BOGO Vouchers Available for Amtrak Cascades Line
Amtrak Cascades is offering a two-for-one Companion Fare promotion between now and April 22nd, 2020. The promotion is a “buy one, get one” for regular adult fares anywhere on the Amtrak Cascades line between Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia.

All required information is summarized on a voucher that is available through Benton County Rural/Special Transportation. Email Brad.Dillingham@corvallisoregon.gov or call 541-754-1748 to receive your Amtrak BOGO voucher, as well as an Amtrak travel planning brochure. Vouchers and trip planners will be sent out within one week, via postal mail Monday through Friday. Limited quantities are available and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn more
When planning your trip from Corvallis to and from the Albany Amtrak Station, consider using the Coast to Valley bus service. There are 4 round-trips 7 days a week, with Corvallis pick-ups at the Hilton Garden Inn and the Downtown Transit Center.

No service is available on Thanksgiving or Christmas. The fare between Corvallis and Albany is $2.00 each way. To view the schedule, please visit CoastToValley.org
Preparedness Gift List for the Holidays
Need a last minute gift idea for family or friends? This holiday, consider giving a gift of safety!

Here are some ideas:
  • A first aid kit.
  • An automobile safety kit including jumper cables, flares, fix-a-flat, and reflectors.
  • A quality fire extinguisher.
  • An LED flashlight and batteries, LED headlamp or light sticks.
  • Smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors and batteries.
  • Water filtration system.
  • Emergency shelter or shelter material.
  • Freeze-dried foods.
  • Gas and water shut off wrench.
  • Multi-tool or pocket knife.
  • A hand-cranked emergency radio.
  • A durable backpack and instructions on how to create a Go-Kit.


Holiday Safety Tips

Home Safety
Many people travel over the holidays. Make sure your home is prepared for you to be gone. Verify your pipes are insulated from the cold. With temperatures dropping pipes can freeze and burst. While they are frozen damage isn’t readily apparent, but as soon as the ice thaws you can have a huge mess.

Holiday travel
Holiday traveling means lots of driving for many people. Remember to check road conditions on TripCheck.com, and review these winter driving tips from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Make sure your car has been checked and is ready to travel wherever you may be planning to go. Especially check your tires, brakes and fluids to ensure optimal performance.

Decoration hazards
Make sure the electrical cords you’re using for decorations are weather proof, and in good repair. Remember if you run an extension cord through a window or door, it likely will not shut right—leaving your home open to the elements or breaking and entering. If you use a “live” tree make sure to keep it well watered; not only will it look better, it will be less susceptible to catching fire if your electrical decorations, have a short, or overheat.

Cooking hazards
Also, beware of cooking hazards. With so many yummy things to cook, make sure you are carefully following the manufacturer’s safety directions if you are using turkey cookers or outdoor cooking equipment. Always remember to have fire protection standing by if your device uses open flames of any kind.
Recycling During the Holidays

It’s that wonderful but very wasteful time of year again. Americans produce 25% more waste during this season, so recycling right is more important than ever. The video below has some great tips for recycling right during the holidays.
pioinfo@co.benton.or.us    //  541-766-6800 //   www.co.benton.or.us