The Nugget Vol. XLIX No. 36
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, September 9, 2026
A welcome sight...
Sisters man dies in Wilt Road wreck
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
After going bare early in the season, the Three Sisters got a nice dusting of early-season snow. While the end of August and the beginning of September felt very autumnal, with temperatures at times not climbing out of the 50s, the region will return to more seasonable temperatures through the weekend.
An 82-year-old Sisters man died in a single-vehicle wreck on Wilt Road on Wednesday, September 2. The Deschutes County Sheriff ’s Office reports that deputies responded at approximately 2:33 p.m. to a single-vehicle crash northeast of Sisters on Wilt Road, east of Fair Mile Lane. The vehicle involved was a white 2018 Ford F-150 pickup that had been traveling eastbound on Wilt Road when it left the roadway via the northbound shoulder and hit a Ponderosa pine tree. The driver, Frank Halvorsen of Sisters, was pronounced dead at the scene. See WRECK on page 11
USFS to address Akawa Butte Fire aftermath Sisters Ranger District, of the Deschutes National Forest, will host a public meeting to discuss updates to the district’s vegetation management projects following the Akawa Butte Fire. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., Monday, September 14, and is set to end at 7:30 p.m. at Sisters Ranger District office located at 201 N. Pine St. in Sisters. District staff will give a formal presentation starting at 5:30 p.m. providing updated information on the Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project, a proposed recovery plan following the Akawa Butte Fire, and current vegetation
management implementation. There will be an opportunity for questions and small group discussions on the projects presented. People may also watch the presentation online by preregistering at https:// bit.ly/SistersRDSept14. The Akawa Butte Fire began on July 16 following an intense lightning storm across Central Oregon. The fire burned about 27,500 acres, including about 12,000 acres on the Deschutes National Forest. The burned area includes approximately 9,321 acres of Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project, currently in National Environmental Policy Act planning review.
County sheriff’s office has new camera contract By Susan Cobb Correspondent
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is getting new body and vehicular cameras. Sisters DCSO Lieutenant Chad Davis reported this development as part of his
status report to Sisters City Council on August 26. The Nugget inquired as to whether the new cameras have any relation to the very unpopular Flock automated license plate recorders See CAMERAS on page 16
SAR aids woman in wilderness Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel came to the aid of a woman in distress in the Three Sisters Wilderness last week. According to DCSO, Deschutes County 911 received a Garmin SOS activation near Golden Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness A r e a o n We d n e s d a y, September 2. The reporting party, a 56-year-old woman from Silverton, said she was becoming hypothermic and required assistance. At 12:51 p.m., Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers were dispatched. SAR members hiked approximately 6.5 miles through high winds, rain, and snow before locating the woman at 5:42 p.m. Volunteers provided dry clothing and warming blankets, then assisted her in walking back to the trailhead. The woman was able to drive into town, where she
Inside...
PHOTO COURTESY DCSO
Search and Rescue aided a hypothermic woman in the wilderness last week. stayed overnight to rest and recover. No injuries other than cold exposure were reported. The Sheriff’s Office commended the SAR volunteers for their commitment and professionalism in bringing this woman to safety under
deteriorating weather conditions and a long return hike. SAR encourages all backcountry hikers to check weather forecasts, be prepared, tell someone their plans, and carry a reliable satellite communication device.
Letters/Weather ..............2 Meetings ..........................3 Sudoku ............................8 Obituaries ........................9 Announcements ............. 10
Entertainment .................11 Tight Lines ......................17 Nugget Flashback ........... 19 Crossword ..................... 21 Classifieds ................ 22-23
2
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
O
P
I
N I
O
September 11 stories...
N
Clickable links are included with the online version of this story; visit bit.ly/nugget-fading or scan the QR code.
Sisters Country artist memorialized fallen of September 11
Fading into history By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, are slowly sliding out of “living memory” and into history. Twenty-five years — a quarter century — have passed since that bluebird Tuesday morning when militant Islamic jihadis flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (another was forced down by its passengers in a field in Pennsylvania). Nearly 3,000 people died immediately in the attacks; many others died of after-effects from injuries or illnesses contracted through the long, laborious recovery effort at what has come to be known as Ground Zero. The events of that day sent the United States on a trajectory of constant warfare, waged across multiple countries and continents for more than 20 years, injected new power and authority into the national security state, and shaped domestic politics in ways that continue to manifest. Yet, it all seems a very long time ago. A new generation has come of age that was yet unborn on September 11, 2001, or was too young to really remember the events — though those events shaped the world they grew up in. Other significant events have intervened — a deep economic crisis, a global pandemic, a spinning
gyre of political upheaval... Five years ago, at the 20th anniversary, The Nugget published several stories about Sisters people who were engaged in various significant ways in the events of September 11 or their aftermath. Those stories are worth revisiting (see accompanying info box). I will spend this Friday morning with a friend who has an annual ritual of remembrance — because remembering matters. We owe it to the souls lost on that day, and in the decadeslong aftermath, and also to those whose lives were derailed and maimed by a course of events they could scarcely have conceived on September 10, 2001. And I don’t mean Americans only: The global war on terror (GWOT) shaped or destroyed lives globally. Some had it coming. Some didn’t. Remembering with a sense of immediacy is important — but the distance time gives us is valuable. Distance allows us to look at emotionally fraught events with some level of dispassion, allows us to seek understanding, even when truths are confusing, contradictory and hard to look at. Some have been seeking that understanding for years. A long time ago, I ran into a young man, a Marine veteran of the war in Iraq, whose friendship I appreciate to this day. He was coming out of the Sisters Library burdened with a giant armful of books.
The subject: Iraq. When I inquired as to the project they represented, he smiled somewhat ruefully, and said, “I’m trying to understand what happened to me.” That’s a worthy endeavor for all of us — for all of us were affected, and often profoundly changed, by those distant events. I cringe when people say that “America lost its innocence” on September 11. It may be true that individual people lost their sense of innocence, but America itself has never been innocent. We have — like most nations and more so than many — a long and violent history that carries darkness along with light, a history that long predates the founding of the country. The attacks of September 11, 2001, literally came out of a clear blue sky — but they didn’t just happen; those planes didn’t suddenly come roaring out of a geopolitical vacuum to sow chaos and destruction. They weren’t even the first attacks from a jihadist movement that had openly declared war on the United States. How this all came to be is fascinating merely for the sake of the story; there are few episodes of history that carry its weight of drama, tragedy, valor and frailty. It is significant, and demands our ongoing attention, because the rise of militant Islam, the manner in which the U.S. abetted that rise in service of other
Sisters Weather Forecast Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
September 9 Sunny
September 10 Mostly Sunny
September 11 Mostly Sunny
September 12 Partly Cloudy
September 13 Mostly Sunny
September 14 Sunny
September 15 Mostly Sunny
86/51
80/46
75/43
65/42
62/38
73/43
76/76
The Nugget Newspaper, LLC www.nuggetnews.com | 541-549-9941 442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759
Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius, editor@nuggetnews.com
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. 3rd Class Postage Paid at Sisters, OR.
Community Marketing Partner: Kimberly Young, ads@nuggetnews.com
The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or less).
Creative Director: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com
Classifieds & Circulation: Wendy Bachmeier, nugget@nuggetnews.com Billing: accounting@nuggetnews.com Proofreading: Kema Clark Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen
Published Weekly. ©2026 The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All advertising which appears in The Nugget is the property of The Nugget and may not be used without explicit permission. The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories, lists, calendar etc. within this publication. All submissions to The Nugget Newspaper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyrighting purposes and subject to The Nugget Newspaper’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially, that all rights are currently available, and that the material in no way infringes upon the rights of any person. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photos, or manuscripts.
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story////news/ sisters-country-artist-memorialized-fallen-ofseptember-11/4656.html
Dark days of September 2001 set a path to Central Oregon
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2021/09/08/news/dark-days-ofseptember-2001-set-a-path-to-central-oregon/32372.html
Supporting the fire service in wake of Sept. 11
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2021/09/08/news/supportingthe-fire-service-in-wake-of-sept-11/32373.html
Air National Guard patrolled Oregon’s skies
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2021/09/08/news/air-nationalguard-patrolled-oregons-skies/32374.html
Oregon Flight for Freedom linked country from sea to shining sea
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2021/09/08/news/oregon-flightfor-freedom-linked-country-from-sea-to-shining-sea/32375.html strategic interests, how we came to be its primary target, how we responded to it — is an epoch-shaping world historical event. It may feel distant now, but we’re still living in the shadow of the GWOT — and we always will. Like my Marine friend, I have done a fair bit of reading trying to understand what happened to us over the past quarter-century. I believe a deep dive into this subject is well worth anyone’s time and effort. In the spirit of remembrance on this 25th anniversary, in the spirit of seeking understanding, I offer a handful of recommendations: • “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11” by Lawrence Wright • “Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001” by Steve Coll • “Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret
Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan” by Steve Coll • “The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America’s Invasion of Iraq” by Steve Coll. • “The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War” by Craig Whitlock It may be, as Doña Alfonsa tells young John Grady Cole in Cormac McCarthy’s “All The Pretty Horses,” that knowing cannot save us. It certainly seems to be true that we do not learn from history, that “what is constant in history is greed and foolishness and a love of blood and this is a thing that even God — who knows all that can be known — seems powerless to change.” Still... the desire to know is there, and I have to believe it has some value. And I have faith that some of us will continue to seek that knowing, even as we take a moment on September 11, 2026, to simply remember.
Letters to the Editor… The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address, and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.
Stop delaying UGB work
To the Editor: I’ve followed the years-long Sisters Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) governance process that Sisters officials, staff, and citizens went through, and found it to be deliberative, transparent, and inclusive. By all accounts, the process was one of the most objective, thorough, and explicit decision-making efforts citizens have witnessed. Residents with sincere concerns did the work to get facts and take the time to prepare written and oral comments. The UGB proposal was subject to thorough analyses and is a positive path forward for Sisters. Unfortunately, given remarks by Deschutes County Planning Commissioners, I am concerned that some members have not read the documents that the City of Sisters Urban Growth Steering Committee, Sisters Planning Commission, and City Council and City Management produced, nor the multitudes of comments sent over the years. The Planning Commission could have made a recommendation for the UGB in July, but their process is dragging on. Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) remand of the zoning decision on the McKenzie Meadows Village (MMV) See LETTERS on page 18
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
C
O
M
M
U
N I
T
3
Y
City to celebrate dog park opening
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Hundreds gathered at High Camp Taphouse in Sisters on Friday, September 4, to support a fundraiser for aid to families affected by devastating flooding in Nepal.
Sisters turns out to support Nepal By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
On August 26, a highaltitude collapse of a glacier on a slope in the mountains of Nepal triggered what the U.S. Geological Survey called “a catastrophic debris flow and flood” that destroyed infrastructure and swept away at least 1,300 lives, with as many as 5,000 still missing. The disaster hit close to the heart for many in Sisters. Local resident Bruce Mason and his wife Suzanne Pepin have trekked twice in Nepal in an adventurous life, and Mason told The Nugget that there are dozens of people in Sisters who have done the same. Two Sisters educators, Rand Runco and Mark
LaMont, created the nonprofit Ten Friends, dedicated to improving lives in Nepal, and have taken dozens of Sisters youth there over two decades. Bonds are strong. No one is closer to the country and its current tragedy than Pema and Nurbu Sherpa, owners of High Camp Taphouse in Sisters. According to a GoFundMe page set up by Thomas Bartlett of Sisters, “Pema’s cousin, his [cousin’s] wife, and his [cousin’s] mother-inlaw were lost when the flood swept away their home. His [cousin’s] two daughters, only 12 and 15 years old, survived because they were away in Kathmandu attending school. In a single day, they lost their parents, grandmother, and
home. Other friends also lost homes and loved ones. These losses [are] not strangers or statistics. The flood hit family, friends, and communities loved by Nurbu and Pema.” High Camp held a swiftly organized fundraising dinner on Friday, September 4, to provide aid in the devastated region — and Sisters turned out in force to support the effort. Martha Lusse of Sisters, who has traveled in Nepal and has a strong connection with Ten Friends, was deeply moved by the rallying of the community. “We are all sending larger donations for Nepal to High Camp, World Kitchen See NEPAL on page 20
The City of Sisters invites the community to a Ribbon Cutting Celebration for the new off-leash dog park located at Sisters Gateway Park and Mobility Hub on Friday, September 11, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the new park, located at 875 W. Sisters Park Dr. The 1/4-acre off-leash dog park includes a seasonal drinking fountain with builtin dog dish, picnic tables, waste bag dispenser and receptacle, and is designed to offer a contained location for dogs to enjoy being off leash. Future amenities including bulletin board and stick library are anticipated. The ribbon cutting ceremony will feature remarks from the Mayor, City Councilors, and project
members followed by a tour of the new facility. “A public off-leash dog park has long been an amenity requested by community members. Thanks to the work of City staff, Council, and the Parks Advisory Board, I’m excited we could create a dog park at this central location. I look forward to many years of safe enjoyment by residents, visitors, and their canine companions.” said Mayor Jennifer Letz. The public is encouraged to attend and celebrate this new amenity for the Sisters community. For information on Sisters Gateway Park and Mobility Hub visit www.ci.sisters. or.us/publicworks/page/ gateway-park-mobility-hub.
Glory Daze rolls into Sisters September 12 Folks in Sisters and visitors from out of town are getting ready for a day of cool cars, community fun and more as Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) invites the community to the Glory Daze Car Show on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fir Street Park and along East Main Avenue in downtown Sisters. Glory Daze is a free, family-friendly event featuring
an impressive variety of vehicles. Attendees are invited to stroll through the show, check out the cars, visit with vehicle owners, and enjoy a fun day in downtown Sisters. “We are excited to bring Glory Daze back for another year,” said Jennifer Holland, executive director of Sisters Park & Recreation District. “It’s a great opportunity to bring the community together See CAR SHOW on page 20
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS Al-Anon Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-610-7383. Alcoholics Anonymous Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,Gentlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration • Friday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-548-0440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration • Sunday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Bible Study for All Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. at The Lodge. 541-233-6189. Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelefly@msn.com. Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@cotamtb.com for info.
Citizens4Community Community Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visit citizens4community.com for location. Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In-person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab-and-go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sisters Community Church. 541-480-1843. East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday, 7 p.m., Sisters Community Church. 541-771-2211. Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Community Church. Materials provided. 541-408-8505. Living Well With Dementia Sisters Care Partner Support Group. 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Community Recreation Center. 541-588-0547. Military Parents of Sisters Meetings are held quarterly; please call 541-388-9013. Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469. Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503-930-6158.
Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church. 541-549-6157. Sisters Area Woodworkers First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897. Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters Community Church. Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com. Sisters Caregiver Support Group 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Rec. Community Center. 541-588-0547. (Meets with Living Well With Dementia Sisters). Sisters Cribbage Club Wednesdays, 11 a.m. at The Lodge, 411 E. Carpenter Lane. 509-947-5744. Sisters Garden Club For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com. Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors 4th Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. Location information: 541-549-1193. Sisters Kiwanis 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SPRD in Sisters. 541-632-3663. Sisters Parent Teacher Community 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298. Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon to 1 p.m., at SPRD. 541-760-5645.
