The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVIII No. 25 // 2025-06-18

The Nugget

Rodeo draws big names, big money, big scores

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

“This may be a small town, but this is no small rodeo,” said Cal Weaver of Prineville.

He was attending Sunday for what he guesses is about his 200th rodeo. He’s been to all the biggies: Houston, Las Vegas, Calgary, Pendleton, Ellensburg and a dozen more marquee rodeos.

“And it’s not local,” he added. “Sure, you got a lot of Oregon cowboys, a few from Prineville actually, but look at who’s here — a who’s who in the rodeo world.”

He’s right about that.

Number two world-ranked Rocker Steiner scored 87.5 in bareback bronc riding, but Wacey Schalla turned in a whopping 89. Saddle bronc rider Zachary Dallas, seventh in the world, took home a first place $6,007 with an 86.5. Seventh-ranked Rawley Johnson, with an 80 in bull riding pocketed second place with $5,142 but lost to Cade Griego who racked up an 84 with a $6,707 payday.

See RODEO on page 9

Sisters rallies around grieving SHS students

Sisters is rallying around students and staff of Sisters High School left grieving at the news that a 17-year-old Sisters student was killed in single-vehicle crash last week.

The crash occurred overnight on June 10-11, on Highway 242 near Cold Springs Campground. The vehicle driven by Reid Woodson impacted a tree. Oregon State Police is not releasing any further information on the crash.

The Tri-County School Response Team operated by High Desert Education Service District provided grief counseling support for both staff and students through the week at Sisters High School, and Sisters School District hired an extra counselor for the week

to be present for students.

Other resources for further care include the School Based Health Clinic and Hospice of Redmond, as well as Deschutes County Behavioral Health and private counseling accessed through Care Solace at 588-515-0595.

As one staffer put it, school staff absorbed a tremendous amount of the care for students. SHS also shared information with parents about how to support their teens with resources from the Portland Based Dougy Center (dougy.org) which has a wealth of information regarding grief.

Sisters High School Principal Steve Stancliff offered a moment of silence at the beginning of commencement ceremonies on Friday in honor of Woodson.

Oregon

Class of 2025 springs forward

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

It wasn’t just the rodeo gathering crowds this week as 100 members of class of 2025 from Sisters High School celebrated commencement on Friday, June 13, in a packed gymnasium. For this group, which started high school on the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic and ended on the heels of a community tragedy, there remained much positivity to commemorate. Steve Stancliff, Sisters High School principal, welcomed families and friends to the event and acknowledged the loss of Reid Woodson, a Sisters High School junior who died earlier in the week, with a moment of silence. A moving rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner sung by the Sisters High School

See GRADUATION on page 14

Sisters scores major tournament

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

A competitive field of 184 players, consisting of 92 professionals and 92 amateurs, teed it up last week at Aspen Lakes Golf Course for the 2025 Pelzer Golf Oregon Open Invitational. The event featured both individual and team competitions, with participants competing in fourplayer teams across stroke play and Four-Ball formats.

PGA Professional

Jamie Hall of PNW Golf Academy captured the individual championship with rounds of 64-72-68 — 204, finishing at 12-under par. He finished three strokes ahead of defending champion and 2017 winner, PGA Professional Russell Grove of Eastern Washington University, who placed second. PGA Professional Blake Snyder, also of PNW Golf Academy, finished third.

team competition.

Brian Miller of Prineville Country Club and Sam Renner of Awbrey Glen Golf Club shared low amateur honors.

The winning team featured PGA Professional

Jamie Hall and his brother, amateur William Hall (also of PNW Golf Academy), alongside PGA Professional Nicholas Long (Overlake

See TOURNAMENT on page 11

Aspen Lakes hosted a major golf tournament last week, drawing hundreds of golfers in individual and

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

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.

Wildfire map

SB 83 passed the Oregon Senate unanimously, then a curious thing happened — it went to the House Rules Committee where it sits today. Two weeks left in this very long session of legislature and they want to kill the one bill that we all agree upon: repealing the Wildfire Risk Map. It goes away if it dies

in the rules committee, and that is what they intend to do.

This is political chicanery at its worst. There are two reasons that they want to kill it in committee: they want our “kicker” to pay for more wildfire mitigation (they have plenty of money but they waste it) and our

See LETTERS on page 13

Sisters Weather Forecast

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

www.nuggetnews.com | 541-549-9941

442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. 3rd Class Postage Paid at Sisters, OR.

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).

Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius, editor@nuggetnews.com

Community Marketing Partner: Kimberly Young, ads@nuggetnews.com

Classifieds, Circulation, Proofreading: Kema Clark, nugget@nuggetnews.com

Graphic Design, Billing: Leith Easterling, accounting@nuggetnews.com

Creative Director: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com

Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen

Tough problems have no easy answers

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Cheif

I was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles — a town called La Crescenta to be specific. My wife Marilyn and I left Southern California for Oregon in 1993 — almost 32 years ago. So, I’ve spent more of my life in Oregon than I did in LA. Yet, part of me still thinks of LA as “home,” which is probably the way most of us think of the place where we grew up. I have followed with interest the unrest in LA, as the fraught and emotional matter of immigration plays out in violent confrontation. I’ve taken in more social media hot takes on the issue than is probably good for me, and I’ve concluded that they’re mostly useless. All of them are true to some degree; all of them are distorted to some degree. Most of them are sincere, but they are nevertheless built to serve a pre-fabricated narrative. You can tell because they’re simple — with clear-cut moral imperatives on one side or another. Very little about immigration in the United States is simple.

intentioned inside but do horrific things. There are not simple solutions but tradeoffs. Several things that are in conflict can be true at the same time. The line between good and evil runs through every human heart.

“Unfortunately, there are people with a lot of influence who still think in simplistic terms not far from how I thought at 18. They still see the world as being in clear camps and pretend there are easy answers. They get upset when their views are challenged. It sells. Many readers and viewers want their opinions confirmed and follow faces with seeming moral clarity, even when they are lying.”

We can profit by taking Grillo’s understanding to heart when it comes to issues that confront us here in Sisters — growth and homelessness among them. “There are not simple solutions but tradeoffs. Several things that are in conflict can be true at the same time.”

We’re not going to “solve” any of the challenges that face our community. We can manage them with a degree of finesse and grace — but that requires recognizing that there are tradeoffs, and that we can’t get everything we want or get rid of everything we don’t like and keep the rest.

from

and

“Voiceless: A Musical,” a new theater piece created

a

writer/screenwriter and

There is still good reporting and deep analysis out there. When it comes to matters of the border, the narco world, immigration and the like, my go-to journalist is Ioan Grillo. I have read almost all his books, and I now subscribe to his Substack: “Crash Out.”

(https://www.crashoutmedia.com/)

In a recent “summer shoutout to subscribers,” Grillo describes his journey from a morally certain, self-righteous teenager to a seasoned journalist with a much more complex — yet not jaded — view of a world that just won’t fit itself into neat, comfortable, and morally satisfying categories. Decades spent in the heart of a dark and violent Mexico shaped Grillo as a man and as a journalist.

“I found out the world is tragic and beautiful and bloody complicated. People are generally well

We’re going to have to listen to each other — really listen. That’s a hard thing to do when passions run high, but that’s what it takes to find a viable path forward.

There’s an opportunity to participate in that work. The City of Sisters is inviting local folks to attend a second Community Conversation on Houselessness on Tuesday, June 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sisters Park & Recreation District Community Center. The event, hosted by a coalition of local organizations and agency partners, will focus on how the community can work together to address houselessness in the Sisters area.

See you there.

to Oliver Lemon’s July 2 and July 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. to finish the Yeti’s costume. For more information visit: https://www.voicelessamusical.com/.

Sharon Karr and her sister Kathryn Karr spent Saturday knitting so they could “yarn bomb” the Yeti at Oliver Lemon’s. It was part of an immersive experience to promote

by Deena Kamm, a voice/music coach

Bend,

Anne Fenn,

comedy

professor from Canada. The knitters will return

PHOTO COURTESY ANGELA LUND

Yarn bomb!

Rodeo parade delights thousands

by

Hundreds of participants, many on horses, paraded through downtown Sisters Saturday for the annual rodeo parade that draws folks from hundreds, indeed thousands of miles. Halfway around the globe in fact. The Angel family from Australia was there – mom and dad and four little ones, part of a visit to grandpa and grandma in Cloverdale. It was like that at every corner, almost at any location along the route. Families gathered for an event that was pure Americana spelled in big letters. Like the Sisters Rodeo (see story, page 1) the parade far outstrips what

one expects from a small town.

While the majority of spectators plan for the event, hundreds just happened to be in town, as is the case most weekends in Sisters during the tourist season. And, as in years past, they are immediately swept into the festivities.

Girls volleyball has new head coach COMMUNITY

Equity growth for challenged incomes

By

“If one cannot buy a home, one must rent,” is not necessarily a true statement. A lease with option to buy has been a possibility for a long time, albeit a rare one. There are also forgivable loans or grants available to buyers through state and federal agencies, but although these programs do help, they do not scale up to meet the growing public need.

For the past 25 years, people earning medium to low incomes have been struggling to be able to grow generational wealth due to an inability to afford buying

a home. If not the high price of homes, the primary barriers are insurmountable down payments, and closing costs. Over the same period, cities and communities, like Sisters, are having difficulty attracting workers to fill jobs within the local municipality, educational institutions, fire departments, or within local businesses that provide a multitude of services, restaurants, and stores – due to very high housing or rental rates.

Nationally, home price increases have outpaced wage increases for over 40 years, no matter a depression,

Brian Hemming was among a group of 10 cyclists from Bend who came to ride the “Ridge” but when they saw the crowds forming at 8 a.m., they had an inkling this wasn’t a typical Saturday in Sisters.

“We had no idea this happens. What a hoot. If somebody told me Sisters was having a parade, I’d guess maybe a couple of old cars and a fire truck,

but this was way beyond anything I’d imagine,” said Hemmings.

“This is super cool bonus,” added one of the other riders, Larry Tomlison.

The affair began to the minute at 9:30 a.m. at Pine Street and Cascade Avenue. In orchestrated fashion the 100 some entries marched eastward to Larch Street, turned left and ended at E. Main Avenue right on schedule.

Cascade Avenue is also U.S. Highway 20, a federal highway — the longest U.S. highway in the nation, running 3,365 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon. It’s a big

The Sisters High School (SHS) volleyball team has a new head coach, 23-yearold Mahryahna Callegan. Despite her young age, Callegan brings with her not only personal playing experience, but seven years of coaching experience.

Callegan was born and raised in Bend, and currently works for the law office of Angela Lee. She started to play volleyball when she was just eight years old, and played through high school

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383.

Alcoholics A nonymou s

Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of t he Hills

Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’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., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration

Central Oregon F ly Tye rs G uild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om Central Oregon Trail A lliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@cotamtb.com for info. Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:30 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.

Council on Aging of Cent ral O rego n Senior Lunch In- person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters C ommunity Church. 5 41-4 8 0-18 43 East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September- June), Stitchin’ Post . A ll are welcome. 5 41-5 49 -6 061. G o Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 541-771-2211

Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Siste rs Communit y Church. M ater ials provided. 541- 408 -8 505.

Hero Q uilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 5 41-6 68 -1755

Living Well W ith Dementia Sisters

Care Par tner Suppor t Group. 2nd & 4th Weds., 1-2:30 p.m. Siste rs Library Communit y Room. 5 41-588 -0547.

Mili tary Parent s of Sisters Meetings are held quarter ly; please c all 5 41-388 -9 013.

Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. 5 41-5 49 -6 469.

Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church. 5 41-5 49 -6157.

Sisters Area Woodworke rs First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Sup por t G roup 3rd Wednesday., 10:30 a.m., Siste rs Episcopal Church. 503 -616 -8712.

Sisters Cribbage C lub M eets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at S PR D. 5 09 -9 47-574 4.

Sisters Garden C lub For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com.

Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Board of D irectors 4th Tuesday, 4:3 0 p.m. Location infor mation: 5 41-5 49 -1193.

Sisters Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at S PR D in Sisters 541- 632- 3663

Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.

Sisters Veterans no- host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welcome, 5 41-241-6 56 3.

Sisters Trails A lliance Board Meetings take plac e ever y other month, 5 p.m. In- person or zoom. Contact: info@sisterstrails.org

Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t Board of Direc tors M eets 2nd Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSI D Of fice 541- 903- 4050

Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279.

