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#StudentsRise #ICEOut

College students in #BentonCounty #Oregonwalk out to protest ICE targetting fellow students.

More students must be brave enough to support their fellow students who are peaceful immigrants.

🙏 demonstrate now while we still have some rights.

kval.com/news/local/b...
Benton County students walk out in protest against ICE activity on campuses and nationwide
Nearly a thousand students walked out of class in Benton County Friday in solidarity with other people across the country protesting ICE.
kval.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:40 PM
citizenptnewsia.bsky.social
East Central Iowa just secured a groundbreaking $3.1 million HUD grant to eliminate lead hazards and assist local homeowners—helping families breathe easier and keep children safe!

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#BentonCounty #IA #LeadHazardReduction #BentonCountyHousing #CommunityHealthSafety
EC COG says region won $3.1 million HUD lead-hazard grant, seeks local match for down-payment awards
Diana Robinson of EC COG told Benton County supervisors the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund secured a $3.1 million HUD lead-hazard grant for the four-county region and a $2,006,000 down-payment assistance award that will be leveraged by local matches to help a small number of households, including at least five in Benton County.
citizenportal.ai
January 7, 2026 at 5:04 PM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Sen. Sarah Gilles de Blue warns that critical bills addressing the safety and rights of students with disabilities are at risk of dying as budget constraints tighten and negotiations grow increasingly complicated.

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#BentonCounty #OR #StudentsWithDisabilities
Senator tells Benton County there’s little money for policy bills as deadline nears; raises concerns about excluded children and restraint investigations
Sen. Sarah Gilles de Blue told Benton County officials the state faces tight budgets at the policy‑committee deadline and that a set of bills addressing students with disabilities and the use of restraint and seclusion face opposition and complicated negotiations, with some work groups reportedly meeting without full participation.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 7:14 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
A new consolidated House Bill 2005 could reshape firearm regulations in Oregon, but Benton County Sheriff Jeff Van Arstall warns of a looming backlog that could affect local operations and buyers in economically distressed areas.

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#BentonCounty #OR #BentonCountyFirearms
House package consolidates gun bills into HB2005; Benton County sheriff warns of permit backlog and equity impacts
County and state officials discussed a consolidated House gun‑bill package (HB2005), proposed purchase‑age increases and licensing fees; Benton County Sheriff Jeff Van Arstall warned a possible state processing backlog ("as many as 300,000 in the queue") would force counties to add staffing if fees do not cover costs.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 7:13 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County is gearing up to relaunch its drug treatment court by January, utilizing a groundbreaking provider-billing model to enhance participation and support!

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#BentonCounty #OR #BentonCountyDrugCourt #CivicAccountability
District attorney aims to refill staff and relaunch drug court using provider-billing model
The district attorney reported the office will reach funded staffing (12 deputy DAs) and outlined plans to restart drug treatment court by mid-January using a treatment provider (Emergence) that can bill for services; deflection and restorative justice pilots are also under way.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 3:17 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Sheriff Rogers shared exciting updates on public safety including a successful search-and-rescue, the timeline for a new Emergency Operations Center, and innovative jail treatment programs.

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#BentonCounty #OR #BentonCountyPublicSafety #EmergencyManagement #SearchAndRescue
Sheriff Rogers updates commissioners on EOC timeline, radio upgrade and jail treatment program
Sheriff Rogers reported a successful search-and-rescue, said the Emergency Operations Center could be occupied before the courthouse if site infrastructure (parking, fiber, sewer, water, electrical) is complete, and outlined a radio system upgrade (grant $963,000; total cost a little over $1,000,000) plus a jail MOUD program using Sublocade with grant renewal.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 3:16 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Exciting updates from Public Works reveal progress on the courthouse construction, a quirky sewer-bore hiccup, and the launch of a new rural transit pilot set for November 10!

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#BentonCounty #OR #EmergencyResponse #RuralTransit #InfrastructureDevelopment
Public Works reports courthouse construction progress, a sewer-bore delay and a new rural transit pilot
Public Works updated the board on courthouse construction (drone footage posted; concrete-deck pours next), drainage pours scheduled, an unforeseen obstruction in a sewer-bore that will require trenching next summer, and a Nov. 10 pilot '99 Vine' rural transit route.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:56 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County is set to revolutionize its justice system by introducing a restorative-justice protocol that could change the lives of offenders and victims alike.

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#BentonCounty #OR #DiversionPrograms #CommunityPartnerships
District attorney to pilot restorative-justice track inside DA diversion program
Benton County's district attorney said the office will pilot a restorative-justice protocol within the existing DA diversion program, using an MOU with Neighbor to Neighbor and aiming for a small-scale rollout in a month or two; two new attorneys will join the office.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:55 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County is making strides with infrastructure updates, including relocating an overhead power line and revamping transit routes, but federal grant delays still loom.

