Reporter Tom Henderson and photojournalist Jessica Hume-Pantuso have been laid-off by the Corvallis Gazette-Times. The newspaper made no public announcement. But each of the journalists posted to social media over the weekend.
Henderson has had a storied career and is a longtime fixture in Oregon’s newspapering landscape. However, he was a fairly recent hire at the Gazette-Times, having served less than six months. Hume-Pantuso has worked in photography for almost twenty years, and had been at the Gazette-Times for two and a half years.
Here’s our analysis. This probably happened because Lee Enterprises, parent company to the Gazette-Times, is a potential takeover target for billionaire David Hoffmann. Lee has been reducing news staff at its newspapers nationwide this last month in an effort to cut costs. It is imaginable they’re contemplating the case they will need to make to their investors and shareholders.
Lee has similarly staved off takeover attempts in the past. Newsroom investment never really recovered after the Alden attempt years ago.
Lee Enterprises is the sixth largest newspaper chain nationwide. They claim 350 weekly and daily publications in 72 markets.
You Can Help Set School Budgets, Here’s How
The Corvallis School Board is seeking a few good Budget Committee volunteers, four of them to be specific.
The committee has fourteen equal members; seven are elected school board members, and then another seven are citizens appointed by the Board. Three of the vacancies are for full three-year terms. One of the vacancies is for a partial one-year term.
Folks on the committee are charged with reviewing the Superintendent’s proposed budget, listening to public comment regarding the budget, recommending changes, and approving the budget total and tax rates to be forwarded to the School Board for adoption.
Over the years, we’ve seen folks from this committee go on to serve on the School Board, either as elected members or appointees filling out a vacancy.
Qualifications
Applicants must live and be registered to vote in the District, and not be an officer, agent, or employee of the District. Positions are non-partisan, unpaid and not connected to any specific region within the district. Members with expired terms may request reappointment.
In accordance with a statewide rule, the District is seeking at least one member of the District Diversity Equity and Inclusion, or DEDI, Committee to serve on the Budget Committee and current DEDI committee members will be given priority during the appointment process.
“Representation of DEDI on the budget committee helps align the district’s equity lens with financial processes, increasing understanding of fiscal priorities and strengthening underrepresented voices. This ensures budgets reflect equity, offering greater accountability to students, families, and communities,” says a statement from the District.
Application deadlines, meeting date requirements
Interested individuals can submit an application online by the first review deadline, scheduled for October 31, 2025. Materials submitted will be public information (contact information removed). Positions will be open until filled by vote of the School Board.
Budget Committee meetings are held in the evening at a District facility. The current 2026 meeting schedule is:
- Thursday, April 23, 2026 – Committee Orientation
- Thursday, May 14, 2026 – Receive the Budget Message & Public Testimony
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – Deliberation & Approval
Questions may be directed to Kim Nelson, Budget Committee Secretary: kimberly.nelson@corvallis.k12.or.us or 541-757-5994.
Upcoming blood drives
As fall has officially begun, the American Red Cross is urging folks to mark the new season with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation to help keep the blood supply strong. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are needed now.
Make an appointment to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma by 19, 2025, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall.
Here’s a list of upcoming blood drives:
Corvallis
10/3/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Trimble, 345 SW Avery Ave
10/9/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., St Mary’s Catholic Church, 501 NW 25th St
10/10/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Coastal Farm & Ranch Corvallis, 400 NE Circle Blvd.
Philomath
10/14/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 2540 Applegate St.
By Hallie Greenberg
Correction and update: The original version of this story incorrectly reported Jessica Hume-Pantuso’s tenure at The Gazette-Times.
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