VF W Po st 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:3 0 p.m., Pine Meadow V illage Clubhouse, 596 W Jef ferson Ave. 541-241- 6563

SCHOOLS

Black Bu tt e School

Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203

Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly, Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule at www.ssd 6. org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002.

as an outside hitter and also a libero for Mt. View. She received a scholarship to play in college but declined due to personal reasons, and instead attended COCC (Central Oregon Community College). While attending COCC she immediately took a coaching position at Mt. View as the freshman volleyball coach and the assistant varsity coach (2019-2020). The following year she became the JV coach and continued as the assistant varsity coach,

CIT Y & PARKS

Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters Cit y Hall 541- 549- 6022

Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th Tues., 4 p.m., C of f ield Center. 5 41-5 49 -2091. Sisters Pl anning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022.

FIRE & POLICE

Black Bu tt e Ranch Polic e Dept. Board of Dire ctor s M eets monthly 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date

Black Bu tt e Ranch R FPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BB R Fire Station. 5 41-595 -2 28 8 Cloverdale R FPD

Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Wed., 5:3 0 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 5 41-5 48 -4 815. c loverdalef ire.com.

Sister s- Camp She rman R FPD Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Siste rs Fire Hall, 5 41-5 49 -0771. Sister s- Camp She rman R FPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Siste rs Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 5 41-5 49 -0771.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Wood sculptor J. Chester Armstrong’s entry in the Sisters Rodeo Parade was a big hit.

See GROWTH

Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Susan Cobb Correspondent

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

Custom guitar to be raffled at the 2025 Big Ponderoo Festival

SFF Presents is pleased to announce a special opportunity for music enthusiasts and supporters of arts education: a limited-entry guitar raffle to be held in conjunction with the 2025 Big Ponderoo Music + Art Festival, taking place June 27-29 in Sisters.

The featured prize is a handcrafted, custom mahogany rounded dreadnought guitar, designed and built by Jason Chinchen, accomplished luthier and Woods II teacher at Sisters High School. This exceptional instrument features antique, reclaimed tonewood donated by noted luthier Jayson Bowerman, as well as full tortoiseshell binding, black/ white/black purfling, a custom Big Ponderoo inlay, custom-voiced bracing, and a protective case.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase now. Only 400 raffle tickets will be sold, priced at $25 each, offering a rare opportunity to own a locally built, professionalgrade instrument.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://bigponderoo. com/#raffle, in person at the SFF Presents office at 204 W. Adams Ave., Suite 101, in Sisters (by cash or credit card), or at the Big Ponderoo merchandise tent during the festival, while supplies last.

Proceeds from the raffle will be evenly divided between two impactful initiatives. Half of the funds will benefit the Woods II program at Sisters High School, where students explore the craft of guitar building, from design to finish, under the guidance of Jason Chinchen.

The remaining half will

support SFF Presents’ cultural outreach and educational programming throughout Central Oregon, helping to expand access to the arts across the region.

The raffle shines a spotlight on the strength of the Luthier Program at Sisters High School — one of only two public high school instrument-building programs of its kind in the United States. Since its inception in 2006, the program has enabled students to build over 500 handcrafted guitars, thanks to a long-standing collaboration between Sisters High School, Breedlove Guitars, and SFF Presents. The program was originally founded by Bowerman and longtime woods instructor Tony Cosby, and is now carried forward by Chinchen, who continues to mentor students in both technical craftsmanship and artistic expression.

The guitar raffle is a unique chance to support young makers, local educators, and the vibrant arts culture that defines the Sisters community.

The winning ticket will be drawn Sunday, June 29, at 2:55 p.m. on the Ponderoo Stage at Village Green Park, prior to a performance by Fireside Collective. The winner need not be present to win.

The public is joyfully invited to a community celebration featuring a free concert and a sponsored 4th Friday Art Walk on Friday, June 27, as a lively kick-off to the Big Ponderoo festival

at Village Green Park. The family-friendly event will feature performances from three artists on the main festival stage, food carts and drinks, and interactive art experiences for all ages from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Get more information at https:// www.bigponderoo.com/ ponderoo-arts-experience. Weekend passes and single-day tickets to the Big Ponderoo festival on June 28 &29 are available for purchase at www.bigponderoo. com. Be sure to follow @ BigPonderoo on Instagram and Facebook for updates and additional information.

A custom guitar made by Jason Chinchen will be raffled during the Big Ponderoo Music Festival.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Keeping Sisters clean and happy

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

When Annie and Doug Little took over the laundromat in Sisters in 2023, they were determined to offer Sisters locals and visitors an enhanced experience.

At Washable Laundry, they invested in high-quality, high-capacity equipment and technology that makes doing your laundry easier and more efficient. Most importantly, they monitor the facility consistently, actively manage it, and are responsive to customer needs.

The couple who own laundromats in Bend and La Pine sought to “create systems and use technology to help our customers have a better experience.”

They removed old toploading washing machines and replaced them with premium equipment. The 40-pound machines can readily handle quilts, bedding. or up to four baskets of clothes. The equipment is reliable and easy to work on — which means it stays in service.

There are simple and easy payment methods. You can

use a card, but if you prefer to use cash, you can do that, too. You can use an app to find out whether the laundromat is busy at a particular time.

The couple wanted to make the experience of getting laundry done an easy and pleasant one for travelers but they want locals to use the facility, too.

“Locals don’t really know that we’ve been fixed up and have these great, big

machines,” Annie said.

The Littles have been five years in the field.

“It was really looking for an opportunity to be in business for ourselves and get out of the corporate world,” Annie told The Nugget.

They recognize that doing laundry is always a chore — but they have made it a lot easier and more pleasant to get that chore done in Sisters.

Washable Laundry is located at 247 N. Fir St.

Oregon poet shares joy of wordplay

Oregon poet Gary Lark will read from his new collection of poetry “Coming Down the Mountain” at Paulina Springs Books on Thursday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. Fellow poet Michael McGriff says of Lark’s latest book, “seasoned with just the right amount of wry observation and humor, and driven by sharp-edged truths, this book will keep you barreling ahead, astonished.”

“Poems of place” doesn’t come close to describing what Lark does with a hayfield, a kitchen, a tackle shop — he brings the reader along to inhabit them, breathe them, wade in them, and to feel the passage of loved ones and reticent strangers who guard the secrets of their own rich lives, even as we watch. “Coming Down the Mountain” never strays far from home, but instead goes deep into the soil, rivers, and people, examining past and present with the steady eye of someone who loves this place and also keenly understands that our time here is fragile and finite.

Lark is the author of seven books and four

chapbooks; “Coming Down the Mountain” is the most recent. Lark says. “I have a desire to feel the resonance of words coalescing in an endless consciousness. Stories give me joy when the words create something new. I seek that joy.”

His work has appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, Catamaran, Rattle, Sky Island, and others. Gary and his wife Dorothy live in Oregon’s Rogue Valley. More information can be found at garylark.work.

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave.

Gary Lark.

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

No kings, no peasants

By Steve Woodside Columnist

Congratulations to the brave souls who protested on Saturday, June 14, at the “No Kings” rally, railing against the specter of tyrannical government overreach. History warns that revolting against ruthless dictators rarely ends well for the hoi polloi, yet somehow you have not only survived but gifted us a nation free from a king’s iron grip. Bravo!

Thanks to your noble efforts, we are liberated from leaders who would force untested vaccines on us, threatening jobs, or our right to buy and sell goods. No more will tyrants dump sand in skate parks or arrest lone paddleboarders for daring to breathe fresh air. We are free from unilateral emergency decrees that kept kids out of school, ignoring warnings of lasting harm to their education, or forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, spreading misery

Highway 242 is open

In an annual rite that helps kick off the summer season, the Oregon Department of Transportation opened Highway 242 to vehicle traffic on Monday, June 16.

The highway is not maintained through winter, and its opening in mid-June gives a boost to outdoor recreation as it allows access to the Dee Wright Observatory and numerous trailheads and camping sites.

among the vulnerable. And thank goodness we can now buy seeds and gardening supplies without navigating a grocery store’s forbidden zones.

As we think about the U.S. Army military parade that was also taking place on June 14 to celebrate their 250th anniversary of keeping America independent and free at the risk of their lives, let us remember the protesters for their event. All gave some, some gave all; and some gave two hours of their time and a hand-painted sign that they likely left on the street for someone else to collect. It must be difficult to have an enemy that fails to play the villain that protesters have crafted in their heads.

But freedom from royalty is not enough. Now, we must move on to eliminating the serfs from our modern feudal system, because without kings, who needs peasants?

As Representative Becca Balint, a Vermont Democrat, stated, without illegal

workers, we will no longer have anyone to wipe our rear ends, though she said it much more crassly. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas),said, we need undocumented people to “pick our crops and build our houses” and “clean our hotel rooms since the educated won’t.” Republican politicians likely believe the same thing, but at least they have the commonsense to not say it out loud.

With royalty no longer ruling across our great country, it is time for the citizens to acknowledge that slavery was wrong then, and it is wrong now. In 2025, we should not have an economic model that relies on our government elite failing to follow the law, and allowing undocumented, illegal immigrants to come to our country and take jobs that pay off book, or below fair market conditions.

This is, truly, what it is all about, regardless of where you stand on immigration laws. It is against the laws of

many riders.

the United States for people to illegally cross our borders, find employment, receive entitlements, and do anything else in this country. If you are not going to follow this law, you may be disturbed when we suddenly choose, through force and might, to not follow other laws that you do like. There may be a time where we do have open borders, as some have called for, but that is a legislation issue, not a mass protest issue. If your politicians believe that “no person is illegal” and that we need to “remove borders” is such a great idea, then have them draft legislation and have them bring it to a vote. Of course, no politician will do this because it is at least an 80/20 issue against this proposal, and politicians

like nothing more than getting re-elected.

Lastly, as we celebrate Father’s Day, we need to remind our young men and young women that there is no job beneath you. Ask any father from a prior generation and you will hear stories of working outside in freezing or scorching conditions, or fathers that sat and ate the abuse from a belligerent boss because being humiliated was better than being unemployed. All this to ensure that their family had a roof over their heads, and food on the table. All work is honest work, and able-bodied people need to get off the couch and start making money just as their fathers once did because we no longer have serfs to do this for us.

The highway winds 38 miles from Sisters, over the McKenzie Pass that sits at 5,325 feet, and spills out on the west side of the Cascades in a junction with Highway 126 near Belknap Hot Springs.

In another traditional — if “illicit” — rite of the season, cyclists took advantage of beautiful weather last week to ride the highway before

the road opened to vehicle traffic. ODOT discourages the practice, noting that closure applies to all vehicles, including bikes, and riders who bypass the closed gates do so at their own risk.

Cyclists rode Highway 242 before its opening on Monday. ODOT discourages the practice, but it is a tradition for

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Cotner returns to hardwood to coach girls basketball team

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

Kevin Cotner, who was the girls basketball coach from 2006 to 2010, will return as head coach for the Sisters High School (SHS) girls basketball team. Prior to his tenure in Sisters, Cotner was the girls basketball coach in Maupin, Oregon, for three years from 2003-2006.

After resigning from coaching at SHS, Cotner and his family spent 10 years in Sayulita, Mexico. Their family returned to Sisters permanently this past year.

When the girls basketball coaching position opened up, Cotner immediately applied, and shared with The Nugget his reasons why:

“I applied because I felt the girls basketball program as a whole needed a strong advocate, especially with a focus of building up the youth program,” said Cotner. “I felt that there would be no one that they could hire who would be more invested in the program than I would be, especially with two daughters on the team.”

Cotner stated that if he had to choose between being a parent in the stands or coaching, he would choose coaching every time.

Cotner stated that this group of players is very young and coachable, and he feels he will have time to instill habits and skills that will help get the girls basketball program to the next level. He added that the beauty of this current group of players is that they all have a desire to learn, and are extremely coachable.

His vision is to continue to grow the youth programs in the community, and focus on the partnership between the middle and high school teams.

“Youth programs are the foundation of any successful program and I feel like it has been a neglected area for a long time,” stated Cotner. “I want the middle school coaches and players to feel like they’re an active part of our high school team.

