dungeons & Dragons Club
Gather at Sisters Library Communit y Room on Friday, Februar y 21, f rom 4 to 6 p.m. for this teenled Dungeons & Dragons experience. All experience levels welcome. More info at www.deschuteslibrar y.org/ calendar/.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Wednesday, Februar y 12
Science of Managing Transitions
High Camp Taphouse
Monday, Februar y 17 Go Fish Meeting Sisters Community Church
e Science of Managing Transitions workshop
Join Citizens4Communit y and Happy Brain Science for a free workshop, hosted by High Camp Taphouse, on how to use science to more e ectively manage transitions. Wednesday, Februar y 12, f rom 5:30 to 7 p.m. at High Camp Taphouse, 523 US-20, Sisters. Open to the public but registration is required. Go to https://citizens4communit y.com/ events/let s-learn-feb-25
Sisters Caregiver Suppor t
A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets 10 :30 to 11:30 a .m. on the third Wednesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church of e Transfiguration, 121 Brook s Camp Rd . For more information, please call 503-616 -8712.
STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transpor t Patients
Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters , Redmond, and Bend . Attend a free t wo-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 and volunteer to keep Sisters healthy one ride at a time.
Free Weekly Meal Se rvice
Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org
ree Sisters Historic al Society Fireside Presentation
Dr. L arr y Len Peterson will be returning as the ree Sisters Historical Society’s presenter for the Sunday, Februar y 23, 2 p.m. engagement at the Fire Station’s Communit y Hall. Dr. Peterson, renowne d Russell biographer, will present the life and art of the West’s greatest artist, Charles M . Russell (18641926). Dr. Peterson is the past chairman of the Russell Museum board of directors in Great Falls MT, and recipient of the Charles M . Russell Heritage Award . A s a bonus , Jim Cornelius will open with an Old West tune “ e Gift” by Ian Tyson about Charles Russell. Ticket s are $10 (free to TSHS members) and available at the door.
Weekly Food Pant ry
Changes
Wellhouse Food Pantr y has a new name: CORE Market . It is still located at 222 N . Trinity Way in Sisters . Market hours are now Mondays , f rom 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-588-2332.
Children’s Museum Pop-Up Hey kids , this event ’s for you! Citizens4Communit y, SPRD, Circle of Friends, and the Sisters Elementar y School Parent Teacher Committee are teaming up to bring the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon’s Mobile Museum to Sisters for a full weekend – for free! S aturday and Sunday, Februar y 22–23 , from 10 a .m. to 2 p.m. at Sisters Elementar y School. More info at www.citizens4communit y.com/ events
STAR S Seek s
Dispatch Volunteers
While working from home, help STAR S transport Sisters Country resident s to nonemergenc y medical appointments . Needed: A computer, the abilit y to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-9 04-5545
COAC T Meeting
e Central Oregon Area Commis sion on Transportation (COACT) is holding their next regular meeting from 3-5 p.m. on ursday, Februar y 13 . All details about COAC T and the meeting can be found on the COAC T website, www.coic.org/ coact.
PET OF THE WEEK
Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537
BO
Meet Bo, an exuberant 8-month-old lab/cattle dog mix who loves staying active. He’s house-trained and gets along with other animals, making him a f antastic addition to any dynamic household.
— SPONSORED BY
STUMPMUNK FARMS a seasonal flower farm
SISTER S- AR EA C HURCH ES
Baha’i Faith
For information, devotion s, study groups , etc. , cont ac t Shauna Rocha 541- 647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching s.org
Calvar y Church
484 W. Washington St ., Ste. C & D • 541-588- 6288
10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org
Chapel in the Pine s Camp Sher man • 541-815-9153
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 541-977-5559;
10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting
e Episcopal Church of the Tr ansfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd . • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org
8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship
10 :15 a.m. Episcopal Sund ay Worship
e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hw y. www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us
5 p.m. Sunday Worship
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 541-815-9848
11 a.m. Saturday Worship
Shepherd of the Hills Luther an Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960 www.sistersna z.org • info @sistersna z.org
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)
1300 W. McKenzie Hw y. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com
7:30 a.m. Daybreak Service • 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship
St . Edward the Mart yr Roman Catholic Church
123 Trinit y 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 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com
10 a.m. Sunday Worship
COUNCIL: All five members are volunteers
Continued from page 1
• Setting the goals and rules that City of Sisters staff enforce
• Reviewing and approving the City budget
• Engaging with the public during annual events, openings, dedications, memorials, etc.
• Serving on intergovernmental boards or committees (more on this later)
• Representing the City to other communities, nonprofits, agencies, and entities
• Determining how local tax dollars and municipal revenues are spent
• Assuring the safety of residents and businesses, and
• Preparing the community for the future by reviewing, contributing to, and approving various five, 10 and 20-year master plans.
Each member of council, including the mayor, has an equal voice on council, meaning any council member of five could be a deciding vote. Every two years, three of the five council members are up for reelection. When elected, the first two candidates winning the most votes will have four-year terms and the third winning council candidate will have a two-year term.
Every other January, new councilors are sworn into office and then the entire council determines via a vote who will be mayor and president of the council for the next two years. In the same meeting, all council members review the list of 12 or so intergovernmental boards and committees to determine on which each may want to serve. Each council member will be appointed to at least two, a few will serve on three, and some may be assigned as alternates. The mayor has the final decision for these appointments. See the current appointments at www. ci.sisters.or.us/media/28946. In communications with Mayor Jennifer Letz and Councilor Gary Ross, in assessing their time per year expended to do the job as councilor and as a mayor, it came to over 500 hours per year for a councilor, and over 800 hours per year for a mayor. This estimate assumes no Level 4 land use decisions (which are handled by council), nor any pandemics, economic crashes, and natural disasters, in which case council hours can increase dramatically.
Council’s five unpaid volunteers are there to represent and serve the public. Email the Sisters City Council at citycouncil@ ci.sisters.or.us.
pals will need to go to COCC (Central Oregon Community College) to fill in the gaps. The school district will pay COCC for such classes.