Sisters Veterans no-host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. All veterans welcome, 541-241-6563. Sisters Trails Alliance Board Meetings take place every other month, 5 p.m. In-person or zoom. Contact: info@ sisterstrails.org. Songwriters Sharing Circle All ages welcome. 2nd Wednesday, 6 p.m., at The Hub, 541-977-8494. Three Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors Meets 2nd Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSID Office. 541-903-4050. Three Sisters Lions Club 3rd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Restaurant. 541-410-7390. VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., The Hub, 291 E. Main Ave. sistersveterans@gmail.com.
SCHOOLS Black Butte School Board of Directors September 15, 3:30 p.m. 541-595-6203. See schedule www.blackbutte.k12.or.us/ Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule at www.ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.
CITY & PARKS
Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd Tues., 4 p.m., Sisters Community Recreation Center. 541-549-2091. Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.
FIRE & POLICE Black Butte Ranch Police Dept. Board of Directors Meets monthly. 541-595-2191 for time & date. Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BBR Fire Station. 541-595-2288. Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 67433 Cloverdale Rd. 541-548-4815. cloverdalefire.com. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 9 a.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541-549-0771. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 541-549-0771.
This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to nugget@nuggetnews.com.
4
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Local authors to tell their story at book fest By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
more,” Tosello told The Nugget. “She wants to feel like she can challenge herself.” The setting of the novel is a small town not unlike Sisters, and Montgomery works “behind the scenes” at the Mountain Messenger newspaper. Tosello draws from experience for that setting: she has freelanced for The Nugget and served as proofreader for a number of years. “I couldn’t help mixing in a lot of references to the value of community newspapers and reminding people that it’s not something to take for granted,” she said with a smile. “There’s just something warm about, for me anyway, about the newspaper office environment.” Tosello has always had an affinity for writing, but did
The joy and the struggle of brigning a book to life will be in the foreground of conversation at the Sisters Festival of Books on September 12. The Voices of Central Oregon Gathering celebrates the writers who call Sisters home. According to Sisters Festival of Books, “The themed gathering highlights the region’s diverse perspectives and invites readers to connect more deeply with the stories emerging from their own backyard.” Local authors Kit Tosello and Melody Carlson talk about small towns and writing, and naturalist and author Marina Richie presents her hot-off-the-presses tale of birds and forests. Magnus Johnson’s conversation with Jim Cornelius about Johnson’s “The Men We Make” was rescheduled from Sunday, September 13, to Tuesday evening, September 15. K i t To s e l l o I n C o n v e r s a t i o n Wi t h Melody Carlson: Saturday, September 12, 5 p.m., Paulina Springs Books Kit Tosello will talk about her second novel “In A Word, Yes,” with longtime friend and renowned Sisters author Kit Tosello. Melody Carlson. Tosello describes her novel, published earlier this year as “a small-town friendsto-m,ore romance, and a multigenerational mother-daughter story.” Her protagonist Lucy Montgomery is a single mom coming out of a divorce with an autistic son. She has become an expert at “drawing boundaries and avoiding risk.” As Tosello describes it, she has a hard time challenging herself because of hard things in her past. “Now she’s feeling restless, like there’s something
not really pursue it intentionally until her 50s. “There’s a lot of reasons not to do something,” she said. “I didn’t want fear to be one of them.” She initially worked in the realm of creative nonfiction, but fiction beckoned to her. “I was going to writers’ conferences and finding myself switching at the last minute to fiction classes — because that was a more intimidating dream to me,” she said. “What I needed to do was study my craft, and read deeply and broadly.” She published her first novel, “The Color of Home” at the age of 62. In her second novel, “I felt more creative freedom,” she said. “I leaned in more to having fun. I had to think if I was having fun, the reader would have fun. But I wanted it to matter. I wanted it to be poignant. It meant that I needed to feel deeply when I was writing. I needed to go there. I needed to experience some grief and I needed to remember some hard things in my own life.” Tosello hopes to convey in her conversation with Carlson the joy and the struggle of writing, and that the dream of origin is an achievable one, PHOTO PROVIDED at any stage in life. “I’d love for people
DR. MARTY ESSENTIAL WELLNESS
is designed to support your dog’s youthful energy, y easy digestion, healthy teeth e and skin, mobility, and healthy lifespan. Pick yours up today!
541-549-4151 102 E. Main Ave.
DID YOU KNOW?
SPRD offers a variety of options for
FITNESS! Scan the QR code orr come by the buildingg for more details.
to show up who aspire to write,” she said. Marina Richie, “Feathered Forest: Aloft With Birds In Ancient Trees,” Saturday, September 12, 6:30 p.m., Paulina Springs Books M a r i n a R i c h i e ’s “Feathered Forest: Aloft With Birds In Ancient Trees” was released on September 8, just in time for The Voices of Central PHOTO PROVIDED Oregon Gathering. The Marina Richie. award-winning nature writer, who lives in Bend, will present the work, which focused on the region that we grew out of her love for both inhabit, on both sides of the the forests and the feathered Cascade Range. inhabitants of our region. “Our region, where we “I have a love for both — live, is globally significant,” a love for birds and a love of Richie said. big forests — so why not put She notes that the book them together?” she said. comes out of the “big forests” Forests and the birds that of the Cascades and heads inhabit them are interlinked east into the junipers. — but we often miss what is “The bird that takes us going on high above us as we there is the Townsend’s move along a forest trail. Solitaire,” she said. “How do we envision the The book and her talk at life above us?” Richie said. Paulina Springs will focus “It really solidified for me on areas readily accessible to when I had an opportunity local folks. to climb on a rope in a harRichie is a poet and a journess with a wildlife biologist nalist as well as a naturalist, up near the top of a 200-foot and she has as deep a passion Douglas fir in the Andrews for storytelling as she does Experimental Forest.” See AUTHORS on page 5 The work is heavily
The Top Producing Real Estate Team in Sisters Country and Black Butte Ranch Phil Arends
Thomas Arends
541.420.9997
541.285.1535
phil@arendsrealtygroup.com
thomas@arendsrealtygroup.com
Principal Broker
Broker
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES LLC 541-549-2002 | 178 S. Elm St., Suite 102/103, Sisters, OR 97759 | arendsrealtygroup.com LICENSED IN THE STATE OF OREGON
Frontiers in Science PRESENTED BY THE SISTERS SCIENCE CLUB
A REVOLUTION IN ASTROPHYSICS: THE FIRST 10 YEARS OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES DR. LARRY PRICE
Dr. Larry Price will highlight the significance of gravitational waves to scientific understanding of the natural world and the immense technological achievement that resulted in their detection.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 • 7 PM The Belfry, 302 E. Main Ave, Sisters
See fitness schedule at SistersRecreation com - - | E CASCADE AVE
Social Hour begins at 6 p.m. Admission: $5 suggested donation; Teachers & Students - FREE For more information, visit www.sistersscienceclub.org
BRING YOUR CURIOSITY AND AN APPETITE FOR KNOWLEDGE!
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
AUTHORS: Event features voices of local authors Continued from page 4
for her subject matter. That is apparent in the style of the book. “You don’t have to be a bird lover, you don’t have to be a tree lover — you just have to love a good story,” she said. Richie said that she has been interested in writing since she could pick up a pen and paper. She recalled a pivotal moment when she wrote a letter to legendary fantasy author Ursula Le Guin and got a reply back. “I wanted to be serious,” Richie reflected. She got a job at the Blue Mountain Eagle in Grant County, and got a master’s degree in journalism from University of Oregon. She seeks in her work to combine lyricism, storytelling, and science. She also plans to talk about something that comes up in her writing frequently: the concept of climate refugia — places that persist in times of catastrophic environmental change. She told The Nugget that she is excited to introduce in her talk stories from Sisters Country, featuring people from Sisters. Magnus Johnson, “The Men We Make,” Tuesday, September 15, 6 p.m., Paulina Springs Books Magnus Johnson’s debut novel “The Men We Make,” published early this year, explores how care, support, trauma, and human connection can profoundly change the course of a life. Johnson is a former Green Beret, Bronze Star recipient, and co-founder of Mission 22, a national nonprofit focused on ending veteran suicide. The novel has an unusual narrative structure, following a young man named Darin through two possible iterations of his life. The first part is a dark dive into the underbelly of a marginal life in Portland. Darin’s doom seems inexorable, as he is pulled down by those around him — and his own choices.
Magnus Johnson.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Part Two puts Darin in virtually the same circumstances — but with a slight turn that allows him to follow a different path. In this iteration, Darin’s family and close associates are not paragons — they have struggles with alcohol and their own fraught personalities. But they have genuine care for others, particularly Darin, and they have faith. Johnson sought to create a story that shows what can happen in even the most challenging of lives when “there’s just a little bit of love.” He notes that it’s often everyday effort that matters most, not dramatic interventions in others’ lives. “The challenge was to not make it corny — to make it believable,” Johnson said. Success is measured in the connection the book has made with readers who can relate to the difference that can be made in a life by subtle, yet critical differences in perspective and effort. “That’s who the book’s for,” Johnson said. Johnson himself had a rough childhood, and he recalled that he felt a calling toward artistic expression since reading Frank McCourt’s award-winning memoir of a tough Irish childhood, “Angela’s Ashes,” at the age of 18. “It wasn’t ‘I want to be a writer,’” he recalled. “It was, ‘I want to be closer to the source of whatever that is.’ I wanted to contribute, not just read. I want to participate... I want to be around it. I want to be a fan, I want to be a reader, I want to be a writer, I want to have something to write about.” “The Men We Make”
speaks to a social condition that troubles Johnson, one that is hinted at in the title. “It’s popular to blame men for all of societies ills,” he said. “And they are not wrong to blame men. What they’re wrong about is not blaming everyone.” The Darin of Part I “is a bad man who does bad things,” Johnson said. But he is also the product of a family and a social system that failed him at every turn. “With a different family system, Darin comes out differently,” Johnson said. Darin’s aggression and strength are present in both versions; in Part I, they lead him to a grim fate. In Part II, “his raw nature is used in ways that are beneficial,” Johnson said. Part of the conversation in the September 15 event will address ways in which positive influences — especially strong, present fathers — are critical to the thriving of men, and consequently for society as a whole. Johnson has continued to pursue his drive to be part of a creative stream. He is in the final stages of preparing his second novel for publication. Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave. The Voices of Central Oregon event features a variety of workshops and presentations. For more information visit www.sistersfob.org. Note: Jim Cornelius is a board member of Sisters Festival of Books.
Commentary...
Perception By Edie Jones Columnist
“I look like a boy. But I’m a Blue Jay with a strong beat of my wings. I zip through the forest.” These are the words on a painting my grandson made when he was six years old. Today, he is doing just that. Zipping at over 100 miles a day as he pedals his bike from Portland to Cape Cod. What is it that gives kids the perception of who they are, who they might become, or what they might accomplish? What can parents do to stimulate the imagination and desire that helps them achieve goals they unconsciously set for themselves during their developmental years? The examples they find in mom and dad and other significant people in their lives are extremely important. In this young man’s case, his parents had done exactly the same thing long before he was ever conceived. Pictures, stories, and other examples added to the model and planted the idea that the goals you set can be accomplished if you prepare carefully. In addition, kids need encouragement in the positive endeavors they pursue. There are many things we want to discourage our kids
FIREWOOD —
See PERCEPTION on page 17
TAUGHT BY
Year-round
Nancy Hamilton
Fuel Reduction
SUNDAY 10/11
Intarsia Technique
Forestry —
SUNDAY, 10/25
SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS
541-410-4509
from; however, instead of immediately interjecting a “no,” look for positive alternatives that provide the same excitement, thrill, motivation, and desire. When your kids have a dream, help them gain experience along the way and the skills needed to get there. If climbing South Sisters is a goal, give them a compass and add a scavenger hunt to increase their skill. Or wrap up a topographic map as a birthday gift. Watch for age appropriateness and modify to what is possible today. Late middle school is the perfect time for an outdoor adventure camp to develop autonomy on the trail. Keep in mind the value of belonging to organizations like the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts. If they are headed toward failure, let them try anyway. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen if they fail?” Talk about this, letting your kids tell you what they think. Encourage being comfortable with the risk of failing. All kids want to take risks. Help them find healthy ones in sports and other activities. Learning to absorb failure and respond to it positively is a valuable
Knitting Classes
selling
—
5
SistersForestProducts.com
Embroidering on Your Knitting
311 W. CASCADE AVE. • STITCHINPOST.COM • 541-549-6061
Gypsy Wind Curvy Clothing
G N I N E P O D N A GR
de Avenue a c s a C n o ore on of d’s new st ectio ted sele a r Gypsy Win u c y ll ia ! a spec ge and up r featuring la s e iz s clothing in
GYPSY WIND CURVY RVY CLO CLOTHING
GYPSY WIND CLOTHING
111 E Cascade Ave., Sisters
183 E. Hood Ave., Sisters
Curated collection, sizes Large to 3X
Next to the Candy Corral Open Mon–Sat, 9 to 4, Sunday 12 to 4
Full size selection, Small to 3X
Mon-Sat 10 to 4, Sun 1 to 4 www.gypsywindclothing.com
6
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Recreational City snapshot: workshop, council business, fire concerns burning reopens in Sisters Country Correspondent
Recreational burning reopened last weekend in all areas within the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale Fire Districts. During the peak of the summer fire season, several local fire agencies banned all burning, including recreational fires, due to red flag warnings and extreme predicted fire behavior in the area. Recreational fires include those used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. They do not include yard debris burning within the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale Fire Districts. Open yard debris burning typically opens around November 1 each year. Residents are strongly encouraged to contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale Fire Departments will continue to monitor weather and fuel moisture conditions in their district and may make modifications on a day-to-day basis. Call your local fire agency for more information. Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District: 541-3892345; www.cloverdalefire. com. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. 541-549-0771; 541-5492333 burn information; www.sistersfire.com.