“With that being said, the current group of girls we have is a special group, who has the potential to reach new heights for Sisters Girls Basketball,” added Cotner. “The team talks about hanging the first ever girls basketball district champion banner on the wall and have identified this as their team goal for next year. I absolutely believe they have the ability and desire to reach this goal.”

Cotner also shared his personal goals for the team.

“I want the team to continue to be hungry for improvement throughout the season, to still be excited

about basketball when the season ends, to hold each other accountable to maintain team culture, to play for each other and strive to help teammates reach their own personal goals, to celebrate others’ successes, and be there for each other when we fail,” said Cotner. “I want them to want to ooze EGB’s [energy generating behaviors] during games, whether we are winning or losing. If we can consistently do these things, we will be well on our way to achieving our team goal.”

Cotner shared with The Nugget that the beauty of what the current girls have been taught up to this point is how to play fast and free, and they can score points.

“We just need to learn how to prevent the other team from scoring more,” said Cotner. “I hope to bring some more situational structure in late game situations, on-court communication, defensive intensity, and mental/physical toughness. These are things we can control regardless of our skill level. I want the gym to know that we are playing defense, and I want other teams to fear having to play us. We have a really nice group of girls, and my hope is that I can teach them how to play with a fearless intensity. This is something that will be drilled and focused on daily.”

Recently, the girls attended a team retreat in Maupin. The goal was to get away at the beginning of the summer season and focus on team building, culture,

…the current group of girls we have is a special group, who has the potential to reach new heights for Sisters Girls Basketball. — Coach Kevin Cotner

and basketball with limited distractions.

“We have a lot of changes we want to make and a lot of habits to instill going into next season,” said Cotner. “The Maupin retreat was a perfect opportunity to jumpstart this while also giving this group a chance to build chemistry. Creating our team culture, and establishing

what we stand for (team identity) are top priorities for us and something we will continue to build and focus on throughout the summer and into next year.”

Cotner is working to create a strong off-season skill development program where girls are excited about honing their craft and improving their basketball skills.

“These girls will have opportunities all summer and fall to work with me in groups of two,” said Cotner. “Players are built in the offseason, and I am excited to see who is willing to put in the sweat equity to become the best version of themselves.

“It’s good to be back,” said Cotner. “Go Outlaws!”

Coach Kevin Cotner. PHOTO PROVIDED

PARADE: Saturday morning event draws thousands Continued from page 3

deal to close a U.S. Highway, even for one hour, so you can’t be late.

“The whole thing is seamless, you don’t even know everything switched,” said Brianna Fairchild from Powell Butte. “One minute cars and trucks are rolling past me as I sit on the curb, trying to keep my kids from running into traffic, and then I look up and there’s the color guard.”

“Who’s in charge of the weather?” asked Pete Caskill from Redmond. “The mayor? Whoever it is, give ‘em a raise.” He, like the entirety of spectators, could not be happier with the morning: not a cloud in the sky, an ever-so-slight breeze and a temperature that barely broke 70 degrees.

Many donned light jackets or fleece. And a good three-quarters of the crowd were outfitted in western wear. The town’s deep roots were on full display with cowboy hats and boots.

Coffee and pastry merchants could not be happier as roughly half of the spectators held one or the other or both in their hands. Other shopkeepers told The Nugget that they expected strong sales throughout the day especially those who sold anything resembling a

souvenir.

While virtually all the entries are repeats, many for a dozen plus years, there was universal praise for the hard work and creativity on display.

With nearly 100 horses, many ridden by current or former rodeo queens from around the state, spectators were taken back in time and reminded of Sisters’ heritage as a farming and ranching community.

“I want to be a rodeo queen when I get bigger,” said Kaylee Dickens (age six) from Prineville. “I’m going to ride in the parade on a big horse,” she added much to the delight of those around her.

“I’d bet on it,” said Grandpa Ray, as he hoisted her on his shoulders for a better view.

The crowds, somewhere around 4,000 to 5,000, were often three and four deep on the sidewalk. Many sat in folding chairs or spread out in blankets. Reports circulated that not a camp or lawn chair was left to be purchased in Sisters.

“I’m in such trouble for being here,” said Emma Pelton (age 88) from Culver. “I was supposed to be at my friend Lucy’s birthday party in Klamath Falls, but how can I miss the rodeo parade? I’ve been coming since I don’t know how long. I sure hope she doesn’t find out.”

Eleanor Roberts (age 92) came from Alfalfa, escorted

by her son and daughter and a “passle of grandkids… too many to count,” she smiled.

“This parade is all they’ve talked about for a week.”

And so, it went. Families

and friends making the annual trek to the parade, swapping stories, reminiscing, getting caught up in each other’s lives and taking photos, many of which

were posted on social media before the parade had ended.

As gently as they came, as gently they dispersed – once again with their memory tanks filled.

The Sisters Rodeo Parade is almost as big an event for many folks as the Rodeo itself.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Dancers hoofed it down Cascade Avenue in the Sisters Rodeo Parade.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Sisters Rodeo Queen Megan Sinclair waves to the parade crowd.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

RODEO: Sisters show lived up to its big reputation

And so, it was across the board — big names turning in strong performances, and taking home big bucks. Those were the top scorers. Higher ranked cowboys and cowgirls were in town but weren’t in the big money.

Just how much money?

$251,230 was the total payoff, exceeding last year’s rodeo by nearly $30,000.

Attendance was a record, too, with all six performances sold out, including the Thursday night event added more or less last minute to meet demand.

“I can’t get enough of Sisters Rodeo,” said Willy Lawton of La Grande, Oregon, making his 14th trek. “You’ve got it all. Predictably good weather, big time cowboys, and a fun place to be. Sisters knows how to rodeo.”

There was big money coming from the stands too, as a stunning $61,150 was raised at auction to benefit the Sisters Rodeo Association’s scholarship program. Since 1992, the Association has granted hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to Sisters High School graduates.

In 2024 they expanded the number of scholarships offered and began accepting applications from high school students in Sisters, Prineville, Redmond, Madras and Bend-La Pine and from college freshmen who graduated from eligible high schools.

A total of 740 contestants entered the 85th Sisters Rodeo, a number that surprised Lilly Henry of Nampa, Idaho, who guessed the number at about 200.

“That’s a lot of cowboys,” she said. “But now that I think about it, of course, there’d be that many. It’s just non-stop, one after the other. I can hardly catch my breath from one dang good ride and then another chute would pop open.”

“I have to admit, we come

for the party,” said Trish Jordan and Kasey Naylor in unison. They’re part of a group of about 16 from Hood River who’ve made about a dozen Sisters rodeos.

“There just happens to be a rodeo thrown in,” they giggled.

They’d be joined by hundreds more who use the occasion of serious rodeo for serious good times.

“It’s pretty much nonstop fun,” explained Lacey Scranton, 23, from Portland, joined by five of her pals. “It’s a total change of scene from Portland.”

“And costume too,” her sidekick Lori Orloff added, as all six kicked up their new cowgirl boot heels and tipped their freshly bought western hats.

“We don’t know much about rodeo, but we know a good thing when we see it, and let’s just say it — those cowboys are yummy,” Orloff said.

“And everybody’s so amazingly nice to us,” said Scranton. “You don’t find this kind of vibe too often.”

The rodeo opened on Wednesday with Xtreme Bulls when Derek Kolbaba put on a show with an 86-point ride. Eight riders stayed on for at least eight seconds, the mandatory time needed to be in the running, an unusually high level of success against the fiercest, rankest bulls in the circuit.

“Last year the bulls virtually shut out the

cowboys,” recalled River Goodson from Tumwater, Washington. “It’s not that the bulls weren’t as good this year. The riders were just that awesome.”

Sisters Rodeo was named the top Xtreme Bulls rodeo for 2024 by riders.

Linda Goebel was in a group of about 20 from Black Butte Ranch, ages 60 to 86, who mark the annual occasion of Xtreme Bulls with a gourmet tailgate party.

“Getting dressed up like cowgirls and ogling the cowboys,” was Goebel’s partial explanation of their tradition that began with the second year of the always sold-out event.

Sisters Rodeo is a patriotic affair surrounded by pageantry and community spirit every bit the match for its top level athleticism. From reverence for the flag and the national anthem, along with an opening prayer before each performance, to the Kiwanis Buckaroo Pancake Breakfast serving around 1,000, to the Sunday morning Cowboy Church and the big downtown Saturday parade (see page 3), Sisters Rodeo is deeply woven into the community fabric.

As some 35,000 attendees packed the arena, merchants in town called it Cowboy Christmas — the day when many turn their first profit for the year. The economic impact to Sisters is critical to retail vitality.

Sisters Rodeo offers family fun to thousands.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Sisters Rodeo in all its glory.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

The action in the arena is fast...

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

... and furious.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

JJ Harrison is a Sisters Rodeo favorite.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Sisters Downtown Walking Tours are back!

ree Sisters Historical Societ y is happy to announce the return of these f ree, family-friendly, and docent-led tours. Set for 22, tickets are required and available exclusively on the Eventbrite website. Go to Eventbrite.com, for location choose “Sisters”, for event choose “ ree Sisters Historical Society ” Scroll down, and click on June 22 to view options for any of the other dates as well. Donations are always welcome. Learn about the histor y of the buildings , and the businesses and people that inhabited them.

Sisters Garden Club

Monthly Meeting

Sisters Garden Club invites the public to our monthly meeting on Saturday, June 21. Join us for a presentation by Mimi Schaefer with the Sisters Community Garden. She will speak about the benefits of community gardening. e meeting is at Sisters Community Church , 130 0 W. Mckenzie Hwy.. at 10 a.m., doors open at 9:30.

Free Lunches for Seniors

For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers

a f un, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunche s take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367

Volunteer at Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Help us build hope and homes in Sisters , connect with new people, make f riends, and make a di erence in our community Volunteer today! Learn more at sistershabit at.org/volunteer or call 541-549-1193

Mobile Employment Resource Van (MERV) coming to Sisters COIC - WorkSource Oregon is providing job and career ser vices in Sisters to any job-seeking individual (help with a résumé, interview skills , connecting with employers). e MERV will be stationed at Sisters Park s & Recreation District Community Center parking lot, 611 E Cascade Ave., June 24, and July 2. Info: contact Matt Olsen, mobile employment counselor, molsen@coic.org.

Living Well With Dementia Sisters Suppor t Groups

Living Well now o ers t wo support groups . A support group for the care partners and f amily of those diagnosed with some form of dementia meet s on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month f rom 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sisters Library Communit y Room. A support group for the person diagnosed with some form of dementia in the early stages meets the same days and times , also at Sisters Librar y. Info: 541-588-0547.

2025 Lec ture SeriesCare & Stewardship: rough Action and Art

Join us on ursday, June 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for the second lecture in our 2025 lecture series . We are excited to host Allison (Alli) French, of Talent Maker Cit y, and internationally acclaimed photographer, Nanc y Floyd, to discuss their diverse experiences in caretaking and stewardship; Alli, as a visionary educator, while Nanc y brings us closer to the natural world through the lens . is event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at roundhousefoundation.org/ events/. For more info call 5419 04- 070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org.Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture 684 67 ree Creek s Rd., Sisters

TSHS Introduces a Heritage Homes Tour!

On Saturday, June 21, ree Sisters Historical Societ y will host their inaugural walking tour of nine historic homes in the Village Green area . Your guides will share stories of the buildings’ histor y and their inhabitants f rom the 1910-1970 era, including a sheri , a doctor, forestr y workers , f armers , and loggers . Do you know what the Village Green was before becoming a park? is f ree tour will begin at 10 am, cover about a mile, and take about an hour. Families are welcome. Tickets are required and available on the Eventbrite website. Go to Eventbrite.com, for location choose “Sisters”, for event choose “ ree Sisters Historical Societ y ” and scroll down. If you have any questions , call Diane at 541- 610- 6323

Camp Polk Pioneer Cemeter y Tour e one-hour tour begins with a brief histor y and focuses on key ancestors who helped bridge pioneer travel bet ween the Willamet te Valley and Prineville, settling in the Sisters area . To join a tour go online to www Eventbrite.com, Camp Polk Cemeter y Tour, leave phone number in case of cancellatio n, ursdays , June 19, July 17, August 21, 10:30 a .m. Free.

