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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2018)
Foundation provides microscopes page 4 Swim team sends qualifiers to State page 5 Celefrate Valentine’s Day with your pet page 12 The Nugget Vol. XLI No. 7 P OSTAL CUSTOMER News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon www.NuggetNews.com Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Taking on wildfire planning in Sisters By Sue Stafford Correspondent The public is invited to a kickoff presentation on Tuesday, February 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Hall to learn how Sisters is working to address local wildfire chal- lenges in the city. Sisters is one of eight com- munities recently selected through a nationwide com- petitive process to participate in the 2017-18 Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) program. “Our CPAW team was highly impressed with your application, and we believe the opportunity to provide assistance is well-timed with your community’s goal,” said a November 2017 letter to Patrick Davenport, commu- nity development director, Correspondent In an effort to more clearly understand the many facets of the burgeoning marijuana industry, representatives of Sisters City government spent Monday, February 5, touring three facilities in Bend engaged in some phase of the business. City Councilors Chuck Ryan and Andrea Blum, City Manager Brant Kucera, and Community Development Director Patrick Davenport toured a production-licensed facility (cannabis farming), a laboratory-licensed busi- ness (cannabis testing), and a processing-licensed business (cannabis extracts, concen- trates, edibles, etc.). “We knew little about pro- duction, testing, and process- ing, so what better way to Inside... Sisters faces up to suicide risk By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent researchers, and wildfire-risk modeling specialists. At the kickoff meeting, When Jason Winebarger began telling his story to an audience of about 80 last Monday night, the lecture room at Sisters High School fell silent and remained so for the duration of his 26-minute talk, which chronicled the events surrounding his son Jacob’s suicide two years ago at age 12, in Bend. Winebarger’s main mes- sage to the parents in atten- dance: Talk to your kids directly about how they are doing. Ask them if they ever feel depressed. Ask them if See WILDFIRE on page 30 See SUICIDE RISK on page 25 PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS A Forest Service prescribed burn last week reminded Sisters that the fire season is looming on the horizon. The City of Sisters has received a planning grant to address wildfire-related issues. announcing Sisters’ selection. Over the course of 2018 the City of Sisters will receive full assistance in addressing how to reduce local wildfire Councilors tour cannafis facilities By Sue Stafford PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15 learn about these businesses than visiting them in person and discussing key aspects of the business with owner- ship,” said Mayor Ryan. “We all needed education and to see actual operations,” said Kucera. Davenport needed to see how the businesses would fit into current City ordinances and what might be needed to make it work. He was also interested in the impact of the facilities on City infrastruc- ture and utilities. All four City representa- tives concurred on the high level of education and profes- sionalism of the owners and employees and the quality of their facilities. “The people we met were well-educated, motivated small-business owners,” said See CANNABIS on page 28 risks through improved land- use planning. The CPAW team who will be working with local officials consists of land-use planners, foresters, Chamfer honors citizens, fusinesses By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief Local citizens and busi- nesses regularly step up in extraordinary ways to enhance the quality of life in Sisters. And each year, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce brings com- munity members together to honor those contributors. The Chamber hosted its annual awards ban- quet at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center on Thursday, February 8. President Chris Wilder honored Heartwarmers with the President’s Award. The organization, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, cre- ates fleece blankets, fleece and knitted hats, scarves, baby blankets, lap robes, capes, and ponchos for 26 Central Oregon agencies that provide assistance to children who are facing trau- matic experiences or difficult PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS The Sisters Area Chamber honored local business and citizens for their contributions to the local community. transitions. Founder Mary Tomjack accepted the award on behalf of the organization, which welcomes creators to help out with “scissors and a smile.” She thanked The Pony Express for their assistance with shipping and The Open Door for includ- ing Heartwarmers in their Dine For A Cause fundrais- ing events. Robyn Holdman returned See AWARDS on page 14 Letters/Weather ................ 2 Ofituaries ......................... 8 Movies & Entertainment ....11 Paw Prints ........................12 Classifieds ..................26-28 Meetings ........................... 3 Announcements ............... 10 Sisters Salutes .................11 Crossword ....................... 25 Real Estate .................29-32