Is the north sector of Sisters Country becoming a greater fire threat concern? At least one citizen thinks so. The August 26 Sisters Council meeting included public comment from Toby Weiss, a resident of Whychus Canyon Estates. Weiss spoke during public comments about the need for more attention to fires threatening Sisters Country from the north. Weiss said that wildfire risk “isn’t really about the hundreds of fires we successfully stop. It’s about the handful we don’t.” Weiss said that in the last 20 years there were 283 recorded fire ignitions north of Sisters, 80 percent of them burned no more than an acre, but 21 (or eight percent) grew to 100 acres or more. Most fires that threaten Sisters have come from the northwest, west, and southwest. Weiss noted that over the last six fire seasons three huge fires threatened Sisters from the north: Grandview – July 2021, Flat Fire – August 2025, and Akawa Butte — July 2026. Weiss voiced concerns about gaps in fire mitigation efforts between the areas that have had treatments or had previously burned. An in-depth report into Weiss’ concerns and ideas and local progress is forthcoming. The bulk of the meeting included a status report from Deschutes County Sheriff Office (DCSO), an intro to Sisters GRO scholarship program, and priority recommendations for the Sisters public art advisory board (PAAB). Council heard public comments on fires north of Sisters, then approved two resolutions, finalized
NuggetNews.com
the City’s community grant awards, and approved funding of a paving project. DCSO Lieutenant Chad Davis reported that the summer has been quite busy. He noted that folks driving golf carts or the like in town must follow all related local to federal laws. With students going back to school Sisters DCSO is paying increased attention to traffic in the area. DCSO will soon have new bodyworn and vehicle cameras. See related story, page 1. Sisters Graduate Resource Organization (Sisters GRO) is in its 29th year supporting students pursuing continued education at trade schools, colleges, or universities. Several local entities support the program and Council had noticed that the City was not one of them. The City invited Sisters GRO Executive Director Regan Roberts to present the program to Council. Roberts reported that Sisters GRO offers a variety of scholarships for graduating seniors from Sisters High School (SHS). GRO annually offers between 50 to 75 individual scholarships each having unique eligibility criteria. Sisters GRO recently awarded a record $385,250 in scholarships to 68 graduating SHS seniors. Roberts suggested the City could define a scholarship with criteria aligned to City Council goals. Council identified civic leadership and engagement goals and discussed options. City staff will create a draft Sisters GRO scholarship
proposal. Council hopes to meet the November deadline to offer a City scholarship in January 2027 Sisters GRO program. The average scholarship amounts are between $3,000 to $5,000 and never below $1,000. Assistant City Manager Kerry Prosser presented the drafted list of a dozen public art related projects for Council to confirm priorities. Council hopes the Sisters PAAB will find the priority list helpful. Council’s top two priorities are the public art for the Highway 20 at Locust Street Roundabout and updates and improvements to the City’s public art documentation (public art inventory, maintenance plans, and policies). The PAAB met August 25 to learn about the City charter, applicable guidelines, and Oregon statutes as relates to boards. The PAAB’s first working session is open to the public at 4 p.m., September 22, in City Hall. Council approved the resolution to extend the Greater Area Redmond Enterprise Zone abatement to 10 years. This is an agreement with the County to which the City of Sisters is a party. The agreement does not directly impact the City of Sisters. Council discussed the possibility of eventually exiting the contract and to instead have a direct agreement with the County for a similar abatement program. Council approved the resolution in which the City of Sisters is recommending
the Board of County Commissioners approve text amendments to Title 21 of the Deschutes County Code to reference the Title 18 zoning designations for the Sisters unincorporated urban growth area (UUGA). Although, at this writing the Sisters Urban Growth boundary application is still in hearing status with the County Planning Commission, it is expected that this and a few other related applications from City to the County will soon be approved. Council awarded a competitive bid to complete infrastructure maintenance of street overlays (East Cascade Avenue, North Cottage Lane, North Rope Place, and East Black Butte Avenue) to TriCounty Paving LLC. The bid amount is $94,702.30 with a 5 percent contingency variance. The bid came in significantly under the budget of $140,000. The work should complete the end of 2026. The City annually conducts a Community Grant Awards program for nonprofits and entities supporting various community needs in Sister Country. The awards budget is $30,000. For the past 20 years the City has awarded over $400,000 in grants to 80 organizations averaging $1,500 per award. Council reviewed a list of 33 applicants requesting a total just under $80,000. Council approved the grant amounts to be awarded. Applying entities will soon be receiving letters from the City regarding their grant requests.
Building & Renovating with Innovative Design and Energy-Saving Ideas! Our team believes quality, creativity, and sustainability matter. We want your home to be a work of art worthy of containing your life.
541-420-8448
dyerconstructionrenovation.com
CCB#148365
By Susan Cobb
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Sisters Country birds
Outlaws close out week with a win By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws boys soccer squad had a busy week that started with a 2-2 tie at home against Yamhill-Carlton on Tuesday, September 1. Two days later they suffered a 0-4 loss at Dayton, but bounced back and wrapped up their week on Saturday with a 4-1 win at home against Lost River/Bonanza. In Tuesday’s action against Yamhill-Carlton the Outlaws struggled to find their rhythm and trailed 0-2 at the close of the first half. Coach Ryley Newport told The Nugget that he was happy with how the team responded after halftime. “We communicated better, competed harder for the ball, found our forwards more consistently and started connecting passes around pressure,” said Newport. “It was a good step forward for us.” Jasper Jensen scored both of Sisters’ second quarter goals to even the score. Sisters first goal came in the 53rd minute when Cooper Jacobs found Mac Maloney, who made an unselfish pass to Jensen for the finish. The second came in the 78th minute, when Jacobs won the ball from a Tiger defender and passed it to Jensen at the top of the 18-yard box. Jensen quickly took a touch towards the goal and finished. “Jasper maintained a fantastic work rate throughout the game,” said Newport. “He continued competing and creating opportunities for us, especially as we found more of the game in the second half.” Newport also noted Jacobs, who he said was involved in the build-up of
both of the scored goals, and helped connect the Outlaws’ midfield to the attack. “We still have plenty to improve, particularly our communication, passing consistency and taking better care of the ball,” stated Newport. “But, preseason is about getting better each time out, and I thought we showed real progress today. We finished the game with a lot of energy and looked like a much more confident team in the second half.” On Thursday, the Outlaws were unable to score a goal, but Coach Newport told The Nugget he felt the team showed some very positive things against the very good Dayton squad, who went undefeated until the playoffs last season, and expect to make another run this year. The Outlaws are still working on how to play cohesively and build their confidence, and Newport is pleased with the quality of his team. Newport noted that Jacobs continued his exciting progress in the midfield and played with a lot of confidence. “I want to give a shoutout to Teague Kennedy, who stepped into goal after Emmitt Buller was injured and made a handful of really impressive saves,” said Newport. “Ezra Oncken also had a great game at center back. His quality has been really consistent and he’s becoming an important leader for us on and off the field.” Sisters posted their first win of the season on Saturday against Lost River/Bonanza. Maloney opened the scoring with a perfectly placed free kick in the 15th minute, and Jacobs scored on a great
corner kick off an assist from Michael Clayton 19 minutes later. JB Greenwood scored the final two goals, a great strike in the 40th minute and a hustle goal six minutes later. The Outlaws had many more close chances at scoring, as they hit the crossbar twice and the posts a few other times. Newport noted Oncken for another excellent performance at center back, and Kennedy for his performance in the goal. “Ezra was probably our loudest player on the field and consistently won balls out of the air,” said Newport. “Teague also played really well in his first full varsity game in goal, and helped us earn the win.” Newport stated they were all excited about the win but realize they have the ability to play much better. “This performance was much closer to how I imagined this team playing this season,” said Newport. “Our passing, communication and ability to find each other were all much better, and we competed really well for balls in the air. We still have a lot of room to grow, but today showed some of the potential of this group. This team has a lot of quality across the roster, and we’re starting to build some confidence and figure out how to play together.” The Outlaws were scheduled to play at Gervais on Tuesday, September 8. They will hit the road on Tuesday, September 15 for a match at Madras against the White Buffs.
By Douglas Beall Correspondent
Flycatching from atop a 100-foot snag on the shoulders of Mount Jefferson, and then soaring another 200 to 300 feet for a buggy meal the Lewis’s Woodpecker’s [Melanerpes lewis] aerial maneuvers are stunning. Adding colors from iridescent green, black, red and white, the Lewis’s Woodpecker is an outstanding resident of Central Oregon and the Cascades. Named after Meriwether Lewis who first described it in 1805 during his sojourn with William Clark through the Northwest territories. Nesting in previously used woodpecker holes in snags, the five to nine white eggs hatch in 12 to 16 days. The chicks are completely featherless and will not leave the nest for 28-34 days and will continue to be fed by the parents for approximately 60 more days. Lewis’s
Woodpeckers feed on insects until fall when many migrate to southern Oregon and California where they begin to collect and store acorns and other nuts and grains for the winter. Unfortunately, their populations have declined 72 percent from 1970-2014, leading to a listing of serious concern on the Yellow Watch List. Two factors have contributed heavily to this decline: loss of habitat (massive clear cutting) and increasing Starling populations who occupy nesting holes. Thirty to 40 years ago, Western Oregon and Washington had significant populations; however, now they have almost zero nesting Lewis’s Woodpeckers. A group of woodpeckers are referred to as a “gatling,” “a descent,” or a “drumming.” To view more images of Lewis’s Woodpeckers, visit abirdsingsbecauseithasa song.com/recent-journeys/.
PHOTO BY DOUGLAS BEALL
Lewis’s Woodpecker.
Ashley, right front, helping recovery centers get strong.
Quality. Custom. Built by hand...
“What I love most about the club isn’t actually the equipment or the workouts, it’s the people and the sense of belonging they create. Sisters Athletic Club is more than just a gym — it’s a place of connection, community, reliance, and belonging.” Ashley Smith, Member Since 2023
…right here in Sisters, Oregon 541-549-9280 • 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. www.PonderosaForge.com “Your Local Welding & Blacksmith Shop”
CCB# 87640
7
541-549-6878 • sistersathleticclub.com
8
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
ODOT staff cuts could affect response By Mia Maldonado Oregon Capital Chronicle
As fires scorched through a record 2.5 million acres this summer, mostly in eastern and central Oregon, many of the state’s transportation maintenance crews traded patching potholes and cleaning culverts for wildfire response. Diverting resources to respond to severe weather events is becoming increasingly common for the Oregon Department of Transportation. But as the agency looks to cut nearly 200 maintenance positions to fill a $200 million budget gap in the 2027-29 budget cycle, agency officials and climate experts warn that reducing staff amid a growing maintenance backlog and more frequent severe weather events could accelerate the deterioration of Oregon’s highways, bridges, and roads. On top of evacuating their own families and protecting their properties from wildfire, many workers managed traffic, hauled heavy equipment out of active fire zones, coordinated community evacuations, and closed highway sections to serve as fire breaks for fire suppression crews, Oregon Department of Transportation Chief E n g i n e e r To v a P e l t z said. About 10 percent of the maintenance positions at risk are already vacant, Peltz said, but eliminating the rest would require layoffs. When responding to severe weather, Peltz said she worries about worker safety and burnout. “I know folks are working long hours and we’re bringing in folks from the west side of the state to support crews on the east side that have been working nonstop through the fires,” she said. “I worry that that is going to get so much worse in the future.”
Severe weather and Oregon transportation infrastructure Jo Sias, a civil engineering professor at the University of New Hampshire and the lead researcher of a 2025 study examining the impacts of climate change on roads, compared maintaining road infrastructure to routine car upkeep. “Any decreases in staffing and delayed maintenance are only going to make things get worse faster,” she told the Capital Chronicle. Climate change is projected to increase the national annual costs of pavement maintenance by more than $500 million on average by 2050, according to the study. The study found asphalt ages faster at higher temperatures, making it more prone to cracking and rutting. Additionally, flooding also reduces the lifetime of pavement by up to 16 months. More wildfires in Oregon are a symptom of extreme summer heat — Oregon’s most common severe weather event, said Paul Loikith, an associate professor of weather and climate science at Portland State University. Oregon is experiencing a rising number of days above 90 degrees, a trend he said is expected to continue. And with more wildfires comes the risk of more landslides across Oregon’s highways, he said. Numerous studies show heavy rainfall triggers landslides in places where wildfires consumed vegetation and created water-repellent soil. Landslides already affect 7 percent of the state’s highway system, or nearly 500 miles of road, according to the transportation department. Many of those landslides stem from wave and stream erosion, including at least three locations along the coastal U.S.
Highway 101. Other areas prone to landslides include roads along the Columbia River Gorge and Cascade Mountain passes. The transportation department spends around $2.5 million a year on landslide mitigation projects and $18.1 million on landslide-related repairs. Extreme heat also takes a toll on public transportation. Heat can cause rail, bridge and overhead wires to expand in public transportation infrastructure — resulting in slower trains and delays. As winter temperatures also increase in the coming decades, Loikith said more rain in the mountains instead of snow will increase the risk of flooding. The anticipated staff cuts would reduce a third of Oregon’s 80 statewide maintenance crews to five people or less, Peltz said. Crews currently range from five to 20 people or more during the winter. Severe weather response diverts maintenance funding Oregon’s transportation department doesn’t have the budget to respond to severe weather events, so it diverts maintenance funding away from routine maintenance projects, Peltz said. It took five years and a federal emergency declaration for the agency to get reimbursed for the recovery work it did in response to the 2020 Labor Day fires that scorched more than 1 million acres and destroyed thousands of homes, she said. That work included repairing damaged pavements and signs and clearing debris, vegetation and hazardous trees. Even routine work is impacted. Extreme heat shortened the transportation agency’s season for chip sealing
PHOTO BY OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Oregon Department of Transportation crews close parts of a highway in response to the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. because pavement temperatures spiked too quickly, Peltz said, forcing the agency to add the delayed projects to its growing maintenance backlog. “As the weather gets weirder and less consistent and harder to predict, it’s harder and harder to do the preventive maintenance that is critical to taking care of the aging transportation system,” Peltz said. Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n i n Oregon fueling the severe weather impacts As the transportation department scrambles to repair infrastructure damaged by severe weather events, climate advocates argue Oregon’s transportation sector is fueling those very events. Oregon’s transportation sector is responsible for 35 percent of the state’s greenhouse gases, representing the largest sector of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. “When vehicles produce more climate pollution, that climate pollution is trapped in our atmosphere,” said Brett Morgan, the transportation policy director at Northwestbased environmental
nonprofit Climate Solutions. “That is heat that dries out our forests, reduces the amount of snowfall and then dries forest more easily resulting in more wildfire in our system.” Morgan argues that preserving the agency’s current maintenance levels while simultaneously investing in climate-resilient projects would save Oregonians money in the long run. In a report, Climate Solutions estimated that investments in electric buses, bike and pedestrian paths, and public transit would save Oregonians almost $5,000 per person a year. “If we do not fundamentally address climate change as a strategy that is interlinked to maintaining what we have, we are only boxing ourselves into an affordability crisis where it is more expensive to maintain what we have, and we are not offering everyday Oregonians tools and options that will directly decrease their cost of living,” Morgan said. Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, court e s y o f h t t p s : / / o re g o n capitalchronicle.com.
SUDOKU Level: Easy
Answer: Page 23
NIC
RGA LOCAL & O TUMALO
SWEET CORN
Watermelon CANTALOUPE ORANGE
Honeydew Open 9–7 every day
May–October | 541-420-8684
mahoniagardens.com
254 E. Adams Ave.
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Obituaries
Lights out in Central Oregon
Carrol Davis
May 15, 1932 – April 7, 2026
Carrol Davis was born in Gilbert, Arizona, (near Phoenix) on May 15, 1932. Carrol’s family ran a dairy farm and he grew up working on it. When Carrol was 20 years old in 1952, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served for three years. Carrol was stationed in Germany, and worked on aircraft maintenance. He was proud of his military service. After the military, Carrol returned to work on the family farm. The family moved to the Redmond area in the late 1960s and Carrol came with them. They farmed alfalfa and potatoes. Carrol was married and had four children, Brenda, Don, Cindy, and Carrie. Carrol later worked as a carpenter doing construction. In the early 1970s, he worked with Keeton Construction on building the new buildings at Black Butte Ranch.