Summer Solstice 1 Mile Walk & Resource Fair

Let’s Walk For Dementia Awareness! Join our easy, onemile community walk to raise awareness for dementia, and stay for a resource f air designed for all care partners , whether you’re supporting a person with dementia or any other illness . June 21, 8 to 11:30 a .m., Reed Stadium parking lot, 2155 McKinney Butte Rd., Sisters For more information go to LW WDS.com or call 541-588- 0547

Announce Celebrations! Sisters community birth, engagement, wedding , and milestone anniversar y notices run at no charge on this Announcements page.

Family Fun Bingo Night

Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Family Fun Bingo Night on Saturday, June 28. Participation supports the local communit y and is a f un way to get to know your neighbors and welcome Saturday night tourists!

New summer menu features Meal Deal options beginning at 5 p.m. Games begin at 5:30 p.m.

$20 packet includes three cards for each of 10 games and one additional card for the blackout game. Great Bingo prizes of cash and local merchant gift cards awarded at the end of each game. 50/50 Ra e option tickets

$2 each or 6 for $10 . is month the Ra e proceeds will be split half for the winner and half for Sisters Food Bank, ser ving the local community for 42 years! is is not your grandma’s Bingo! Fun for all ages! Locals and visitors welcome!

Weekly Food Pantry

Wellhouse Food Pantr y has a new name: CORE Market . It is still located at 222 N . Trinity Way in Sisters . Market hours are now Mondays , f rom 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-588-2332.

Free Weekly Meal Service

Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org

ChariTE A f undraiser for Hope Africa International Suttle Tea is hosting a ChariTE A fundraiser Friday, June 20 , 1 to 5 p.m. All proceeds will go to medical care for Ugandan children. Enjoy complimentary masala chai while learning about the lifesaving work happening in Uganda through local nonprofit Hope Africa International. Enter the ra e for a two-night stay at L ake Creek Lodge in Camp Sherman . New child sponsors will receive a $25 Suttle Tea gif t card . For more information or to donate or purchase ra e entries online: https://hopeaf ricakidsorg. reachapp.co/campaigns/suttletea-hope-africa-fundraiser

Summer Solstice Gathering & L abyrinth Walk

Join us to celebrate the change of seasons June 20 at 7 p.m. Wear white or bright colors — it’s a festive occasion! Bring a drum, flute, or bell if you like. Water bottle & sun hat recommended. Free of charge; donations welcome.

Sisters Community L abyrinth, intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 242, with drivew ay on Hood Ave. More info: sisterscommunitylabyrinth.org.

Community Grants

Prog ram Accepting Applications e Cit y of Sisters is seeking to award grants to non-profit communit y groups and other entities that meet the grant criteria for the 2025/26 fiscal year. e cit y will award up to $30, 00 0 in grants for Sisters community project s. Interested organiz ations should submit a Communit y Grant application and letter of interest by July 31, 2025 , attention Rebecca Green, Cit y Recorder. Applications are available on our website: https://w ww ci.sisters .or.us/administration/ page/community-grants. For information contact Rebecca Green at 541-323-520 6 or recorder@ci.sisters.or.us.

Sisters Community Church VBS

“True North” is coming to Sisters Communit y Church , June 23–27, 2025 , 9 a .m. to Noon. VBS is f ree and open to the community. To register, go to sisterschurch.com/ events . For questions , contact Cindy, c vice@sisterschurch.com

Sisters Community Church is located at 130 0 W. McKenzie Hw y., Sisters; 5 41-549-1201.

Free Pet Food

Need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4 023 to schedule your pickup. Located at 412 E . Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get

Honey Bees & Brews

Plea se join us for our monthly social gathering at e Barn on ursday, June 26 at 5 p.m. All beekeepers and wanabees welcome. Contact Clyde for information at 458-206 -8470.

E

Meet Charlie, a kitten whose playful spirit will brighten up any home. He is a bundle of energy, always ready to pounce on a toy mouse or chase a rolling ball. Charlie’s sweet nature shines through in his gentle purrs and sof t nuz zles . He loves a good cuddle session and will happily curl up in your lap for a nap after a play session. Charlie’s energy and sweetness make him a joy to be around . He’s not just a pet, but a companion who will bring laughter, love, and joy into your life! e per fect addition to any f amily, Charlie is ready to find his forever home.

STUMPMUNK FARMS a seasonal flower farm

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Baha’i Faith

For information, devotions, study groups , etc., cont ac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching s.org

Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s 452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 541-977-5559; 10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting

e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

121 N Brook s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087

www.transfiguration-sisters.org

8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship

e Resting Place

meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us

5 p.m. Sunday Worship

Seventh-Day Adventist Church 541-815-98 48

11 a .m. S aturday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N . Fir Street • 541-549-5831

www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Church of the N az arene 67130 Har ring ton Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960 www.sistersna z.org • info@sistersnaz .org

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)

130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com

7:30 a .m. Daybreak Ser vice • 9:30 a .m. Sunday Worship

St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h 123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391

5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a .m. Sunday Mass 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a .m. Tuesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Churc h 442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a .m. Sunday Worship

POLICY: Nonprofits, schools , churches , birth, engagement, wedding , and anniversar y notices may run at no charge.

TOURNMENT: Field included past champions

Continued from page 1

G&CC) and amateur Sam Varon (TaylorMade Golf). They posted an impressive 35-under-par 253 to win the team competition by six strokes.

In the Four-Ball division, the team of PGA Professional Alexander Mroz and amateur Jay Harrison (Inglewood GC) emerged victorious using a USGA tiebreaker, carding a 15-under-par score over two days. Finishing second was the pairing of Jamie Hall and William Hall.

The field included a few past champions.

“Conditions were mostly good,” said Aspen Lakes pro, Jonathan Hovanec. “Wind came up in the afternoon, making it a bit more challenging, but everybody had to play it. Every golfer had a morning and afternoon round.”

Other players told The Nugget that the greens were in great shape, but the fairways were a mixed bag.

Originating in 1905, the Oregon Open is one of the oldest championships in American golf. In its inaugural year, George Smith, a Scottish pro from Oakland, CA, claimed victory at Waverley Country Club with a then-course record 74 on fairways still grazed by sheep.

Since then, the event has hosted legends like Tommy Armour, Horton Smith, Chuck Congdon, Bob Duden, Bill Eggers, Jerry Mowlds, Pat Fitzsimons, Rick Acton, Peter Jacobsen, Jeff Coston, and Mike Davis. The current scoring record stands at 198, set by Brian Nosler in 2009 at Brasada Canyons.

Aspen Lakes Golf Course is a Sisters landmark. In 1988 the Cyrus family acquired a 1,084acre parcel adjacent to their family farm. The first nine Aspen Lake golf holes were constructed in 1996 under the watchful eye of worldclass golf course architect William Overdorf, with the second nine holes opening in 1999.

“Immaculately maintained bent grass fairways and multiple tees combined with red sand bunkers create a playing experience unique to Aspen Lakes GC,” says Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA. “The signature red sand for the bunkers occurs naturally and originated on the Cyrus property. The deep red sand creates a visual delight as it contrasts with the green grass, blue skies, and white, snow-covered mountains that are the Aspen Lakes Golf Course signature.”

SISTERS-AREA Events & Enter tainment

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 18

The Barn Live Music: Color Study 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.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 • JUNE 19

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Kate Hamberger presents "Dances With Fire: Lessons in Life, Faith & Firefighting," 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

The Barn Live Music: In the Rounds 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, Lecture: "Care & Stewardship: Through Action and Art" with Nancy Floyd and Allison French. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration and info: www.roundhousefoundation.org/events/. Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Klassixs Ayreband 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Sisters Depot Live Music: Open Mic Music lovers can enjoy a variety of local talent, 6 to 8 p.m. Sign ups start at 5 :30 Upstairs at "Frankie's." Info: sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 For information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • JUNE 20

Sisters Coffee Co Live Music: Jacob & Amanda Wallace on the patio 3 to 5 p.m. Info: instagram.com/sisterscoffee/

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Heller

Highwater Band 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Toothpick Shaker

5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • JUNE 21

The Barn Live Music: Elijah McFarlane 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: John Hoover & The Mighty Quinns 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture

"Pack Basket Weaving Workshop" with Rose Holdorf

A two-day workshop June 21-22. Materials supplied. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $165 Registration: www.roundhousefoundation.org/events/.

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

SUNDAY • JUNE 22

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. Come to play Scrabble socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 25

Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $50 buy-in, freezeout.

The Barn Live Music: Two Trick Pony 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

THURSDAY • JUNE 26

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Kota Dosa 5 to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Gar y Lark presents "Coming Down the Mountain," poems 6:30 p.m. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 For information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

Luckey's Woodsman Trivia: Megan's Terrific Trivia 5:30 p.m. Info: luckeyswoodsman.com.

FRIDAY • JUNE 27

Village Green Park Big Ponderoo Community

Celebration Art activities for all ages 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free concert (no ticket required) 6 to 8:30 p.m. including The Wilder Flower with Outlaw Strings, Kota Dosa , and Yarn. Presented by SFF Presents. More information at www.bigponderoo.com.

Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. For additional information go to www.sistersarts.org.

FRIDAY • JUNE 27 (cont.)

Makin’ it Local “Big Ponderoo” Art Walk & Live Music Artist reception with Taylor Manoles 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy Oregon wine and beer sampling, gingersnap cookies, and live music by Stacie Lynn Johnson and Mystic Info: www.makinitlocal.com.

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Karissa & The Loose Screws 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Sisters Coffee Co. Live Music: Danilson Duo on the patio 3 to 5 p.m. Info: instagram.com/sisterscoffee/ Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

The Barn Live Music: Double Jump 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Live Music: Switchback 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

SATURDAY • JUNE 28

Village Green Park Big Ponderoo 12 to 11 p.m. Music festival featuring Americana, bluegrass, and alt-country presented by SFF Presents. Tickets at www.bigponderoo.com.

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Emily Stanton Jazz 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

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

The Belfr y Kota Dosa After Pa rty Jam

11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Kota Dosa is a cr eative collective with roots in New York, New Orleans, and Oregon, known for their eclectic sound that seamlessly blends blues, funk, psychedelic rock, and jazz. Tickets $10 at bendticket.com.

SUNDAY • JUNE 29

Village Green Park Big Ponderoo 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Music festival featuring Americana, bluegrass, and alt-country, presented by SFF Presents. Tickets at www.bigponderoo.com.

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: Crosscut 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. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

TUESDAY • JULY 1

Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Live Music: Bill Keale Hawaiian music, slack key guitar, pop, and folk. 6 to 8 p.m. Free admission. Info: www.sisterstaphousehotel.com.

WEDNESDAY • JULY 2

The Barn Live Music: Skillethead 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.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 • JULY 3

The Barn Live Music: In the Rounds 6 to 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage. Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 12th annual family-friendly trivia. Free 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up at 5:30 For information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • JULY 4

Village Green Park Sisters 4th Fest Second annual community festival presented by Rotary Club of Sisters and Citizens4Community. Pancake breakfast, car show, fun run, presentation of colors, mini-parade and music 7:30 a.m. to noon. Free For schedule, car show and run registration, and more information see www.sisters4thfest.com.

Sisters Coffee Co Live Music on the patio 3 to 5 p.m. Info: instagram.com/sisterscoffee/.

Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards Live Music: Summit Jazz Band 6 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets required: www faithhopeandcharityevents.com/event-center

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Music: Five Pint Mary 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Info: 541-549-2471

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

FRIDAY • JULY 11

Black Butte Ranch Art at the Ranch

3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Lodge event space. Featuring plein air painters, silent auction, and appetizers. Presented by Black Butte Ranch Art Guild. Purchase advance tickets, $20, by July 1 at bbr-or.com/aatr

City snapshot — youth engagement; taking care of business

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

On June 11, the second Sisters Civic Leadership Academy (SCLA) provided their recommendations for the City to increase youth and younger people engagement in local civics. In a sixweek duration, the cohort of a dozen individuals from the community, conducted research and created the final presentation (watch the first 30 minutes of video here, https://www.ci.sisters. or.us/media/30841). City Council appreciated SCLA’s recommendations and their insights into youth’s reticence to engage civically. Accolades came from all members of council to each of the cohorts. City council extended gratitude to Citizens for Community (C4C) and funding entities the Roundhouse Foundation and The Ford Family Foundation. The Assistant City Manager, Kerry Prosser had proudly presented the cohort and later noted the City hopes to have the third SCLA in 2026. C4C Director Kellen Klein concluded the presentation with gratitude gifts to each SCLA member.

