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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2018)
10 Wednesday, November 21, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon STA invites Ranger: Fire not shooting-related Sisters to “Toast the Trails” By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief The Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) invites the public to join in a “Toast the Trails” event at Cork Cellars Wine and Bistro on Tuesday, November 27, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. “This will be a fun oppor- tunity to socialize with fel- low trail lovers, all while supporting the organiza- tion that keeps your local trails in fantastic shape,” said STA Program Manager Kate Donovan. “Visit with us before heading over to the Science Club talk at the Belfry!” STA is a non-profit orga- nization whose mission is to connect people and com- munities to each other and their natural surroundings. The organization maintains the Peterson Ridge Trail system, produces a free trail map, hosts an annual speaker series, and advocates at the local, regional and national level for trail-users and trail- related issues. STA relies on memberships, donations and Toast the Trails fundraising events to support its work. Tickets for the event are $10 and include a glass of wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased at www.sisterstrails.org or at the door. Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid told The Nugget last week that an approximately half-acre fire in the vicinity of Zimmerman Butte on the evening of October 26 was apparently caused by some- one burning camp trash in a fire. The Nugget contacted Reid after receiving a letter to the editor concerning the blaze (see The Nugget, November 14, page 2). Letter-writer Stephen King expressed concern that the fire was caused by shooters using Tannerite, a commer- cially available compound that makes for an exploding or “reactive” target, initi- ated when struck by a bullet. Zimmerman Butte is a cinder pit on Forest Road 500 west of Sisters, a popular target shooting area, recommended for that use by the Forest Service. District Ranger Reid said that the fire was not actually in the shooting area at the cin- der pit but in the brush nearby. Breaking News PHOTO BY CEILI CORNELIUS Zimmerman Butte is a popular shooting area, recommended by the Forest Service because its high backstop enables safe shooting practices. The Forest Service closed the McKenzie Gravel Pit west of Crossroads to shoot- ing last June due to user con- flicts and safety concerns and has encouraged shooters to use four other sites in Sisters Country that are deemed “more suitable,” including Zimmerman Butte. Shooting is an allowed use in all areas of the National Forest, except where it is spe- cifically prohibited. Target shooters are urged The look and feel of true hand-forged ironwork is different... NuggetNews.com is your online source for He said that there was no sign that Tannerite was involved in the ignition of the blaze. Reid responded to the October 26 fire personally, along with several trucks from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire. Reid said there were no Forest Service resources available at the time because the agency had stood down as fire season was coming to an end. Reid said that shooting of Tannerite targets is prohibited in the area and that his agency responds to reports of its use. King acknowledged the revised information after being contacted by The Nugget. He expressed ongo- ing concern about the use of the site. “My point is simple, peo- ple have the right to shoot on forest land, but when it gets to larger use it needs to be man- aged,” he told The Nugget. “I spoke with Deschutes County and they said given usage profile, if it was under their jurisdiction it would require a gun-range permit. Many hours of noise on a daily basis is unacceptable.” “Your Local Welding Shop” CCB# 87640 ...than mass-produced, powder-coated or painted cast iron or fabricated steel. All our products are finished with a natural patina – age-old wax and oil finishes. to observe safe shooting practices. The primary consideration is to be sure of your target — and what lies behind it. A good backstop helps ensure that “stray” bullets or rico- chets don’t pose a danger to people hiking or riding in the forest. Most local shooters congregate at one of Sisters Country’s many gravel pits where piles of dirt and cinder, and tall slopes keep the activ- ity confined and safe. Dr. George Mecouch , D.O. Board Certifi ed Psychiatrist New to Sisters with 36 years experience. Jungian-Oriented Psychotherapy and Process-Oriented Therapy I take your needs seriously in a therapy practice that listens to mind, body, and soul. 541-904-4030 220 S. Ash St., Sisters DrGeorgeMecouch.com 541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Starts November 1 Need help enrolling or changing plans? Call our local COUNTRY Financial ® Representative, Linda Alldredge. Linda Alldredge, 541-549-6946 178 S. Elm St., Ste. 100, Sisters linda.alldredge@countryfi nancial.com countryfi nancial.com/linda.alldredge Health insurance policies are purchased through CC Services Inc., from a third party insurer not affi liated with COUNTRY Financial. Availability differs by state. 1018-001 Call 541-549-6946 t. n e tm in o p p a r u o y for E! Expert help is FRE