The problem, Draper says, is the distance to COCC in Bend or Redmond and if a class is held in the morning that would interfere with his core high school schedule. He’s trying to get as many as possible of his required classes completed this year, so he has more time as a senior to take COCC offerings.
High school students in Central Oregon 15 years and older are eligible to register in up to 19 credits per term at COCC. Students under the age of 15 can take up to two COCC classes per term.
It’s not that Sisters doesn’t have vocational education. To the contrary, it has 23 courses in four areas of career and technical education — culinary arts, flight science, health science, and manufacturing/design/ construction.
Dozens of students are taking such courses. But the district is limited primarily by funding from having a wider selection. There are other limitations such as safety and availability of certified teachers. And in some cases, the numbers of interested students for a course are too low to justify offering classes.
Assessing the demand for vocational education in Sisters is elusive. High school counselor Charlie Kanzig tells The Nugget, “Nationally there has been a shift away from four-year college which makes sense and has come about for a number of reasons including the high cost of college and families’ reluctance to go into debt in this time of high costs of living (housing, healthcare).
“We don’t have ‘vocational tracks’ per se. Student course selection for a diploma
leaves most kids eligible for college, so most kids have fairly open options once they graduate. Of course, there are those who have a plan from early on to attend four-year college and take the classes needed to be as ready as possible, and there are also kids who have a more ‘vocational’ goal.”
According to Regan Roberts, executive director of Sisters GRO (Graduate Resource Organization), “Last year 71 students applied for scholarships. Fourteen were for associate degrees or certificates. Career goals were a mix of cosmetology, welding, mechanics, and linemen.”
The Rotary Club of Sisters Foundation contributes three $2,000 scholarships every year and dedicates one to vocational education. Each year it’s a struggle, they say, to find takers for the vocational award.
The Nugget asked Sisters High School Principal Steve Stancliff about the future for vocational education at SHS.
“Sisters High School will continue to offer and support our current CTE programs, but we know that many students will have career interests in other areas,” he replied. “The most practical, cost-effective, and responsive way to serve students who want to pursue a career path in the trades or other vocational fields is to build
relationships with local businesses and industry partners.
“On-the-job training tshrough actual work experience, apprenticeships, or internships gives students opportunities to gain experience in their chosen field while earning credits toward their high school diploma. As our school district renews our five-year strategic plan, we have an opportunity to explore how these opportunities can form a more robust component of our students’ experience.”
Roth Home in Sisters is one such employer. They have various job openings in the technical field of heating, plumbing, and electric paying up to $80/hour with a four-day work week and full benefit package. Filling those jobs is a challenge, and they gladly accept apprentice or entry level hires, and do inhouse training.
Les Schwab Tire Centers provide a prime example of young persons thriving in vocational work.
Vocational education also includes degreed jobs such as veterinarian technicians who earn up to $67,000 per year. Or dental hygienists who earn between $65,000 and $100,000 annually.
Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls is considered the gold standard for polytechnic universities in Oregon offering 47 majors and degree programs.
SISTERS-AREA EVENTS & Enter tainment
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 12
The Belfr y Soundbath A 75-minute sound immersion. Activate your heart chakra to cultivate love and compassion. 6 p.m. Donation-based. Info: www.belfryevents.com.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Luckey's Woodsman Trivia: Megan's Terrific Trivia — Valentine's Themed 5:30 p.m. Info: luckeyswoodsman.com.
The Belfr y Live Music: Andrew Marlin Stringband Marlin is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Presented by SFF Presents, sffpresents.org/concerts. SOLDOUT!
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 14
Flying Horse Gallery Paint Your Date 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sit across from whomever you want to bring and paint them. Tickets more info at: www.flyinghorsegallery.com/calendar
The Belfr y Live Music: Smoke Drifters and Blackstrap A local Valentine's throwdown! 7 p.m. Tickets: bendticket.com.
Sisters Art Station Art Class: Kids Art Camp
Students 6 to 11 years old will enjoy creating art and playing games. Bring a sack lunch. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info and registration: www.sistersartstation.com. Located at 282 S. Cedar St. Sisters Art Station Paint & Sip: Paint Your Partner A fun and creative Valentine's Day e xperience perfect for a couple or for friends. 6 to 8 p.m. Info and registration: www.sistersartstation.com. Located at 282 S. Cedar St.
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 15
Sisters Depot Live Music: Open Mic Music lovers can enjoy a variety of local talent in a lively atmosphere. 7 to 9 p.m. Info: sistersdepot.com/our-events.
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 16
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.
Paulina Springs Books Creative Writing Playshop "Images That Shimmy & Shake" with Krayna Castelbaum, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Excellent for seasoned and fledgling writers. Reservation details and more info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 19
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 21
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 23
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.
MONDAY • FEBRUARY 24
The Belfr y Live Music: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley bring world-class guitar playing soulful stone country vocals, and topshelf songwriting They cleverly meld bluegrass, country, blues, rock, jamgrass, and more to create a signature musical blend that defies restrictions of genre. 7 p.m. Tickets and info: www.belfryevents.com.
TUESDAY • FEBRUARY 25
The Belfr y Frontiers in Science Lecture Series: “Mass Spectrometr y: The Science of Weighing Atoms and Molecules" with Dr. Douglas Barofsky 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
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 26
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 27
Luckey's Woodsman Trivia: "Tap Takeover Trivia" with Oblivion Brewing and Legends Cider on site pouring samples and providing swag and prizes for winners. 5:30 p.m. Info: www.luckeyswoodsman.com.
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 28
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Oliver Bernhardt guides a computer driven cutting tool to make snow skis as Micah Parker works to finish a snowboard.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
identifying the best possible expansion lands within the Study Area surrounding the City. Specifically relative to the discussion about property owned by McKenzie Meadow Village, LLC:
• The committee voted to support recommending that the City of Sisters write a letter to Deschutes County asking it to expedite the rezoning application submitted by MMV, with a majority of committee members in favor of that narrow request. This was so that the committee and city could consider inclusion of the MMV lands into the Sisters UGB in a timely manner should the rezone be approved.
• The committee did not come to the conclusion that it “supports rezoning for UGB expansion,” as that vote was more or less split.
Editor’s note: See Clarification, page 1.