City Council’s general

meeting included unanimous approvals of four businessas-usual resolutions (R):

• R 2025-05 continues the municipal volunteer worker’s compensation of $2,500 annually. Municipal volunteers include members of City Council, Planning Commission, Budget Committee, and three boards — Parks Advisory, Urban Forestry, and Public Works Advisory.

• R 2025-06 declares to the State of Oregon which municipal services the City of Sisters provides in order to qualify to receive Oregon State revenues.

• R 2025-07 declares to the state, the City of Sisters’ election to receive state revenues.

• R 2025-08 adopts the fiscal year 2025/26 budget, approves Deschutes County’s tax rate, and directs staff to file the budget with the county.

• City Council also unanimously approved to extend the five-year enterprise zone abatement for i3D Manufacturing, a Redmond company. The City of Sisters, Redmond, and Deschutes County comprise

the Greater Redmond Area Enterprise Zone (aka. Zone Sponsors). The firm i3D has used the Zone Sponsors’ program to abate property taxes since 2022. The manufacturing company has complied with the requirement to bring specified numbers of good paying jobs into the area. The company is growing and has a good “community partner” record.

The City of Sisters’ Urban Renewal Agency (URA) project fund needed $500,000. The Sisters’ URA debt service fund had sufficient amounts to cover the need. The URA debt service fund grows with revenues from tax increments and declines via debt payments. It does not loan. The URA projects fund finances capital projects and some city operations. To transfer amounts from the debt service fund to the projects fund, the City of Sisters’ general fund is used as a momentary lending and collecting go between. Per Oregon Regulatory Statutes 294.468, a resolution is required to permit a loan between funds. In one transaction and after two resolutions (one by City Council

and one by URA members), the URA projects fund will borrow $500,000 from Sisters’ general fund and the URA debt service fund will pay the debt to Sisters’ general fund for the same amount. No interest nor remaining debt is incurred. Resolution 2025-09 for this interfund transfer was unanimously approved by City Council relative the general fund.

• Republic Services presented their case for a rate increase of six percent. The City Councilors deliberated and concurred with city staff’s recommendation of an increase of 4.8 percent, to be adopted June 25 and effective July 1.

• Finance Director Joe O’Neill announced that the

City of Sisters has deeply appreciated the work of Associate Planner Emma Shoup not only for her contributions to the planning department but as an excellent ambassador representing the city to the public. Her last day is June 20 this year. The meeting of URA members (a separate role for Council) passed two resolutions. Resolution URA 2025-01 adopts their part of the fiscal year 2025/26 budget, makes appropriations, declares the tax increment, and the collection of the maximum division of tax. Resolution URA 202502 approves the indebtedness and debt payment of the $500,000 interfund transfer.

legislators think they know best how and where we can live in rural Oregon.

Take action now. Write, call, email our local representatives and tell them to release SB 83 from the rules committee, especially RepBenBowman@oregonlegislature. gov — head of the rules committee, and tell them to move that bill along before the end of this session.

Jayne Simmons

s s s

Enemy within

To the Editor:

Enough of this nonsense! There is no denying that the Enemy Within is the policy and actions of Trump’s MAGA cult.

Yes, both major parties lie and spin and deceive the voters to the extent that they are able. That is our political world.

But Trump is the only president we have had who wants to be an absolute monarch. He is thumbing his nose at the Constitution — which he swore to protect and uphold! — while dismantling our government infrastructure and ignoring our legal precedents.

It is pure fantasy and hypocrisy to claim he has saved us from a Marxist threat. The Enemy Within is actually in the White House!

Donald Harner

s s s

Evacuation plan

To the Editor:

We were notified yesterday from The Wasco County Emergency Services that

our place in Tooley Terrace was a total loss. Our subdivision was part of the Rowena Fire in The Dalles, Oregon. 49 homes as of today were lost. Of the 49 homes,s 22 were in our neighborhood, however the count continues.

Our friends and neighbors that were there received a knock on the door from the Wasco County Sheriff and had only 25 minutes to evacuate.

Please think about a plan and prepare as best you can for an evacuation in case of a wildfire.

Jeffrey Johnston & Carrie Buchanan

s s s

Dangerous intersection

To the Editor:

My porch swing faces the intersection of South Elm Street and West Jefferson Avenue. Last week, I witnessed a semi truck roll right through the stop sign. This is actually a frequent occurrence.

On Friday, I witnessed a large pickup truck drive through the stop sign and slam into a car with two young women in it. They were not physically injured but emotionally shaken and their car was totaled and had to be dragged out of the intersection by the Sheriff. A firefighter at the scene agreed with me that this is a dangerous intersection. A few seconds later that truck would have crashed into the driver instead of the front left tire.

We need a four-way stop at this increasingly busy intersection before someone gets hurt, or killed. All-way stop signs with red flashing lights please, just like at the intersection of Hood Avenue and Pine Street.

Karen O’Dougherty

A Marine Junior ROTC color guard showed the colors at Sisters Rodeo Parade on Saturday.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

jazz choir preceded remarks from Principal Stancliff, who reminded the class that he started right along with them four years ago, and learned that this was a group of students that worked to get things done, regardless of the challenges:

“From the beginning of our first year together, what I have appreciated about you is that you are doers,” he said. “I thank you for modeling what is such an important guiding principle of life; that when we resolve to pursue our goals and aspirations, we cannot wait for all the stars to align perfectly, we simply must act.”

Associated Student Government President Jack Turpen then stepped to the mic and urged fellow classmates to live in the moment.

He said, “We’ve been raised to always look ahead, to check the next box, glance at the calendar, plan the next step, but sometimes we get so caught up in what’s next that we overlook what’s right now.”

Turpen, who is wellknown for his leadership in developing the Outlaw Media program at Sisters High School, shared a signature video corresponding with his message.

Six members from the senior class, Bligh Morgan, Emma Sahlberg, Vix Trask, Keegan Kroytz, Micah Dachtler, and Josiah Mensing performed the song

“Starside” by Spacehog as a parting musical gift to their classmates.

Following a long-held tradition, seniors then rose from their seats and moved through the crowd giving roses to a special parent, guardian, or another significant person in their lives as the acknowledgment of the support and love they’ve received over the years.

Stancliff then returned to the stage to introduce salutatorian Kiara Martin along with the five valedictorians of the class, Faith Keeton, Emerson Backus, Shae Wyland, Holly Davis, and Cooper Merrill, four of whom spoke.

Keeton shared a sincere thank you to all the supporters of the class of 2025.

“It takes many hands to build someone up and I’m eternally grateful for each and every person here tonight who has helped make me who I am,” she said.

She proceeded to give a strong reminder to not take education for granted, saying “Access to education is a hard fight for many and no one can take away what you have just accomplished.”

Davis and Wyland, who are very close friends, put together a clever speech using one cliché after another in a humorous and heartfelt message.

Quoting from “High School Musical,” they shared, “We’re soaring, we’re flyin’, there’s not a star in heaven we can’t reach” and from “The Circle of Life from the Lion King” — “There’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done, ’til we find our place on the path unwinding – it’s the circle of life.”

They concluded with, “In all seriousness, these Disney cliches include some solid advice…they taught us how to dream boldly, love greatly, and live fully.”

Merrill acknowledged all the support he received from the schools and community over his thirteen years in the school district and explained that his natural curiosity was fostered all along the way. He alluded to his curiosity giving him a shock as a child when he decided to investigate what made Christmas lights glow.

“People say ‘curiosity killed the cat’, but they forget the rest of the proverb which says ‘but satisfaction brought it back.’ I became the person I am today because I was curious and the Sisters community fueled that. Whatever choices you make for the future, all I ask is that you keep being curious,” he concluded.

A video presentation showing snapshots of

graduates then and now, produced in large part by Susie Seaney, followed the speeches, filling the gymnasium with oohs and aahs, along with plenty of laughter. And finally, the moment everyone had waited for arrived with Principal Stancliff and Superintendent Curtiss Scholl presenting diplomas one by one to the cheers of classmates, families, and friends.

Brooklyn Cooper, senior class president, put the icing on the cake by instructing her classmates to move their tassels from right to left signifying the completion of high school. She then presented the graduating class of 2025 sending 100 mortarboards skyward.

Music collective hosts festival in Bend

High Desert Music Collective has received over 80 submissions to its digital compilation, High Desert Calling Vol. 2.

The compilation was released June 15 at https:// highdesertmusiccollective.bandcamp.com/ and Highdesertmusiccollective. com.

Wednesday, June 25, the collective will host an album release party festival at the Century Center in Bend, sponsored by GoodLife, Commonwealth Pub, Ale Apothecary, Luckey’s Woodsman, Oregon Euphorics, Play Society, Prost, Strange Drumming, and Lattitude 44. They are excited to celebrate the excellent original music featured on this collaboration.

There are many Sisters participants.

This is a free event from noon to 10:30 p.m. with four stages and 17 artists performing. There will be a kids drum circle and performance between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, contact Maggie Jackson at 541-306-0797.

SPRD brings back Family Movie Nights in June

All through summer, Sisters families can gather for movie night thanks to a partnership between Sisters Park and Recreation District and Sisters Movie House & Café.

On Wednesday evenings, June 25, July 9, July 30, August 13, and August 20, starting approximately at 6:45 p.m. families can view a newly released movie at a special, discounted rate. Seating is limited; tickets are available online at Sisters Movie House, or at the box office (https://www.sister smoviehouse.com/).

Your Story

moment, can have long-term consequences. These deeply ingrained patterns may persist into adulthood, becoming our default ways of coping—effective in some ways, but often limiting.

Common Adaptive Patterns

The available movie will be announced on the Monday before the show. SPRD notes that showtimes may vary slightly.

Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist

Adaptations, accountability & advocacy MATTERS

Human beings are born utterly helpless. Unlike many animals that are mobile and alert within minutes of birth, humans arrive without voluntary muscle control, with limited vision, unable to regulate body temperature, and entirely dependent on caregivers for survival. As such, nurturing and consistent parental support is essential.

From infancy, children begin to learn—sometimes consciously, often subconsciously—how conditional or unconditional that support may be. Through testing behaviors, communication styles, and attachments, they formulate strategies that best meet their needs. When care is inconsistent, conditional, or harmful, children often develop coping mechanisms and survival strategies that, while adaptive in the

Flying solo: Some children grow up in family systems with limited time, resources, or appreciation for emotional inquiry. This may be due to overt abuse or neglect, but can also occur in well-meaning families that prize independence and achievement over connection. In other cases, children may learn to minimize their needs to avoid burdening the system, eventually leading to hyper-individualism or self-suppression. While self-sufficiency is often celebrated in our culture, especially when tied to grit and gender roles, it can result in chronic loneliness and isolation.

Detachment: Detachment is a powerful, often subconscious response to trauma. Whether through substances, fantasy, apathy, or existentialism, detachment offers escape from overwhelming realities. While it can provide temporary relief or imagined safety, it also distances us from the present. In avoiding pain, we may also miss joy, intimacy, and connection. It’s important to ask: what are we protecting ourselves from—and what are we missing by doing so?

Always chasing praise: People-pleasers, perfectionists, and overachievers often feel like they’re running toward a finish line that keeps moving. The drive to gain approval and avoid disappointment is rooted in our evolutionary need for belonging. Some of us were raised in environments where praise was rare, tied to unattainable standards, or where love felt conditional. This can result in a desperate chase for external validation—to the point of selfsacrifice and martyrdom. While external success may follow, it can come at the cost of well-being.

Victimhood: The idea that we’re not responsible for what happened to us, but are responsible for how we respond, is more mainstream—and nuanced as we question how and when personal agency matched against circumstances begins. Nevertheless, most adults have been taught some version of emotional regulation and accountability. Still, our cultural climate often promotes blame, entitlement, and scapegoating. Recognizing the impact of our experiences is vital, but without also recognizing our own agency within these circumstances, we can shackle ourselves and impede growth. Starting with grace and accountability is not easy work. It can be uncomfortable departing from the familiar, but sometimes the

familiar is pretty uncomfortable too. As I’ve reflected on my own defaults and defensive patterns—what serves me and what doesn’t— I’ve come to appreciate the necessity of yes, accountability, but also grace. Grace for myself, for others, and for the ways intergenerational trauma gets encoded, tracing back to the womb. Alarm systems for danger and unmet needs are often passed down, and without awareness, become normalized. The path toward healing begins not with judgment, but with curiosity. With compassionate curiosity, we can start the process of stepping out of default mode and into a more empowered, intentional, and considerate existence.

