The Nugget Newspaper

09/10/2025

🚒 Community Support for Local Fire Districts 🚒

A group of local activists, with support from Citizens4Community (C4C), has launched a campaign to help citizens provide long-term, high-value support to our local fire districts.

This program directs community donations to local fire district volunteer associations to help purchase vital — and very costly — firefighting equipment. It’s a way to “pay forward” the appreciation shown during the Flat Fire response by ensuring our local districts are prepared for the next emergency.

⚠️ Important Scam Alert ⚠️
Our neighbors at Bend Fire & Rescue have alerted the community about a scam involving individuals falsely claiming to be firefighters and soliciting donations over the phone. Please note:

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District will NOT call you to request donations.

This C4C-supported campaign will also never use phone solicitation.

If you would like to support the effort, please use the official links provided on the flyer below.

Together, we can make a real difference in protecting our community. ❤️🔥

09/09/2025

09/09/2025

Here's what happening in Sisters this week. For more events go to https://www.nuggetnews.com/page/community-events-calendar/110.html

09/09/2025

Sisters Country was peppered by lightning strikes Monday afternoon as a powerful cell moved across the area. One strike hit a tree near the Locust Street/Highway 20 Roundabout. Fire crews responded quickly and took the tree down.
Photo by Ceili Gatley

09/05/2025

Mark your calendars for Sisters First Fridays! Come downtown tonight 5-7 p.m. to enjoy our amazing community, while you run into friends & neighbors and support our small business community. (When this Nuggeteer took a walkabout today, I found smiles, familiar faces, informative shopkeepers, unique must-haves, and quality essentials everywhere I went.)

✨ 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧! ✨

Join us downtown Sisters for an evening of community, connection, and celebration. 🎶🛍️🍷

➡️ Stroll through your favorite shops (and discover new ones!)
➡️ Enjoy live music & pop-up performances
➡️ Sip, snack, and dine at local restaurants
➡️ Support the small businesses that make Sisters so special

📅 Upcoming Dates: September 5 | October 3 | November 7 | December 5

𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨. 💛

09/04/2025

A newspaper man at a newspaper office...

09/02/2025

Leanne Summers’ home on the rim at Whychus Canyon Estates was one of those saved in the fight against the Flat Fire. She offered some thoughts...
“There are a whole lot of us in need right now. In some cases, that need is readily recognizable – a home gone, a pet lost, a story with a jarring plot twist. I would guess, though, that whether or not you evacuated or watched the levels go from Level 1 to Level 2 to . . . rage, frustration, fear, and/or grief are part of your story. Those emotions are there, regardless of whether your expression is graceful or compassionate, helpful or harmful. I will be the last one who will tell your not to be rageful, not to look for the villain in our story, not to look for someone to blame. I will ask, though, that your use, equally and with whatever skill you possess, the other emotional tools you have available – compassion, kindness, empathy, patience, curiosity, reason, love.”

Rage was part of a discussion I had this Sunday morning – rage, frustration, grief, fear. Each are powerful enough to knock us and those about us flat; co-mingled, they can do lasting damage. In our culture, those of us of a certain age – say older than 10 – are rarely taught how to use these ...

09/02/2025

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources have demobilized from the Flat Fire. Cooperative firefighting efforts from structural, wildland, and air resources protected homes through extreme fire activity and critical weather conditions.

17 OSFM task forces and strike teams, made up of 261 firefighters from all over Oregon, responded to help local agencies protect the community. Their efforts, in conjunction with the progress by wildland firefighters, have helped mitigate the risk to structures and allowed residents to safely return to their homes.

Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) would like to extend our appreciation to the local communities and agencies for their incredible support and cooperation throughout this challenging time.

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 3 remains assigned to the Flat Fire, alongside wildland and local resources.

08/29/2025

For Immediate Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Release of Information on Flat Fire Investigation
Jefferson County, Oregon, August 28, 2025, The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is actively assisting state partners in the investigation of the Flat Fire, which began on the evening of August 21, 2025, near the intersection of Southwest Geneva Road and Southwest Jordan Road in Jefferson County.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. on August 21, deputies were dispatched to the report of a fire in the area. While responding, deputies observed a large plume of black smoke and immediately began evacuation efforts south of the fire’s origin point.
During the course of the incident, deputies contacted two individuals associated with the property where the fire is believed to have started. Those individuals provided statements regarding their activities earlier in the day. The following day, investigators with the Oregon Department of State Fire Marshal’s (ODSFM) and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) began formal interviews and scene investigation.
The property connected to the incident has been confirmed through Jefferson County records, and all witness statements and related evidence have been preserved for the ongoing investigation. Final investigative reports will be completed by ODSFM, OSP and ODF.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also wishes to address community speculation regarding the cause of the Flat Fire. At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication that this fire was caused by homeless individuals or transient encampments. The fire originated on private property and is being investigated in coordination with state fire investigators.
During an active investigation, it is important that specific information gathered is not disclosed to the public. This ensures that the process remains impartial and focused on facts rather than speculation. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office further cautions the public against spreading misinformation, rumors, or details not released by the OSP, ODSFM, or ODF.
Fire investigations take time because they involve careful science. Investigators study how the fire burned, the damage it caused, the weather, and other conditions to figure out where it started and what caused it. Since fire can destroy or change evidence, investigators must move slowly and carefully. These investigations are detailed and complex, and we ask the public to be patient while experts do their work.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is committed to supporting the fire investigation, ensuring all information is properly documented, and working closely with state and local partners. Any further questions and updates regarding this investigation will be directed to OSP, ODSFM, and ODF.
Respectfully
Jason Po***ck, Sheriff

Find it on our website at the link below:
https://www.jeffco.net/media/45916

08/29/2025