The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 41
Committee works on boundary concepts
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Rollin’ through...
Outdoor burning still closed in Sisters Country
By Matthew McClellan Correspondent
Locals citizens are continuing to map out the future of Sisters. The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Steering Committee met on Thursday, October 3 to continue discussion of the draft study area map. The committee reviewed criteria that will be used to evaluate four “concept” alternative boundaries. Andrew Parish, of MIG, the consulting firm retained by the City to support the UGB amendment process, was at the meeting to present major categories of criteria that will be used to evaluate the study area. The three main criteria all relate to potential ease or difficulty of urbanizing and See UGB on page 19
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
The roundabout at the east end of Sisters is now fully operational. There’s still plenty of work to do, but traffic can move in all directions.
Due to the lack of significant rainfall and continued warm temperatures, open burning within the Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale, and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Districts remains closed. Central Oregon Fire Chiefs and partner agencies will meet in mid-October to reevaluate conditions and may open burning towards the end of October. Currently prohibited in residential areas: Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.); Agricultural burning (waste crops, field burning); Land clearing, slash, or stump waste. To help residents get prepared for the backyard burning season the Fire District See BURN BAN on page 16
Halloween parade safety Citizens discuss houseless concerns concerns spark changes By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
For many a year, Sisters children have been treated to a downtown event whereby school-aged kids in costume would gather at Fir Street Park on Halloween (or the nearest school day to October 31) and then in small groups of roughly 25, they would be led by an adult guide, also in costume, up and down portions of Main, Cascade, and Hood avenues. The trick-or-treaters would be rewarded by participating merchants — some 40 plus — with an array of goodies many of which were homemade and a product of the store. Like donuts from Sisters Bakery, cookies from SweetEasy Co., or candies from The Candy Corral or
Inside...
High Desert Chocolates. The tradition has had many prime sponsors with Rotary Club of Sisters often taking the lead. As far back as 2014, Rotary and the Library teamed up for the event. Last year, Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD), with help from Rotary, was the event organizer. The event has always carried safety concerns as the children, hundreds in numbers, had to cross at least two avenues and four or five streets. Of special worry was when the kids crossed Cascade Avenue, the section of Highway 20 that runs through Sisters. Highway 20 is the longest federal roadway in the U.S. As many as 10,000 cars and trucks per See HALLOWEEN on page 16
More than 100 Sisters Country folk joined 11 speakers at Sisters Elementary School on Sunday, October 6, for a community conversation about houselessness. The gathering convened at 4 p.m. for the first public meeting at the brand new facility. Instigated by the City of Sisters in partnership with 11 organizations, the 90-minute meeting was billed as a learning and input-gathering session. Its purpose was to learn about houselessness in Sisters Country and hear ideas, concerns, and questions from citizens. After a contentious public reaction to a proposed emergency shelter last year, the City is hoping to obtain some community-wide consensus on the issue of houselessness in Sisters.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
More than 100 local citizens shared concerns and ideas relating to addressing houselessness in Sisters Country during a “community conversation” held at Sisters Elementary School last Sunday. Attendees found themselves dealing with competing terminology. The program referred to houselessness whereas the principal data used for the basis of discussion referenced homelessness. The word unsheltered was added to the mix.
Distinguishing among the differing descriptions was part of the discussion — and reflects the varied conditions in which unhoused people live, mostly in Sisters’ forests. The meeting was See HOUSELESS on page 19
Weather............................. 2 Opinion........................... 2-3 Obituaries......................... 9 Entertainment..................12 Crossword . ......................21 Meetings........................... 2 Letters............................... 3 Announcements................10 In the Pines......................18 Classifieds.................. 22-23