Carrol was divorced and single when he came to work for Don Vetterlein at Desert Springs Ranch as ranch manager around 1986. Carrol met Marge, and they were married in 1989. They lived together at the ranch for the rest of Carrol’s life. Carrol was friendly and always had a smile, and he had a hidden talent for music. He played the organ which he kept in his living room and would play by ear since he did not read music. Carrol is survived by his wife, Marge; four children; five grandchildren; and his sister, Sandra Morris.
Bill Carson
April 12, 1940 - August 28, 2026
Born in Chicago, Bill served in the Marine Corps in Yuma, Arizona, and Iwakuni, Japan. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Bill came west to attend law school at UC Berkeley. He began his law career in Bill Ferrogiaro’s district attorney’s office in Eureka in 1970, later joining Huber, Goodwin, Murray, Cissna, and Prior in private practice where he enjoyed a varied career. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the County Bar Association, the Ingomar Club, and Baywood golf and Country Club. Though unrelated to the original William Carson he was proud of the interior renovation of the mansion while he was president. In 2000 he moved to Central Oregon for retirement where he enjoyed golf,
living at Black Butte Ranch, and chairing the BBR police board. In 2012 he moved to New Hampshire, later moving to Connecticut, enjoying a change of pace on the east coast. He leaves his love Priscilla (Pixie) Carson, always cherishing his children Kathleen (Casey) Cole (Russ Cole) of Glide, Oregon, and Will (Leah B e rg e r ) o f B r a n f o r d , Connecticut. He was a lifelong Cubs fan, a great admirer of Ernie Banks and the “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field.
! S R O O D T OU eanup clle We have yard r g materials fo tools, buildin d n a s, nkler supplie planters, spri one. our projects d more to get y
Bend Night Sky Alliance, the East Cascades Bird Alliance, Think Wild, and other local groups are initiating a Lights Out Central Oregon program to help protect migratory birds traveling through the region. The partners assert that everyone can help migrating birds by reducing artificial light from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the peak fall migration period, now through early November. Central Oregon lies within the Pacific Flyway, an important migration route for birds traveling between breeding and wintering grounds. Data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdCast program show that tens or even hundreds of thousands of birds can cross Deschutes County in a single night during migration, with millions passing through the region over the course of the season. BirdCast uses weather surveillance radar to estimate the number, direction, speed, and altitude of birds migrating at night. Most migratory birds travel at night, and artificial light can attract and disorient them, drawing them toward developed areas where they are at greater risk of colliding with windows and buildings. The Cornell Lab estimates that more than one billion birds die from collisions with glass each year in the United States. Lights Out programs have successfully reduced bird collisions in communities across the country.
In B
2026
1976–
Audubon reports that collision monitoring at one site participating in Lights Out Philly found a 70 percent decline in collisions. Longterm research at Chicago’s McCormick Place also found a strong relationship between nighttime lighting and fatal bird collisions, with researchers estimating that reducing illuminated window area to minimum levels could reduce bird mortality at the site by approximately 60 percent. What Central Oregonians can do: Reduce artificial light from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., especially during peak migration nights. • Turn off unnecessary lights in homes and offices. • Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting, or replace outdoor lights with warmer, amber-colored bulbs where lighting is needed. • Use motion- or sensorcontrolled outdoor lighting. • Use fully shielded fixtures that direct light downward rather than into the night sky. • Close blinds and drapes when interior lights are on. • Keep cats indoors,
DAVIS TIRE TIRES & INSTALLATION, ALIGNMENT, REPAIR, BALANCING, ROTATION
Our family can take care of your family of autos & trailers Brakes • Axles • Ball Joints • Suspension • Shocks • Struts
541-549-1026 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. Serving Sisters Since 1962
It’s time to blow out your irrigation system! 375CFM Compressor Now Available!
Need it, Rent it!
New safety standards, new look.
Upgrade to cordless or motorized blinds.
Come see Mike at our showroom. LOCATED AT 261 Sun Ranch Drive, Suite A, in the Sisters Industrial Park. The lowest price every
541-549-9631
Hardware & Building Supply, Inc
FREE LOCAL H Hours: M-F M F 8 to t 5, 5 Sat. S t 8 to t 4 4, Cl Closed d Sundays S d
DELIVERY 440 N. Pine St. • 541-549-8141 • www.hoyts.net
particularly during peak migration nights. • Check BirdCast to see when large numbers of birds are expected to migrate over Central Oregon. Make windows safer for birds in daytime. • Prioritize windows where bird strikes have happened before or where vegetation and sky are strongly reflected. • Apply chalk or tempera paint markers, window-safe tape, decals, stickers, or other treatments to the outside of the glass. • Space markings no more than two inches apart across the entire window to effectively break up reflections that birds may mistake for open habitat. • Avoid relying on just one or two bird-shaped decals. Effective treatments need to create a visible pattern across the glass. • Learn more about preventing window collisions and bird-friendly window treatments from Think Wild’s guide to preventing birds from hitting your windows: https://www.think wildco.org/prevent-birdsfrom-hitting-your-windows/.
RESERVE A DATE NOW!
ating
Celebr
earss 50 y usines
9
W Barclay Dr Sisters Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
www.sistersrental.com
day on top-quality window A division of Lakeview Millworks
coverings! CCB# 210187
BestVueBlinds.com | 541-588-6201
10
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS PET OF THE WEEK
Humane Society of Central Oregon
541-382-3537
REMY
Introducing Remy! Th is 8-year-old mixed breed girl has quickly become a favorite in her time at HSCO. She spends her days either at the front desk greeting people and working hard or napping. She’s a fantastic dog who can play in the yard and go for walks but still be calm when it’s time to relax. Come meet Remy today!
— SPONSORED BY —
Francois’ Workshop 541-549-0605 541-815-0624
SISTERS COMMUNITY
FOOD RESOURCES Free Lunches for Seniors
COACO offers no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches weekly on Wednesday and Thursday, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.
Weekly Food Pantry
CORE Market, located at 222 N. Trinity Way in Sisters. Mondays, 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-588-2332.
Free Weekly Meal Service
Family Kitchen hosts a weekly to-go hot meal on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. Info: www. FamilyKitchen.org.
Free Pet Food
Need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furry Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule your pickup. Located at 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind The Nugget.
Kiwanis Food Bank
Located at 382 W. Main Ave. Weekly distribution is Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: 541-632-3663.
Go Fish G Fi h Fly Fl Fishing Fi hi G Group meets the 3rd Monday at 4:30 p.m. at Sisters Community Church Call 541-771-2211.
Social Security: Annual Community Education Dinner series
When should you begin taking Social Security? What if you continue to work? What about taxes? Join guest expert Mike Lynch, Managing Director of Hartford, to learn about Social Security options and implications, including strategies for maximizing individual, spousal and survivor benefits. Tuesday, September 29, 6 to 7 p.m. at a downtown Sisters art gallery. Free buffet dinner. RSVP required: 541549-1866, Edward Jones office of Karen Kassy. Location and details will be provided when you RSVP to help us provide an accurate headcount for our organizers and caterers.
Retain Your Brain: Annual Community Education Dinner series
Can we prevent—or at least slow—the aging of our brains? Research from the MIT Aging Institute explores how much influence we may have over our cognitive health. Join guest expert Casey Miller, Regional Vice President of Hartford, to learn why your brain may not be the same age as you are, how brain health can affect your lifestyle and fi nances, and practical tips to help age-proof your brain. Wednesday , September 30, 6 to 7 p.m. at a downtown Sisters art gallery. Free buffet dinner. RSVP required: 541-549-1866, Edward Jones office of Karen Kassy. Location and details will be provided when you RSVP to help us provide an accurate headcount for our organizers and caterers.
The Sisters High Desert Chorale Welcomes New Singers
Come sing this fall and get ready for their holiday concerts, “Holiday Traditions,” December 11 and 13. Th is is a fun-loving community mixed chorus that meets at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters every Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fi rst rehearsal is September 14. No audition is required. For more information, please contact Carol Lisek at carolSHDC@gmail.com.
Sisters Garden Club
Monthly membership meeting will be held on Saturday, September 12, at 10 a.m. Claire Hafer, local horticulturalist and landscape designer, will guide us through fi re-resistant plant selection tailored to our unique climate and soil conditions at The Hub, 291 E Main Ave. 541420-6239.
Black Butte School District Board of Directors Meeting Change
The BBSD Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, September 15, at 3:30 p.m. to avoid the fi rst day of school. 541-595-6203.
Technology T h l on Your Y Mind? M i d?
Wednesday, September 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church Hall, 123 Trinity Way, Sisters, Bishop Thomas Hennen of the Catholic Diocese of Baker will examine Pope Leo XIV’s recent Encyclical Letter, “Magnificent Humanity, On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” focusing on chapter three: Technology and Dominance. Th is presentation will allow for questions, thoughts and conversation. 541-549-9391.
Artist Talk: Momento Mori in the Modern Age
Tuesday, September 22, 6 to 7 p.m. at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture. During this artist talk, Liz Obert will present her work from her photographic series Modern Vanitas and American Bodegónes and discuss how they relate both visually and thematically to the Dutch and Spanish stilllife paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Th is event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at https:// roundhousefoundation.org/ events/. For more info call 541904-0700 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org.
Studio Tours at Pine Meadow Ranch
Thursday, September 17, 5 to 6:30 p.m. engage with our current Artists in Residence Erika Bolstad, Donna Kaz & Liz Obert. Th is event is free and open to the public. Space is limited so registration is required. Registration and more info: roundhousefoundation. org/events.
Snowflake Boutique Crafters Needed
Quality craft-consignors wanted for the 50th Snowflake Boutique, November 6 & 7, 2026. Our next jury will be Saturday, September 19, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Redmond Senior Center. Additional juries will be held through October. Info on our website htt p://www. snowflakeboutique.org or call Julie (503)302-4427 or Patt i (503)798-2109.
SStar Party P at Faith F i h Hope H & Charity Vineyards
Thursday, September 10, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. outside in the vineyard at 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr, Terrebonne. Members of the Sisters Astronomy club will be bringing their telescopes and expertise to make this a fun evening for everyone. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Tickets include a charcuterie box plus your choice of drinks, and every ticket sold helps support the scholarship fund. Visit the FHC Vineyards website for tickets at www. faithhopeandcharityevents. com/event-details/star-party.
Neighbors Need Medical Rides. You Can Help
Aging, disabled, and underserved passengers depend on STARS volunteer drivers to reach medical appointments and the demand is growing. JOIN STARS NOW to help. You choose when you drive. It’s flexible, meaningful, and directly supports neighbors who urgently depend on STARS to get to care. Training and mileage reimbursement provided. Learn more and apply: htt ps://www.starsride. org/drive-for-us.
2026 Historical Walking Tours of the Camp Polk Historical Cemetery
Guided walks start at 10:30 a.m. at 6985 Cemetery Road, Sisters. The cemetery is not handicap accessible and walks include uneven ground. The next journey through Sisters’ history starts September 19! Register at www. camppolkpioneercemetery.org.
Monthly Songwriters’ Sharing Circle
Second Wednesday of the month, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Hub, 291 E. Main Ave. Be in creative community and be inspired while sharing songs, being a great listener, and providing feedback. All ages and skill levels welcome. Free. Info: call or text Jess at 541977-8494.
Living Li i Well W ll With Wi h Dementia D i Sisters Support Groups
Support groups meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sisters Community Recreation Center. The Early Stage Support Group meets in the Whychus Room. The Care Partner Group meets in the Metolius Room. For information call 541-5880547.
Calling All Submarine Vets and Families
Saturday, September 19, at 11 a.m., join the annual picnic at Quarts Park, Redmond. Bring folding table, chairs, and food to share. Contact: Fran Davis 541-527-5484.
Announce Your Celebrations!
Sisters community notices may run at no charge. Email nugget@nuggetnews.com.
SISTERS LIBRA RY
EVENTS
Family Story Time
Wednesday, September 9 and 16, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Community Room. Interactive story time with books, songs, and rhymes! 0-5 years.
Story Time Craft
Wednesday,September 9 and 16, 11 to 11:40 a.m. Community Room. Color, draw, glue, paint, and more!
Thrive Central Oregon Drop-In Consultations
Friday, September 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Study Room. Drop-in social services assistance that connects you with resources.
Hemming Jeans (the professional way)
Thursday, September 17, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Community Room. Learn how to hem your jeans to get that perfect length and look.
SISTERS-AR EA CHURCHES
Baha’i B Bah Ba aha ha’i ha’ ’ i Faith Faiithh For information, devotions, study groups, etc., contact Shauna Rocha 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteachings.org
Shep Sh hep ephhe herdd of of the thhe Hills Hill Hi llss Lutheran ll Luth Lu ther her eran an Church Chu hurc hurc rchh (ELCA) (ELCA)) (ELC (E Shepherd 386 N. Fir St. • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdoft hehillslutheranchurch.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship
Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153 10 a.m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-588-3065 www.sistersnaz.org • info@sistersnaz.org 10 a.m. Sunday Worship
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-977-5559; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org 9:00 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Episcopal Eucharist Worship The Resting Place meeting at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 5 p.m. Sunday Worship
Sisters Community Church (nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com 8 a.m. Daybreak Service • 10 a.m. Sunday Worship St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 7 and 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Mass • 8 a.m. Wednesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 htt ps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship
POLICY: Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding, and anniversary notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows. Email nugget@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Dinner time...
WRECK: Sisters man died at the scene Continued from page 1
An 81-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital by medics from the Sisters– Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District. Halvorsen was once the owner of Bad Ass Coffee Co. in Sisters, and was
NuggetNews.com PHOTO BY SANDY CHAMNESS
SISTERS-AREA WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 9 Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. No cover. Info: frankiesinsisters.com. Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
is your online source for
active in Sisters Rodeo. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Sisters– Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District and the Deschutes County Road Department. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
11
Thurs., Sept. 10 • 7 p.m. Stillhouse Junkies Bluegrass trio from Durango, CO, are heroes on the forefront of breaking through the genre with free-flowing musical interplay
BendTicket.com $15
Sat., Sept. 12 • 7 p.m. Blackwater Railroad Company
This folk-rock and Americana powerhouse from Seward, AK, has redefined the “massive sound” of the Last Frontier.
BendTicket.com $20
ORDER ONLINE for takeout:
SistersSaloon.net
Classic 1912 Saloon & Family-Friendly Dining
BREAKING NEWS
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Sun-Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 16 • 7 p.m. Tommy Castro and the Painkillers BendTicket.com $30
Pub opens 30 minutes prior to shows.
302 E. Main | BelfryEvents.com
Events & Entertainment
THURSDAY • SEPTEMBER 10 The Belfry Live Music: Stillhouse Junkies Bluegrass heros! 7 p.m. Tickets: bendticket.com. Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 13th annual family-friendly trivia. Free. 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30. Info: call 541-549-2471.
FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 11
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Switchback 5 to 7 p.m. Free. Family- and dog-friendly. Info: 541-549-2471. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20. paulinaspringsbooks.com. Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Hana Fleur 6 to 8 p.m. Touring Americana/folk artist. No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tony Lompa 6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Courtyard at 250 W. Cascade Ave. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 12
East Main Avenue Glory Daze Car Show 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Info: www.sistersrecreation.com. The Belfry Live Music: Blackwater Railroad Company High energy folk rock and Americana! 7 p.m. Tickets: bendticket.com. Lazy Z Ranch "Let's Watch: A Bug's Life" Free outdoor movie screening, presented by Citizens4Community. Doors at 6:20 p.m., movie at 7:20. BYO chair or blanket; concessions for sale. Info: www.citizens4community.com/events. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Live Music: Call Down Thunder (Grateful Dead Tribute) 7:30 to 10 p.m. Jam band style improvised explorations and carefully crafted set lists create an authentic Grateful Dead listening experience Tickets at bendticket.com. The Barn Live Music: Oregon Fryer 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www.thebarninsisters.com. Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly. Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free. Info: 541-549-2471. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Haute Mélange 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/. Paulina Springs Books, et. al. Voices of Central Oregon! A Sisters Festival of Books event. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Celebrating the writers who call this place home. Through fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid work, local authors explore the landscapes, communities, and questions that define life in Central Oregon. Tickets and info: www.sistersfob.org.
SUNDAY • SEPTEMBER 13
Paulina Springs Books, et. al. Voices of Central Oregon! A Sisters Festival of Books event. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrating the writers who call this place home. Through fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid work, local authors explore the landscapes, communities, and questions that define life in Central Oregon. Tickets and info: www.sistersfob.org. Sisters Saloon Live Music: Cover Story 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio. Free and open to all ages.
EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
541-549-RIBS • 190 E. Cascade Ave.
SUNDAY • SEPTEMBER 13 (cont.) Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com. Lazy Z Ranch Wines Wine & Watercolor Workshop 3 to 5 p.m. $35. Sisters Art Station hosts a beginner-friendly workshop — leave with three pieces of art! Register at www.lazyzranch.com/events. Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com. MONDAY • SEPTEMBER 14
Paulina Springs Books "Love's Perfection" An Evening with Rumi Devotional poetry curated to arouse the heart during an evening of deep listening and meaningful dialogue. Suggested Donation: $20+; a portion of donations to benefit Sisters Festival of Books. Email Krayna at kraynalucky@gmail.com to register. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
TUESDAY • SEPTEMBER 15
The Belfry Frontiers in Science Lecture Series: “A Revolution In Astrophysics: The First 10 Years Of Gravitational Waves Dr. Larry Price" Highlighting the significance of gravitational waves to scientific understanding of the natural world and the immense technological achievement that resulted in their detection. Presented by Sisters Science Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., lecture at 7 p.m. Adults $5 at the door; teachers & students free. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Trivia 6 to 8 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.
WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 16
The Belfry Live Music: Tommy Castro and the Painkillers Award-winning blues and rock powerhouse thrilling audiences for over four decades! 7 p.m. Tickets: bendticket.com. Paulina Springs Books Analog Night — crafting, puzzles, games, coloring, journaling, or whatever analog activity you enjoy. All ages welcome! Hosted by Krista West. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. No cover. Info: frankiesinsisters.com. Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
THURSDAY • SEPTEMBER 17 Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 13th annual family-friendly trivia. Free. 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30. Info: call 541-549-2471. Paulina Springs Books Author Event: Evan Morgan Williams presents “The Divide: Stories" at 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 18
Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: NTT the Duo 5 to 7 p.m. Free. Family- and dog-friendly. Info: 541-549-2471. Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Joyful Lane 6 to 8 p.m. Multi-instrumentalist Lane Weiss brings joy-filled music. No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft 5 p.m. $20. paulinaspringsbooks.com. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tony Lompa 6 to 8 p.m. No cover! Courtyard at 250 W. Cascade Ave. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114.
Event listings are $40. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to jess@nuggetnews.com.
SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 19
Lazy Z Ranch Wines Crush & Comb Harvest Fest 12 to 5 p.m. Meet Central Oregon winemakers at an outdoor harvest tasting featuring local grape wines, wine grapes, and newly harvested honey. $30 advance/$35 day of. Info: www. lazyzranch.com/event. The Barn Live Music: Sakonya 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www.thebarninsisters.com. Sisters Eagle Airport "Let's Watch: Up" Free outdoor movie screening, presented by Citizens4Community. Doors at 6 p.m., movie at 7. BYO chair or blanket; concessions for sale. Info: www.citizens4community.com/events. Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Bob Baker, Brian Odell, and Brandon Ficquette 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets: www.frankiesinsisters.com/our-events/. Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Karaoke 9 p.m. Information call 541-549-6114. Eurosports Food Cart Garden Spontaneous Car Show 5-7 p.m. Family- and dog-friendly. Bring your cool car to display, or just come look — different every week. Free. Info: 541-549-2471. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture"Natural Dye Workshop: Exploring the Mushroom & Lichen Dye Palette of Oregon" A hands-on two-day workshop, September 19 and 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where participants discover the surprisingly vibrant world of fungal and lichen dyes found in Oregon. Students gain both the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently work with foraged mushrooms and lichens as a natural dye source. $300. Registration and info: www.roundhousefoundation.org/events.
SUNDAY • SEPTEMBER 20
Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com. Sisters Saloon Live Music: Bobby Lindstrom Band 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio. Free and open to all ages. Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Info: www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
TUESDAY • SEPTEMBER 22 Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill Pool Tournament 5:30 p.m. Info: 541-549-6114.
WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 23 Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played). Frankie's in Sisters Live Music: Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt "Handpicked Series," 6 to 8 p.m. No cover. Info: frankiesinsisters.com.
THURSDAY • SEPTEMBER 24 Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 13th annual family-friendly trivia. Free. 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30. Info: call 541-549-2471. Lazy Z Ranch Wines Live Music: Chris Beland 6 to 8 p.m. Accomplished singer/songwriter and storyteller. No cover. Info: www.lazyzranch.com/events.
FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 25
Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 4 to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. Information: www.sistersarts.org. Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Toothpick Shaker 4 to 6 p.m. Free. Family- and dog-friendly. Info: 541-549-2471.
12
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
e m o c l e W ns o i t a c i l Housing App s a d i n e v n e i B a d n e i v i V a ar p s e d u t i Solic
LARCH COMMONS Sisters Habitat for La nueva subdivisión de Humanity’s New Affordable Vivienda Asequible y para and Middle Income Ingresos Medios de Sisters Housing Subdivision Habitat for Humanity Featuring: • 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom homes • Charming cottage design • Close to downtown • Kitchen appliances included
Incluye: • 1, 2, y 3 habitaciones • Encantador diseño • Cerca al centro de la ciudad • Electrodomésticos de cocina incluidos
To learn more and apply, visit: Para solicitar y obtener más información visite: www.sistershabitat.org/apply-for-housing Sisters Habitat Admin Office at 221 S. Ash St., Sisters With thanks to our collaborators
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
! ! o d e d t i a t v i n v I n i e r ’ á t u s o Y ¡E
LARCH COMMONS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
CEREMONIA DE INAUGURACIÓN DE LARCH COMMONS
Friday, September 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM 494 E Adams Ave, Sisters
Viernes, 18 de septiembre de 2026 a las 11:00 AM 494 E Adams Ave, Sisters
Join us as we celebrate 35 years of Sisters Habitat and break ground on our largest housing development to date — a vibrant new neighborhood providing 25 permanently affordable homes for our community.
Acompáñenos a celebrar 35 años de Sisters Habitat y a dar inicio a nuestro proyecto de vivienda más grande hasta la fecha: un nuevo vecindario que proporcionará 25 viviendas permanentemente asequibles para nuestros vecinos.
Next to Canyon Creek Pottery
Learn about our homeownership opportunities. Applications will be available on-site!
junto a Canyon Creek Pottery
Conozca más sobre nuestras oportunidades de vivienda propia. ¡Habrá solicitudes disponibles en el evento!
LARCH COMMONS Sisters Habitat Admin Office, 221 S. Ash St., Sisters
13
14
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Commentary...
Today is OK… By Katy Yoder Columnist
One of the blessings of living off Fryrear Road is seeing the mountains, the jagged juniper horizon and distant clouds moving across the usually blue sky. The view can also be terrifying as clouds bubble up in a cauldron of flames that rise like giant monsters making the Cascades seem small and insignificant. We’ve seen the remnants of stately old trees and meadow grass falling like snowflakes on pavement and decking, not to mention the dry ground and plants that surround our home. Holding a tiny bit of ash in my hand, I could only guess what it once was before being transformed into something light enough to float on gusting winds miles away from it’ home. Watching our American flag as the lines holding it clang and clank against a silver pole, I saw which way the wind is blowing and whether the Akawa Butte Fire was coming our way or towards our neighbors in Sisters. Just a few weeks ago I was thinking, today is OK, the wind is blowing to the east. Hopefully, helping firefighters hold lines and mop up areas still smoldering and hiding fire in blackened tree trunks and underlying roots. Sometimes telling myself, today is okay, isn’t true. Not when winds can shift creating devastating effects for those in its path. During last winter’s dry procession towards spring and summer, locals knew the
fire season would be challenging. Our neighborhood has cleaned away combustible materials around homes, took out or limbed up trees, put in fire lines along perimeters and got together to talk over contingency plans if the worst happened. At its worst, looking northeast towards the fires, I wondered if it was enough; or if the efforts were just futile attempts at quelling natures ways when the ground is parched and trees are thirsty. We’re all paying for past transgressions, whether it goes way back to forced removal of Native Americans who knew timetested methods to manage forests and grasslands, or more currently our inability to control unhealthy forests matted with undergrowth and trees too close together. I wonder what it will take for us to come together and begin systematically mitigating the mess we find ourselves in? When will we agree, the planet and all her inhabitants, need our help, our consensus and our understanding that Earth is alive and will do what is necessary to cleanse what is broken — no matter the cost? We see it in the flooding, the flames, and the funnels snapping down from angry dark clouds. I know many around the world and in my backyard, are not OK. Homes have been lost and sadly lives have been taken as humans try to live in this new, more treacherous world. But I refuse to lose hope and will try to stay strong and solution oriented. No handwringing — or at
least less — and more hard work doing what I can to make our home healthier from skies to aquifers. I know some will read this and block it out. Shortterm gains at the expense of long-term ramifications are too tantalizing. For some, today is the day to monetize at any cost; and if the facts, no matter how closely they stare them in the face, are inconvenient they’ll simply be marketed as lies. That scenario of growth no matter what, is not sustainable, we’re all experiencing that now. I’m still a person who believes miracles are possible. That we can decide to work together, put away sharp divisions that cut both ways and make this place better for ourselves and the generations coming after us. There are so many issues to be tackled, all I can think to do is chose one or two and focus on them. I invite you to take on your own and together, whether we walk side-by-side or not, we will make today a little bit more OK.
Meat • Seafood Jerky • Cheeses Sandwiches Beer, Wine, Cider 110 S. SPRUCE ST. | 541-719-1186 | 9-6 DAILY
WE’RE HIRING!
Weekends off • Small-shop camaraderie Non-toxic work environment •Picturesque outdoor work sites
THE GARDEN ANGEL LANDSCAPING
LCB#9583
APPLY TODAY • 541-549-2882 • thegardenangel@gmail.com
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS
? The Nugget ? ?
N E W S PA P E R
Dr. John Spomer and Kathy Campbell are wowed by The Nugget while in Honduras recently, where nearly 300 children were treated by a dental team and furniture was built by the construction team for a small family who are getting a new house as well. In the last 10 years, Heart for Hope dentists and international volunteers have treated more than 20,000 children in remote villages in Honduras. PHOTO BY KATY YODER
The Akawa Butte Fire was too close for comfort.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Outlaws record back-to-back shutouts By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws soccer squad is off to a great start with two consecutive shutouts under their belt to kick off the season. They started their week with a 2-0 win at home against Yamhill-Carlton on Tuesday, September 1, and two days later blanked the Pirates 3-0 on the road at Dayton. Nona Smith scored Sisters first goal of the contest in Tuesday’s match against the Tigers. Caroline Dean delivered a beautiful pass up the middle, and found Smith streaking down the side. Smith finished with an inside-foot shot into the right corner of the net. The second goal came from freshman Echo Wilkie. The ball bounced several times just outside the sixyard box before Wilkie collected it and delivered a beautiful strike into the upper right corner of the goal. The match was very physical throughout, but the Outlaws maintained composure and posted the shutout. “The Outlaws faced plenty of physical play, but they never lost their focus,” said Coach Ken Polachek. “They stayed poised, continued to battle, and played hard all the way until the final whistle.” He added, “I was extremely proud of the girls. They didn’t let the physicality of the game take them out of their rhythm. They stayed focused, continued to work for each other, and never let up.” Two days later they posted another shutout at Dayton. Smith once again was at the top of her game and scored two of the three goals. In the 20th minute Smith sent the ball into the net off a Mary Roberts assist
for Sisters first goal. Smith added her second goal in the 61st minute on a penalty kick. Dean capped the Outlaws’ scoring when she lofted the ball beautifully over the goalkeeper and into the left corner of the net from just outside the 18-yard box. During the course of the match players moved into different positions than they were accustomed to which was very encouraging to Coach Polachek. “Rather than allowing the changes to disrupt their play, the girls came together and continued to move the ball effectively,” said Polachek. “They communicated well, played with confidence, and consistently outpaced the Pirates from start to finish.” One of the goals the Outlaws set for the season was to establish a strong defensive identity and they accomplished that this past week. They allowed zero goals through the first two games, with goalkeeper Kennedy Davis stepping up in a big way. Polachek noted that Davis has provided the team with confidence and stability in the goal. “The strong defensive effort has been a complete team accomplishment, with the goalkeeper, back line, and midfield all working together to limit scoring opportunities and keep opponents off the scoreboard,” said Polachek. Polachek told The Nugget that with the young roster that includes only one senior, the growth from week-toweek will be an important part of the season. Sisters will look to carry the momentum from this week into their first regular season game on Tuesday, September 8, where they will host Central Linn at Reed Stadium. On Thursday they will travel to La Pine for a match against the Hawks.
15
Outlaws bring out the broom By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws recorded a 25-9, 25-16, 25-8 sweep at Yamhill-Carlton on Thursday, September 3. They finished their week at home on Saturday with a three-way match against Oakridge and Crane. They swept Oakridge 25-12, 25-12, and 25-16 followed by a 25-15, 25-13, 25-12 sweep against Crane. A t Ya m h i l l - C a r l t o n , Paityn Cotner got the Outlaws started with a 3-0 run that included an ace. Later, a block from Maici Cotner followed by a great service run from Molly Fredland — including three aces — pushed Sisters to a 10-3 advantage. Fredland had another great run that took the Outlaws to a 25-9 win. The eight-run streak included an ace from Fredland and three big kills from Maici Cotner. The second set was highlighted by six kills from Maici Cotner, and two aces each from Brooke Lindsay and Paityn Cotner. In the third set much of the bench was able to rotate in, contributed significant minutes and helped secure the win. Maici Corner led the squad with 10 kills. Lindsay recorded six kills and Josta Fuentes added four. The team posted 17 aces in the match; Fredland with four, and Paityn Cotner, Helene Voigt, and Lindsay with three each. Paityn Cotner and Fredland combined for 20 assists, nine and 11 respectively. Alli Fogarty led the defense with nine digs, Paityn had seven, and Voigt added six. “The team had a good day with 17 aces and applied pressure all three sets,” Monaghan said. “To take advantage of hitters we ran a six-two offense that opened hitting positions at all three attacking positions.