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#BentonCounty #OR #GrantProgress #TransitUpdates #BentonCountyInfrastructure #PublicSafety
Public works reports progress on courthouse utilities, transit routing and multiple grants
Public Works and county staff briefed the Board on moving an overhead power line away from the courthouse site, a proposed transit-route change near Country Club/Highway 20, and the status of several grants (EPA, DeFazio EV, Innovation Mobility, USDA clinic). Some federal and state approvals remain pending and timelines are uncertain.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:54 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County is taking action to enhance road safety by identifying high-injury corridors and prioritizing improvements based on community feedback!

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#BentonCounty #OR #InfrastructureImprovement #PublicOutreach
Public works narrows high-injury corridors; Independence Highway and Bellefontaine among priorities
Laurel of Public Works briefed the Board on the Transportation Safety Action Plan: stakeholder meetings, an online open house and data analysis have identified a high-injury network the county will pare to about 10 priority corridors, with public input informing areas that may lack crash reports but still present safety risks.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:52 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
The Coffin Butte landfill expansion is stirring up a storm with nearly 2,000 public comments as it heads for crucial final hearings—will this massive project clear the hurdles ahead?

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#BentonCounty #OR #PublicParticipation #BentonCountyLandfill #CivicEngagement
Coffin Butte expansion heads to final hearings after thousands of public comments
Community Development told commissioners the Coffin Butte landfill expansion has generated nearly 2,000 public comments and an extensive administrative record; the Planning Commission is holding final hearings and the Board may face appeals if approvals occur.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:51 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County health leaders have swiftly addressed key findings from a recent HRSA site visit while navigating new vaccine guidance and gearing up for public health reaccreditation!

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#BentonCounty #OR #CommunityEngagement #HealthAccreditation #BentonCountyPublicHealth
Benton County health partners report HRSA site-visit fixes, public health accreditation progress and vaccine guidance
County health center leadership reported five HRSA operational-site-visit findings were addressed within days, the public health department awaits reaccreditation committee review in November, and staff outlined regional vaccine guidance after federal confusion; commissioners praised staff and directed continued outreach.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:50 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County's finance team is streamlining budget monitoring while navigating legislative hurdles that could impact future funding—find out how these changes could affect you!

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#BentonCounty #OR #BudgetExecution #BentonCountyFinance #LegislativeUpdate #TaxAdministration
County finance and assessment teams outline audit progress, OrCats migration and legislative setbacks
Finance staff said interim internal-control testing completed early and auditors will return in October; assessment/treasury teams described a July 1 go‑live with Helion/OrCats and dual‑entry until certification, and reported that House Bill 3518 (assessment funding) failed late in session after school‑district opposition.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County is gearing up to tackle urgent issues with a bold $30.5 million legislative agenda focusing on emergency operations, homelessness, and economic growth!

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#BentonCounty #OR #EconomicGrowth #EmergencyOperations #CommunitySafety #BentonCountyHomelessness
Benton County outlines five-state legislative priorities including EOC funding and homelessness initiatives
County staff and lobbyists presented five proposed 2023 state legislative priorities — led by emergency operations center funding and homelessness facilities — and asked commissioners to refine priorities and provide subject-matter input for one-page advocacy materials.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:48 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Sheriff Jeff reports a fully staffed office, innovative online concealed-handgun license applications, and a dramatic drop in failure-to-appear rates, while regional traffic enforcement makes waves at local events!

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#BentonCounty #OR #TrafficSafety #CommunityEngagement
Sheriff reports full staffing, lower FTA rates and regional DUI enforcement results
Benton County Sheriff reviewed monthly operations: office now reports full staffing, moving SCHL (concealed-handgun-license) work online, FTA rates down to about 11–14%, and the regional traffic team recorded multiple stops and four DUIs during a recent festival.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:47 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Sheriff Van Aristol reveals that while staffing improvements are underway, new state laws are causing significant challenges for Benton County's jail operations.

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#BentonCounty #OR #CommunityEngagement #EmergencyManagement #PublicSafety #BentonCountySheriff
Sheriff reports staffing gains, jail pressures and early impacts of Senate Bill 48
Benton County Sheriff Van Aristol told commissioners that recent hires and academy graduates have improved staffing, but jail closures, forced early releases and new procedures under Senate Bill 48 are creating operational challenges; he also described emergency-communications infrastructure needs and several community outreach efforts.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:46 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County officials are grappling with the daunting challenge of repurposing their historic courthouse, facing seismic retrofit costs soaring into the tens of millions while exploring innovative funding strategies.

