The Nugget Vol. XLVI No. 15
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Snow piles up in Sisters
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Eyes on the prize...
Local fire districts to purchase engines
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
As temperatures in Sisters Country rise, folks are trying to put snow in the rearview mirror. “I’m tired of it and the cold,” said Miles Horton of Sisters, as he considered putting his snowblower away for the season. Horton is a newcomer from Sacramento. Old-timers tell The Nugget that this winter is still nothing like “the old days.” No matter if you love or hate the snow, it’s unavoidable, living as we do in the High Desert. The last three to four years have been harsh on ranchers and farmers in Sisters Country, as well as stressing recreation like golf
Two-year-old Daisy Sophia Reilly was a very focused Easter Egg Hunter at the annual event sponsored by fire district volunteers on Sunday.
See SNOW on page 22
PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK
Mule deer census raises concern By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Mule deer populations, their habitat, and how to handle them is a big question in Sisters Country. The Deschutes County Community Development Department held an informational meeting last Wednesday at Sisters High School. They were pleased — and surprised — at the turnout. “Over 100,” according to Department Head Peter Gutowsky, who along with two department staff and ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) Biologist Andrew Walsh made a formal presentation aided by slides. Only 50 chairs were set out, and a scramble ensued to find another 50 as the room kept filling. The audience, made up almost exclusively of Cloverdale and surrounding rural property owners, listened intently, especially
Inside...
to the remarks of Walsh, who discussed in detail with accompanying photos and graphics how his department count mule deer and other species. Oregon is seeking to protect what is perceived to be a declining number of deer. The County’s interest has been ongoing for almost 30 years, Gutowsky told The Nugget. The last wildlife inventory was taken in 1992. Gotowsky’s department is initiating a process to create a new mule deer combining zone and a corresponding new code chapter to address uses in that zone. For rural properties under 20 acres with an existing home, generally no changes are being considered. “The purpose of the project is to conserve important mule deer winter range habitat in Deschutes County; to protect an important environmental, social, and See MULE DEER on page 18
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
Six Central Oregon fire departments are receiving new fire apparatus as a result of the Office of State Fire Marshal’s Response Ready Oregon Initiative. Two of those districts serve Sisters Country. Funding for the program was a result of the passage of Senate Bill 762 in the 2021 legislative session. The program was funded with $25 million to support capacity enhancements across the state. Statewide, 76 local agencies were awarded new apparatus through the program. Central Oregon agencies receiving new apparatus See ENGINES on page 27
Sisters welcomes new firefighter April 6 was a historic day for the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District (SCSFD). The District welcomed its first female firefighter to the full-time staff in nearly 17 years, and only the second woman to hold the position in the District’s history. Firefighter/Paramedic Rachel Ulm joins the ranks of career firefighters with SCSFD after serving for three-and-a-half years as a resident volunteer with the District. Ulm started her journey in Sisters while a freshman in college at COCC in 2019, and has earned associates’ degrees in fire science and EMS, as well as earning multiple structural and wildfire qualifications. She also served as the resident volunteer lieutenant, helping administrative staff with the day-to-day management of the resident volunteer program. During her time as lieutenant, Ulm served as trainer and mentor for newer members, especially other women just entering the service.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Rachel Ulm is the first female firefighter in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District in 17 years. Many times, women need to develop different techniques to accomplish the physically demanding tasks required to be a firefighter. “I love working with other women to help them be successful in this business!” said Ulm. Beth Mitchell was the
first woman to serve as a career firefighter in Sisters. Mitchell left SCSFD in 2006 to pursue a career with Redmond Fire and Rescue, where she serves as a captain today. Mitchell returned to SCSFD to help See ULM on page 22
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Announcements...............10 Obituaries .............12-13, 25 Sisters Salutes ............... 20 Crossword ...................... 29 Meetings .......................... 3 Entertainment ................. 11 At Your Service............ 15-17 Fun & Games ................... 28 Classifieds................. 30-31