The county will host a community meeting and open house to engage the public about conceptual routes for the Corvallis-Albany multi-use path. The meeting is scheduled for Weds., Apr. 5, 2017 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Benton County Sunset Building, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR.
The community meeting and open house will begin with a presentation of the process undertaken by the Corvallis-Albany Bikeway Advisory Group to propose the conceptual routes. Individuals attending the community meeting will participate in an electronic "clicker poll" and vote for a conceptual route. Following the electronic poll, public comments will be heard for approximately 45 minutes. The event will end with another voting exercise where meeting attendees can place a green dot on the conceptual route they prefer, and a red dot on the conceptual route they dislike.
The conceptual routes and information from the advisory group can be viewed prior to the community meeting at
corvallisalbanybikeway.com
.
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Benton County and the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) have been recommended for funding from the Oregon Federal Lands Access Program to complete a planning study for future infrastructure improvements to the South Fork Alsea Byway Recreation Corridor.
Located in Southwest Benton County, around the communities of Alsea, Monroe, and Alpine, along the South Fork National Backcountry Byway, the Alsea Falls Recreational Area includes the Alsea Campground, the Fall Creek Mountain Biking Trail System, as well as a day use area, which serves a variety of trails, camping, river, and falls visitors.
The combination of recreationalists using the road to access recreation sites, road cyclists, logging trucks, and some commuter/box truck traffic from adjacent communities presents safety conflicts that are likely to grow with the increasing use of the recreation area and road.
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Hayden Covered Bridge weight limit raised to 12-tons
Mar. 7, 2017
The Benton County Board of Commissioners raised the weight limit on the Hayden Covered Bridge to 12-tons at the Mar. 7, 2017 board meeting. The bridge is now open to school buses and emergency vehicles.
The Hayden Covered Bridge, located off of Oregon Hwy 34, 1.8 miles East of Alsea, was restricted to a 3-ton weight limit on Sept. 7, 2016 due to structural damage. Repairs to preserve and strengthen the bridge were completed in Feb. 2017.
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Mass vaccination clinics a success, work continues with OSU meningococcal program
Mar. 13, 2017
Clinics at Oregon State University's Corvallis campus on March 8-9 vaccinated more than 1,800 students against type B meningococcal disease.
Officials say the clinics were a success, adding to about 650 vaccinations that had already been administered by OSU Student Health Services since last fall, and many more by local pharmacies and private physicians.
The mass vaccinations were necessary due to three cases of type B meningococcal disease involving OSU students within the past four months. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, those at highest risk include students age 25 and younger, who live in on-campus housing or are members of - or visit - fraternal living groups associated with the university.
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Online property search tool sees enhancements
Mar. 15, 2017
Website users can search for properties using a street address, property owner name, account number, tax lot data or sales data. The property detail
now features two additional web pages: Value History and Tax Information.
These enhancements to the web-based property search tool will help property owners understand the current and historical value of their property more easily, and how the Real Market Value of the property compares to the Maximum Assessed Value over time.
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Youth art contest held for state-wide problem gambling awareness calendar
Mar. 16, 2017
The Benton County Health Department collected submissions for the annual Problem Gambling Awareness Calendar art contest, which is designed as a creative way to raise awareness around problem gambling.
In Benton County, 2016 Student Wellness Survey data shows that 29% of 6th graders, 30% of 8th graders, and 31% of 11th graders report participating in gambling behavior in the past 30 days.
Research shows that the frequency of gambling activity among youth correlates with increased alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use, and can sometimes lead to developing serious gambling problems.
The art contest is also held in conjunction with Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March, which strives to increase public awareness of pathological gambling, ensure the widespread availability of treatment and resources for problem gamblers and their families, and to encourage research and programs for prevention and education.
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County to release 2017-19 biennium budget April 10
Mar. 22, 2017
The proposed Benton County budget for the 2017-19 biennium is scheduled to be released on April 10, and several Budget Committee meetings will follow as part of the process for adopting a financial plan for the period from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019.
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Benton County third in state health rankings
Mar. 29, 2017
According to the annual Oregon County Health Rankings released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, available at
www.countyhealthrankings.org
, Benton County ranks third in overall health outcomes and first in overall health factors. Washington and Clackamas Counties were ranked first and second for overall health outcomes, and Washington and Hood River Counties were ranked second and third for overall health factors.
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County commemorates National Public Health Week with annual awards event
Mar. 31, 2017
Benton County's annual Public Health Recognition and Awards Event commemorating National Public Health Week will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at the Sunset Building, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR.
Hosted by the Public Health Planning and Advisory Committee, the event begins at 5:45 p.m. with a welcoming reception and appetizers. The program and awards presentation will begin at 6:00pm and end at 7:30 p.m. Representatives from Benton County, various advisory committees and boards, and leadership from many of Benton County Health Department's community partners will be in attendance.
This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
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Sheriff's Office hosts annual Drug Take Back Event
Mar. 31, 2017
Mark your calendars for April 29, 2017 to safely dispose of your expired or unused medications. The Benton County Sheriff's Office is hosting the annual Drug Take Back Event from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis, OR.
The Drug Take Back Event is a one-day, drive-through event at the Benton County Fairgrounds in front of the Carriage House. Bring expired or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications and follow the signs to drive up and drop medications directly into the disposal box.
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