Director Woodford stated he would be relaying the outcome of both of those votes to the Planning Commission and City Council as the matter comes before them. The City Council will make the final decision on the letter.
The focus on MMV land may be premature at this time for the current UGB Expansion process. The committee cannot (according to Oregon regulations) consider properties currently zoned as Forest 2, as the MMV-owned acreage is, without first exhausting all other possibilities of Priority 1 lands in the Study Area. Only in getting resolution on the rezoning issue will the committee clearly know if it can seriously consider bringing part, or all, of the MMV parcels into the committee’s eventual recommendation.
Were the MMV rezoning application to get approval from the County, the City of Sisters would add additional opportunities for public input from residents of Sisters/Sisters Country on whether to
bring part or all of these MMV lands into the UGB, as, the MMV lands were not part of Alternatives 1-5 under consideration at the December 9, 2024, Community Open House or online open house.
The committee continues to welcome public input. The City Council will be addressing the question of submission of a city letter to Deschutes County at the City Council Workshop and Meeting on February 12, at 5 p.m. and the public is welcome to attend and provide comment, oral or written. At any time, you may send in your written comments on any aspect of the UGB Expansion to Scott Woodford, Community Development Director, swoodford@ci.sisters.or.us
Updates and background on our UGB project thus far can be found at https://www. ci.sisters.or.us/community-development/ page/2024-urban-growth-boundary-amendment.
To access the relevant page for the rezoning application on the County’s website click here or https://www.deschutes.org/cd/page/24724-000839-pa-840-zc-mckenzie-meadow-villagellc-comprehensive-plan-amendment-and-zone
Therese Kollerer, Chair UGB Steering Committee
s s s
Speaking up
To the Editor:
On January 6, 2021, then president Trump held a rally in Washington D.C. The theme was ‘stop the steal’ and take back our country, and the mood was anger. Following the rally the crowd became a mob and marched to the Capitol building of the United States of America. The mob attacked our Capitol and hundreds of police, and injured more than 100 law-enforcement personnel. The mob smashed into the capitol, vandalized, searched for congressional personnel, and stole from congressional offices.
Trump watched the attack for about two hours while family and advisors pleaded with him to calm the mob which he finally did. At least five persons lost their lives as a result of the attack. Later, Trump called January 6, 2021, “a beautiful day.”
Subsequently, at least 1,500 of the rioters were found and prosecuted by the FBI and Department of Justice. During his campaign, Trump called the rioters “political prisoners,” and promised to pardon them, and said his was a campaign of retribution.
A few days after taking office he pardoned or commuted the sentences of all of the convicted rioters. He said that even the most violent were “loyal Americans.” He also demanded the names of all FBI and DOJ personnel involved in the investigations of the rioters and some have already been fired. Now the rioters that violently attacked our Capitol are free, and Trump is punishing dedicated federal law enforcement personnel, who have taken an oath to defend America and our Constitution, for doing their jobs. To me these actions are reprehensible and cannot be defended. Trump is only doing what he promised so it makes me wonder whether those who voted for him support these actions? If you do not — why aren’t you speaking up?
Dwight Hardin s s s
Not malicious?
To the Editor:
Steve Woodside claims that he wants political elections to be more like football (“We’re all on team America,” February 5). “Because of my faith,” he wrote, “there are some policies and politicians that I will never support, but I will do it prayerfully and not maliciously, because these
See LETTERS on page 20
Stars over Sisters
By Finn Benton and Soren Greenwald Guest Columnists
The two northernmost constellations of the zodiac are Taurus and Gemini. This month we will highlight the area of the sky occupied by the Celestial Twins.
Gemini symbolizes the twins Castor and Pollux of Greek mythology. In fact, the word “gemini” means twins in Latin. In one popular account of sky lore, the twin’s mother was the Spartan Queen Leda, who was seduced by the god Zeus when he visited her in the form of a swan. This caused her to become pregnant with Polydeuces (Pollux). Later the queen became pregnant again, this time by her husband King Tyndareus, resulting in the birth of Castor. Because Zeus was immortal, so too was Pollux. Not so with Castor, whose father was a mere earthly king.
The twins became famous for their physical and mental skills and joined Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage in search of the Golden Fleece. When Castor was killed in battle, the grieving Pollux begged Zeus to bring his brother back to life. Zeus agreed to immortalize both twins if they spent half their time on Earth and half in the heavens.
To find Gemini, locate Orion and draw an imaginary line from its brightest star Rigel northeastward to Betelgeuse. Extend this line until you encounter a pair
of reasonably bright stars, which should be Pollux and Castor. Pollux is about threequarters of a magnitude brighter than Castor. These two stars form the heads of the twins while dimmer stars seem to show two stick figures holding hands. The constellation lies nearly overhead at about 9 p.m. local time in February.
What qualifies Gemini as a zodiac constellation is the fact that the sun visits that region of the sky every year as the earth revolves about the sun. It spends approximately 30 days in Gemini, from around June 21 to July 20.
Near the feet of Castor resides M35, one of the finest open star clusters in the sky, and the only Messier object found within Gemini. It is a large cluster that can be seen with the unaided eye under dark skies and is a favorite target of many amateur astronomers. Nineteenth Century British astronomer William Lassell described his first peek at M35 this way: “a marvelously striking object. No one can see it for the first time without an exclamation.” M35 is a young cluster believed to have formed around 100 to 150 million years ago. It lies at a distance of about 2,800 light-years.
Perhaps the most interesting object in Gemini is NGC 2392, also known as the Eskimo Nebula. It is a planetary nebula that arose when a dying sun-like star began ejecting much of its mass
into surrounding space. In this case, the result appears like a head surrounded by a parka hood. Astronomers estimate the Eskimo Nebula began forming about 10,000 years ago. It is approximately 5,000 light-years from Earth.
All the planetary action takes place in the evening sky this month. Saturn stands alone low on the western horizon until February 24 when it’s joined by Mercury. Venus in Pisces appears exceedingly bright higher in the western sky. Look to the southern sky to see Jupiter in Taurus and Mars in Gemini.
