Three Rivers School principal for the last 10 years, Gayle Vidal announces her retirement at the end of this school year
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Nature Center ............... 8 Calendar ..................... 13 SROA News ................. 22
Public Safety ............... 30 Classified .................... 38 Commentary ............... 39
Sunriver Police officers will be at Sunriver Brewing March 13 to raise funds for the upcoming Police Unity Tour bike team
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S U N R I V E R
S C E N E A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
MARCH • 2014
volume xxxix • Number 3
February flooding damages several Sunriver homes
By Brooke Snavely Approximately 40 homes in Sunriver were known to be impacted by floodwaters Feb. 12 through 14 when rain began to wash away a two-foot snowpack. Frozen ground underneath the snow did not allow the runoff to percolate into the region’s normally absorbent soil. Instead the water ran downhill into neighborhoods throughout Sunriver. Several areas not known for flooding were affected. Many homes had water against their foundations. Several homeowners reported water in crawl spaces under their homes. Damage to insulation, wiring and heating ducts was noted at some homes. A number of garages were flooded and some homes had water in living spaces. The Sunriver fire and police departments, which coordinated the emergency response, attempted to contact all owners of affected properties.
Day 1, Wednesday, Feb. 12 The first signs of trouble were reported around 4 p.m. Feb. 12. Homeowners along Timber and Juniper lanes reported water flowing into areas between their homes and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks. Upon arrival, responders found significant water flow from snow melting east of Sunriver in an open field south of Lake Penhollow. More than a foot of snow was still on the ground and melting. Coupled with rainfall, the runoff was flowing downhill and westward toward Sunriver where it pooled against the bed of the BNSF train tracks and began seeping through in two locations. When Sunriver Owners Association staff arrived to investigate, an approximately 150-foot long, 30-foot wide, several feet deep pool of water had formed behind homes on Timber Lane. The water was up against home Turn to Floods, page 20 SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XL • NUMBER 3 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
Lava Lands pathway construction begins; completion in August
event is open to individuals, families and teams. The Mudslinger starts and finishes in a meadow near HOLA! restaurant. A timed, competitive race will kick-off the event. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female competitive finishers. Non-competitive waves will follow in order to keep the focus on fun.
From Sunriver Scene news sources Crews were waiting on weather to begin clearing the way for a new multiuse path connecting Sunriver to the Benham East Day Use Area and Lava Lands Visitor Center. Construction was set to begin Feb. 10. Construction of the new path is a joint effort between the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the U.S. Forest Service to create a 5.5-mile paved, multi-use path between Sunriver, Benham East Day Use Area and Lava Butte. Funding for the $2.3 million dollar project comes from the Federal Public Lands Program and ODOT Rail Safety. The purpose of the path is to provide a safe, accessible way for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel between Sunriver, Benham East Day Use Area and Lava Butte. Officials say creating a nonhighway transportation link between the destinations is another important purpose. “We’re excited to partner with the U. S. Forest Service on this project since it provides a multi-modal option for
Turn to Mudslinger, page 3
Turn to Pathway, page 5
doug miller photo
Ready to get down and dirty? Have plans for spring break? How about bringing the family out for a chance to frolic in filth during the Sunriver Mudslinger mud run Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. The 1.5-mile course consists of a halfmile run, a scramble over and under obstacles, and multiple mud pits to run, crawl and jump through. The objective is to get dirty and have fun doing it. The
Church celebrates 40 years in Sunriver
Community Bible Church celebrated 40 years of ministry in Sunriver with a special service at the Great Hall in November.
From Scene news sources Community Bible Church celebrated 40 years of ministry in Sunriver with a special service in November in the Great Hall at Sunriver Resort. Senior pastor Glen Schaumloeffel opened the celebration by recognizing resort personnel who welcomed the church back to the building of its origin. The church began in December 1969 when employees of Sunriver Properties held the first service at Christmas. By 1970, this group arranged weekly nondenominational services and official plans were undertaken to organize and Turn to Church, page 3 PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213