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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2017)
8 Wednesday, December 20, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Millions will take to the roads this week More than 107.4 million Americans (33 percent of the population) will travel for the Christmas and New Year holidays, according to pro- jections by the Automobile Association of America (AAA). This is the most on record and a 3.1 percent increase compared to last year. In Oregon, roughly 1.35 million will travel. This marks the ninth consecu- tive year of growth in travel for the year-end holidays. The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Saturday, December 23 through Monday, January 1, 2018. “We’ve seen travel vol- umes increase this year for every major travel holiday — Memorial Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving — and now we’re seeing the same growth for Christmas and New Year’s. The increase in holiday travel this year is being driven by the strong economy and growing con- sumer confidence,” said Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/ Idaho. The vast majority of trav- elers — 91 percent or 97.4 million people — will take a holiday road trip, an increase of 3 percent over last year. In Oregon, about 1.2 million will drive. Gas prices are about 15 to 40 cents a gallon more than a year ago and the most expensive pump prices for the year-end holidays since 2014. However, pump prices are still relatively low com- pared to 2010 through 2013 when gas prices averaged more than $3 a gallon. The most conges- tion is expected before the holiday week — on Wednesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 21 — in the late afternoon as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers. Drivers on some inter- states and highways could see travel times peak at three times a normal trip. The most congested times are expected to be Wednesday afternoon/ evening from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 3:30 to 7 p.m. “You can avoid the big- gest traffic bottlenecks if you can travel outside of these times. Consider leav- ing in the early morning hours or right after the morn- ing commute,” said Dodds. “Whenever you travel, expect lots of company due to the record number of trav- elers this year. Pack your patience and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.” Travelers should note that Highway 22 between Sisters and the Willamette Valley has been closed due to dam- age from a fuel tanker crash, which led to a fuel spill and a fire (see story, page 4). Consult ODOT Trip Check to get up-to-date informa- tion on road conditions and closures. Call Scouts for tree recycling Local Boy Scout troops will begin the collection and recycling of Christmas trees in the community the week- end of December 30-31 and will work again on January 7. The troops request a donation of at least $8 and will gladly accept any dona- tion over that amount. All the money raised from the boys’ efforts goes directly to the individual Scout troops. Donations fund local troop activities, community service projects and to replace worn out camping and other out- door gear that the boys use throughout the year. Individual troops will post door flyers specifying which days they will be picking up trees in your neighborhood. Have your tree cleaned of all decorations and place it by the street where it is easily visible to Scouts and drivers. Make your check out to Boy Scouts of America or as spec- ified on the door flyer within your area. Place donations in a plastic bag and secure it to the tree with a rubber band. The troops will be cruis- ing the area picking up trees starting about 9 a.m. If you did not receive a door flyer, wish to make other payment options, need special assistance with your tree or have general Our Promise to Our Community... …We’re here for you every day and after hours with medical care you can count on! fire danger and teaches orga- nizational skills and team building efforts to the Scouts involved at all levels of the project. “This is a boy-led and boy-managed program. We estimate that these boys recycle 7,500 trees each year. A big thank-you goes out to the communities who have made this event a big suc- cess and improved the lives of so many boys through scouting.” Let there be peace on earth. Let it begin with me. Dr. Bonnie Malone, Chiropractic Physician / 541-549-7141 Come celebrate t the h e so o u r ce o of f o our u r source FAITH Christmas Carol Ch C lW Worship h S Service Sunday, December 24 • 10 a.m. Our gift to you… Bring in this ad through January 2 for a FREE fl u shot! (While supplies last!) Walk-In & Urgent Care Serving our Sisters Community... O Open every day d except t Christmas C i t Ch 541-548-2899 | 3818 SW 21st Pl. Hwy. 126 to Redmond, two turns, and you’re there! (Near fairgrounds) YourCareMedical.com m questions, call and leave a message at 541-385-2640 for pickup in Sisters. “We see this as a win/ win situation for the commu- nity and for the local Scout troops,” said John Mason, tree recycling coordinator for Troop 25 of NW Bend. Mason pointed out that the recycling project provides a service to the community; reduces the incidents of dumped trees in building lots or on public lands; reduces Special Christmas choral music & Christmas carols Happy s! y Holida Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sunday, December 24 • 9 p.m. Christmas carols, Christmas story and message with candlelight All are welcome! Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 386 N. Fir St., Sisters • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com