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#BentonCounty #OR #CommunityEngagement #EconomicDevelopment
Benton County officials weigh reuse options amid steep seismic retrofit costs for historic courthouse
Commissioners and staff discussed options for repurposing the county'owned historic courthouse, noting seismic retrofit estimates in the tens of millions and exploring grant, philanthropic and partnership strategies to preserve the building while limiting county operating costs.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Benton County commissioners have chosen to support the “no action” alternative on FEMA’s floodplain regulations, raising concerns over potential impacts on homeowners and local builders.

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#BentonCounty #OR #EnvironmentalProtection #CommunityInput #PublicPolicy
Benton County backs 'no action' on FEMA floodplain rule, directs staff to submit comment letter
The Benton County Board voted to support Alternative 1 (no action) on FEMA's draft environmental impact statement for the National Flood Insurance Program and directed staff to submit a county-specific public comment letter by Oct. 6, 2025, citing feasibility and local impact concerns.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:44 AM
citizenptnewsor.bsky.social
Adair Village is on the brink of expanding its urban growth boundary by 50 acres to tackle a critical housing shortage—are you ready for the upcoming public hearing on December 6?

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#BentonCounty #OR #CommunityPlanning #HousingNeed #SustainableDevelopment
Adair Village, Benton County staff outline UGB amendment; public hearing set Dec. 6
Benton County staff and Adair Village officials reviewed a proposal to add about 50 acres to Adair Village's urban growth boundary to meet a projected 20-year housing need; planning commissions recommended approval and a joint public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6.
citizenportal.ai
January 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
citizenptnewsia.bsky.social
Benton County supervisors are gearing up to shape local rules around new accessory dwelling units, tackling crucial issues like septic permits and size limits!

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#BentonCounty #IA #CommunityPlanning #BentonCountyAccessoryDwellingUnits #LocalGovernance #HousingInnovation
Benton County supervisors direct staff to draft local rules for accessory dwelling units after reviewing new Iowa law
Supervisors discussed implementing Iowa’s Senate File 592 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), focusing on septic requirements, size limits, application process and fees; they asked staff to draft ordinance language or a separate ADU ordinance and to coordinate permitting steps with county offices.
citizenportal.ai
January 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
citizenptnewsia.bsky.social
Benton County EMS is proposing a split payment plan for a new ambulance chassis while reallocating $80,000 for essential wages and administrative costs—could this change transform local emergency services?

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#BentonCounty #IA #EmergencyResponse #BentonCountyEMS #PublicSafety
Benton County EMS seeks to split truck payment across fiscal years, requests $80,000 for wages and admin
An EMS presenter told Benton County officials the service wants to split a new ambulance chassis payment between fiscal 2026 and 2027 and to reallocate about $80,000 of EMS allotments for wages, stipends and administrative fees; county staff reported upgrades, growing patient acuity and a plan for a countywide medical director.
citizenportal.ai
December 27, 2025 at 11:24 AM
citizenptnewsmn.bsky.social
Benton County's board has approved major job reclassifications after numerous employee appeals, but crucial positions are set for further review—what's next for public service roles?

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#BentonCounty #MN #WorkforceDevelopment #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal
County adopts most DDA classification changes after appeals; sheriff’s positions set for further review
After dozens of appeals, the county adopted most recommended job reclassifications and grade changes from its DDA maintenance review but pulled the jail‑sergeant and emergency‑communications lieutenant items for further discussion with department heads and the sheriff.
citizenportal.ai
December 26, 2025 at 3:55 AM
citizenptnewsmn.bsky.social
Benton County has officially adopted its 2026 budget, trimming the levy to $27.28 million while keeping commissioner salaries and per-diem rates intact!

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#BentonCounty #MN #CommunityOutreach #CivicTransparency #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal #BentonCountyBudget
Benton County adopts 2026 budget and $27.28M levy; board keeps commissioner pay and per‑diem unchanged
The county adopted the final 2026 budget and certified levy ($27,280,413), addressed minor changes to benefits assumptions and DDA appeal outcomes, and kept county commissioner pay and per‑diem rates unchanged.
citizenportal.ai
December 26, 2025 at 3:41 AM
citizenptnewsmn.bsky.social
Benton County is gearing up for a critical vote on a transportation sales tax that could reshape local roads and bridges, with residents passionately advocating for key projects.

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#BentonCounty #MN #BentonCountyTransportation #PublicSafety #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal
Benton County to revise sales‑tax project list after packed public hearing on reauthorization
County staff outlined a proposed reauthorization of the existing half‑percent local sales tax for transportation; residents pressed for specific roads to be added and the board voted to return a revised resolution Jan. 6 with amendments to include longer sections of County Roads 65 and 82.
citizenportal.ai
December 26, 2025 at 3:35 AM
llrugby.bsky.social
High school girls rugby rebirth in the #Willamettevalley .
#corvallis #Albany #linncounty #bentoncounty
December 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM