Benton Area Transit surveying rural residents on shuttle service needs
Benton Area Transit is asking rural Benton County residents to weigh in on their transportation needs as part of a study aimed at improving mobility and access to essential services. The study is funded through an Innovative Mobility Fund grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Benton Area Transit is…
Benton County Fair and Rodeo returns this week with four-day run
The Benton County Fair and Rodeo opens Wednesday and runs through Saturday at the Benton County Fairgrounds with a headliner lineup that includes Hunter Hayes and Jacquie Roar, a second year of Battle of the…
Shepherd brings town halls to Summit, Philomath on Saturday
Benton County Commissioner Gabe Shepherd will hold two town halls Saturday with stops in Summit and Philomath as part of an annual countywide tour. The Summit town hall is set for 11:30 a.m. at Summit…
Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo becomes first Pacific Northwest qualifier for national championship
What began as a local effort to create more opportunities for girls in rodeo has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier all-girls rodeos. This summer, the Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo reached another milestone. The Benton County…
Oregon CASA Network terminates Voices for Children contract
The nonprofit organization that advocates for children in Benton and Lincoln county courts has been terminated by the statewide board that oversees its work. Voices for Children is no longer authorized to operate as a court-appointed special advocate organization after…
Two Benton County bridges closed for at least a month after inspection
Two Benton County bridges are closed indefinitely after state inspectors found critical deficiencies during a routine inspection, the county announced Wednesday. The closures affect the pony steel truss bridge over Muddy Creek on McFarland Road, located approximately a half-mile north…
Bat tests positive for rabies in Benton County
A bat found on a Benton County property has tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed rabies case in a Benton County bat this year, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Benton County Health Department. The bat was…
County Commissioner Gabe Shepherd to host town hall at Philomath Museum in July
Benton County Commissioner Gabe Shepherd has announced a series of summer town halls throughout Benton County, including a stop in Philomath next month. The Philomath session is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. at Philomath Museum. The meeting…
Benton County student vaccination rates hit record low as exemptions climb
Benton County health officials are urging parents to review immunization data for their children’s schools after vaccination rates among students dropped to a new low and nonmedical exemptions reached a record high — a trend that mirrors what’s happening statewide.…
Benton County names Rick Crager as permanent county administrator
Rick Crager has been appointed as Benton County’s permanent county administrator, effective June 1, following three months in the acting and interim roles. The Benton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at its May 26 meeting to make the appointment,…
Election update: Philomath psilocybin ban falls behind for first time in latest ballot count
A proposed permanent ban on psilocybin-related businesses in Philomath fell behind for the first time in updated May 19 primary returns, with opponents now holding a narrow 15-vote edge as ballot counting continues. Measure 2-147, which would prohibit psilocybin-related businesses…
Hunter Hayes, Queen Nation to headline Benton County Fair
Country star Hunter Hayes and Queen tribute band Queen Nation will headline the main stage at the 2026 Benton County Fair and Rodeo, which runs July 29 through Aug. 1 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. All concerts on the main…
Election update: Just 7 votes separate Philomath’s psilocybin ban from defeat
A proposed psilocybin ban in Philomath led by just seven votes in updated May 19 returns, as the fire levy and annexations passed comfortably.
Philomath connections run deep at Crystal Lake Cemetery flag-placing event
CORVALLIS — Gathered on a pleasant Wednesday morning in Crystal Lake Cemetery around a monument that honors Union soldiers who served in the Civil War, a group of volunteers along with a few local dignitaries listened to a short presentation…
Wilson maintains slim lead over Malone; Philomath fire levy passes
Challenger John Wilson held a narrow lead over incumbent Pat Malone in the contested Democratic primary for Benton County commissioner, while Philomath voters were comfortably approving a five-year fire district operating levy, narrowly backing a psilocybin ban and approving all…
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