The Nugget Vol. XLVI No. 22
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Escaped debris burns cause brush fires Two escaped debris burns on successive days last week serve a reminder that burn piles pose a risk in Sisters Country. Fire crews quickly extinguished an escaped burn pile, which had spread to nearby vegetation, on Tuesday evening, May 23, containing the fire at an estimated 1/8 acre. According to SistersCamp Sherman Fire District, a neighboring property owner called 911 at 6:35 p.m. to report grass on fire. The property owner on scene of the incident reported they had previously been burning yard debris but had extinguished the fire earlier in the day. Shift Commander Jeremy Ast said, “Clearance around the property owner’s burn pile was an issue, and the fire rekindled with increasing afternoon temperatures and wind from the pile, which had been left smoldering.” Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District reminds residents to clear the area of combustible material around a burn pile for at least 10 feet in all directions, and make sure the fire is completely extinguished. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District responded 17 firefighters and four
Correspondent
Gracie Vohs got to experience the rare air of the top of the podium after winning the 400 meters at the OSAA 3A Track and Field Championships held May 25 and 26 at Hayward Field in Eugene. Her joy doubled when she returned to the podium with her teammates after the quartet won the 4x400-meter relay in the meet’s final event. The girls finished fifth as a team, four points shy of a team trophy. Vohs entered the meet among the favorites, but it took at strong effort over the final 100 meters to separate
Inside...
Sisters group seeks funding for shelter By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
previously been burning yard debris days prior, and believed the burn pile had been extinguished. Division Chief Jeff Puller said, “This is the second fire in two days that was not completely extinguished and
The amount of funding for combating homelessness in Central Oregon has grown to nearly $35 million with the recent addition of $13.9 million provided to Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. The newest tranche of money comes from the $98 million pot enacted by Senate Bill 5019 that gives sole authority of the funds’ disbursement to Gov. Tina Kotek. It’s in response to what Kotek calls a “Homeless State of Emergency.” COIC (Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council) will manage and distribute the funds, which must be spent by January 10. COIC is among nearly a dozen agencies and organizations with a hand in trying to change the dynamics for the region’s
See FIRES on page 19
See SHELTER on page 25
PHOTO COURTESY SISTERS-CAMP SHERMAN FIRE DISTRICT
A quick and heavy response enabled firefighters to get a handle on an escaped burn pile northeast of Sisters. emergency vehicles. Units from Black Butte Ranch Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry brought two additional personnel. In the second incident, on Wednesday, May 24, fire crews put out a small brush fire that reignited from an old burned pile of debris.
Vohs makes top of podium in track By Charlie Kanzig
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
from the crowd to claim first place in a personal best time of 1:00.25 to edge Pleasant Hill’s Dakota Hyland by .26 seconds. “ Wo r d s c a n h a r d l y describe the feeling after winning the 400. Going into it I had the expectation of finishing second or third, but when I crossed the finish line and realized that I had won I could not wipe a smile off my face,” she said. “Running at Hayward and feeding off of the crowd yelling around me is not like anything else I have experienced” When it was time for the long relay, the Outlaws knew they had their hands full as See VOHS on page 10
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Meetings .......................... 3
Again, the fire is estimated at 1/8 acre. Neighbors driving by alerted the property owner, and called 911 at 2:36 p.m. to report the grass, brush, and three rolls of plastic turf on fire. The property owner on the scene of the incident reported they had
Sisters observes Memorial Day By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
The morning of Monday, May 29 carried the warm promise of summer and the pleasures of a three-day weekend in sunny Sisters Country — but many Sisters Country residents gathered in Village Green for a purpose more somber and more weighty than a holiday barbecue. As they have done for many years, Sisters veterans organizations — VFW Post 8138, Sisters Band of Brothers, and American Legion Post 86 — hosted a moving tribute to the fallen of America’s conflicts, from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terror. The Memorial Day observances were freighted with Announcements...............10 Obituaries ....................... 11
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
Ed Owens offered a moving appeal to uphold the unity and principles for which American service members have sacrificed their lives. the ceremony and symbolism that reflects the solemnity of the military tribute. Coast Guard veteran and
Commander of American Legion Post 86 Charles
Entertainment .................13 Education Spotlight ........ 20
Crossword .......................21 Classifieds................. 22-23
See MEMORIAL on page 19