County’s Developmental Disabilities program marks 55 Years, prepares for leadership change
Benton County’s Developmental Diversity program will celebrate its 55th anniversary with a free community event on Tuesday, county officials announced. The Aug. 25 gathering will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave., and will include light refreshments, cake, activities and an opportunity…
County creates chief of staff position, appoints Thwaits
Benton County has appointed Anne Thwaits to a newly created chief of staff position, County Administrator Rick Crager announced. The position replaces the former assistant county administrator role. County officials say the change is designed…
Benton County marks Overdose Awareness Month with trainings, vigils
Benton County Health Department will hold four free community events in August as part of Overdose Awareness Month, offering overdose recognition training, naloxone distribution and vigils to remember those who have died from overdose. The…
Sheriff’s Office Back to School Supply Drive underway
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s 17th annual Back to School Supply Drive is in progress through Aug. 26. For those interested in donating to the supply drive, backpacks have historically been a large need for students of low-income families returning…
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…
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 Bands, and attendance that fairgrounds…
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 Grange Hall. Lincoln County Commissioner…
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…
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