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