Tag: BentonCountyNewsRelease

In a standout act last September, Facilities Maintenance Technician Matt Hertel demonstrated an unusual willingness to step up and help when traveling to work when he encountered a rollover accident. Without hesitation, Hertel ensured the safety of everyone involved until emergency crews arrived.

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A new art display “Sew Happy” has recently been installed at the Benton County Fairgrounds and Event Center’s Floral Courtyard. This completed art installation is a collaborative effort between local artist Kathy Jederlinich, the Benton County Cultural Coalition, the Benton County Fair Foundation, Benton County Fair Board and the Benton County Natural Areas and Parks Department (NAPE).

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The Benton County Public Podcast has released Episode 7, a special year-end and holiday edition embracing the spirit of the season. 

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Nov. 29, 2023

View photos of the Pastega Christmas Light Display.

Watch a video of the Pastega Christmas Light Display.

Benton County is bidding a heartfelt farewell to a beloved holiday tradition—the Pastega Christmas Light Display. This enchanting spectacle of twinkling lights and festive joy has been a cherished tradition since 1981.

Tomi Douglas, the Director of Benton County Natural Areas and Parks, took a moment to express gratitude for Ken Pastega and the dedicated volunteers who have tirelessly upheld this tradition. In a gesture of appreciation, Douglas presented Pastega with an honorary key to the fairgrounds, recognizing decades of effort from the Pastega family in making the holidays truly special in Benton County.

“The work that Ken and the team have done to keep this tradition alive throughout the years is amazing, and we know this won’t be the end of holiday traditions in Benton County,” Douglas said.

Douglas highlighted Benton County’s commitment to collaborating with the community to explore fresh ideas for holiday traditions at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

Ken Pastega, alongside Mike Strowbridge and Dana Strowbridge, has been at the helm of the drive-thru light display at the fairgrounds for a decade. At 77, Pastega genuinely expresses gratitude for the community’s support.

Beyond its visual charm, the Pastega Christmas Light Display has been a force for good. Always free for all, the event encourages visitors to donate canned food, resulting in an impressive 70,000 pounds or more of donations to local food pantries over the years.

“The enjoyment is seeing the kids go through and the adults saying I’ve gone through it every year,” said Pastega.

For now, the community still can revel in the magic of the Pastega Christmas Light Display at the Benton County Fairgrounds every night from 5 to 10 p.m. until December 31. It’s a final chance to bask in the warmth of this long-standing holiday tradition. 

“The Pastega Christmas Light Display has been a source of joy for the community, and we look forward to helping ensure new traditions will bring the magic of the season to Benton County for years to come,” Douglas concluded.                                         

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Nov. 28, 2023

Today, the Benton County Board of Commissioners announced a temporary pause of Disposal Site Advisory Committee (DSAC) activities after compelling testimony by the Community Development Director warning of significant challenges with the DSAC Board meetings including actions by some board members that block any substantial progress. 

The decision to pause was made by the Board of Commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting on November 28 so steps can be taken to overhaul the bylaws and the structure of the meetings to be constructive, transparent and inclusive of all Benton County community members.  

The Board said this decision underscores their steadfast commitment to ensuring a productive and safe committee environment, ultimately allowing DSAC to serve the Benton County community effectively.

During testimony, Benton County Community Development Department Director Darren Nichols expressed concerns that the committee has faced major obstacles preventing the Committee from fulfilling its mission which includes bullying, disinformation, threats of violence, and a lack of progress in committee work that has led to the recent resignations of five committee members.

Benton County Administrator Rachel McEneny has acknowledged these events within the committee and emphasized the importance of transparent and productive committees and public meetings. McEneny has conveyed the County’s commitment to addressing these issues during this pause. 

“The serious breakdown in the committee’s ability to communicate effectively necessitates this pause. We recognize the importance of committees and public meetings and will work diligently to ensure the committee can resume and fulfill its intended purpose as quickly as possible,” McEneny said.

During Nichols’ testimony, he also highlighted a growing list of potential partners willing to assist in addressing sustainable materials’ future in Benton County and Oregon. These partners include cities, counties, state agencies, academic and industry representatives, and community leaders committed to collaborative solutions for solid waste challenges. DSAC is tasked with implementing Oregon State law, long-range monitoring of the disposal site, providing a forum for resident comments and concerns, as well as preparing an annual written report.

View the printed testimony or watch the testimony from Nichols and the Board’s response, and forward it to 37 minutes and 8 seconds.

Learn more about the Benton County Disposal Site Advisory Committee (DSAC).

DSAC is required in statute by Oregon law.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

November 9, 2023

Watch the video – YouTube

View the photos – Flickr

Benton County has a long history of supporting its military Veterans. The tradition continues as the Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation recognizing Nov. 11 as Veterans Day and declaring November as Military Appreciation Month throughout Benton County. Commissioners Pat Malone, Xan Augerot, and Nancy Wyse personally thanked each of the Veterans in attendance at a gathering prior to the board’s Nov. 7 meeting at the Kalapuya Building.

“This is a great reminder of how important our service members and their families are to this community,” said Malone.

During the meeting, two local veterans, Retired Sgt. Major and Purple Heart Recipient Vinnie Jacques who served in the Oregon Army National Guard and Benton County Veteran Service Officer Mark Lapinskas, discussed how grateful they are for the resources provided to Benton County veterans.

“I am thankful to the community for how gracious so many people were to welcome our unit home on our return. Numerous individuals and organizations provided care and support,” said Jacques. “Veterans need a hand up, not a handout. They need resources,” he said, specifically mentioning his appreciation for the County’s backing of the Veterans Service Office.

Jacques credits the support received from the community for the success his unit’s Veterans have obtained. “From a small community, we have accomplished great things and continue to serve the region. This includes producing two doctors, four Oregon State Troopers, numerous police officers, four Sgt. Majors and several colonels.”

A resident of North Albany, Jacques served with the Oregon National Guard’s 2nd Battalion – 162nd Infantry Regiment based in Springfield. In the early 2000s, the battalion was deployed overseas and participated in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, and the Iraq War. For their heroic actions in the Battle Of Falluja, Jacques and his unit received a Presidential Citation. During the deployment, the unit sustained four killed and 25 recipients of the Purple Heart. Jacques was severely wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device.

After his recovery, Jacques became dedicated to serving his fellow National Guards personnel. He helped create the Oregon National Guard Veterans Transition Assistance Program, which works to ease veterans with their transition back to civilian life.

During the meeting, Jacques presented the County commissioners with the book, The Devil’s Sandbox, detailing the 2nd Battalion – 162nd Infantry Regiment’s call-up in the summer of 2003 to their return home in the spring of 2005. The book also provides an intimate look at the reality of National Guardsmen at war.

Lapinskas reminds Veterans and their families that the Veterans Service Office is here to ensure that you receive all the benefits you are eligible to receive. This includes assistance with submitting claims for compensation, pension, survivor’s benefits, and Veterans Affairs healthcare. The office is located at 1121 NW Ninth Street in Corvallis. Appointments may be made calling 541-368-7100 or emailing veterans@ocwcog.org.

Lapinskas praised the County’s Veterans. “You are an asset to the community,” he said, adding he also recognizes the support families of Veterans provide.

Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall acknowledged the contributions Veterans make to Benton County, pointing out that numerous County employees, including sheriff’s deputies, served in the military. “I am fortunate that we have a lot of folks in my division who are Veterans who have been in the grease and came out the other side. All I can say is, ‘Thank you.’”

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.