Advocacy matters

Emotional wellness doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Mental health is deeply intertwined with systemic factors —policy, economics, and access. With onethird of American families living paycheck-to-paycheck, limited paid parental leave, housing insecurity, and rising food costs, many are simply surviving. These stressors fuel the very adaptations we might aim to unlearn. If we want true healing, we must address both individual and systemic health. Get educated. Get involved. Advocate. Healing ourselves must go hand-in-hand with advocating for the communities we’re part of.

Bill sets home ownership goals

By Mia Maldonado Oregon Capital Chronicle

Saying homeownership is crucial to building wealth and stability, Oregon lawmakers want more than 30,000 more Oregonians to own homes by 2030.

The Oregon Senate on Tuesday in a 23-6 vote passed House Bill 2698, which would create a state goal to increase homeownership rates to 65 percent by 2030 – followed by an additional 1.65 percent for the next five, 10 and 15 years. It also mandates the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department create a dashboard tracking progress on homeownership rates across the state that include race and ethnicity data.

That’s to ensure Oregon is working toward closing homeownership gaps between different racial and ethnicity groups, bill sponsor Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, said on the Senate floor. Census data analyzed by the Oregon Employment Department shows that while 67 percent of white Oregonians and 62 percent of Asian Oregonians own their homes, only 30 percent of Black Oregonians, 47 percent of Hispanic Oregonians and 51 percent of Native American Oregonians are homeowners.

Data shows 63.4 percent of Oregonians own their homes, and the state ranks 39th in the nation for homeownership, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Neighboring Washington, California and Nevada have lower rates, while Idaho is higher.

Decades of declining housing construction, a rising population and stagnant wages contributed to Oregon’s current housing crisis. Oregon has 242,000 low-income households, yet only 113,000 housing units are affordable and available to them, according to data from the housing and community services department.

“Homeownership is a priority for the majority of Oregonians,” Patterson said. “It’s a time-tested means of building generational wealth and promoting long term economic stability for Oregonians and the communities we share.”

While the bill doesn’t address all issues related to housing, she said setting goals is an important step to guide policy.

The bill already passed the House in a 42-8 vote.

Now that it’s passed both chambers, it is headed to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk where she can sign it into law, let it become law without her signature or veto it. It would take effect immediately.

‘We don’t have a supply’: Lawmakers say more needs to be done

While most senators supported the bill, some legislators raised concerns that the state of Oregon needs to prioritize policies to increase the state’s housing supply.

Oregon needs to build about 29,500 more homes each year, mostly in the Portland and Willamette Valley region, to meet the state’s housing demand.

“We can set goals, we can have dashboards… but until this state makes policy decisions to allow more supply, which means compromise with folks that don’t want to increase supply, then we are going to see this systemic problem continue,” said Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte.

Sen. Noah Robinson, R-Cave Junction, said he supports homeownership and wants to make progress toward increasing it. However, he said he doubts a dashboard and setting goals are the right way.

“I think we’re just going to spend a bunch of money publishing a tracker of where we’re hoping to go, and what we really need to do is change state laws and make it easy,” he said.

COACH: Open gym starts this week for Outlaws program

Continued from page 3

and remained in that position through the 2022-2023 season.

Callegan became a volleyball referee the 2023-2024 season, and in addition to being a volleyball ref she also was a football referee. (She actually was the lone girl on the Pilot Butte middle school football team.) While she was a ref, she also coached the 15-year-old travel team for COVC (Central Oregon Volleyball Club). The team travelled around the northwest and did very well. They started the season ranked 163rd and finished significantly higher.

She told The Nugget she’s always wanted to be in charge of a program, and learned ofseveral head coaching opportunities that were open in Central Oregon. Callegan applied for the Sisters position, interviewed a week later, and was hired the following day.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to take over a program, and as a previous player and past coach I’ve looked up to Rory’s program (Rory Rush — former SHS volleyball coach),” said Callegan. “She’s been so successful and has stayed relevant as volleyball has changed over the years.

“After I got the job I immediately texted her (Rush) and told her I’d accepted the position,” added Callegan. “I told her that I’d always looked up to her program and the legacy she’d

created at Sisters. I also told her I respected everything she’d established for the Sisters volleyball program, and told her I plan to continue to honor and respect her name and legacy as I continue with the program.”

Callegan told The Nugget that she devotes all her time to volleyball, and that she eats, sleeps, and breathes it. Her coaching philosophy is structure, and discipline, incorporated with fun. She stated that those things will make any player or program successful.

When matches begin she shared that she wants the girls to have fun, but to know they are there to win! As far as playing time goes, she noted that she’s really big on commitment, stats, film, and what the player will bring to the team.

Callegan said, “Sisters volleyball is known throughout the state as desired and respected and it’s an honor to take over the program. I believe strongly in my coaching and abilities, and believe I can coach/teach any player to be great and also be a good human.”

She plans to develop the volleyball program, starting with coordinating with the middle school and having the high school players

run a practice. Next year she already has plans for a kids camp, that will be for first graders through middle school.

Callegan is not wasting any time getting started this year. Open gym began Tuesday, June 17, and summer workouts start June 23.

“What I love about this time is that it allows all levels to create a relationship with each other, because you don’t get that during the season,” said Callegan.

Joining Callegan on the coaching staff is Mailee Utu. Utu has been a volleyball referee and coached for COVC for the past several years.

Dave and Janette Hess took their Nugget to beautiful Maui!

This photo was taken as they watched the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala (elevation approximately 10,000 feet!) on May 13 at about 5:40 a.m

Mahryahna Callegan will lead the Outlaws volleyball program next year.

PHOTO BY RONGI YOST

recession, pandemic, and inflation. Lack of affordable housing to rent or purchase, is a national (down to local) concern. Legislators, commissioners, and councilors for states, counties, and cities have been working with various nonprofits and federal to local agencies to create alternative programs to make home ownership more attainable. These recently developed solutions have some common aspects.

• An entity or entities (developer, city, nonprofit organization (NPO), community land trust, land lease, etc.) will build or buy homes or units.

• All or a portion of the dwellings are designated to be affordable (could be implied through zoning or explicit in a defined program).

• The dwellings are sold under a declared calculation to reduce or cap the selling price below market rate.

• The dwellings are sold to qualified buyers having incomes at or below a certain percentage of a jurisdiction’s area median income (AMI).

• Funding could be available to cover all or a portion of the downpayment and maybe closing costs.

• At a resale of a dwelling and onward, the legal agreements assure the seller of the dwelling benefits from their principle paid and secures a percentage of the equity gained.

There are many varieties of such solutions referred to as Shared Equity Homeownership (SEH). Generally, the goals are to assure the property remains affordable through subsequent resales, that the initial investment in affordable housing is preserved, and therefore, a series of qualifying buyers can purchase homes and realize a growth in their wealth at point of sale. Obviously, wealth growth cannot be guaranteed any more than if one buys a home in the traditional way. Nonetheless, various SEH programs have been studied for fifteen years plus and have shown better rates in resisting foreclosure and in growing equity than for homes purchased the traditional way (this comparison and most of the foregoing was sourced at https:// www.jchs.harvard.edu/ sites/jchs.harvard.edu/files/ hbtl-03.pdf, copyright 2013 Jeffrey Lubell, J. D., August 2013).

Another variety of SEH solution is a deed restriction which can apply to dense

housing or multi-unit or single-family home developments. In a simplified example, the selling entity owns the dwellings (homes and/or units) and the land. The price of a dwelling is less because the land is not included. The restrictions within the deed, are similar to covenants and may include restrictions like the dwelling must be sold to a qualified buyer having an income at a specified percentage below the county AMI and a restriction which will assure the price of the home is below existing market rates through time. The new owner may see the value of their dwelling increase and in the future may choose to sell the property for a profit. The Deed Restriction continues with the dwelling through various owners.

Affordable generally means the month-to-month expense of the home purchased does not exceed one-third of the buyer’s monthly earnings. In 2024 Deschutes County AMI was $106,000 for a fourperson household (per Oregon Housing Community Services at https://www. oregon.gov). The household’s monthly earnings would be $8,850 and onethird of that is $2,950. Because most household incomes in Deschutes County are below the county’s AMI, the only way these income earners could build generational wealth is through creative solutions like the SEH programs offer.

Locally there are various nonprofits, agencies, and entities working to increase availability of affordable workforce and low-income housing. Rooted Homes, First Story, Thistle & Nest, Housing Works, and Habitat for Humanity are a few local examples. Approximately 75 of the affordable homes created by Sisters Habitat for Humanity (SHFH) are single family homes and townhouses. These had deed restrictions stipulating income qualifications of subsequent buyers through time. SHFH made the conversion from deed restriction to land lease in 2023.

The land which SHFH owns in Sisters off Adams Street is currently being developed to have 25 units in a combination of single homes, duplexes, and fourplexes. Nineteen of these units will have a leasehold interest in the land and offer purchase to households with incomes at or less than 80 percent of Deschutes County’s AMI. When one of these 19 units is initially sold, it has a 99-year leasehold requirement to remain affordable. At each future transfer of title, the 99-year start date is reset. Director of Sisters Habitat for Humanity Peter Hoover proudly stated that, “Granting agencies and community donors making an investment in the affordable housing of a land lease or land trust, means every dollar that is granted or donated receives a perpetual return on that investment.”

Summer art class is in session for Louisville Crumly.

PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER

Strength and ministry on Nicaragua mission

At the end of May, eight men from Level 5 CrossFit in Sisters flew down to Managua, Nicaragua, to cultivate relationships with locals and share the gospel. Over the past year, Ryan Hudson, owner of Level 5, brought to Sisters a curriculum from the international organization Get Strong Ministries. Throughout the week, men’s and women’s small groups meet in coffee shops and other facilities around Sisters for a weekly Bible study and a community Get Strong workout at Level 5 on Saturday mornings.

From three of these groups, eight traveled to Managua and Ocotal, Nicaragua, where Get Strong Ministries was founded 15 years ago by Scott Batson. Ages of the men on the trip ranged from 25 to 65 years old. While in Nicaragua, the group worked out at local CrossFit gyms, handed out care packages, and did house visits to locals, all while communicating through translators.

While eight went from Sisters, there were three additional people who came from other places such as Tennessee, Arkansas, and locals from Managua and Ocotal. Those from Sisters were: Ryan Hudson, McKibben Womack, Chris Johnson, Jarod Gatley, Alan Weible, Ernie Larrabee, Isaiah Rush, and Jacob Hollister.

NICARAGUA DAY 3: Alan Weible mid-forward lunge during Strong Saturday workout in Managua.

NICARAGUA DAY 1: Ernie Larrabee (left) and others praying over a local widow during home visits.

Story & photos by Jarod Gatley Correspondent

NICARAGUA DAY 6: Brothers, Jacob (left) and Cody (right) Hollister with local translator, Carmen (center).

NICARAGUA DAY 4:

Ryan Hudson (center) depicting the story of David and Goliath to kids during an outdoor church service.

Senate votes to outlaw rental discrimination

By Juia Shumway Oregon Capital Chronicle

Calling it a “moral imperative,” the Oregon Senate voted Monday to ban landlords from asking about or disclosing tenants’ immigration status.

Senate Bill 599 barring discrimination against immigrant tenants is a top priority for the Legislature’s 18-member BIPOC caucus and now heads to the state House for approval. It comes as Oregon strives to strengthen state laws protecting immigrants against a backdrop of threats from President Donald Trump’s administration, and as the state grapples with a housing crisis that has led to nearly 23,000 homeless Oregonians and many more struggling to afford rent or mortgage payments.

State law already prohibits housing discrimination based on national origin or race, and the bill’s supporters say it closes a gap by also prohibiting discrimination based on immigration status.

Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha and the bill’s chief sponsor, described it on the Senate floor Monday as a way to create a more just and inclusive Oregon while protecting vulnerable residents.

“Hardworking individuals in our communities who contribute immensely to Oregon’s economy have too often faced the sting of discrimination and exclusion,” Campos said. “They are our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They are people who deserve the security and safety that a home represents.”