Sometimes we perceive arrangements of stars that suggest familiar shapes that extend far beyond a single constellation. Such is the case for the Winter Hexagon. Seven of winter’s brightest stars in six constellations frame this figure. Since
we’re already here, let’s start with Pollux and Castor. Then, moving clockwise, there is Capella in Auriga, Aldebaran in Taurus, Rigel in Orion, Sirius in Canis Major, and Procyon in Canis Minor. Returning to Pollux
from here closes the shape. Dark sky tip: If possible, use warm color tones (below 3000 Kelvin) for your outdoor lighting needs, and keep the lamps dim. Turn off all string lights when not in use.
Sisters Meat and Smokehouse is a specialty smokehouse, meat shop, and deli of fering a wide variety of fr esh and smoked meats, seasonings, sauces, sides, char cuterie boar ds, smoked cheeses, beer, wine, and cider.
When we opened 8 years ago, we bet on you... the locals. We believed if we kept our people, ser vice, and pr oducts on the side of excellence, you would suppor t us. We did, and you have! 2025 will continue to be a year of r e ection, innovation, expansion and celebration.
The Eskimo Nebula is a planetary nebula located in the constellation of Gemini.
The Pairs are coming to Sisters.
The Pairs return to Sisters
SFF Presents has announced a concert with The Pairs on Thursday, April 10, at The Belfry. This trio of classically trained vocalists employs three-part harmony and honest storytelling as the tools that soften and connect us.
The Pairs will release their fourth studio album “Together on a Rock” later this year and recently released the first single off the project “Good Bad Day.”
Audience favorites at the 2024 Sisters Folk Festival,
EXCHANGE:
Experience changes preconceptions
attendees may remember this trio for their authentic and acoustic-style performances.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 12, at 10 a.m. at https://aftontickets. com/thepairs.
The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave, Sisters.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth 17 and under (children 5 and under enter for free). Additional artist information can be found at https://www.sffpresents.org/ concerts.
RODEO: Popularity of sport has surged
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from family,”.
Both students are pushing themselves to become involved in extracurricular activities and to create new connections.
Andujar participated in volleyball over the fall season and found it was more fun than she had expected.
“People were way nicer than I thought they were going to be. During volleyball all the girls were so nice and always included me,” she said.
Brigido is currently training for tennis in the spring.
“I used to play tennis in Brazil and I really want to try tennis here. We’ve been having some pre-season training to get ready.”
Both students are additionally involved in the upcoming trip to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, a near-annual trip extended to Sisters High School students interested in the field.
The students are excelling both in and outside of the classroom, and hope to make as many memories as possible before returning back to their home countries this summer.
On Saturday, June 8, 2024, during the final section of the bull riding event, a 1,400pound, three-year old bucking bull named Party Bus jumped the arena fence into the stands. Video from the incident went viral on social media.
Some fans speculate that there is knock-on effect from the hugely popular
“Yellowstone” TV series and its spinoffs. Industry sales of cowboy boots and hats, jeans and accessories have soared nationally and internationally since “Yellowstone” launched.
The 2025 rodeo to be held June 11-15 will be the 85th since its founding and Talerico wonders if milestone years like this one are also a partial factor in such robust sales.
“Historically, years ago, Thursday night was always locals night,” Talerico recalled. “We draw from all
over the country and hopefully by adding Thursday locals will get their chance.” Adding a day is a big deal for a complicated event.
“It’s not just pushing a button to add another day,” Rodeo ticket manager, Jeri Buckmann, said. “There’s a lot of extra work and coordination in a short amount of time with the same number of volunteers.”
Sisters Rodeo has moved its offices from downtown Sisters to the rodeo grounds, where they opened a new merchandise shop.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Sisters Rodeo’s exploding popularity has pushed the local organization into adding an extra evening of
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
High school pageant hosts fundraisers
As the school year reaches its halfway point, Sisters High School continues its annual tradition of hosting the SHS Pageant. The Pageant is a fun event, highlighting exemplary seniors. It works as a fundraiser for FAN (Family Access Network), a Central Oregon non-profit organization that operates with the goal of connecting local families with resources and fulfilling their basic needs.
Sisters High School is hosting a Pie in the Face fundraiser on Thursday, February 13, where all donations go directly to FAN. You can throw a pie in the face of any of the 14 contestants participating in the pageant, including Spencer Tisdel, Bodie Schar, Ava O’Neill, Finn Clark, Jordyn Monoghan, Jordan Velikonia, Holly Davis, Jack Turpen, Hudson Beckwith, Solei Planty, Kale Gardner, Ella Davis, Kellen Werts, and Brooklyn Cooper.
The event takes place during Senior Night for Outlaws Basketball from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information or to donate, visit https://givebutter. com/2025PIEINTHEFACE.
ARTIST: Valori Wells is an artist and entrepreneur
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the competitive world of art and design. Through her article in Where Women Create , Valori shares valuable insights on balancing work and family, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the power of believing in one’s own vision.
“I’m so honored to be featured in the Spring issue of Where Women Create and to share my personal journey as an artist,” Wells said. “Art has been a lifelong pursuit, and through this article, I hope to inspire others to embrace their creativity and find their own path, even when it seems uncertain. Being a working artist requires a lot of perseverance, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see how art connects with others.”
Where Women Create is known for spotlighting women who have built successful creative careers and who are making a lasting impact in their respective fields. Valori’s article joins the magazine’s impressive lineup of features, serving
as both a source of inspiration and a celebration of the power of female creativity.
The latest issue of Where Women Create , featuring Valori Wells’ article, is now available on newsstands and at Stitchin’ Post.
For more information about Valori Wells and her work, visit @ValoriWells on Instagram, www.creatives retreats.com and www. stitchinpost.com. Or stop by Stitchin’ Post where many of Valori’s designs and artwork are for sale. Wells is a multi-disciplinary artist, fabric designer, and educator, known for her vibrant and innovative designs. With 27 years of experience in the creative industry, Wells has developed a distinctive style that is ever changing full of vibrant colors, unique motifs, and always with a story behind it. Her work continues to inspire artists and makers worldwide.
