NEWS SUMMARY
November 2016

Health Department Newsletter Debuts with Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning

The Public Health Data Brief is a new quarterly newsletter published by the Benton County Health Department to help inform and improve the health of everyone who lives, works, learns and plays in Benton County. 

The series will cover a variety of public health topics affecting Benton County and the next issue will be distributed in February 2017.

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Full-time administrator hired to manage 10-year plan to address homelessness
Nov. 2, 2016

The Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC), a social services initiative jointly chaired by Benton County and the City of Corvallis, contracted with United Way of Benton & Lincoln counties to serve as the lead administrator. United Way hired Shawn Collins as the first full-time program manager for the HOAC. Collins began on November 1, 2016.



SW 53rd St. and West Hills Rd. Roundabout Receives Project of the Year Award 
Nov. 3, 2016

The Benton County Public Works SW 53rd St. and West Hills Rd. Roundabout project was awarded the Public Works Project of the Year for Transportation Projects less than $5 million by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association. Since the roundabout was completed, the average vehicle delay during peak flows was reduced to approximately nine seconds and there have been no severe accidents.



Commissioners proclaim Veteran's Day, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
Nov. 7, 2016

The Board announced that Nov. 2016 is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month in Benton County. The Board also declared Nov. 11 as Veteran's Day in Benton County.


Monroe Health Center receives award from Oregon Health Authority
Nov. 7, 2016

The Monroe Health Center, part of the Benton County Community Health Centers, received the 2016 Well Visit Excellence Award from the Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division's Adolescent and School Health Program.

The Monroe Health Center increased their well visits from 55% to 82% for clients aged 5-21 years old between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. This increase was the largest ever seen by the Monroe Health Center, plus is the highest rate of well visits at any certified Oregon School-Based Health Center.
 



Norris and Toyota of Corvallis Receive Benton County Environmental Awards
Nov. 9, 2016

Andrea Norris and Toyota of Corvallis received the Benton County Environmental Awards at the 4th annual Environmental Issues Advisory Committee public forum on October 27, 2016 at the Corvallis Public Library.  



Two Confirmed Cases of Meningococcal Disease at OSU
September 26, 2016

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal disease can lead to meningitis, which is infection of the lining along the brain and spinal cord. Two cases of meningococcal disease in Oregon State University were confirmed on Nov. 16 and 17, 2016.

Learn more


Courthouse holiday lights are "green"
Nov. 21, 2016

The county Courthouse holiday lights are going "green" this season with help from Pacific Power's Blue Sky renewable energy program customers.  By supporting renewable energy to match the electricity powering our lights, they are helping us reduce our carbon footprint equivalent to planting 11 trees.

Board advances formation and permanent tax rate for Extension Service District to May 2017 ballot
Nov. 22, 2016

The Benton County Board of Commissioners approved (3-0) the proposed formation and permanent tax rate for a Benton County Agricultural Extension Services County Service District at the November 22, 2016 board meeting. 

The proposed service area is all of Benton County, including all five incorporated cities in the County. Each of the five cities has adopted a resolution agreeing to be included within the proposed service district. 

The proposed service district with a tax base of $.08 per $1,000 of assessed value will be placed on the May 2017 primary election ballot. 


DA Office issues scam alert
Nov. 23, 2016

The District Attorney's office has received reports of individuals receiving phone calls from someone identifying themselves as Sergeant Kemp and/or Alex Kemp calling from the District Attorney's office and/or the Benton County Courthouse.