The Nugget Vol. XLVI No. 38
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Hoofing it across the country...
Board rules against spa owner By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Gin Szagola and Finley have trekked all the way from New Jersey on a cross-country trip to the Oregon Coast. See story on on page 6. PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
City Council reviews short-term rentals By Sue Stafford Correspondent
Short-term rentals (STRs) were originally heralded as a way to increase tourism dollars in a city by offering a wide variety of lodging quality and affordability, as well as a different experience from that found in a hotel. Homeowners and landlords would also benefit by earning additional income from
renting out rooms and entire properties as STRs. After more than a decade of experience, the STR impact on local economies and rental markets is highlighting problems that may outweigh the benefits. Studies have shown that, particularly in larger cities, increased tourism facilitated by STR platforms like See RENTALS on page 4
Forest cleanup effort set for Saturday Volunteers can help clean up the forest near Sisters in an event sponsored by Sisters Community Leadership Initiative (CLI) on Saturday, September 23. Volunteers will meet at Village Green Park in Sisters at 9 a.m. and convoy to the site approximately
four miles outside of Sisters toward Bend on Eagle Rock Road. Participants should wear appropriate clothing for working in the forest, and bring work gloves. The City of Sisters is providing trash bags.
Inside...
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Meetings .......................... 3
See CLEANUP on page 12
The Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT) has issued a final order assessing $13,000 in civil penalties against Michael Boyle, former owner of Hop in the Spa in Sisters, and an additional assessment of Department of Justice costs to a total of $50,000. The Board had assessed a total of $14,000 in sanctions in February of 2022. Boyle appealed that regulatory action in a contested case proceeding, which took through July 2023 to resolve. Boyle also faces criminal charges including two counts of felony sex abuse, five See SPA on page 8
Remodeled library close to opening Bill Bartlett Correspondent
The Sisters Library will close temporarily September 24 in order to transition from its temporary quarters to its fully remodeled facility. The transition will take until midOctober, with no date certain, as construction and technology crews are at work completing the final steps of the upgrade and modernization. In an announcement to the public, Library managers ask that patrons please hold returns while the library is closed during the transition period. No late fees will be charged for materials. If you have a hold on the shelf when the temporary space closes, it will be available when operations resume. A grand reopening celebration is planned for Saturday, October 28, from noon to 2 p.m. (ribbon cutting at 12:15 p.m.). All citizens are invited to stop by to explore the new space and enjoy live music, fun activities for all ages, and free library swag. Look for more detailed information in Announcements...............10 Entertainment .................12
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Construction workers are finishing up the remodel of the Sisters Library, which will reopen next month. mid-October. The Sisters Library features 8,300 square feet of space, all housed in an exterior design that includes a partial wraparound porch with the Western appearance in keeping with the city’s architectural theme. Though the building itself was constructed in 2005, Sisters has a tradition of library service that goes back decades.
The upgrades are designed to make the library more user-friendly and of greater access to the community. Improvements include: Community Gathering Space A large meeting room, with an operable partition wall, provides versatility throughout the day and for after-hours gatherings.
The Owl............................14 Sudoku ............................ 17
Crossword ...................... 20 Classifieds................. 22-23
See LIBRARY on page 8