Bat Confirmed Positive For Rabies In Benton County (Photo) - 06/30/26

* Español a continuación *

BENTON COUNTY, Ore.— Public health officials from the State of Oregon and the Benton County Health Department have confirmed that a local bat has tested positive for rabies.  This is the first positive bat for rabies in Benton County in 2026.

On June 15, Benton County’s Environmental Health program learned that a resident found a bat, which may have had contact with their domestic animals, on their property in Benton County. The resident brought the bat to the Oregon State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. On June 17, the bat was confirmed positive for the rabies virus.

“Rabies is present in the bat population and bats are the primary reservoir of rabies in wild animals for our area of the country,” said Robert Baker of Benton County Environmental Health. “Direct hand contact with bats should always be avoided if possible.”

Safety Around Bats

Bats play an important role in our ecosystem and are especially helpful to humans by eating a lot of insects considered pests. While most bats do not have rabies and people cannot get rabies from just seeing a bat or having contact with bat guano (feces), it is important not to take unnecessary risk. Infected bats can pass the rabies disease to humans and other animals by biting or scratching, or through saliva contact with eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound.

• Avoid all direct contact with bats, whenever possible.
• If you must handle a bat, use sturdy gloves and/or a tool, like a shovel
• If a bat bites someone, contact Benton County Environmental Health at 541-766-6835 within a 24-hour period. If you can, try to safely capture the bat so we can have it tested for rabies.
• Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies

“All pet owners should make certain that their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies. Protecting pets from rabies can provide a buffer zone of immune animals between humans and rabid wild animals such as bats,” said Emillio DeBess DVM of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). 

About Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that is preventable, but deadly if people don't receive medical care before symptoms start. Rabies spreads primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal.

Rabies symptoms in animals can include lethargy, walking in circles, and loss of muscular coordination, convulsions, irritability, aggressiveness, disorientation, excessive drooling and showing no fear of humans. Animals displaying these behaviors should not be approached or handled.

Contact Benton County Environmental Health at 541-766-6835 whenever there has been human or pet contact with bats or any animal that appears to be sick, injured or has bitten a human or pet.

More information about bats and rabies can be found on Benton County’s animal bites webpage, OHA’s rabies webpage, and the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) rabies webpage.

Benton County Health Department

The Benton County Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. The Benton County Health Department focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life. 

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SPANISH

Confirman caso de rabia en un murciélago en el Condado de Benton

CONDADO DE BENTON, Oregón— Empleados de salud pública del estado de Oregón y del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton han confirmado que un murciélago local dio positivo a la rabia. Este es el primer caso positivo de rabia en un murciélago en el Condado de Benton en 2026.

El 15 de junio, el programa de Salud Ambiental del Condado de Benton fue informado de que un miembro de la comunidad había encontrado un murciélago en su propiedad, el cual pudo haber estado en contacto con sus animales domésticos, y lo llevó al Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Veterinario del Estado de Oregón para su análisis. El 17 de junio, se confirmó que el murciélago dio positivo al virus de la rabia.

"La rabia está presente en la población de murciélagos y estos son la principal fuente de la enfermedad entre los animales silvestres de nuestra región", señaló Robert Baker, del programa de Salud Ambiental del Condado de Benton. "Siempre que sea posible, se debe evitar el contacto directo de las manos con los murciélagos".

Seguridad en relación con los murciélagos

Los murciélagos desempeñan un papel importante en nuestro ecosistema y son especialmente beneficiosos para los seres humanos, ya que consumen grandes cantidades de insectos considerados plagas. Aunque la mayoría de los murciélagos no tienen rabia y no es posible contraerla simplemente por ver uno o por entrar en contacto con su guano (excrementos), es importante no correr riesgos innecesarios. Los murciélagos infectados pueden transmitir la rabia a los seres humanos y a otros animales por medio de mordeduras o rasguños, o bien a través del contacto de su saliva con los ojos, la nariz, la boca o una herida abierta.

