The Nugget Vol. XLV No. 49
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Debate over winter camping site continues
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Ugly Sweaters for the kids...
By Sue Stafford Correspondent
Despite no proposal brought to the City for winter camping at Creekside Campground, and a number of barriers to using the campground for such purposes, emails and rumors have continued to circulate regarding use of the facility for a winter camp for homeless people. Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang thinks the spot would make a good location for “safe parking,” a program in place in other areas of the county. He acknowledged, however, that the park is a City of Sisters facility and decisions about See CAMPING on page 12
More than 400 participants, in over-the-top holiday wear, turned out for the second annual Ugly Sweater Run on Saturday, December 3. The event, sponsored by Run Sisters Run, is a benefit for the Circle of Friends program. See story, page 4. Right: Santa came down to lead the runners off to a cheerful start.
Sisters man arrested in string of thefts Noah Kirshner of Sisters has been arrested — yet again — in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins in the local area. Kirshner, 23, has been arrested repeatedly over a period of years in connection with similar thefts. The most current arrest o c c u rred on Tuesda y,
November 29, after a concerned citizen made a report to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office regarding possible stolen property that might be connected to a string of thefts in the neighborhood of Squaw Creek See THEFTS on page 26
Winter range closures take effect As of December 1, four winter range closures are in effect across Deschutes National Forest, to provide critical habitat for deer and elk. Areas including the Metolius Winter Range and Tumalo Winter Range in Sisters Country are now closed to motorized vehicles (including snowmobiles and electric bicycles). The winter wildlife closures will last through March
Inside...
31, 2023. The public can visit the following links to view maps of the closure: • Metolius Winter Range Map (fs.usda.gov/Internet/ FSE_DOCUMENTS/ fseprd526507.pdf). • Tumalo Winter Range Map (fs.usda.gov/Internet/ FSE_DOCUMENTS/ fseprd526509.pdf). See WINTER RANGE on page 24
PHOTOS BY JERRY BALDOCK
Tree poaching on the rise in forest By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Tree thieves increase in numbers and are more brazen as we enter firewood season, and as a cord of wood is selling for $275 to $295 in Sisters Country. And that may or may not be split and/or delivered. It might just be rounds you pick up. As the price for propane rises, homeowners are turning to Mother Nature more frequently to heat their dwellings, or at least partially so. In Central Oregon a cord of firewood (128 cubic feet; typically a pile eight feet long by four feet wide by four feet high) is up about 25 percent from a year ago, which itself was up double digits from 2020. Where better to get your wood than the Deschutes National Forest, including, perhaps, a stop in Sisters for a bit of shopping. And it’s free. Up to eight cords per season per household for personal use. That’s just about what it takes to heat
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Tree poachers have been systematically felling large trees in Sisters Country. a three-bedroom home for a winter. The Sisters District Ranger’s office issues permits for about 3,000 cords annually. That might only be half or less of the wood taken, however, as poachers
help themselves to trees. And not just any trees — legacy trees that are hundreds of years old. Trees far in excess of the size limit (24 inches in diameter) and, lately, live trees. See POACHING on page 22
Letters/Weather................ 2 Announcements................10 Sisters Salutes................. 11 Let’s Eat!..................... 16-17 Classifieds.................. 28-29 Meetings........................... 3 Entertainment.................. 11 Holidays in Sisters...... 13-20 Crossword . ......................27 Real Estate................. 30-32