Where Women Create is a publication that showcases the lives and creative spaces of women artists, entrepreneurs, and makers. Each issue features in-depth stories, beautiful photography, and insights into the creative processes of women who are shaping the art and design world.
Valori Wells is featured in the current issue of the highly regarded Where Women Create magazine.
PHOTO PROVIDED
WisdomScottie &Faith
Jean Russell Nave
Scotties are smart. When we are out on a walk, they sometimes think they are smarter than me. They want to determine where we go and how we get there.
The only problem is that they don’t have all the information they need to determine whether or not that is really the best way to go. They don’t even know if it is safe.
We are often like my Scotties when we pray. Very often we ask God to give of this or take away that. In other words, we ask God for specific things, without having the knowledge of the whole situation, the way God does. God knows the long-term effect of our request, and it may not always be good. God knows how our request will affect other people and other eventual outcomes. God knows if our request is even safe for us.
God has all knowledge. God knows the past and the future. We do not. God is eternal. Our spirits are eternal, but they are currently sheathed in a material body, which interferes with our ability to see and understand the full past and any of the future. All this being true, leave the specific solutions to your problem with God and simply ask for help.
The book of Job in the Bible uses the unicorn as a vehicle to demonstrate this situation.
“Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?” Job 39:9-12
You may remember that Job had been a rich man who faced calamity. He had to work on his relationship with God to finally recover everything he lost, ending up wealthier and happier than he had been before the crisis.
The Bible was written long before we had machines to do our work. Farming was all done by using animals to pull the plows or harvest the grain crops. These “dumb” animals, like donkeys and
oxen, were compliant and they did what they were guided to do by their driver.
But in the above verse Job is being asked if the independent and magical creature, the unicorn, would do his bidding as the farm animals do. In this situation, the unicorn symbolizes God’s far-seeing knowledge. You see, the unicorn’s magic can take you anywhere you could ever dream of going and then surprise you with wonders that you could not even have dreamed of.
All through the book of Job, God is guiding Job towards letting go of his false sense of knowledge and allowing God to direct his broken life. Job has faith in God, but he also believes he should be in control. Finally, when Job capitulates, and allows God to show him the way, everything works out for him.
The message is, keep your prayers simple. Use your natural language and talk to God the way you would talk to your best friend. Complex prayers may be literary, or theological, but they are not spiritual. God is Spirit and you are an individualized essence of God, also spirit. That being the case, pray in a straightforward way because God is very straightforward.
Use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide. Its simplicity is
perfect. It simply says, “Thy will be done on earth (symbolizing my heart) as it is in heaven.” In other words, let God’s Will, be my will and everything will be fine.
God already knows what you are thinking and how deeply sincere you are when praying. Your prayer is your way of laying that out to God and yourself. Be honest and keep it simple.
When you pray, remember that all you have is the present. Tomorrow may not even be there. Yesterday is only meaningful, in the terms of prayer, for what you have faced and learned spiritually from your life’s experiences. All that you have in the material world is meaningless when you are praying.
Mystics are people who dedicate their lives to understanding God — and Jesus was a mystic, for his entire life, dedicated to knowing God and sharing that knowledge with others. They
know that all prayer changes our lives for the better. The greater your faith when praying, the more positive the change will be.
If your conviction and faith is slight, the change in you will be slight, but there will still be some change for the better. When your heart is fully committed to God and your faith is deep because you realize the extent of the Power that you believe in, then the outcome could be similar to a ride on a unicorn, it could be far greater than you had imagined.
Prayer and prayerful meditation are the only things that strengthen and improve your soul, and it is the soul which brings about positive change in your life.
Don’t be strong headed
like a Scottie, trust God in all things and watch your life become better than you could imagine. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
God already knows what you are thinking and how deeply sincere you are when praying. Your prayer is your way of laying that out to God and yourself.
Wrestlers gearing up for District
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
The Outlaws girls’ wrestling team had a successful week with a strong home performance in a home duel against Madras Tuesday, February 4, followed by a second place finish at the La Pine Frostbite Open on Saturday, February 8.
At La Pine, Kisten Elbek took top honors in the 140157 class with three pins over Shelby Bunting of Culver (2:22), Mackenzie Frutos of Sisters (3:29), and Josslyn Denny of Ridgeview (2:21). Frutos picked up a win in the weight class versus Denny as well, with a pin in just 28 seconds.
Competing largely against 5A competition a number of girls managed just one or two wins, but it was enough to score 54 team points to take the runner-up team spot behind Ridgeview (72.5) among eight teams.
Tanner Gibney had her hands full with four matches in the 100-107 pound weight class, picking up one win over Sahalie Campos of the Dalles (4:47), but sustained three losses against 5A wrestlers.
Sofia Clark won her first go-around by disqualification in the 106-116 pound class before losing her next three, also against 5A wrestlers. Goose Henderson pinned Amery Linker of The Dalles in her first match (1:13), lost a pair, but picked up another win to complete the day by forfeit.
In the 120-128 pound class, Ava Stotts notched her only win in four tries, pinning Jessica Stokes of 2A Gilchrist in under a minute (0:51), while Brooklynn Cooper won just her first round match at 121-136 pounds by fall (2:37).
Sierra Jaschke was only one of two girls in her weight class and lost twice to Megan Weil of Burns,
both by fall.
The girls will compete in the 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District tournament February 14-15 in La Grande. Four girls in each of the 14 weight classes will qualify for state from District.
The OSAA State Championships run February 27-March 1 at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Portland and include girls’ and boys’ competitions for all classifications.
Like the girls, the boys team hosted Madras and La Pine on Tuesday that served as a good warm-up for the weekend where the boys’ team placed sixth. Six Outlaws scored for the team totaling 73.5 points, while Burns flattened the competition with 220.
Carter Van Meter made it to the championship round with wins over Treston Carlson of Summit (0:40), Quincy Scott of Madras (0:44) and Henry Barnes of Burns (4:26). Riley Flack, a state leader, beat Van Meter in the final 10-0 in a major decision.
“Carter battled and is coming into his own at the right time,” said coach David Kemp.