• Evite todo contacto directo con murciélagos siempre que sea posible
• Si debe tocar un murciélago, use guantes resistentes y/o una herramienta, como una pala.
• Si un murciélago muerde a alguien, comuníquese con el Departamento de Salud Ambiental del Condado de Benton al 541-766-6835 dentro de un periodo de 24 horas. Si puede, intente capturar al murciélago de forma segura para que podamos analizarlo y determinar si tiene rabia.
• Asegúrese de que sus mascotas estén vacunadas contra la rabia.

"Todos los dueños de mascotas deben asegurarse de que sus perros y gatos estén vacunados contra la rabia. Proteger a las mascotas de la rabia puede crear una zona de amortiguamiento de animales vacunados entre los seres humanos y los animales salvajes con rabia, como los murciélagos", afirmó Emillio DeBess DVM, de la Autoridad de Salud de Oregón (OHA).

Sobre la rabia

La rabia es una enfermedad viral prevenible, pero mortal si no se recibe atención médica antes de que aparezcan los síntomas. Se transmite principalmente por medio de mordeduras o rasguños de un animal infectado.

Los síntomas de la rabia en los animales pueden incluir letargo, caminar en círculos, pérdida de coordinación muscular, convulsiones, irritabilidad, agresividad, desorientación, salivación excesiva y falta de miedo hacia los humanos. No se debe intentar acercarse ni tocar a los animales que presenten estos comportamientos.

Comuníquese con el Departamento de Salud Ambiental del Condado de Benton al 541-766-6835 siempre que haya habido contacto ya sea de personas o mascotas con murciélagos o con cualquier animal que parezca enfermo, herido o que haya mordido a una persona o mascota.

Puede encontrar más información sobre los murciélagos y la rabia en la página web del Condado de Benton sobre mordeduras de animales, en la página web de la OHA (Autoridad de Salud de Oregón) sobre la rabia y en la página web de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) sobre la rabia.

Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton está comprometido a proteger la salud y el bienestar de todas las personas que viven, trabajan o visitan el Condado de Benton. El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton se centra en prevenir los problemas de salud antes de que ocurran. Sus programas buscan crear condiciones comunitarias que ayuden a reducir las disparidades en salud, para que todas las personas tengan las mismas oportunidades de llevar una vida larga y saludable.

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El Condado de Benton es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa y no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión o el acceso a nuestros programas, servicios, actividades, contratación y prácticas de empleo. Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos a pedido. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Información Pública al 541-766-6800 o pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Commissioner Gabe Shepherd Announces Summer Town Halls Throughout Benton County (Photo) - 06/18/26

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Benton County Commissioner Gabe Shepherd has announced a schedule of summer town halls throughout the county. Eight meetings have been scheduled for July and August. Each hour-long town hall will give community members an opportunity to get to hear about County progress over the past year, ask questions and voice concerns.

Commissioner Shepherd invites the public to join him at any of the following meetings:

• Wednesday, July 1, 5:00 p.m. at Corvallis Community Center
• Saturday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. at Alsea Community Library
• Saturday, July 25, 11:30 a.m. at Summit Grange Hall
• Saturday, July 25, 3:30 p.m. at Philomath Museum
• Sunday, July 26, 11:30 a.m. at Adair County Park
• Sunday, July 26, 3:30 p.m. at North Albany Park
• Saturday, August 8, 11:30 a.m. at Kepi Nak-Nak Café in Monroe
• Saturday, August 8, 3:30 p.m. at Alpine Community Center

Mayors and other elected leaders will join Commissioner Shepherd for several of the town halls – a demonstration of the County’s philosophy that our communities are best served when the County and cities work together.

“The best way to find out what folks in Benton County need is to go to where people live, work, and play and listen to them,” said Shepherd.

“During my campaign I made a commitment to hold town halls around the county every year. Pressing needs and urgent concerns are always changing. It’s important to keep open, two-way communication.”

Shepherd is in his second year as County Commissioner. He served two terms on the Corvallis City Council before taking office in January 2025. He serves on several boards and committees for other organizations in the county.

At town hall meetings, Commissioner Shepherd represents only himself, not the entire Board of Commissioners. He does not speak for the body. He will not express an opinion or receive public comment on any open land use case before the County.