Having the ability to run multiple offenses will give us the ability to adjust to our opponents.” On Saturday against Oakridge, Fredland had a seven-point serving run highlighted by three consecutive kills from Maici Cotner, a block from both Kate Mock and Shanitah Few. Later in the set, Fogarty had a nice five-point streak at the line that included two aces and two nice kills from Fuentes. Toward the end, setter Paityn Cotner made two incredible dives, laid flat out on the floor, and kept the ball alive which helped Sisters close out the set for the win, with Fuentes putting down the final kill. The second set was much like the first. Fredland had a run of eight consecutive serves with help from strong offense that kept Oakridge out of system. Maici Cotner and Fuentes combined for seven kills and Lindsay closed out the set with a fourpoint run from the line that included two aces. Sisters easily won the third set for the sweep. Voigt had an incredible kill that slammed straight down midway through that highlighted the set, and Jess Stahn added a kill early on to put the Outlaws out front. Strong service runs from Paityn Cotner and Lindsay put the game out of reach. Seven players contributed kills in the easy win.
Maici Cotner finished with a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs. Fuentes tallied seven kills, and Lindsay added five. The team served up 13 aces, led by Lindsay who had six, and Fredland and Fogarty who added two each. Paityn Cotner finished with 19 assists and Fredland contributed 13. Fogarty led the defense with 11 digs and Fredland recorded nine. The Outlaws went on to sweep the Mustangs, with everyone on the roster getting some time on the court. Sisters defense applied pressure to Crane in the second set which resulted in numerous Mustang errors. After a big kill from Voigt, Fogarty closed out the second set with a four-point service run that included two aces and a kill from Mock. Fredland and Paityn Cotner combined for 27 assists, 14 and 13 respectively. Paityn, Maici, and Fogarty each served up two aces in the match. Monaghan said, “This was a great Saturday. We were able to try out a few different rotations, and our defense was really tough. Maici had an all-around game versus Crane racking up a doubledouble in digs and kills. “The team is really coming together,” added Monaghan. “I really feel like we shifted to third gear. This team is bought in and is improving at a rapid pace.”
JJoin i K Kiwanis, Help Children T Thrive hi
Dear Friends, The Kiwanis Club of Sisters is a service organization dedicated to helping youth and community thrive through volunteering, leadership, and fundraising. Follow our ads over the coming months, as we highlight projects, events, and people that have helped shape Sisters since our founding. We’ll share stories of service, community, and impact.
We can change the world, one child and one community at a time. We hope you’ll join us.
Empower Youth Elevate Community
https://sisterskiwanis.org/join-kiwanis/
16
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Your Story MATTERS
Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist
The art of accountability The year was 1993. I was seven years old, wandering the halls of my elementary school in the early evening while my mother, a fourth-grade teacher, was immersed in step aerobics with coworkers in Spandex and Reebok sneakers inside the school gymnasium. My mission? A student store heist. I peered through the gymnasium windows. My mother and her colleagues were preoccupied with early-’90s hype music and high-stepping — they would never know. The hallway was clear, classrooms empty, and the principal had gone home. The sliding doors to the student store were...open. Flush with Lisa Frank folders patterned with unicorns and stars, colorful erasers, and pens that would make my classmates jealous,
CAMERAS: ALPRs are not included in new contract Continued from page 1
(ALPRs) that have raised public concern and ire across the nation in recent months. Lt. Davis reported this at the supplying company Axon, and that the agreement with Axon does not include ALPRs. On June 3, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a fiveyear $2.4 million agreement between Axon and DCSO, which includes procuring body-worn cameras, tasers, and fleet cameras. The DCSO’s former contract was with Covan, ending June 30. The Axon contract expense to the County’s fiscal year 2026-27 DCSO budget is $483,000. ALPR functionality was explicitly excluded, and not licensed within the agreement. Axon is a significant player in law enforcementrelated technology. Craig Rawlins-Wilson published an article in
the temptation was strong. I filled my backpack. The next day, I gleefully displayed my newfound cache on my desk. My popularity in first grade took a nice leap. The dopamine-fueled dose of notoriety made a second day of step aerobics and an empty hallway hard to resist. This time, I made a critical error in the bandit’s playbook: I told my mother. “Look at what Mrs. Madsen gave me, Mommy!” “She gave it to you?” “Yes!” “That’s interesting...” (insert alarm bell that my child is a thief). “Why don’t we go say thank you to Mrs. Madsen for all these nice things tomorrow?” A referral, a letter of apology to Mrs. Madsen, and a week of lost recess were among my first introductions to accountability. A healthy dose of rebellion and skepticism of authority runs in my blood. So too does a lot of traditional success. Generations of nonconformity and counterculture have existed alongside outward achievement. Reconciling the paradox of resistance and walking the straight and narrow has been an ongoing journey. I have come to realize that some trouble is good and that sometimes, rebellion is necessary for both accountability and compassion to be upheld. Ultimately, accountability is an art and seemingly
more often, a lost art. It has become mainstream to beat around the bush, hide, exaggerate, and covet denial for what it allows us to avoid. Discomfort is inevitable Partly reinforced by my own industry, mainstream culture often presents a narrative that we are entitled to comfort. We have pathologized discomfort that has long been part of the human experience. We can become hypervigilant to distress. We go down AI-facilitated rabbit holes or dive deep into escapism, rarely reaching a place of resolution. We outsource our wellness to apps and wearables that while have merit, can create unnecessary rigidity. We seek reassurance and belonging through social media and frequently externalize our well-being through metrics and the opinions of others. Our sense of grounding, agency, and discernment can weaken. When our welfare seems to always live outside of us, accountability becomes harder to come by. Humility Accountability almost always requires a loading dose of humility. If ego and pride are in the driver’s seat, accountability can feel like a threat to our selfworth. But driven by humility, accountability becomes a vehicle for growth and deeper connection. Humility also helps us acknowledge the limits of isolationism, recognize the
SlashGear.com, September 2 reporting that, “Axon has nearly six times Flock’s market capitalization (approximately $48.8 billion vs. $8.3 billion as of August 31, 2026), is decades older, and has far deeper and longerstanding relationships with law enforcement. That’s because ALPRs are just one of the myriad products Axon offers. Like Flock, it also offers drone services, but unlike Flock, Axon is also a leader in body cams, in-vehicle ALPRs, data storage, tasers, live translation, and other equipment and AI-powered software services for law enforcement.” The body-worn and fleet cameras primarily capture video and audio for law enforcement accountability and evidence collection, while ALPR systems focus on reading and storing data. In numerous cities across the United States the public have raised privacy concerns over what data is collected by ALPRs and to what purpose the data is being used and by whom. ALPRs capture images of vehicles, including license plates, make, model, color, and unique identifiers
like bumper stickers or body damage. ALPRs can also capture faces but, so far, does not have facial recognition capabilities. DCSO operates as a primary law enforcement agency to approximately 212,000 residents and is funded by permanent tax districts to cover public services and operations. The DCSO serves a 3,055-square-mile jurisdiction. The City of Sisters contracted with the DCSO for deputies stationed in and serving Sisters since 2020, under a significantly enhanced agreement. DCSO had been providing police services to Sisters since the Sisters Police Department disbanded in 1998-99, but it was not until the new contract was agreed that deputies were consistently assigned to ongoing duty in Sisters. The City of Sisters continues to see significant financial benefits from contracting with DCSO as compared to other small cities, whose budgets often require 50 percent of funds to maintain a police force.
value of community, and understand the importance of asking for help. Cultivating perspective Perspective is a function of experience and forms the basis of our reality. Accountability asks us to accept the limits of our understanding and that it is only through curiosity and often, challenging our comfort zones that we cultivate a more meaningful perspective. As we experience different cultures, personalities, and beliefs, we expand the possibilities of our understanding. Perspective is dynamic. Giving ourselves permission to change our minds, become less territorial, and challenge narratives of division can lessen defensiveness, soothe the nervous system, and help us remain accountable to the ripple effects of our actions. Integrity Integrity and accountability have always been codependent. Accountability is the verb that allows the character trait of integrity to be lived out. It represents the
actions — big and small— that turn our core values from aspirational notions into daily practice. When we act outside our values, as we all do from time to time, we are best reminded that integrity is our North Star and accountability is our compass. And finally, grace Systems and policies are thirsty for reform, but our responses are ultimately our own. Are we entirely responsible? Probably not in the complexity of it all. And yet, we remain adaptable and capable of growth, often paired best with the support of others. I have long thought that justice is an amalgamation of accountability and grace. Grace allows us to hold the tension that we are all generally doing the best we can — and that our best can, and often should, evolve. And in this space of grace where we can acknowledge hardship and forgive with more ease, accountability feels less threatening and reminds us to try, try, and try again.
ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS:
TARGETING MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER...
Student of the Month 10-7 (DEADLINE 9-25) At Your Service 10-14 & 10-21 (DEADLINE 9-25) Spirit of Central Oregon – Fall 10-28 (DEADLINE 9-18) Partners in Giving 11-4 (DEADLINE 10-9) CUSTOM PACKAGES MADE JUST FOR YOU...
Sisters Folk Festival Packages
CUSTOM DIGITAL & PRINT OPPORTUNITIES
4th Quarter Marketing Packages mmunity Marketing Co et gg Nu UR YO g, un Kimberly Yo ur potential customers yo h ac re u yo lp he to y Partner, is read aying on budget . st ile wh — g in is rt ve ad with effective s@nuggetnews.com ad , 41 99 954 154 . y.. da Call or email to
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
PERCEPTION: Failure can be helpful to kids’ development Continued from page 5
experience. When failure happens, or our kids make a mistake, they need to spend time figuring out what went wrong and why. They may need your help with this, and one way to do that is to use the EIAG formula developed by the social scientist Dr. Stephen Glenn. • E is the experience. • I is the information gained from the experience. • A is the analysis of the experience. • G is how they will apply what they learned to other experiences. Expose your kids to as many opportunities as possible. Ask what they want to do and what they think they need to do to make it possible. If that can’t happen, what alternatives might there be? Talents may emerge early, and it’s tempting to focus on those skills. Be careful to also encourage other areas of interest. A young one with a good musical ear and voice could benefit from physical endeavors. A quiet, introverted child may thoroughly enjoy a leadership role at school. My husband and I believed that education continues long after high school. To ingrain this idea, we consciously talked at the dinner table about possibilities, toured college campuses as we traveled, and introduced our kids to people from different walks of life. We let them take the lead, pursue scholarships when appropriate, and recognize their responsibility to help financially when possible. All four earned bachelor’s degrees or beyond; however, a trade school could easily have been a good choice. The important thing is that they knew what was out there and that we believed in their potential. Get excited with your kids about their achievements, help them manage the disappointments that come along, and encourage them whenever possible. They will take it from there, giving you pride in their accomplishments.
Have a story idea for
The Nugget?
Send an email to editor@nuggetnews.com
Tight Lines By Chester Allen
Someday — But Not Today July was a hot, rough month. For the second year in a row, we all wondered if a wildfire in Sisters Country would torch our town and our homes. Thanks to our great firefighters, we’re still here. A lot of fly anglers, myself included, also worried about what fires would do to the Metolius, the Middle Deschutes, and the Lower Deschutes — as fire approached all three precious rivers. When the infernos were burning hottest, I found an online video that set my hair on end. A woman in a car traveling up the Highway 26 grade from Warm Springs toward Madras filmed the fire burning on both sides of the road. All this was happening just a short way from one of my favorite spots on the Lower Deschutes. I fish this spot at least once a week from late April through October. I’ve fished it like a maniac since 1983. This stretch of river is one of my home waters—the Metolius is the other one. This is the place I go to heal, to celebrate, to think, and to live. I imagined fire ripping through the sagebrush along this stretch of river. I
imagined the bankside alder trees — old, twisted and magnificent — bursting into flames. I imagined a black, smoking wasteland. Once again, brave firefighters — people I will never know — saved a part of me. As soon as the river opened again, I rushed to this spot. The black areas of fire had gotten within a mile or two, but Mecca Flats was still Mecca Flats. The banks were still green and lush, and the dry zone between the river and the canyon walls was still full of sagebrush, juniper trees, and wildlife. I walked four miles downstream. Then I sat in the river and drank about a quart of water. I always carry a half-gallon jug when I hike and fish this part of the Deschutes. I put my hand on the very tree I sat under 36 years ago — a few hours after I learned I would be a father. This old alder tree hangs over the river like a beach umbrella. The river flows in dark shade underneath the leafy branches. Some of the branches lightly skim the water. It is 20 degrees colder here, where the sun doesn’t shine and the cold river water refrigerates the air. There is no room to make a cast, and there are always trout — ones you cannot catch — in the water. Native Deschutes Redsides rainbow trout — fish that evolved in this river over centuries — rose to a Pale Evening Dun mayfly hatch. Some of them were very big. My heart was full. I shut my eyes, listened to the water and traveled back in time. I saw my daughter sit as still as a statue in this very spot with butterflies all over her hat and shirt. I saw an old friend, now gone, poke through one of my fly boxes. I saw Heather trying to open a bottle of beer without a bottle opener. I saw my first summer steelhead
OWN WHAT MATTERS
Home Purchase & Refinancing VA • Conventional • USDA • FHA • Jumbo Renovation • Bridge • Reverse Mortgage Manufactured Home Loans Down Payment Assistance Brennan Layne Loan Officer | NMLS #1848580
541.610.6727 397 SW Upper Terrace Dr., Bend, OR 97702
Apply Online:
guildmortgage.com/brennanlayne Guild Mortgage Company; NMLS #3274; Equal Housing Opportunity; OR MIL-176 nmlsconsumeraccess.org
17
PHOTO BY CHESTER ALLEN
A precious place escaped the Akawa Butte Fire. catapult out of the water in a sunlit corona of spray. I opened my eyes. It was time to go fishing and live in this day. I think we’ve all heard someone say, “The only thing we truly own is this day, so live it well.” I know that fire is one
of the ways Oregon’s lands renew themselves. Parts of the Lower Deschutes burn almost every year. Someday, this stretch of the Deschutes will burn to black cinders — and then start the long process of renewal. But not today.
Sisters Dental WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
Trevor Frideres, D.M.D. Kellie Kawasaki, D.M.D.
