The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 48
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Winter range closures set in Sisters
Sleigh-riding into the holidays...
Starting Sunday, December 1, four winter range closures take effect across the Deschutes National Forest to provide critical habitat for deer and elk. The four annual wildlife winter range closure areas include Cabin/Silver Lake, Metolius Winter Range, Opine Travel Management Area, and Tumalo Winter Range. Motorized vehicles (including snowmobiles and electric bicycles) are prohibited in the closure areas to protect deer and elk during the winter. The winter wildlife closures will last through March 31, 2025. Winter range is habitat deer and elk migrate to in order to find more favorable PHOTO BY MATT VAN SLYKE
See CLOSURES on page 21
Sisters’ Public Works crew was out last week getting Sisters ready for holiday celebrations. For a calendar of holiday events, see page 20.
Early snow kick-starts winter recreation By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Snow started piling up above 4,500 feet two weeks ago, to the point where Mt. Bachelor opened to pass holders 12 days ahead of its November 29 plan. There were about 200 skiers Saturday and Sunday at Ski Hoodoo even though the resort is not yet open. With a
solid two feet of snow, skiers — primarily from the Valley — trekked the 30-40 minutes to the summit and skied down. Around the bend at Ray Benson Sno-Park, dozens of sledders blasted off in their snowmobiles careful to avoid the many snowshoers and Nordic skiers who rushed to See WINTER on page 26
Addressing houselessness in Sisters By Sue Stafford Correspondent
Following an October 6 “community conversation” about houselessness in the Sisters area, hosted by a coalition of local organizations, the City of Sisters has released a 32-page summary report on community concerns, ideas, and questions that came out of the meeting. The event served as a platform for learning and input-gathering providing an
opportunity for participants to hear from 11 community groups who are each providing services and assistance to the unhoused in Sisters. Small groups of citizens then met to share their perspectives and ask questions. That information was recorded and served as the basis for the summary report, which is available on the City website (ci.sisters.or.us, administration, houselessness, community conversation). With the community’s
participation and insights, the 11 partner organizations — including the Sisters Ranger District, Sisters School District, City of Sisters, SPRD, Sisters L i b r a r y, S i s t e r s - C a m p Sherman Fire District, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, Sisters Community Leadership Initiative, and Sisters Cold Weather Shelter — will See HOUSELESS on page 8
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