Justice System Consultants To Bring Expertise To Benton County (Photo) - 06/15/26

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Thanks to Technical Assistance funding from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), Benton County leaders will receive expert advice on criminal justice and corrections solutions at no cost to the County.  A site visit by consultants is scheduled for June 16-18.

Justice planner Alan Richardson and architect Roger Lichtman will perform an onsite jail and justice system assessment. They will tour Benton County’s jail and the new courthouse and emergency operations center site, interview dozens of people involved in public safety in the County and review the work done in the last decade to meet community needs.  

“Alan and Roger will bring fresh eyes and new perspectives to help us build on the extensive work that was already done as we move forward,” said County Administrator Rick Crager. “They can look objectively at Benton County and identify opportunities and potential pitfalls as we prepare to open the new courthouse and consider the next steps for the safety and justice site.”

Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall emphasized the value of looking at multiple approaches combined with the expertise of local agencies and organizations.

“Benton County is in a unique position, and an East Coast vs. West Coast perspective can highlight different approaches to justice systems and facility planning,” said Van Arsdall. “I’m looking forward to hearing our local partners’ thoughts during this visit and learning how their experience can help inform the work ahead for our community.”

Benton County applied for the NIC Technical Assistance funding in 2024. The federal program was suspended soon after the application was approved. Funding was reinstated this spring, allowing the County to begin preliminary discussions with the consultants.

Presentation of findings and recommendations

During their three-day visit, the consultants will prepare recommendations to present in a special Board of Commissioners meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 at the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. The meeting will be open to the public; a virtual option will be available through a link on the Board of Commissioners Meeting Portal.

The presentation will include an overview of NIC’s New Jail Planning Initiative, a high-level assessment, identified roadblocks and pitfalls, and an outline of recommended steps, should the County choose to build a correctional facility. The consultants will not promote building or not building a new facility.

The meeting will follow the format of Board of Commissioners Information Sharing meetings. No public comment will be heard.

Benton County is not preparing a bond measure package for a new correctional facility. County leaders are seeking the justice system assessment to better understand how things have changed since the 2018 assessment and possibilities for addressing the current and growing need for a new Benton County jail.

New courthouse brings opportunities and challenges

The County last employed justice system consultants to do a comprehensive assessment in 2018. That investment will bear fruit in spring 2027 when the new courthouse and emergency operations center open about a mile north of downtown Corvallis.

The current courthouse on NW 4th Street is the oldest operating courthouse building in Oregon. It was built in 1888 when the population of Benton County was less than 1/10 the current number. With the move to the new building, the courts and District Attorney’s Office will have enough space to truly meet community needs for the first time in decades.

While the new courthouse will open up many opportunities, including the chance to have a fourth Circuit Court judge and reduce delays and long wait times for justice and resolution, it will also introduce additional strain on facilities in a county with the lowest per capita jail capacity in the state.

The current courthouse is adjacent to the jail, enabling just a short walk through a basement tunnel for adults in custody to get to their court proceedings.

After court operations move to the new building, the Sheriff’s jail staff will have increased workload of transporting individuals to the new courthouse. Deputies already spend significant time on transportation, as about half the County’s adults in custody are held in Polk and Clatsop counties through the jail bed rental program.   

The location of the jail in downtown Corvallis will also be a factor as the County works to transition the use of the historic courthouse. An RFP was released this week for a Courthouse Reuse Alternatives and Community Input Study. The current location of the jail will likely create limitations on alternative uses to be explored for the historic courthouse.

NIC’s New Jail Planning Initiative

The National Institute of Corrections provides four training and technical assistance programs for local jail and detention jurisdictions across the country. They are managed and delivered by criminal justice and corrections consulting firm Justice Planners.

The Jail and Justice System Assessment helps jurisdictions better understand the full scope of their criminal justice system, including alternatives before committing to facility development.

Over a structured three-day visit, consultants work directly with commissioners, sheriffs, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, probation officials and community partners to assess current facility conditions, examine the local justice system as a whole, and evaluate readiness to begin a planning process.