541-549-2011
491 E. Main Ave. • Sisters www.sistersdental.com Hours: Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
18
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
LETTERS
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Continued from page 2
parcel should be the end of any consideration. Regardless of the zoning, the MMV parcel was, and I believe always will be, rejected overwhelmingly by people of Sisters, the communities surrounding that area, the governing bodies of Sisters, and the laws of Oregon, because public outcry and public safety matters. Understand that if the County forces the city to do a new UGB plan, then the County would be costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for new analyses and consultation because the city would have to start the process over. The obstruction by McKenzie Meadows Village proponents has cost the City time to start the area planning phase, and money to continue defending Concept A.a. At this point as a taxpayer I resent being dragged through this waste of time and money. Monica Tomosy
s
s
s
School starts
To the Editor: The 2026-27 school year is off to a great start in Sisters, and it has been wonderful to see students and staff back in our schools. There is great energy across the district, along with many new faces joining the Outlaw community. Enrollment is currently trending upward. Sisters Elementary welcomed nearly 500 students, including more than 100 new students, while Sisters Middle School welcomed approximately 35 new students and has nearly 100 students participating in fall athletics. Across all three schools, the focus remains on what matters most: supporting students, strengthening instruction, building connections and creating a sense of belonging. Elementary staff are expanding targeted academic supports and progress monitoring, middle school teachers are focusing on deeper questioning and checking for student understanding, and the high school continues to strengthen pathways that help students stay on track for graduation and prepare for what comes next. There is exciting work happening outside the classroom as well. The district continues to work on wildfire mitigation and restoration planning for district properties, including the Trout Creek Conservancy area, while improvements at Sisters Elementary include a new swing set and a healthy, green field ready to welcome students outside. Perhaps the best part of early September has simply been seeing our schools full again, students learning, teachers connecting, activities underway and new staff becoming part of the Sisters community. It is a strong start to the year, and there is much to look forward to in the months ahead. To stay connected with everything happening throughout Sisters School District, families and community members are encouraged to subscribe to our weekly district newsletter, featuring school news, student highlights, upcoming events, community opportunities and important district updates. Curt Scholl, Superintendent
WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME. FAMILY OWNED • SISTERS PROUD LOCAL. RELIABLE. PROFESSIONAL.
On a recent Tuesday evening as I was loading up The Nugget for delivery, a woman came up on the porch and grabbed a handful of papers. She told me it is a weekly ritual for her to pick up papers for her neighbors, who all enjoy reading the paper “cover-to-cover.” She’s been doing this for years, and she said:
“I hope you keep going forever.” We hear from readers like that on a regular basis, and it’s the most gratifying aspect of our work. Our goal is to keep going forever — and to do that, support from our readers has become vital. It’s no secret that print media is in trouble across the nation. Costs continue to rise, and can’t simply be passed on to advertisers who are already stressed by their own higher costs of doing business. Readership declines as people’s habits change, and in many places, people don’t read at all, to a point where many think we’re entering a ‘post-literate’ society. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Sisters is still home to readers — and writers, too. We know that the community values their newspaper, because you tell us so — and many want to support their newspaper so that it does stay vital for years to come. And we continue to seek to find new ways to provide value for their support. There are now multiple ways that readers can directly support The Nugget that are easy and aren’t expensive but have a big impact: Supporting Contributions: Direct contributions to The Nugget are allocated to support our outstanding stable of freelance reporters, columnists, and photographers. You can make a supporting contribution online at www.nuggetnews.com (hit the “Donate” button); or you can mail a check to P.O. Box 698, Sisters OR 97759; or (best of all) stop by the office at 442 E. Main Ave. We love to talk with our readers. Subscribe to the “Nuggets From A Small Town” Substack: Substack is an online subscription platform for creators. “Nuggets From A Small Town” offers longer-form essays from Editor in Chief Jim Cornelius, for readers who like to engage with thoughtful writing on topics ranging from identity to the power of empathy, what we learn — or don’t — from history. This week’s essay looks at the importance of reading what it might mean to be a “post-literate society.” You can access “Nuggets From A Small Town” at https://jimcornelius609. substack.com. All subscriptions directly support The Nugget Newspaper. Online subscription: The content published on Substack and other subscriber-only content is available with an online subscription to nuggetnews.com. Click the subscribe button to sign up or call the office and we can assist you. Print subscriptions cover only the cost of delivery; the paper continues to be “free.”
541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters
Licensed Bonded / Insured CCB#87587
Directly paying for our content is the best way readers can help us continue to provide it. It’s also vital to shop local and support the businesses that advertise in The Nugget — and provide Sisters with so much of its character. Change is inevitable, and more rapid than ever — but, with your help, we can preserve good things that “make Sisters Sisters.” With your support, we can ensure that The Nugget is there for you each week to read “cover-to cover,” with more content for readers online. And maybe we will just go on forever. Thank you, Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief
The Nugget Newspaper Since 1978 | www.nuggetnews.com | 541-549-9941
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
N U G G E T F L AS H BAC K – 2 5 Y E A R S AG O
19
20
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Passage of gun control measure led to more firearms in Oregon By Steve Lundeberg Correspondent
CORVALLIS – Oregon voters’ narrow 2022 approval of a referendum designed to limit gun purchases has instead resulted in thousands more firearms in the state than there otherwise would have been, a new analysis suggests. Measure 114’s proponents wanted the state to require a permit for gun purchases and to prohibit magazines that held more than 10 rounds. With support concentrated in urban counties, the measure passed by a margin of fewer than 25,000 votes, or 1.3 percentage points: 975,862 to 950,891. A study published in the Journal of Public Economics shows that background checks, an indicator of firearm demand, rose nearly 14 percent in the run-up to the election, then surged 157 percent after the measure passed. Upon passage, Measure 114 faced multiple legal challenges that are still unresolved, and Oregon lawmakers this year passed legislation delaying the measure’s implementation – if supporters win in court – until January 1, 2028. Researchers at Oregon S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y, t h e
University of Oregon wash out in a few and the National Bureau months,” she said. of Economic Research “However, that’s not estimate that by 18 what we found. We months post-election, found that passing the an additional 63,000 referendum resulted in background checks had new purchases.” taken place compared to Because the prothe number that would posed Measure 114 have been conducted restrictions were limwithout the gun control ited to Oregon, the effort. economists were able Not every backto estimate both shortground check leads to and longer-term cona finalized purchase, sumer responses using OSU economist Katie other states as credBollman notes, but some ible counterfactuals, result in the purchase of Bollman added. multiple firearms. It’s not possible, “It’s not particushe said, to know PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS larly surprising that exactly how many These two rifles were among thousands purchased after the 2022 passage of Measure guns there are in people go out and buy more guns when they 114. Analysis shows that the measure intended to limit firearms purchases led to a Oregon. The state have compelling rea- spike in firearms purchases. does not maintain a son to believe it’s going firearm registry, and to become harder to in the the referendum effort never of an upcoming restriction Bollman avoids making inducing altogether new pur- estimates “because I can’t future,” said Bollman, an taken place. “This makes it particuchases. That distinction mat- give an informed one with assistant professor in OSU’s larly notable that Measure ters for a variety of reasons, any reasonable amount of College of Liberal Arts. “But 114 has not been impleshe said, including how the precision.” the magnitude of the increase mented – there are more effects of new regulations is pretty remarkable, as is the According to research guns in Oregon after passing are interpreted once they’re by the RAND Corporation, underlying dynamic driving permit-to-purchase than we in place. it.” 44 percent of Oregon adults “If folks who were lived in a household with at Bollman and her collabo- expected to have if it had not already planning to buy guns least one firearm between rators estimate that Measure passed,” she said. Bollman notes that prior just act more quickly, then 2007 and 2016. Oregon’s 114’s anticipatory effect on to this study, there hadn’t the anticipatory increase population is 4.3 million, firearm purchasing was so been a great sense of how may not be that notable – spread among 1.7 million strong that even if the meamuch anticipatory firearm the anticipation effect would households. sure eventually becomes buying is because people law, it will take more than a year just to get the number who already intended to of guns in Oregon back to buy a gun just bought it what it would have been had sooner, versus knowledge
Nugget Poetry Corner Images By Bev Hollander
CAR SHOW: Motorcycles are being welcomed into event
NEPAL: Contributions are being taken directly to needy
Continued from page 3
Continued from page 3
and showcase some incredible vehicles. Whether you are a car enthusiast or simply looking for a fun, free activity for the family, there is something for everyone to enjoy.” New this year, motorcycles are welcome. In partnership with Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill, motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to bring their bikes and show them off during the event. No advance registration is required, and participation is free. Motorcycles will not be included in judging, and event shirts are not provided. Rotary Club of Sisters returns as the Title Sponsor, with additional support from Les Schwab, Outlaw Auto Detailing, Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill, and Three Creeks Backcountry Off-Road Recovery. For more information, contact Sisters Park & Recreation District at 541549-2091 or visit www. sistersrecreation.com.
or other organization(s) responding to the colossal needs in Nepal,” she told The Nugget. “But looking at the people filling the restaurant, all wanting to help Nepal in some way, I got choked up and shed tears…” Donations from the fundraiser and the GoFundMe will be delivered directly to
Nepal. Bartlett stated that, “On September 15, Nurbu will travel to Nepal at his own expense and personally deliver financial assistance to families in the affected communities who are facing the greatest need. One hundred percent of your contributions will go directly to those affected. Nurbu will cover his own travel and personal expenses.” The GoFundMe page may be found at https://www. gofundme.com/f/centraloregon-stands-with-nepaldirect-flood-relief.
The Aspen giggles As the wind tickles her leaves No quaking, No fear Just lots of little Chortles! Thistle seeds Parachuting gently to the ear th A slow rocking back and forth Carried gently in the breeze Maple and Tamarack seeds Helicoptering rapidly Spinning a merry dance As they search for re-birthing Smoke from my cigar A pale indigo color Swirling and twirling clockwise Captured by the Coriolis effect My smoke rings Dazzled by the breeze Losing their integrity Immediately The trail is strewn With Ponderosa shoots Freshly cut by critters Creating whisk brooms for the elves And then signs of wheedled down pinecones Corn cobs from the squirrels Horse and deer tracks And then our own
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Nurbu and Pema Sherpa own High Camp Taphouse. Nurbu will travel to Nepal in September to directly deliver funds raised in Sisters and through a GoFundMe effort to support families, including Pema’s, who have been devastated by catastrophic flooding on August 26.
Ah, the gentle Wonder of the day! Send submissions of original poetry to jess@nuggetnews.com for possible inclusion in a future issue of The Nugget. Publication is subject to space availability and discretion of The Nugget Newspaper. All poems copyright the author.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
The Nugget Newspaper Crossword
PHOTO PROVIDED
Breedlove Guitars’ custom concertina guitar is the centerpiece of a raffle that supports music and arts education in Sisters.
JAM auction supports music and arts education Music, art, adventure, and a custom Breedlove guitar are up for grabs when SFF Presents’ 2026 JAM (Journey, Adventure, Music) Silent Auction & Raffle Fundraiser opens online Wednesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Held in conjunction with the annual Sisters Folk Festival, the fundraiser features one-of-a-kind packages, handcrafted works of art, and unique experiences, with proceeds supporting music and arts education and programming throughout Central Oregon. View this year’s items and place your bids at https://givebutter.com/ JAM-2026. This year’s raffle offers the chance to take home a piece of Sisters Folk Festival history. Handcrafted by longtime sponsor Breedlove Guitars, a custom concertina guitar was created to commemorate the festival’s 25th anniversary in 2022, with the words “25 Years” elegantly inlaid at the 12th fret. The guitar features a master grade myrtlewood top, back and sides, a semigloss finish, ebony fretboard and bridge, and figured walnut binding and rosette with a bone nut and saddle. It also includes a deluxe hardshell case and has an estimated value of $5,000. Only 400 chances will be sold at $25 each. Raffle tickets will be available online and at the JAM tent during the festival. The winning ticket will be drawn Sunday, September 27, at 2:55 p.m. from the Village Green stage. The winner need not be present at the drawing. This year’s auction highlights include: a handcrafted Tindalo sofa table featuring a live-edge-inspired design; the original painting created as the 2026 Sisters Folk Festival poster image by Central Oregon artist Sheila Dunn;
and for those craving a staycation, a two-night getaway at Black Butte Ranch, complete with a round for four on one of the resort’s golf courses. Patrons can also bid on a custom cajon, concert packages, local art, and more. The JAM tent at Village Green will be open throughout the festival weekend for bidding assistance, raffle ticket sales, and package viewing — no festival wristband required. Bidding will close at 1 p.m. Sunday to allow winners time to collect their prizes before the final sets of the festival. Booth hours are Friday, September 25 from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday, September 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (reopening from 2 to 4:30 p.m. for package pickup only). The Sisters Folk Festival will take place September 25-27 at seven venues throughout downtown Sisters including Sisters Art Works, The Belfry, Sisters Depot, The Open Door, Sisters Saloon, Oliver Lemon’s, Village Green Park, plus a free KidZone at Fir Street Park on Saturday, September 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The SFF KidZone is open to the public and includes live entertainment, art activities, and a community dance with the Outlaw Strings band, Scandalous Chutney. No wristband is required for entry to the KidZone, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Three-day passes and single-day tickets are still available for purchase at https:// www.sistersfolkfest.org/. Follow @SistersFolkFestival on Instagram and Facebook for updates and additional information.
This Week’s Crossword Sponsors
Greg Wieland L.Ac. Practicing since 1989 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E
Sisters Acupuncture Center
541-549-1523
21
22
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. CLASSIFIED RATES COST: $3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $3.50 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate. DEADLINE: FRIDAY AT 5 PM preceding Wednesday publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. Major credit cards accepted with a 3% processing fee. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four weeks. CATEGORIES: 101 Real Estate 102 Commercial Rentals 103 Residential Rentals 104 Vacation Rentals 106 Real Estate Wanted 107 Rentals Wanted 200 Business Opportunities 201 For Sale 202 Firewood 203 Recreation Equipment 204 Arts & Antiques 205 Garage & Estate Sales 206 Lost & Found 207 The Holidays 301 Vehicles 302 Recreational Vehicles 401 Horses 402 Livestock 403 Pets 500 Services 501 Computer Services 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish 504 Handyman 505 Auto Repair 600 Tree Service & Forestry 601 Construction 602 Plumbing & Electric 603 Excavations & Trucking 604 Heating & Cooling 605 Painting 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint. 607 Irrigation 701 Domestic Services 702 Sewing 703 Child Care 704 Events & Event Services 801 Classes & Training 802 Help Wanted 803 Work Wanted 901 Wanted 902 Personals 999 Public Notice
C L A S S I F I E D S
102 Commercial Rentals
STORAGE WITH BENEFITS • 8 x 20 dry box • Fenced yard, RV & trailers • In-town, gated, 24-7 EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com MINI STORAGE Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.
103 Residential Rentals
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792 Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com
– Sisters Oregon Guide – Pick one up throughout town!
