Benton County News
March 2019
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New County Commissioner Pat Malone looks ahead
County Commissioner Pat Malone was sworn into office on January 3, 2019. He’s settling in at the office, adjusting to the rigorous meeting schedule and learning the organization with help from county staff.
Malone brings a wealth of prior government experience, having served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including many with ties to his new role as commissioner.
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Restoration underway, more changes to come at Jackson-Frazier Wetland
Efforts to restore some of the rarest habitat in Benton County is underway at Jackson-Frazier Wetland. The wetland, located just Northeast of Corvallis, is a prized Benton County natural area for wildlife and rare/endangered plants.
The restoration project goals include enhancing natural wetland function by removing a berm, ruts and furrows gouged into the wetland during the 1980s, interrupting the natural flow of water.
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Benton Health Services leads in trauma-informed care training
There’s a new model in medicine recognizing the connection between traumatic experiences and negative health outcomes that’s changing how health services are provided.
Benton County Health Services positioned itself at the leading edge of this trend by training staff and others in the community about the impacts of trauma and how to improve outcomes for people who have experienced it.
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Last phase of Benton Health Center remodel underway
The final phase of construction on the north side of the Benton Health Center, located on 530 NW 27th Street, began in early 2019.
The next move of services occurs March 1-4, 2019.
The Benton Health Center
will be closed to the public on
Friday, March 1 and only the Pharmacy will be open to the public Monday, March 4.
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Fairgrounds Facilities Master Plan Presentation and Community Meeting on March 5
The Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds, located in Corvallis, is finalizing an update of the current facilities master plan.
The Master Plan Presentation and Community Meeting will be held in the Auditorium building at the Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.
The master plan includes a facilities plan that identifies new construction and needed improvements to existing buildings, and a comprehensive business plan that explores management options and provides an operational and maintenance budget, plus potential funding mechanisms.
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County Health Director Mitchell Anderson to retire April 1
Anderson has worked for Benton County since 1997, first as the deputy administrator in charge of mental health, addictions and developmental disabilities, and since 2008, as Health Department Director. In this role, he became a leading voice for the integration of health services in Oregon and beyond.
As he prepares for retirement
—April 1 is his last day
—Anderson is winding down his professional commitments, including service as board president of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Development Disability Directors. He’ll make one last trip to Washington, DC, to lobby for policy changes in March before stepping down.
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Save the Date: Let's Pull Together May 18!
Join in to reduce the impacts of invasive plants! Meet Benton Soil and Water Conservation District at any one of the Let’s Pull Together locations on Saturday May 18 to remove weeds. Our site coordinators and on-site noxious weed experts will assist you in identifying native plants and noxious weeds. The May 18 events, taking place during Oregon’s Invasive Weed Awareness Week, are hosted by members of the Benton County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA).
This year’s Let’s Pull Together locations are still being finalized and will be shared this spring ahead of the May 18 event. Let's Pull Together to remove weeds from the places we love!
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Winter Driving Tips from the Benton County Sheriff's Office
Driving under any conditions is a skill that requires your attention. But when the weather turns bad, it can be even more hazardous. Always remember to check road, weather and travel conditions before you leave. If the weather is bad, you may want to postpone travel.
- Avoid travel unless necessary when inclement winter weather is in your area.
- Before driving your vehicle, clean snow, ice or dirt from the windows, headlights, tail lights, backup camera and other sensors around the vehicle.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Slow down and leave early. Allow more travel time; expect delays.
- Increase distance between vehicles, it takes longer to stop on snow or ice.
- Use your headlights.
- Use caution on bridges and overpasses as they are susceptible to freezing before the roadway.
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Practice Winter Weather Driving
During the daylight, rehearse maneuvers slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot.
- Steer into a skid.
- Know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes vs. pump on non-antilock brakes.
- Know your vehicle's stopping distance on snow and ice. Practice stopping because distances are longer on water-covered snow and ice.
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