Zack Kemp, also wrestling at 126, wrestled five times and went 2-3 against tough competition, scoring ten points for the team, according to Coach Kemp. He won his second round
ATTACK: Man and dog were both injured in fight
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“I didn’t have a choice,” he told The Nugget. “These dogs would not let go… They’d drawn blood, and once that happened, I knew what was going to happen. It was horrible.”
Godfrey, who continues to be very shaken by the incident days later, estimates that the incident lasted from three to five minutes total.
“It seemed like forever,” he said.
match over Scott of Madras (2:36) and Dallen Johnson of Burns (1:31).
Brennan Frutos registered four pins in five matches to place third at 157 pounds, in what Coach Kemp considered his best day of wrestling ever. “He came back after losing by technical fall in the first round and then swept the table by going through the consolation bracket.”
At 165 pounds, Jace Owens went 3-2 to place fourth. After a bye and a win in the quarterfinal by technical fall over Quinn Brenner of The Dalles, he lost to Leland Minson of Culver. He came back with a pin over Dante Martinez (1:30), but lost a very close decision in the third place match, 8-7, to Colton Gillespie of Madras.
Chris Roach placed third at 175 in a small field with a win over Gabriel Parker of Madras (4:39). Zach Thies completed the scoring for the Outlaws, finishing sixth at 150 pounds. Jackson Spor, Jude Howland, Camas Luhning, and Josh Beutler also competed for the Outlaws.
The 3A Special District 4 Boys Championships are set for next week at Vale High School February 21-22. As with the girls, the tournament serves to crown District team champions and qualification for individuals to the OSAA State Tournament.
No one else appeared on the scene.
“Not one person who owned those dogs showed face, ever,” he said.
Godfrey loaded Dazey into his truck and headed back down the gravel road, calling 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident.
He and Tripp encountered a deputy, and Godfrey told him he could not stop, that he needed to get Dazey to a veterinarian.
Godfrey said he is extremely grateful to Sisters Veterinary Clinic for their “phenomenal” care of Dazey, and to the responding Sisters sheriff’s deputies, particularly Deputy Mike Hudson, and Sisters Fire EMTs.
“She’s going to be fine in time,” he said of Dazey. “I’m OK. My hands are pretty beat up. I got bit several times
as well.”
He told The Nugget that the state medical examiner called him on Friday to confirm that there was no concern about rabies.
There will, however, be ongoing vet and doctor visits as the injuries heal.And moving past the incident will take time, Godfrey acknowledged.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated the incident, assisted by the U.S. Forest Service. They determined that Godfrey’s actions were justified.
According to DCSO, two of the attacking dogs died at the scene, while a third, found at a nearby transient camp, was later euthanized due to its injuries.
Deputies cited a transient woman, identified as the dogs’ owner, for three counts of Animal at Large and Animal Nuisance.
Deputies also received reports of past aggressive dog incidents in the area.
Godfrey said that the incident can serve as a warning to locals traveling in the woods.
“If you’re in the woods and you see a dog like that, don’t stop, don’t get out,” he said. “Maybe just call it in.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist Godfrey with covering for lost work time, medical bills, and living expenses. That fund can be accessed at https://www. gofundme.com/f/supportty-godfrey-dazey-maesrecovery.
Josh Beutler battles at a home match for the Outlaws.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG
LETTERS
Continued from page 14
people are my teammates not my adversaries. I wish we could all adopt the same principles going forward.”
Not maliciously? He opened his piece trolling Eagles fans as vandals. He then moved on to misinformation trolling “sensitive white, female progressives that would never watch ... sports” for equity issues. He attacked Kansas City players and coaches for having the audacity to leverage their celebrity; and Taylor Swift for good measure, who is not a player or a coach, but yet is somehow too tall and “masculine,” thus she needs the “aging” Travis Kelce on her arm.
Insults like these make football sound exactly like politics nowadays. Steve, take a good look at the way you are living your faith and adopting those principals!
Jennifer Maines
To the Editor:
s s s
UGB Expansion
First, I want to thank all of you that volunteered for the UGB expansion committee.
However, I have a couple concerns regarding your unanimous decision on the 58.5 acres next to McKenzie Meadows that is being requested and pushed by Hayden. I am calling this McKenzie Meadows II since this is the same group that sold the 30 acres to Hayden for McKenzie Meadows. By the way, one of the committees member is a principal in the group requesting this approval.
First, none of you live anywhere near this property and your decision will not have the major impact on you it will on us. You have no idea of the impact McKenzie Meadows had on those of us that live in The Village at Cold Springs. The Village has streets that are 22 feet wide instead of the 36 foot wide city streets. Our streets are privately owned by our HOA because that is what the city did to allow Hayden to build the Village.
Since the City made our streets private, the City does not help with any maintenance, so we pay several thousand dollars out of our HOA dues for maintenance. With McKenzie Meadows, additional traffic now using Williamson as a main street, we have between 35 and 40 additional cars per day using our streets. Many of them are speeding down the street. Increased maintenance, dangerous speed! We requested the city to help restrict the traffic, but they refused.
How many more vehicles will come down our street when you approve another approximately 600 houses? Will the city care and install real traffic control devices?
I think the committee and the city need to be concerned about the current residents when they talk about the UGB. Doug Wills
WRECK: Caution needed on icy roads in Sisters Country
Continued from page 1
not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving
in a hurry.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snowcovered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
• Don’t stop while going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• If road conditions are really bad, consider staying home and only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
Some tips for those enjoying winter recreation on public lands:
• Plan the trip - check the weather, bring plenty of warm clothes, enough water for everyone for 3 days, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, flashlight, flares and/ or something to start a fire with, camp saw or hatchet, and a cold weather sleeping bag or blankets.
• Have a full tank of gas, and be prepared for changing conditions. Let someone know the dates you will be gone.
• If the snow on the road is three inches or greater, turn around; conditions are not likely to improve ahead.
• Do not count on technology — GPS devices can steer drivers onto impassable roads, and cell phone service can be inconsistent.
• Pay attention to weather conditions, including increased winds and snowfall, to ensure plenty of time to safely head back home.
Three Sisters ladies brought The Nugget along on their adventure in Puerto Vallarta. Pictured are: Bonnie Rose, Sara Stevenson, and Danna McNeese.