About the consultants

Alan Richardson is the founder and president of Justice Planners. He worked as a correctional officer, transition team leader and detention bureau commander prior to joining the staff of the National Institute of Corrections. There, he served as a correctional program specialist and technical assistance manager for the jails division.

Richardson has developed, delivered and managed training programs, technical assistance to local agencies across the country, and the development of key documents for local detention professionals. Some of these documents include the Staffing Analysis Workbook for Jails, second edition, the Resource Guide for Jail Administrators, and the Resource Manual for Transition to a New Jail.

Roger Lichtman has over 40 years’ experience in justice architecture working around the globe, 23 of those being with his own firm, The Lichtman Associates, P.C., in Princeton, NJ. An experienced architectural designer, he works directly with clients on creating and developing planning and design concepts, as well as supervising staff architects, engineers and planners from inception through occupancy. Lichtman’s experience covers all aspects of criminal justice design. This includes over 30 years of teaching for the National Institute of Corrections.

Vaccination Rates For Benton County Students Reach New Low; Nonmedical Exemptions At New High (Photo) - 06/08/26

Benton County Announces Appointment Of New County Administrator (Photo) - 06/02/26

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Rick Crager has been appointed county administrator effective June 1 after serving three months as acting and interim county administrator. The Benton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in the May 26 meeting to approve the appointment.

Crager came to Benton County in 2021 as chief financial officer. In March 2024 he was promoted to assistant county administrator. The job of acting county administrator fell to him when the position was vacated in February of this year.

In March the Board appointed Crager interim county administrator through June 30 while they weighed their options for permanently filling the position. After careful consideration, they chose to proceed with a direct appointment.

The Board did not feel that the long and costly process of a national leadership search would result in a better candidate than the one temporarily filling the position.

“Rick has been a huge asset to Benton County in all his roles,” said Board Chair Pat Malone. “He has decades of experience in various areas of government, and tremendous professionalism. The Board is thrilled that he agreed to step up and permanently fill the county administrator position.”

Promoting an internal candidate who has all the desired qualifications and skills is the best possible scenario for the County. The leadership transition can be quick and almost seamless.

“Rick created the last two biennial budgets, so he knows the big picture of County operations better than anyone,” said Malone. “He is also very well-liked and respected by the leadership team and everyone who works with him.”

The Board also considers Crager’s appointment as an opportunity to mitigate current and future budget challenges. Reductions in federal funding initiated in 2025 led to budget shortfalls in local governments across the state and country. All Benton County departments were asked to reduce spending in the 25-27 budget period.

Following Crager’s new appointment, the assistant county administrator position will not be filled at this time. Instead, the County will reorganize the BOC Office to ensure staff are effectively supported in their day-to-day operations while giving the county administrator position the time and space to work more strategically with the Board of Commissioners and Department Heads in meeting the service needs of the community.

As CFO, Crager led the creation of the $485 million 2023-25 biennium budget. The same year, the County received a credit upgrade from Moody’s Investor Services.

As assistant county administrator, Crager oversaw seven public-facing departments: Assessment; Community Development; Community Health Centers; Health Services; Juvenile Services; Natural Areas, Parks & Events; and Public Works.

Crager was serving simultaneously as assistant county administrator and acting Chief Financial Officer when he led the creation of the $540 million 2025-27 biennium budget.

Before joining Benton County, Crager dedicated more than three decades to public service with the State of Oregon. His statewide leadership roles in finance and policy spanned various sectors including housing, education, transportation and public safety, demonstrating his versatility and depth of expertise. In 2006, Governor Ted Kulongski appointed Crager to lead the Ending Homelessness Advisory Council (EHAC) that created Oregon initial 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Crager was also the assistant superintendent of finance and information technology for the Oregon Department of Education. In that role, he collaborated closely with school districts across the state, overseeing the allocation and administration of over $9 billion of resources for Oregon’s schools. 

Crager is a lifelong Oregonian and proud Beavers fan. He graduated from Linfield College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, with a special focus in Finance.