Republican Sens. Dick Anderson of Lincoln City, Mike McLane of Powell Butte, Todd Nash of Enterprise, and Suzanne Weber of Tillamook joined 17 Democrats to pass the bill with no debate. It now heads to the Oregon House, where it’s also expected to pass.

State Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham and the BIPOC caucus’ co-chair, laid out his personal support for the bill during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month. Ruiz’s parents immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s and spent decades as farmworkers picking fruit in east Multnomah County.

“Growing up, I saw firsthand the barriers that stood in their way — the fear of not having a safe place to call home, the anxiety of not knowing if someone would turn us away because of where we came from or the

language we spoke,” Ruiz said. “That constant fear follows families like mine, not just for weeks or months, but for years, shaping the way we move through the world. No child should have to carry that weight.”

The bill would allow tenants to supply landlords with identification like a driver’s license or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead of a Social Security number or birth certificate. Landlords would still be allowed to ask about immigration status if required by a federal government program for affordable housing.

Portland passed a similar city ordinance in 2019, and at least four other states — Washington, California, Illinois, and New York — have similar laws on their books.

Cameron Herrington, representing the Oregon Housing Alliance, told lawmakers that while working on the Portland ordinance he gathered accounts from multiple tenants whose landlords threatened to call immigration enforcement in retaliation for tenants’ requests for accommodations or repairs. Sybill Hebb, director of legislative advocacy of the Oregon Law Center, said her organization has similar accounts from some of its clients.

“We have had anecdotal experiences where we’ve been working with clients who have expressed concern or fear about the idea,” Hebb said. “Mothers, fathers afraid of calling to request a repair to a stove or a bathroom fixture because of the fear of what might happen as a result. And in that situation, we couldn’t offer the specific, explicit protection that we would like to be able to do in helping them feel like they could, in fact, assert their rights as tenants.”

Lawmakers received twice as many comments supporting the bill as those opposing it. Opponent John Masterman, a Republican who narrowly lost two Clackamas County state House races in 2022 and 2024, said in written testimony that immigration status matters to landlords who want to make sure tenants follow rules.

“Someone in Oregon that has not entered the country in the proper, legal way, has already broken the law once,” Masterman wrote. “Respect for the rules has already been compromised. It’s not a stretch to be concerned about future issues with following the rules.”

Do you have a financial team working together on your behalf to help protect your financial future and legacy?

If you do not, that’s where Coordinated Financial Care could be right for you. We bring together financial planning, insurance, legal, tax, and wealth management into a strategic alliance designed to make financial decisions feel seamless for you. Your Coordinated Financial Care team is ready and available to you right here in Sisters, Oregon. As well as throughout central Oregon and the PNW. We can help minimize tax liability and guide your financial future.

You face complex financial decisions that demand comprehensive guidance. Yet too often, you’re forced to make these important decisions without the right team of professionals in your corner. Coordinated Financial Care (CFC) brings together specialists from different focus areas and takes an orchestrated approach to your financial well-being. Our CFC model makes us your last-stop shop.

Uniting our professional alliance relationships helps reduce fragmentation and improves communication between your professional advisors. But that’s not the only benefit. Better communication and collaboration improve the depth of your plan and can help create the outcomes you desire. Personalized strategies and coordinated planning help you attack your goals from all angles. Lastly, an enduring alliance provides continuity and efficiency to help save you time and money.

Meet your Coordinated Financial Care team:

We are excited to introduce Renata Garbowski, a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC to our Sisters, OR office to provide a collaborative approach for tax planning and wealth planning.

Renata is a first-generation Polish American who grew up riding horses, exploring the outdoors, and learning the value of hard work from an early age. Renata’s career began as a teacher in the chemistry classroom, but her passion for education and empowerment led her to financial advising— where she now helps individuals and families feel confident and in control of their financial futures.

Renata offers personalized, judgment-free financial planning with a focus on education, clarity, and long-term confidence. Whether it’s retirement planning, budgeting, or investment strategy, she collaborates closely with estate attorneys and CPAs to make sure each aspect of your financial life is aligned and working for you.

When Renata is not working, you’ll likely find her running, riding, biking, or skiing our beautiful trails—or reading up on tax code just for fun. She believes that no question is too small and it’s never too late to start. If you’re ready to feel empowered with a financial plan that truly reflects your goals, Renata would love to meet you.

Lance Brant, CPA and partner with Capstone Accounting and Tax located in Sisters, OR. After graduating from Oregon State University, he earned his CP in 1993 and initially started in audit and SEC companies, which gave him valuable exposure to large transactions and complex tax issues. Lance then transitioned his focus on small business taxation, personal planning, and transactional issues. Lance started his own firm in 2004 and has extensive experience in personal income tax and small business.

His off-the-job interests include being married to his college sweetheart and having two boys who are now in college and beyond. Lance feels his biggest strength is having life experiences that can help his clients with their decisions.

Lance has a passion for small business clients and commercial real estate and helping his clients succeed while collaborating with wealth advisors and estate attorneys to provide the most successful plan for his clients.

Your Coordinated Financial Care team looks forward to meeting you soon in order to help you protect your financial future. Contact us at 541.549.1237 to schedule your initial consultation today.

Coordinated Financial Care is a brand name used by AGP Wealth Advisors, Capstone Accounting and Tax, and eLegacy and is not a separate legal entity. eLegacy provides estate planning ser vices, Capstone Accounting and Tax provides accounting ser vices and AGP Wealth Advisors provides securities and advisor y ser vices. These entities have a professional alliance but are separate entities and not affiliated with each other Capstone Accounting and Tax and eLegacy have alliance with AGP Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisor y practice of Ameriprise Financial Ser vices, LLC (“AFS”) and refer potential clients who may benefit from Ameriprise Financial’s ser vices. These entities receive payment for referrals, which presents a conflict of interest. AGP Wealth Advisors offers products and ser vices that are appropriate for clients’ individual circumstances and objectives.

AFS, its affiliates and AGP Wealth Advisors are separate entities and are not affiliated with Capstone Accounting and Tax and eLegacy. However, Randall Linde, the Chief Executive Officer of AGP Wealth Advisor, has an ownership interest in eLegacy

AFS, its affiliates, employees and AGP Wealth Advisors, do not provide tax or legal advice.

AFS and AGP Wealth Advisors make no guarantee as to future results or that an individual’s investment objectives will be achieved. Client experiences may var y.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Investment advisor y products and ser vices are made available through Ameriprise Financial Ser vices, LLC, a registered investment adviser Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Ser vices, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. SIPC

Kicker funds for wildfire fighting?

By Alex Baumhardt Oregon Capital Chronicle

A late-in-the-session Hail Mary proposal to redirect the bulk of the state’s “kicker” tax rebate to fund statewide wildfire work would still kick some of the rebate back to most Oregonians.

Under a forthcoming amendment to Senate Bill 1177 — still a placeholder bill for some mechanism to fund wildfire prevention and response work in the state — Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, proposes the Legislature move $1 billion of the expected $1.64 billion state tax rebate to an interestbearing wildfire account.

“The notion of walking into every session with $100 to $150 million waiting for us for wildfire, is really attractive, as opposed to starting from scratch every two years,” Golden said.

The remaining nearly $650 million, he proposes be doled out to single Oregonians making less than $95,000 in pre-tax income and joint-tax-filing Oregonians making less than $190,000 in pre-tax income.

Golden is hoping the proposal represents a middle ground that can meet the state’s wildfire needs, appease Republicans who insist the kicker is not for the Legislature to spend, and placate Oregonians who’ve come to rely on the regular rebate. In recent years, the state has sent billions back to Oregon taxpayers every two years when it collects personal income taxes that exceed what budgets call for by at least 2 percent.

Redirecting the money would require a two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber, meaning at least two Senate Republicans and four House Republicans would need to approve along with all legislative Democrats.

But getting Republican support is easier said than done, and some are accusing House Democrats of delaying a vote to repeal the state’s unpopular Wildfire Hazard Map as a bargaining chip in negotiations over redirecting the kicker for wildfire funding.

“It’s sad to see a group of

representatives, so beholden to their liberal bosses committed to stealing our kicker, not care at all about the will of the people they represent,” state Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Reedsport, said in his May constituent newsletter.

Golden has said he does not agree with delaying a vote on the wildfire map.

Under his proposal, $1 billion from next year’s kicker would be put into an interest-bearing account that could, if earning 5% each year, send $100 million each biennium to the state for wildfire — covering about one-third of the total $300 million the state hopes to budget each biennium.

“The other options really have big problems,” Golden said.

Gov. Tina Kotek asked the Legislature for more than a year to come up with a reliable and consistent funding mechanism to support statewide wildfire work but has so far not received any proposals that come close to meeting her desired target of an additional $150 million per year.

She recently began signaling her support for using a portion of the kicker for wildfire funding, despite declining to consider it in the past. At a news conference Monday she said a one-time redirect of the bulk of the kicker to wildfire, coupled with targeting what’s left to middle- and low-income Oregonians making less than $250,000 a year was “a good thing to do” and that she was frustrated with legislators for taking so long to come up with a wildfire funding package.

“I’m going to continue to work with legislators. I’m looking for bipartisan solutions here. It would be a terrible thing to end this session without dedicated funding,” she said. “The bottom line is, I’m still working on it.”

Golden said the idea is long overdue.

“Its viability grows as other options fade, so I knew it was going to be a lategame discussion,” he said.

Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 courtesy https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/.

Makeup Event • June 30, 11–3 $50

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: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. VISA & MasterCard accepted. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application.

CATEGORIES:

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 Room for Rent

10’x12’ in 2,000 sf house

$800/mo. incl. utilities/internet. No pets/smoking.

Crossroads Loop | 321-252-8312

PONDEROSA PROPERTIES

–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002

Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com

Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Unique upstairs 3 bedroom, 2 bath with all appliances. Private entrance. Move-in special: 1st month free with 18-month lease. $2,600 monthly. — 541-549-0792 —

3 bedroom, 2 bath house with attached garage. Near old grade school. Refrigerator, stove/oven, washer/dryer, A/C. Fenced yard. Small pets allowed. Owner pays all utilities including internet.

$2,500 first/last month's rent plus $300 cleaning deposit ($500 with pets). No smoking. Call 541-639-2875.

104 Vacation Rentals

~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898

www.SistersVacation.com

Downtown Vacation Rentals

Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom

SistersVacationRentals.net

Great pricing. 503-730-0150

for puzzle on page 23

201 For Sale

Exercise bike: back rest, folds to 22"X19". Heated massage chair: reclines, folds to 12"X26". Marianne 541-904-4683

202 Firewood

• SPRING 2025 • NEW DISCOUNT PRICES SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS

DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

• SINCE 1976 • Fuel Reduction Forestry Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES

– 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509 541-699-7740

203 Recreation Equipment

Inflatable, frameless pontoon boat. Search Dave Scadden's 2025 Raptor Lite Speed X5. Hardly used, length 9', width 54", diameter 16", easy to put together, take apart and put in the back of a car. $650. Bob 541-401-0723

205 Garage & Estate Sales FIVE FAMILIES

June 19-21. 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

No early birds! 18130 Wanona Rd, Sisters – off Holmes Rd. Antiques, guns, fishing, camping, hunting, art, furniture, clothes, power tools, horse saddles & tack, 6 sections of 5' scaffolding (7' planks, wheels, etc.), 3 small pontoon boats, 16' Hobie Cat kayak w/sail, air comp., space heater, 20"x24' alum. walk board, 10" Makita miter saw w/laser + stand (new), chain saws, Columbia River anchor system, lg log tongs, 48" round saw blade, pure lead ingots, log bed, 12" hydro auger w/quick detach for J.D. tractor, custom juniper furniture & sculptures, '68 Aloha trailer (restored), fire truck - '81 Chevy w/450 gal. tank, 16-horse elec. start pump, railroad spikes, 11 HP-30" Poulan Pro snow blower, and much more!

HUGE GARAGE SALE

17011 Canyon Crest Dr, Sisters Fri. June 20 through Sun. June 22 Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806

Sharie 541-771-1150

Garage Sale? Yard Sale? Moving Sale?

