The Nugget Vol. XLVI No. 23
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News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Student faces expulsion over fires
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Editor in Chief
Wanted man taken into custody in Sisters
A Sisters High School freshman was arrested on Wednesday, May 31, in connection with two fires in girls bathrooms that led to the evacuation of the school. Authorities withheld the name of the juvenile female. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, a student at Sisters High School alerted staff to a fire in the girls restroom at 10:20 a.m. School staff responded to the girls restroom, and used a fire extinguisher to quench the blaze, which was located in the
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a couple wanted in Marion County without incident in Sisters on Wednesday, May 31. While the arrest came off smoothly, the incident attracted a lot of attention in town because local businesses had to briefly suspend operations and law enforcement personnel deployed an armored vehicle in the arrest. The Deschutes County Sheriff ’s Office (DCSO) reports that deputies responded to the Ray’s
Fish on!
By Jim Cornelius
PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK
Eight-year-old Jonathan Warren from Tualatin hooked a 13-pound-7-ounce fish in Kids Fishing Day action at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery in Camp Sherman. The popular event returned after a hiatus of several years, to introduce youngsters to the thrill of fishing.
See ARSON on page 15
See ARREST on page 20
Sisters gets ready to rodeo Firefighters knock down blaze west of town By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
A brush fire believed to be human-caused broke out on Wednesday afternoon, May 31, off Cold Springs Cutoff Road west of Sisters. Firefighters from multiple agencies were able to catch the fire and keep it to 1/4 acre. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews were dispatched to assist a U.S. Forest Service crew on the fire, which was discovered approximately 400 feet off of the Cold Springs Cutoff Road. The fire is presumed to be human-caused and is under investigation with USFS law enforcement taking the lead on the investigation. Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid told The Nugget that, as of Monday, “It does not appear to be associated with a camp — a non-recreational camp.” Reid said a final determination on cause could be made this week.
Inside...
“That one had some potential,” Reid acknowledged. “We had a lot of resources though.” Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District responded with three firefighters and one fire engine. Additional units from Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale Fire, and Oregon Department of Forestry brought an additional eight firefighters. There have been multiple human-caused fires in Sisters Country over the past couple of weeks, with the area just entering fire season. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that the national average of humancaused wildfires comprises 87 percent of all wildfire occurrences every year. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District reminds residents and visitors of the important role they play in preventing wildfires, since most of these fires can be prevented.
“We’re ready to roll,” said Hank Moss, a member of the Sisters Rodeo Association Board of Directors. It takes a huge volunteer effort — of some 225 people — to get Sisters Rodeo ready to roll, from painting to landscaping to manning food concessions and helping patrons find their seats to take in “The Biggest Little Show in the World.” Moss expects some firstclass rodeo action over the weekend, Friday-Sunday, June 9-11. “A lot of world champions will be there,” Moss told The Nugget. “Lots of big names will be there this year, so that’s awesome.” While the Rodeo itself runs over the weekend, the action actually kicks off Wednesday night with Xtreme Bulls, a bullridingonly event that highlights the skill of riders trying to stay atop a bucking, whirling mass of professional trouble.
PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK
Volunteers put the finishing touches on the Sisters Rodeo Arena as they get set to host “The Biggest Little Show in the World.” Moss said that Rodeo fans can expect some new touches around the arena, including a more consistent presentation of sponsor banners. That’s important to the Rodeo Association. “They do a lot for us,” said Moss,” and we want people to see that and shop
local and use our sponsors.” They have installed new low-energy, high-output LED lamps that dramatically improve illumination for the event. The lights make for a better experience for attendees of evening performances See RODEO on page 20
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Bunkhouse Chronicle ........ 8 Entertainment ................. 11 Fly-fishing Commentary ...14 Crossword ...................... 20 Meetings .......................... 3 Announcements...............10 Obituaries .......................12 Stars over Sisters ............ 17 Classifieds..................21-23