205 Garage & Estate Sales
Moving/Downsizing Sale We no longer have room for everything! Storage racks and shelves, display shelves, wall storage and organization. Lamps. Framed art: limited edition Disney animation cels, scenic and wildlife art, some original art. 557 E Tyee Dr, Sisters. Saturday, Sept. 12, 9-3 p.m. MULTI-FAMILY SALE Sept. 11, 12, & 13 from 9am-2pm furniture, clothing, tires, & more! 290 Black Crater Ave., Sisters Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150
301 Vehicles
2017 VW Tiguan $10,900 2.0 Turbo S 4motion (AWD) 78K miles, auto transmission Call or Text Jim 541-699-9736
HEATED GARAGE power, lights, security. $275/mo. Jack 541-419-2502
Junk Removal, Dumpster Rentals & Demolition Services – Done Right. Remove-Junk.com 541-719-8475
SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines
502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090
504 Handyman
We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality AlpenGlow Cowboy Court Apartments Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Handyman Services 2 bedroom 2 bath. $1,650/month, Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Small & Large Jobs RSD $1,650. 1 year lease. Some Sisters Car Connection da#3919 20+ Years Experience pets considered with add'l $350 SistersCarConnection.com CCB#180099 RSD per pet. Includes W/S/ Call/Text: 541-728-8607 Garbage/landscaping. Approx. 302 Recreational Vehicles AlpenGlowHandymanServices. 1,000 sq. ft. NO SMOKING. 2021 Tiffin Open Road Allegro com • Credit Cards Accepted 154 W Adams Ave. #106 34PA. WAS $120K- NOW 1st floor unit in front building. $100K! 43,300 miles, Ford 7.3 505 Auto Repair Vacant 9/30/26. liter gas engine, new tires, many BURLINGTON Dishwasher, microwave, washer upgrades. Shown by AUTOMOTIVE & dryer, deck, garbage disposal, appointment. Mark 541-668-1524 Mobile Mechanic in Sisters granite countertops, energyor Deb 402-496-9579. Diagnostics, Inspections, efficient windows, storage, plank Oil Change, Tune-up, and more! flooring throughout, electric heat 401 Horses Wide variety of vehicles and skid w/air conditioning, off-street ALFALFA steer loaders. (503) 509-9354 parking - one reserved space TRITICALE (covered space $20/Month). ORCHARD GRASS HAY 600 Tree Service & Contact: 541-754-1213. New 2026 crop. Barn stored.
201 For Sale
3-tie bales. $250-$350/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895
403 Pets
KIDS ELECTRIC SCOOTER Razor Pocket Mod Petite - 12V 100w motor, up to 40-min per charge, rated to 110 lbs. Likely a good fit for 6–10 years old. Barely used, garage stored. $140 Call or text 541-977-8494
Moving. Must Sell: • Tempur-Pedic adjustable queen bed • stressless leather rocker • plus much more. Contact donahue2424@live.com for a full list and photos.
202 Firewood DRY SPLIT CORDS $250
Due to owner's medical condition, must re-home dog. 5 yr. old husky/shepherd mix, very affectionate, perfect trail dog, house broken and obedient. Call 541-771-4238. SISTERS WHISKERS Your purr-fect friend is waiting for you at our local nonprofit cat rescue! Apply to adopt at: sisterswhiskers.org I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com Julie 541-306-7551 Caring, loving pet care in my home. Daily rates and in town. Cheryl 541-420-7875
500 Services
• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279
CUSTOM WINDOW CUT OFFS $100 • COMPOST COVERINGS SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS Bend Window Works, LLC DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD is offering a 10% discount on • SINCE 1976 • new window coverings. FREE Fuel Reduction Forestry in-home consultation. Same day Doug Fir – Lodgepole – in-home repair services available. Hardwood – Juniper – Fir New and repaired blinds make DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES rentals look better! Contact us at – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – 541-383-2455 or SistersForestProducts.com andy@bendblinds.com. Order Online! 541-410-4509
Forestry
4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057
Tree Removal • Tree Pruning Good for Trees. Good to People. SparTreeArborist.com (916) 619-6317
• Wildfire Fuels reduction • Debris Chipping/Mastication • Forest Health Thinning • Wildfire Cleanup & Restoration • Tree Removal Will Moore, 541-409-5404 ISA Certified Arborist We are the experts you’ve been looking for! LCB# 100129 & Oregon Professional Logger 71395048 TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825
LOLO TREE WORKS Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638 Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912
601 Construction
SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523.
Home Hardening Services / Assessments / Ember Defense Retrofits / Vulcan Vent Certified / Gain Defensible Space CCB# 218954 www.cascadiadesignbuildllc.com Call Adam 541-974-2282
Construction & Renovation Custom Residential Projects All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
• Commercial & Light Industrial • Custom homes • Residential Remodels • Tenant Improvements WHY CHOOSE US? • No job too big or small • Driven by quality, skill & craftsmanship • Friendly, neighborly professionalism • Reliable, dedicated & trustful • Licensed, Bonded, Insured Contact us today! Curt: 541-480-7494 Brandon: 541-647-0586 kallbergconstruction.com
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
C L A S S I F I E D S
Earthwood Timber • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantels and accent timbers • Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com
Landscape & Construction LLC LCB#8874 CCB#224224 Serving Oregon since 1991 503-849-6090 Creating beautiful outdoor living spaces • custom patios & decks • water & fire features • barns • Foundations: All sizes & types • outdoor kitchens • pavilions • Slabs & Flatwork: SOG's, everythingoutdoors@ymail.com Driveways, patios & walkways Rooted in family, Built with pride • Custom Finishes: Tailored to Your style and vision. Contact us today! Brandon: 541-647-0586 Jeff: 541-419-7199 kallbergconstruction.com Residential Construction Services Licensed since 2015 CCB# 208020 541-668-0883 Arne Pierce- call, text, or email arnepierce@gmail.com Quality is never an accident. Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com
602 Plumbing & Electric Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701 Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218
Custom Homes • Additions Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com
Uncompromising quality. Local and personal. You can trust me. All projects: From new construction to those little projects you don't seem to get to. My team of local subcontractors and I will get it done right, fair, and pain-free so you can make your spouse happy. Call Jared 503-949-9719
LOCAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES & HOME MAINT. Remodels • Landscaping Firewise Maintenance Decks & Much More! Pease Co. Contracting Call Tanner at 541-588-0136. Big and small jobs! CCB# 256258 CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
Top Shelf Service. Straightforward Pricing. • Lighting Design • EV Chargers • Expert Troubleshooting Serving Central OR since 2008 Travis Wirth 541-647-9246
— GEORGE’S — SEPTIC SERVICE 541-419-3148
A 63-year tradition for Sisters www.georges-septic-service.com
603 Excavation & Trucking Full Service Excavation
Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com 541-549-1472 • CCB #76888 Drainfield • Minor & Major Septic Repair • All Septic Needs/Design & Install General Excavation • Site Preparation • Rock & Stump Removal • Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation • Building Demolition Trucking • Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water • Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly • The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want!
Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls Residential & Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net
604 Heating & Cooling
Sisters Owned and Operated Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service Hot tubs/Saunas • Generators Car Chargers • Panel Upgrades Light upgrades 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Remodels • Generators • Hot tubs/Saunas monteselectric@hotmail.com CCB#200030 • 541-480-9860 SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587
ACTION AIR Heating & Cooling, LLC Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464
Sisters, Oregon's Exclusive HVAC Service Residential & Commercial Heating • Ductless Air Conditioning • Maintenance Installation • Repair 541-588-5667 SistersHeatingAir.com
605 Painting
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
Interior/Exterior Painting Deck Refinishing Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327 peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
Electrical Service & Repair Est. 1947, CCB#54572 Local in Sisters 503-357-2146
23
STEVE'S HAULING Yard and other debris, landscaping services, chain saw work, etc. 707-328-8370
Eastern Cascade Solutions Landscaping & Construction www.easterncascadesolutions. com • 541-233-7195 LCB #9958 • CCB #222039
– All You Need Maintenance – Pine needle removal, hauling, snow removal, moss removal, lawn care, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122 All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company. Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com
NOW HIRING Housekeeping Team Members and Front of House: Barista, Concierge Join the crew at our cozy campstyle retreat nestled in the forest! We're looking for friendly, dependable individuals to join our team at Lake Creek Lodge. PT/FT. We offer flexible schedules & excellent compensation. k.stoffer@lakecreeklodge.com www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW FS Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman NEED A CHANGE? Use The Nugget's Help Wanted column to find a new job! NEED ASSISTANCE? Use The Nugget's Help Wanted column to find the help you need! Call 541-549-9941
803 Work Wanted Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345
J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, irrigation, aerating, raking, mowing, thatching, hauling debris. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com
Available for Sisters area. • Appointments • Meal prep • Light housekeeping • Errands Great references. 20 years exp. Registered with DHS. • • • • Jodi, 707-337-5047 • • • •
999 Public Notice
FIRE DISTRICT POSITIONS OPEN FOR APPLICANTS The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District invites Complete landscape construction, qualified voters of the fire district fencing, irrigation installation & interested in serving on the Board design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, of Directors, or the Civil Service debris cleanups, fertility & water Commission to submit Letters of Interest and applications to the conservation management, Board of Directors, Sisters-Camp excavation. Sherman RFPD; P.O. Box 1509; CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 Sisters, OR 97759. www.vohslandscaping.com Applications can be obtained 541-515-8462 via the District’s website https://www.sistersfire.com/ 701 Domestic Services employment/ or in person at PLACE LOOKING 301 S. Elm St. in Sisters, Oregon. A LITTLE MESSY? • One position on the District Check out the Nugget's Board of Directors is open for CLASSIFIEDS for cleaning professionals ready to help you! appointment. • One position on the Civil BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Service Commission is open for Home & Rentals Cleaning appointment. WINDOW CLEANING! The Fire District must receive Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897 application and letter of I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC interest no later than Specializing in Commercial, Friday, September 18, 2026. Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051
802 Help Wanted
THE NUGGET SISTERS OREGON online at NuggetNews.com
THE GARDEN ANGEL LANDSCAPING is filling crew lead and crew member positions. We want YOU to join us for an awesome season this year! thegardenangel@gmail.com 541 549 2882
SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 8
24
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
OREGONPROPERTYFINDERS.COM
14866 BLUEGRASS LOOP | SISTERS
This single-level, open floor plan, Crossroads subdivision home, built in 2014, on 1 acre, offers so much! 24x30 insulated shop with 200-amp service and double attached garage with 400-amp service. Both with ductless heat pumps! Plus, covered RV Parking. Totally fenced with 2 gates and plenty of parking. The entire interior freshly professionally painted. $623,000 MLS#220222058 | Susan Bird
17094 LADY CAROLINE DRIVE | SISTERS
Dramatic 3,888 sq. ft. custom home sited on a private 1-acre lot in Aspen Lakes with panoramic fairway views. Rich architectural details include abundant wood, stone, and tile. Effortless single-level living. Lush landscaping, tranquil courtyard, barbecue area, and expansive paver patios create an ideal setting for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. $1,600,000 MLS#220228137 | Cheryl Heitzhausen
1035 E HORSE BACK TRAIL | SISTERS
Thoughtfully designed with a desirable primary suite on the main level, this home features numerous upgrades including quartz countertops, designer updated lighting, and tasteful finishes throughout. Enjoy light-filled living spaces and step outside to your own peaceful private backyard oasis, perfect for relaxing and entertaining. $674,000 MLS#220224488 | Corrie Lake
70116 APPALOOSA DRIVE | SISTERS
Turnkey modern-farmhouse-style home with every major surface and detail updated. Features include new roof, septic, windows, doors, LVP flooring, ductless HVAC, and extensive smart home upgrades including Ring system and fingerprint entry. Open floorplan with fully remodeled kitchen. Trex decks, RV parking, multiple sheds. No HOA. $849,999 MLS#220226978 | Kellen Charpentier
63825 SCENIC DRIVE | BEND
This well-maintained, single-level home sits on 1+ acres with Swalley irrigation, giving you room to spread out without feeling like you’re miles from everything. There is a fenced pasture ready for horses or other animals, and a spacious shop gives you plenty of room for equipment, projects, storage, or all those Central Oregon toys! $759,000 MLS#220227902 | Cary Keifer
56038 BLACK DUCK ROAD | BEND
LESLIE CUTLER
WINFIELD DURHAM
503-881-9606
541-420-9801
KELLEN CHARPENTIER
541-410-5644
541-480-1929
458-312-9005
CHERYL HEITZHAUSEN
cherylheitzhausen@stellarnw.com
541-420-7875
MARINA MCCURDY
McCurdy.properties@gmail.com
541-610-9867
CARY KIEFER
carysellsrealestate@gmail.com
541-306-8391
SHERI MESA
sherimesa@gmail.com
541-410-5999
16840 BUCK HORN DRIVE | SISTERS
Rare opportunity to own two adjoining parcels totaling 9.21 acres! Features a charming 508 sq. ft. open-concept cabin on one 4.65-acre parcel and a separate 4.56-acre buildable lot. The 680-foot well is ideally located near the shared property line, offering excellent potential to serve both parcels. The possibilities are exceptional.
CATHERINE BLACK black@sistersoregon.com
70275 CLUB ROAD | SISTERS
Enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Jefferson and Black Butte from this beautifully maintained home on 2.33 private acres. Expansive windows provide natural light, 20-foot vaulted ceilings in greatroom and family room create an impressive sense of space. Generously sized bedrooms. Recently built covered TimberTech deck is perfect for entertaining. $995,000 MLS#220223102 | Ross Kennedy
Looking for that perfect second home or vacation rental? Enjoy entertaining inside and outside year round? Enter through the grand entrance opening to soaring 22-foot ceilings with board and batten walls. Features include an open kitchen/dining area concept with a full wet bar. Dedicated theater room, spacious gathering areas, outdoor covered patio. $1,150,000 MLS#220226743 | Sheri Mesa
SUSAN BIRD
susan@susanbirdrealestate.com
821 E DESPERADO TRAIL, #201 | SISTERS
Lock-and-go, high-perks, low-maintenance condo is the perfect home base for your adventures! Two suites, one with exterior entrance and ability to lock off for flexibility. New flooring, interior paint. Large, covered deck. Amenities: pool, hot tub, sauna, exterior fire insurance and maintenance, clubhouse, snow removal, water, sewer, and garbage. $395,000 MLS#220220297 | Leslie Cutler
kellen@charpentierrealty.com
ROSS KENNEDY
rosskennedyrealty@gmail.com
541-408-1343
CONNIE MITCHELL
connie@teamstellarnw.com
541-610-8011
lesliecutleragent@gmail.com
CORRIE LAKE
corrielake.realtor@gmail.com
541-521-2392
JOEL MUCH
joel@muchproperties.com
541-639-9366
$925,000 MLS#220224629 | Connie Mitchell
winfield@stellarnw.com
DONNA MARSHALL
HANNAH HARRER
homes@hannahharrer.com
619-847-3891
JENNIFER MCCRYSTAL
donna@7peaksproperties.com
jennifermccrystal@stellarnw.com
TINA PERIN
BRIAN SHANNON
541-480-0208
541-788-7609
541-647-9682
tinaperin@icloud.com
541-420-4347
brian@stellarnw.com
Stellar Realty Northwest | 382 E Hood Ave, Suite A-East, Sisters | 541-508-3148