Before we start with the upcoming events, let’s talk money. An updated SmartAsset annual study ranks Benton County as the ninth wealthiest in the state. To identify the places with the greatest amount of wealth, researchers compared all U.S. counties across three metrics: median income, investment income, and median home value.
Here in Benton County the medians were $76,011 in earned income and $49,600 for investment income. Median home value was calculated as $509,188.
Clackamas County ranked wealthiest in the state with medians of $100,360 for earned income and $54,723 for investment income. Median home value for Clackamas was $595,099.
Washington County ranked second wealthiest in the state, and Deschutes County third. Of the top ten wealthiest in the state, Hood River County’s median home value was the highest at $655,830 – their county ranked fourth in the state for overall wealth.
Future Public School Closures, May 28 Meeting Set
Talk of coming campus closures permeated the now concluded campaigns for School Board – but even before that, the district announced what they’re calling a Community Meeting: Long Range Facilities Planning – Data Review.
”The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee invites the community to a meeting focused on the future of Corvallis School District facilities. This meeting will provide an overview of key data informing the committee’s work in updating the district’s 2018 Long Range Facilities Plan,” says a release from the district.
The district says attendees will have the chance to discuss projected future student enrollment and existing school capacity – which is widely viewed as more than needed, given declining birth rates.
Officials are also saying the meeting is an opportunity for the community to submit questions the facilities committee can look into as they consider the district’s needs going into the future.
This meeting is set for 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Wednesday, May 28 at Linus Pauling Middle School, 1111 NW Cleveland Ave.
Corvallis Forest & Watershed Tour Set
Guided tours of the Corvallis Forest come along only once a year, and if you’re interested, you may want to book now, because space is limited.
“On Wednesday, June 18, the community is invited for a wonderful opportunity that only comes along once a year: a guided tour of the Corvallis Forest, located in the Rock Creek watershed on the lower slopes of Marys Peak. The Rock Creek watershed provides about 30 percent of the city’s drinking water via the Rock Creek Water Treatment Plant,” says a release from the City of Corvallis.
The Corvallis Forest is located about nine miles southwest of Corvallis, on the east side of Marys Peak adjacent to the Siuslaw National Forest. The tour is touted as offering a great opportunity to get a closer look at the forested mountain slopes that capture water that eventually ends up in the City’s municipal water system.
This year’s tour will focus on forest management for ecological objectives, with visits to several sites in the forest that showcase aspects of the City’s management activities. The tour will take place rain or shine, and will involve walking on gravel roads, so participants should dress for the terrain and the weather.
The tour will leave City Hall at 4:30 pm, on Wednesday, June 18 and is expected to return to City Hall around 8:30 pm. Expected return – cue Gilligan’s Island theme song.
Ahem, we’ll move on… Round trip transportation will be provided by the City. The tour is free, but like we said, space is limited and advance registration is required.
To register, call the Corvallis Public Works Department at 541-766-6916 or email publicworks@corvallisoregon.gov.
Upcoming Blood Drives
Because this is The Advocate, we have your latest schedule of upcoming blood drives. The life you save could be that of a loved one or neighbor. And it doesn’t take long to donate, we promise.
Schedule a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give by May 31, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross solar lantern, while supplies last. Plus, all who come to give in May will be automatically entered for a chance to win a U.S. trip of their choice for two. Full details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/May.
Those who come to give June 1-30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/June.
Here’s those upcoming drives…
5/21/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., LDS – Corvallis Stake, 4141 NW Harrison Blvd.
5/21/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Corvallis Elks Lodge #1413, 1400 NW 9th St
5/29/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church – Dennis Hall, 114 SW 8th St
5/30/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., C3 Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave.
5/31/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Coastal Farm & Ranch Corvallis, 400 NE Circle Blvd.
6/3/2025: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, 1112 NW Circle Blvd
6/4/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Circle Church of Christ Corvallis, 2020 NW Circle Blvd.
6/6/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1736 NW Dixon Street
6/10/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Courtyard Marriott, 400 SW 1st Street
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