The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 43
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News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Sheriff’s candidates address background questions
Giddy Up!
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
The two candidates for Deschutes County Sheriff have released documents clarifying information about their background in what has become a highly contentious race. After his education credentials were called into question, Captain William Bailey provided a memo from Oregon’s law enforcement certification agency demonstrating that he has more than the required number of college credits for
Runners enjoyed fine fall weather in a run set at Pole Creek Ranch. See related story on page 18. PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
See CANDIDATES on page 16
Smith named to Hall of Fame Expedition connects student to the wilderness By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
The connection between people and nature is a bond that some would consider essential. It develops understanding and appreciation of the environment and creates space to better discover who a person is. Earlier this month, Sisters High School Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition (IEE) group achieved these lessons by exploring the Three Sisters Wilderness on a backpacking trip.
Guided by teachers Rand Runco, Samra Spear, and Glen Herron, the class comprised 48 total students, split into nine groups of five to six students that went on different days. Each group had an additional senior intern and adult leader who aided students on their three-day adventure. The adult leaders were all volunteers who acted as teachers and guides. These See IEE on page 18
Managing 350,000 Sisters Country acres By Sue Stafford Correspondent
The Sisters Ranger District is one of three ranger districts on the Deschutes National Forest. It covers 350,000 acres surrounding Sisters on three sides. During the summer season, the Sisters district
Inside...
has about 110 staff at work. The current acting district ranger, Lauren DuRocher, is in charge while permanent district ranger Ian Reid is spending four months on the Modoc National Forest in the extreme northeastern corner See ACRES on page 9
Wrestling has been a central part of Jeff Smith’s long and accomplished life. He’s given a lot to the sport he loves — and now the wrestling world has given back to him. Earlier this month, at a gala in Tigard, Smith was inducted into the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, honoring a lifetime of contributions to the sport. Smith was drawn into the sport of wrestling in high school in Roseburg, Oregon, coached by a World War II veteran and POW named Walt Payne. “He was a kid magnet,” Smith recalled. “He had 110 kids on his wrestling team — by himself. What an amazing guy.” Smith found that he loved the sport. “You’re out there by yourself; you shake hands (with your opponent); you step back — you go after it,” he said. “It’s a great challenge. I was successful.” Smith placed second in the state of Oregon, between an athlete who ended up
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Jeff Smith of Sisters was inducted into the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for contributions to the sport. being third in the world, and another who lost but one match in college and went on to be an Olympian. Smith went on to Oregon State University, where he competed under the legendary coach Dale Thomas, whom Smith described as “the greatest teacher I ever had.” The late 1960s was the start of OSU’s heyday as a wrestling program, which
would carry on through the 1970s. Smith placed second in a conference tourney in 1967. When he stayed on at OSU to obtain a masters degree, he stayed with the program as a coach. That was an expectation from Thomas. “You were obligated to the program — and I was good for that,” Smith said. That was the beginning See HALL OF FAME on page 6
Meetings/Weather ............ 2 Announcements...............10 Entertainment .................16 Obituaries .......................21 Classifieds................. 22-23 Letters.............................. 2 At Your Service.............11-14 In the Pines...................... 17 Crossword .......................21 Sudoku ........................... 23