When this photo was taken, they were soaking up some sunshine — in 83-degree temps — for a winter attitude adjustment.
Safe following distance is often longer than people think. At 25 miles per hour, it’s almost 50 yards and looks like this.
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS & BILL BARTLETT
Obituary
James (Jim) Richard McCready went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 4, after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Jim was born on March 27, 1938, to Noah Nold (N.N.) and Lucille McCready in Loma Linda, California. He grew up in Santa Barbara, California, where he enjoyed photography as well as hiking, backpacking, and fishing in the local mountains.
He pursued higher education at both UC Santa Barbara and Westmont College, graduating from Westmont in 1962 with his bachelor’s in social science. During his time at Westmont, he met the love of his life, Adele. The two were married on June 23, 1961, in Pratum, Oregon, and together they built a family, raising two daughters and a son. After marriage, they lived in Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria, where Jim worked for several television stations as a TV cameraman and engineer, where he had the privilege of filming space launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Pacific College in 1976. He worked as an engineer until his retirement.
After retiring, Jim and Adele relocated to Sisters, where they became active members of Sisters Community Church, serving in various capacities. Jim was especially passionate about his work with the global missions team. In addition to his service, Jim found joy in many hobbies. He was an avid quilter, a devoted reader, and photographer. He enjoyed the outdoors and traveling, especially with family. He also shared his musical talents by performing in local choirs.
The McCreadys moved to Quito, Ecuador, in 1967 to serve as missionaries with HCJB radio after spending a short time in language school in Costa Rica. Jim worked at the transmitter site and main station, broadcasting shortwave radio around the world and contributing to the establishment of the first FM station in Ecuador. His love for music also found a place in this work, as he sang in choirs that were part of the station’s programming. After seven years in Ecuador, they returned to Southern California, where Jim earned his masters degree in social science from Azusa
James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Adele. He is survived by their three children and their families: Joan and Tim Warburg of Sisters, Oregon; David and Trisha McCready of Salem; and Heather and Markus Kemmelmeier of Reno, Nevada. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren, and he is survived by his two older sisters, Virginia Huber of Waukegan, Illinois, and Donna Hubbard of Nipomo, California.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, February 15, at 4 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. All those who loved Jim are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Partners in Care Bend. James
Mother Nature contributed to the artwork in the roundabout at the west end of town last week.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.
CLASSIFIED RATES
COST: $3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $3.50 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.
DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. VISA & MasterCard accepted. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application. CATEGORIES:
102 Commercial Rentals
STORAGE WITH BENEFITS
8 x 20 dry box
Fenced yard, RV & trailers
In-town, gated, 24-7
EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com
MINI STORAGE
Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631
Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies. OFFICE/RETAIL
SPACE FOR RENT
Great location across from Ace Hardware.
Several space types available. Call owner
Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478
RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
220 S PINE ST, SISTERS
1st Floor Retail - 582 SQFT
Office Suite 209 - 500 SQFT
Office Suite 210 - 502 SQFT For information call: Lorna Nolte 541-419-8380
Lorna@NolteProperties.com
Executive Office Space
Very nice executive office space for rent in Sisters light industrial park. 224 sq. ft. private office. Shared restrooms with shower. Shared conference/kitchen room. Easy parking. All utilities included. Starting at $750 per month. Call 541-549-9631
103 Residential Rentals
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS
Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792
Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES
–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com
Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC
104 Vacation Rentals
Downtown Vacation Rentals Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom SistersVacationRentals.net
Great pricing. 503-730-0150
~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898
www.SistersVacation.com
201 For Sale
Hydrow rowing machine
Used 5 times, like brand new. Stores upright. Buyer pick up. Retails $2,500, marked down to $900. 503-319-9338, text only.
202 Firewood
• WINTER 2025 • NEW DISCOUNT PRICES
SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS
DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD
• SINCE 1976 • Fuel Reduction Forestry Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES
– 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509 541-699-7740 205
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 ORCHARD GRASS HAY ALFALFA TRITICALE
New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $220-$360/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895
403 Pets
SISTERS WHISKERS
Your purr-fect friend is waiting for you at our local nonprofit cat rescue! Apply to adopt at: sisterswhiskers.org
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
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
GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE
“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871
NOTARY PUBLIC - LOCAL – Call Cheryl 541-420-7875 –
GREENWORKS 20" 13 AMP CORDED SNOWTHROWER
As new, unused gift, $150. 541-549-6067
502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
M & J CARPET CLEANING
Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090
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
504 Handyman
3 Sisters Handyman Services
20+ years experience No job too large or small. Snow removal services available.
Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Call Nate 907-748-4100 sistershandyman@gmail.com CCB# 253556
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
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
– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
601 Construction
Pat Burke
LOCALLY OWNED
CRAFTSMAN BUILT
CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062
www.sistersfencecompany.com
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
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 Earthwood Timberframes
• Design & shop fabrication
• Recycled fir and pine beams
• Mantels and accent timbers
• Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com
SUDOKU Level: Difficult Answer: Page 23
501 Computers & Communications
3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC
Extend internet to shop, security cameras, Starlink. CCB #191099 541-306-0729
Custom Homes
Additions - Remodels
Residential Building Projects
Becke William Pierce
CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com
New construction, addition, remodel. Large and small projects. Contact for estimate. Excavation: septic system, site prep, demolition, road and driveway construction. 541-325-3020 sales@gardnercontractingllc.com
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
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
CASCADE GARAGE DOORS
Factory Trained Technicians
Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES
www.teeharborconstruction.com 541-213-8736 • CCB#75388
Construction & Renovation
Custom Residential Projects
All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
602 Plumbing & Electric
Ridgeline Electric, LLC
Serving all of Central Oregon
• Residential • Commercial
• Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Remodels • Generators • Hot tubs/Saunas monteselectric@hotmail.com
CCB#200030 • 541-480-9860
SWEENEY
PLUMBING, INC.
“Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling
• New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349
Residential and Commercial
Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587
603 Excavation & Trucking
BANR Enterprises, LLC
Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls
Residential & Commercial
CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net
Full Service Excavation
Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com
541-549-1472 • CCB #76888
Drainfield
• Minor & Major Septic Repair
• All Septic Needs/Design & Install
General Excavation
• Site Preparation
• Rock & Stump Removal
• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation
• Building Demolition Trucking
• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water
• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly
• The Whole 9 Yards or 24
Whatever You Want!
ROBINSON & OWEN
Heavy Construction, Inc.
All your excavation needs
*General excavation
*Site Preparation
*Sub-Divisions
*Road Building
*Sewer and Water Systems
*Underground Utilities *Grading
*Sand-Gravel-Rock Licensed • Bonded • Insured
CCB #124327 541-549-1848
604 Heating & Cooling ACTION AIR
Heating & Cooling, LLC
Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service &
Interior/Exterior Painting
Deck Refinishing Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327
peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks
CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345
Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.
CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462
All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
Alpine Landscape Maintenance
An All-Electric Landscape Company.
Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com
– All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
701 Domestic Services
I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051
BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897
802 Help Wanted
We are Hiring!
Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping. PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman
Black Butte School District is hiring an Upper Grades Teacher and School Counselor More info at blackbutte.k12.or. us/employment or 541-595-6203
803 Work Wanted
I AM A CAREGIVER Looking for work in Sisters, Part-Time
Please call Lynn 503-274-0214.
999 Public Notice
City of Sisters
Public Park Restrooms and City Hall Cleaning
Bids due: 2 PM, February 18, 2025 INVITATION TO BID
Sealed bids clearly labeled “City of Sisters Public Parks Restrooms and City Hall Cleaning” addressed to the City Recorder, City of Sisters, Oregon will be received until 2 PM local time at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave., PO Box 39, Sisters, OR, on February 18, 2025
Cleaning generally includes the daily cleaning of City of Sisters public restrooms at four of its municipal parks, campground restrooms and showers when camp hosts are not present, and the restroom at the transit hub currently referred to as “East Portal”, and the weekly cleaning of City of Sisters City Hall. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit the City of Sisters website at https://www.ci.sisters.or.us/ RFPs are located under the Business tab at the top of website.
NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
Sisters Park & Recreation District
Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, an election will be held for the purpose of electing three board members to fill the following positions and terms, including any vacancy which may exist, on the board of the Sisters Park & Recreation District.
One Director, Position No. 1, 4-year term
One Director, Position No. 2, 4-year term
One Director, Position No. 3, 4-year term
Each candidate for an office listed above must file a declaration of candidacy or petition for nomination for office with the County Clerk of Deschutes County, Oregon, not later than the 61st day before the date of the regular district election. The filing deadline is 5 pm on March 20, 2025. Filing forms are available at the Deschutes County Clerk’s office, 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97703 and online at www.deschutescounty.gov/clerk
Steve Dennison
Deschutes County Clerk
PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE
On 2/15/25 at 1 p.m. the entire contents of Unit A-73 belonging to Pam Furgason and Unit A-86 belonging to Tylen Rollins and Unit A-79 belonging to Elizabeth Jeardoe will be sold to the highest bidder. The high bidder(s) must remove the contents within 3 days. Sale takes place at Sisters Rental, 331 W. Barclay Drive, Sisters, OR. 541-549-9631
SUDOKU SOLUTION
for puzzle on page 22
BBR & CAMP SHERMAN:
• Black Butte Ranch General Store
• Black Butte Ranch Post Off ice
• Black Butte Ranch Welcome Center
• Camp Sherman Post Off ice • Metolius River Lodges
• Bi-Mart • Oliver Lemon’s Terrebonne • M&W Market
The Ranch Market • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse TUMALO:
• Pisano’s Pizza • Shell Station • T umalo Coffeehouse T umalo Farmstand • T umalo Feed Co.
Business
SISTERS LOCATIONS:
• Angeline’s Baker y • Bedouin
•Best Western Ponderosa Lodge • Bi-Mart
• Black Butte Realty Group
• Cabin Creek Home & Style • Cascade Fitness
• Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s • Central Oregon Eyecare
•Chevron/McDonald’s • Countr y Coffee
• Dair y Queen • Dixie’s • Eurosports
• Fika Sisters Coffeehouse • First Interstate Bank
• FivePine Lodge • GrandStay Hotel & Suites
• Habitat Thrif t Store • Hardtails Bar & Grill
• High Camp Taphouse • High Desert Chocolates
• Hoyt’s Hardware & Building Supply
• Lef t Coast Lodge • Les Schwab Tire Center
• Luckey’s Woodsman • Makin’ it Local
• Martolli’s of Sisters • Mid Oregon Credit Union
• Oliver Lemon’s • Paulina Springs Books
• Philadelphia’s Steak & Hoagies
• Ponderosa Properties • Rancho Viejo
• Ray’s Food Place • Sinclair Gas Station
• Sisters Ace Hardware • Sisters Apothecar y
• Sisters Art Works • Sisters Athletic Club
• Sisters Baker y • Sisters Bunkhouse • Sisters City Hall
• Sisters Coffee Co.• Sisters Community Church
• Sisters Creekside Campg round
• Sisters Dino Market •Sisters Depot
• Sisters Elementar y School •Sisters Feed & Supply
• Sisters Galler y & Frame Shop • Sisters High School
• Sisters Inn & Suites • Sisters Librar y
• Sisters Liquor Store • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse
• Sisters Middle School • Sisters Moto
• Sisters Movie House & Café • Sisters Nails & Spa
• Sisters Post Off ice •Sisters Pumphouse & Countr y Store
• Sisters Ranger Station • Sisters Rental
• Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill
• Sisters School Administration Building
• Sisters Senior Living • Sisters Veterinar y Clinic
• Ski Inn Taphouse & Motel • Sno Cap Drive In
• Space Age F uel • Spoons Restaurant
• Sisters Park & Recreation District
• St. Charles Family Care • Suttle Tea
• Takoda’s Restaurant & Lounge
• The Barn in Sisters • The Galler y Restaurant
• The Gallimaufr y • The Nugget Front Porch
• The Pony Express • Three Creeks Brew Pub
• Three Sisters Floral
• Western Title & Escrow Company • Your Store