The Nugget
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IDE S N I E GUID LL OUT P U AV E &S
POSTAL CUSTOMER PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Vol. XLVI No. 34
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Country Fair brought small-town fun 15 miles of 242 closes due to fire By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Friday night at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters was the scene of smooth jazz and over 300 silent auction items along with a wine and hot and cold appetizer spread that feted attendees. The night was filled with bargain hunters and curiosity seekers who sorted through a cornucopia of vintage and mercantile items in over 25 categories. There was something for everyone — campers, toy and art collectors, fly fishers, home furnishers, gourmands, and fashionistas. For three hours a steady stream of Sisters folk wound their way through the church’s community hall and See COUNTRY FAIR on page 8 PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Apples were fed into an old-fashioned cider press during Saturday’s festivities.
New application submitted for shelter By Ceili Gatley Correspondent
The Sisters Cold Weather Shelter (SCWS) board has reapplied for the emergency shelter proposed by the board to the City of Sisters initially on June 27. The new application is effective starting August 15. A local nonprofit organization, SCWS advocates for the houseless community. The organization was awarded funding from the State through the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) to purchase and operate a shelter at a permanent location within
Inside...
Sisters. The board held a conference with COIC and invited City Manager Jordan Wheeler and Community Development Director Scott Woodford. Representatives from Salem were also present to help clear up some of the context in which the house bill legislation regarding emergency shelters was written. Initially, the application for the shelter was made under Oregon House Bill 2006, which required certain specifications that the applicant must meet for their See SHELTER on page 21
In an abundance of caution, ODOT announced Friday that it was closing 15 miles of the 82-mile McKenzie-Santiam Scenic Byway (Highway 242) between mileposts 61 and 76 due to activity from the Lookout Fire, reported on August 5, which so far has consumed over 11,000 acres. The closure is 14 miles west of Sisters. The popular Dee Wright Observatory at mile post 77.5 remains open. ODOT’s decision was not based on the threat of actual fire reaching the iconic highway. Rather it was the concern that smoke would affect visibility on the winding road and lead to accidents. Traffic on 242 has been diminished, with conditions caused by five fires burning in the Willamette National Forest. The always popular motorcycle and bicycle route has seen a noticeable drop in traffic. Jodie Barram, public information officer for Northwest Incident Management Team See ROAD CLOSURE on page 11
Monitoring the Metolius wolves By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
The pair of wolves known as the Metolius pair are presumed — but not confirmed — to be a male and female. On April 19, 2022 a new AKWA (Area of Known Wolf Activity) was designated in the Metolius wildlife management unit. Since August of 2021, there have been public reports of two wolves. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) documented that the wolf activity appeared to be resident, prompting the AKWA designation. These two wolves were counted for the 2021 annual wildlife census. Last week The Nugget accompanied Aaron Bott,
PHOTO COURTESY ODFW
The Metolius pair of wolves were caught on a trail cam recently. ODFW’s regional wolf biologist, checking trail cameras in areas around Stevens Canyon and Garrison Butte. Some
three dozen cameras are deployed throughout Sisters See WOLVES on page 12
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Announcements...............10 Roundabout .....................16 Fun & Games ....................18 Crossword .......................21 Meetings .......................... 3 Entertainment ................. 11 Book Covers ..................... 17 Flashback ....................... 20 Classifieds................. 22-23