Place your ad in The Nugget

301 Vehicles

We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com CLASSIC CAR STORAGE! Oversized, lights/power, $275/m • 541-419-2502

401 Horses

ORCHARD GRASS HAY ALFALFA

TRITICALE

New 2025 crop. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $240-$340/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

403 Pets

I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com Home of Brando's Natural Dog Biscuits • 541-306-7551 • Julie Caring, loving pet care in my home. Daily rates and in town. Cheryl 541-420-7875

SISTERS WHISKERS

Your purr-fect friend is waiting for you at our local nonprofit cat rescue! Apply to adopt at: sisterswhiskers.org

500 Services

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

• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279

I am Dan the Mobile Barber and I will come to you with 35 years experience barbering. I serve Sisters, Redmond, and Terrebonne. Give me a call at 541-233-6395.

I AM A CAREGIVER Looking for work in Sisters, Part-Time Please call Lynn 503-274-0214.

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475

CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS

Bend Window Works, LLC is offering a 10% discount on new window coverings. FREE in-home consultation. Same day in-home repair services available. New and repaired blinds make rentals look better! Contact us at 541-383-3455 or andy@bendblinds.com.

GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY

Member Better Business Bureau

•

sistershandyman@gmail.com CCB# 253556

Debris Chipping/Mastication • Forest Health Thinning

Land & Lot Clearing • 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 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

TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825

– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

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

601 Construction

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

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

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS

Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

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

INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES

www.teeharborconstruction.com

541-213-8736 • CCB#75388

602 Plumbing & Electric SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349

Residential and Commercial

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT

CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

Earthwood Timber

• Recycled fir and pine beams

• Mantels and accent timbers

• Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com

Custom Homes Additions - Remodels

Residential Building Projects

Becke William Pierce

CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com — Serving Sisters Since 2010 —

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

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

Walls Needing a Touchup?

Check the Classifieds!

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!

604 Heating & Cooling ACTION AIR

Heating & Cooling, LLC

Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587 — GEORGE’S — SEPTIC SERVICE 541-419-3148

A 63-year tradition for Sisters www.georges-septic-service.com

Ridgeline Electric, LLC

Serving all of Central Oregon

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821

Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Remodels • Generators • Hot tubs/Saunas monteselectric@hotmail.com

CCB#200030 • 541-480-9860

603 Excavation & Trucking

ROBINSON & OWEN

Heavy Construction, Inc.

All your excavation needs

*General excavation

*Site Preparation

*Sub-Divisions

*Road Building

*Sewer and Water Systems

*Underground Utilities

*Grading

*Sand-Gravel-Rock

Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #124327 541-549-1848

BANR Enterprises, LLC

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net

INFORMATION on LICENSING for

Construction Contractors

An active license means your contractor is bonded and insured. Additional details are online at the Oregon CCB site: www.oregon.gov/CCB

All Landscaping Services

Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

Eastern Cascade Solutions Landscaping & Construction www.easterncascadesolutions. com • 541-233-7195

LCB #9958 • CCB #222039

STEVE'S HAULING Yard and other debris, landscaping services, chain saw work, etc. 707-328-8370

Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345

Now Hiring Housekeeping Team Member

Join the crew at our cozy camp-style retreat nestled in the forest!

We're looking for friendly, dependable individuals to join our housekeeping team at Lake Creek Lodge. PT/FT. We offer flexible schedules & excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW FS Rd. 1419 Camp Sherman

999 Public Notice

Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464

PAINTING

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042

541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk Interior/Exterior Painting

Deck Refinishing Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327 peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491 ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com 606 Landscaping & Yard

– All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

Alpine Landscape Maintenance

An All-Electric Landscape Company. Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com

Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.

CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462

J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, thatching, aerating, irrigation, mowing. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com

701 Domestic Services

BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING!

Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051

802 Help Wanted

Part Time Sales Associate

We are looking for a friendly, reliable, team player who enjoys working with the public in a retail environment. You must be willing to work some weekend days. Applications available at Stitchin' Post, 311 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters or by email diane.j@stitchinpost.com. Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com

STORE CLERK - Must be able to lift 45 lbs. 18 years old +. Starting at $17/hr.

Work with Vacasa this summer in Sisters and Black Butte as a Piecework Housekeeper cleaning vacation homes. Employment dates 5/11-9/26. Piece rate pay ranging $40-$225 per unit with average $110 per unit. $22/hour for paid training, required meetings, and non-post reservation cleans. $1,000 sign-on bonus paid $500 after 30 days and $500 after 90 days of employment. Apply online at www.vacasa.com/careers.

Notice of Preliminary Determination for Water Right Transfer T-14524 T-14524 filed by Roland Johnson, PO Box E Enterprise, OR 97828, proposes additional points of diversion under Certificate 8433. The right allows the use of 0.59 cubic foot per second from Prairie Creek in Sec. 5, T2S, R45E, WM for irrigation and supplemental irrigation in Sects. 5 and 8, T2S, R45E, WM. The applicant proposes additional points of diversion in Sec. 5 and 8, T2S, R45E, WM. The Water Resources Department proposes to approve the transfer, based on the requirements of ORS Chapter 540 and OAR 690-380-5000. Any person may file, jointly or severally, a protest or standing statement within 30 days after the last date of newspaper publication of this notice, 06/25/2025. Call (503) 986-0935 to obtain additional information. If no protests are filed, the Department will issue a final order consistent with the preliminary determination. Council to consider proposed changes to the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget A proposed supplemental budget for the City of Sisters, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 will be considered at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Avenue, Sisters, Oregon as part of the City Council’s regular business on June 25, 2025 at 6:30. The proposed change to the budget is less than 10% of the affected fund. A copy of the supplemental budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after June 18, 2025 at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Avenue, Sisters, Oregon 97759 between 7:30a.m. and 4:30p.m. For questions contact Joseph O’Neill at joneill@ci.sisters.or.us 541-323-5222.

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 by noon, Mondays

Road workers urge passage of bill

By Mia Maldonado Oregon Capital Chronicle

Rural and urban transportation workers pleaded with the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee to pass a massive funding package that Democrats say would solve the Oregon Department of Transportation’s budget shortfalls and stabilize the state’s deteriorating road infrastructure.

In a hearing on House Bill 2025 Thursday evening — the last of four hearings for the much anticipated transportation package published Monday — workers shared stories about responding to floods, wildfires, fatal accidents, and suicide attempts without adequate resources.

“We are operating on a skeleton crew at best,” Bendbased transportation worker Justin Iverson told the committee. “We have been dwindling down over the last 10 years, to the point that we can barely maintain the roads now.”

During the wintertime, when ice and snow pile up on roads, Iverson said just four to five people cover a 300-mile area in Central Oregon.

“We are the first, and oftentimes the only, people to respond during the wintertime,” he told lawmakers. “The public relies on us to be there. We need to be there for them, so we ask that you fund this so that we can continue serving our communities.”

A vote has not yet been scheduled.

Money needed for basic maintenance, operations

House Bill 2025 would increase ODOT revenue by creating dozens of new

fees and taxes, including a 15-cent raise to the state gas tax over the next three years and almost tripling registration fees for passenger vehicles.

State officials estimate they need to raise $1.8 billion each year to pay for transportation services across the state. About $205 million of that is needed just to keep road maintenance funding at its current level. The transportation department said it will run out of money needed for state highway maintenance after mid-2025. Without an increase in funding for this work, ODOT would have to lay off up to 1,000 workers, The Oregonian reported.

Revenue from the bill would also fund infrastructure projects such as the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project in Portland’s Albina neighborhood, upgrading the Abernethy Bridge, and widening Interstate 205 in the Portland metro, improving the Newberg-Dundee bypass in Yamhill County, and upgrading a Salem bridge off Center Street and State Highway 22 to make it strong enough to endure earthquakes.

Oregonians from around the state, as well as city and county officials — including the mayors of Bend, Portland, Beaverton, and rural Oakridge and Toledo — also spoke in favor of the bill. However, Republican lawmakers and some Oregonians who testified against the bill said lowand middle-income drivers would bear the brunt of new taxes and transportation fee spikes.

Opposition concerned

about tax increases

Some drove hundreds of miles to give testimony Thursday, or tuned in virtually, to oppose the bill. They cited existing financial strain from inflation, high housing costs and rising utility bills.

Amy Reiner, a resident from Clackamas County, spoke in opposition to the bill, saying she believes the new taxes and fees would financially strain Oregon families — particularly lowand middle-income ones.

“People are already leaving Oregon,” she said. “We shouldn’t be creating policies that make Oregon harder to live in. We should be focused on making it affordable and inclusive.”

Greg Remensperger, the executive vice president of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association, opposed the transfer tax portion of the bill, or a tax on used and new sold cars. He said it would burden car purchasers already dealing with a car loan.

“Let’s be honest, a two percent transfer tax really needs to be termed what it is,” he told the committee. “It’s a sales tax. Oregon residents have fought down sales taxes on multiple occasions, and they will object to this too.”

SPRD removes trees at new community park

Fourteen trees fell last week on the land that is becoming Sisters Park and Recreation District’s new community park.

The tree felling sparked community concern. The Nugget reached out to SPRD Executive Director Jennifer Holland, who reported that the district is removing 14 trees and planting 36. According to Holland, the trees selected

for removal were identified to expand usable playfield space and/or because they were dead, diseased, or in poor health.

“A few junipers are being removed due to their high water consumption and maintenance concerns,” she noted. Holland noted that SPRD followed all City of Sisters guidelines, and the City signed off on the plan.

SUDOKU Level: Difficult Answer: Page 21

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.

SISTERS LOCATIONS:

• Angeline’s Baker y • Bedouin

•Best Western Ponderosa Lodge • Bi-Mart

• Black Butte Realty Group

• Cabin Creek Home & Style • Cascade Fitness

• Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s • Central Oregon Eyecare

•Chevron/McDonald’s • Countr y Coffee

• Dair y Queen • Dixie’s • Eurosports

• Fika Sisters Coffeehouse • First Interstate Bank

• FivePine Lodge • GrandStay Hotel & Suites

• Habitat Thrif t Store

•Hard Tails Outlaw Countr y Dive Bar & Grill

• High Camp Taphouse

• Hoyt’s Hardware & Building Supply

• Lef t Coast Lodge • Les Schwab Tire Center

• Luckey’s Woodsman • Makin’ it Local

• Martolli’s of Sisters • Mid Oregon Credit Union

• Oliver Lemon’s • Paulina Springs Books

• Philadelphia’s Steak & Hoagies • Pine Desert Dental

• Ponderosa Properties • Rancho Viejo

• Ray’s Food Place • Sinclair Gas Station

• Sisters Ace Hardware • Sisters Apothecar y

• Sisters Art Works • Sisters Athletic Club

• Sisters Baker y • Sisters Bunkhouse • Sisters City Hall

• Sisters Coffee Co.• Sisters Community Church

• Sisters Creekside Campg round

• Sisters Dino Market •Sisters Depot

• Sisters Elementar y School •Sisters Feed & Supply

• Sisters Galler y & Frame Shop • Sisters High School

• Sisters Inn & Suites • Sisters Librar y

• Sisters Liquor Store • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse

• Sisters Middle School • Sisters Moto

• Sisters Movie House & Café • Sisters Nails & Spa

• Sisters Post Off ice •Sisters Pumphouse & Countr y Store

• Sisters Ranger Station • Sisters Rental

• Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill

• Sisters School Administration Building

• Sisters Veterinar y Clinic • Ski Inn Taphouse & Motel

• Sno Cap Drive In• Space A ge F uel • Spoons Restaurant

• Sisters Park & Recreation District

• St. Charles Family Care • Stellar Realty Northwest

• Suttle Tea • Takoda’s Restaurant & Lounge

• The Barn in Sisters • The Galler y Restaurant

• The Gallimaufr y • The Lodge Retirement Community

• The Nugget Front Porch

• The Pony Express • The Slow Down State

• Three Creeks Brew Pub • Three Sisters Floral

• Western Title & Escrow Company • Your Store

BBR & CAMP SHERMAN:

• Black Butte Ranch General Store

• Black Butte Ranch Post Off ice

• Black Butte Ranch Welcome Center

• Camp Sherman Post Off ice

• Metolius River Lodges

REDMOND & TERREBONNE:

• Oliver Lemon’s Terrebonne • M&W Market

• The Ranch Market • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse

TUMALO:

• Pisano’s Pizza • Shell Station • T umalo Coffeehouse

• T umalo Farmstand • T umalo Feed Co.