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.

Benton County Fair & Rodeo Announces 2026 Main Stage Lineup (Photo) - 05/19/26

Hunter Hayes, Queen Nation headline four days of concerts and performances at fairgrounds July 29–Aug. 1

CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Benton County Fair & Rodeo is back this summer with a main stage lineup that organizers say has something for every generation. The annual event returns to the Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis, July 29 through Aug. 1.

The fair, a beloved community tradition featuring 4-H livestock shows, rodeos, carnival rides, competitive exhibits and food, will wrap up each evening with free concerts on the Pioneer Connect-sponsored main stage, all included with $10/day fair admission.

“The Benton County Fair is one of those events that brings our whole community together, and this year’s lineup reflects that,” said Jennifer Martin, Benton County Fair manager. “Whether you’re a lifelong country fan, a rock music lover, or you’re just bringing the kids out for a great time, there’s something on that stage for you.”

Wednesday, July 29 is Family Day

The fair kicks off with Family Day, when all kids 16 and under receive free fair admission. Main stage entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and includes family-friendly acts Bright Hearts Circus, Matt Baker Comedy Stunt Show and Jeff Martin Magic & Hypnosis.

Thursday, July 30 is the Battle of the Bands

Local and regional artists compete in the fan-favorite Battle of the Bands competition throughout the afternoon and evening. The winner will earn a coveted spot on Friday night’s main stage. Plus, it’s senior day, so those 60+ get free admission for a front row seat.

Friday, July 31 will “Rock You” with Queen Nation

The Battle of the Bands winner opens the night at 7 p.m. before the main event. Queen Nation takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Founded in 2004 in Los Angeles, Queen Nation has built a reputation as one of the premier Queen tribute acts in the country. The four-piece band recreates the iconic sound and energy of Queen’s classic 1970s and ’80s concerts, from “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “We Will Rock You.” The band has been honored in the California Music Hall of Fame and won Best Live Band at the 2020 VCMA Awards.

Saturday, Aug. 1 brings Jacquie Roar and Hunter Hayes for Country Night

Saturday night features a double bill of country talent. Oregon Jamboree veteran Jacquie Roar opens at 7 p.m. She is fresh off her fourth-place finish on Season 24 of NBC’s “The Voice” where she earned a rare four-chair turn performing Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party.” Roar has shared stages with Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan+Shay and others.

Headlining our Country Night is chart-topping artist Hunter Hayes at 8:30 p.m.

GRAMMY®-nominated, multi-instrumentalist and PLATINUM-selling artist, Hunter Hayes is an embodiment of a musician that embraces evolution and redefines boundaries. Bursting onto the scene with his PLATINUM-certified debut album, Hayes has charted a unique course through the genre-bending course he was destined to explore.

The Louisiana native has amassed over 3 billion global on-demand streams since his debut, with seven singles achieving gold and 10x PLATINUM certifications. His electrifying on-stage performances have not only stolen the hearts of fans but have also earned him spots on tours with superstars like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, and resulted in his own sold-out headlining shows across the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Hayes’ most recent release, EVERGREEN, is a 10-track genre-blending project that completes a trilogy beginning with Wild Blue and Red Sky, tracing a journey from optimism through conflict to resolution. The project received worldwide recognition, alongside television performances of “Too Late” on the Live with Kelly & Mark and the title track “Evergreen” on the The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“We’re especially excited to have Hunter Hayes close out the fair on Saturday night,” Martin said. “He’s an incredible performer. Pairing him with Jacquie Roar, who has a strong Oregon connection, makes for a really special evening.”

Beyond the Main Stage

The fair also features the Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest, a beard, mustache and goatee competition, rodeos, carnival, 4-H exhibits and the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction. Dozens of other activities and competitions will fill the four days.

All main stage concerts are free with paid fair admission. Seating in the outdoor venue is first-come, first-served. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Tickets are on sale now for just $10.

For tickets, schedules and more information, visit https://bentoncountyfair.net or call 541-766-6521. Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Mindy Johnson at the same number.

The Benton County Fair & Rodeo is held at the Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis, OR 97333.

Benton County To Honor Veterans At Crystal Lake Cemetery (Photo) - 05/18/26

Benton County’s Natural Areas, Parks & Events Department is preparing for a Memorial Day tradition: placing flags on the graves of military veterans laid to rest at Crystal Lake Cemetery. Members of the Oregon National Guard, alongside Benton County leaders, local veterans services providers and community partners, will place U.S. flags on veterans’ graves during a ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 20.

Crystal Lake Cemetery is a historic pioneer cemetery, with roots dating back to 1860. The land was deeded to Corvallis Masonic Lodge #14 and has been managed by Benton County since 2001.

Today, the cemetery reflects the region’s history, with generations of Benton County individuals and families laid to rest there. These include military veterans who served in conflicts across the nation’s history.

“It’s a historic cemetery with almost every aspect of our county’s history represented, including the veterans who were laid to rest here,” said Shane Galloway, the County’s Natural Areas, Parks & Events maintenance manager. “We manage this with a very small budget, and it takes quite a bit of work. Volunteers spend hundreds of hours each year helping care for the site.”

County staff and volunteers work year-round to maintain the grounds, ensuring the stories and service of those buried there are remembered.

This Memorial Day, the flag placement serves as a visible reminder of service and sacrifice, connecting the community to its past while honoring those who served.

Watch a drone flyover of Crystal Lake Cemetery | View photos from Memorial Day 2023

Benton And Lincoln Counties Highlight Health And Safety During Wildfire Season (Photo) - 05/18/26

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BENTON & LINCOLN COUNTIES, Ore.— May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Benton and Lincoln counties are highlighting the health impacts of wildfire smoke and the importance of evacuation planning, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Wildfire smoke can have serious health impacts for everyone, but especially for pregnant people, young children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and for people who live or work outdoors.

“Smoke from wildfires is often a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning materials that can be harmful when inhaled,” said John Pegg, Environmental Health Program Coordinator for Benton County Health Department (BCHD). “If you need to be outdoors, using a NIOSH-approved N95 mask can help filter out these particles.”

Staying indoors is ideal when air quality is poor. People should check the air quality conditions using the airnow.gov Air Quality Index (AQI).

It is important to keep indoor air as clean as possible by closing windows and doors, using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to reduce indoor air pollution, and avoiding activities that can worsen indoor air quality, such as smoking, using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, burning candles or incense, and vacuuming. Watch this short video to learn how to make a DIY indoor air filter using a box fan.

People can also limit smoke exposure when driving by keeping windows closed and setting the air system to recirculate. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce symptoms like scratchy throat and coughing.

Evacuating an area with thick smoke may be the safest option for those with health conditions that put them at higher risk for illness from wildfire smoke. People should consider making a plan in advance to stay with friends, family, or at shelters if smoke becomes thick where they live.

“With experts predicting a higher risk for wildfires this season, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared,” said Daniel Norton, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Lincoln County. “Make sure you have plans and some supplies for your kids, pets, and any required medications ready to go in case you need to evacuate quickly.”

For a printable list of essential emergency kit items, view the flyer on BCHD’s webpage.

Wildfires and the smoke they produce can increase  stress and worsen mental health conditions, making it especially important to take care of each other and check on friends and neighbors. Benton and Lincoln counties offer mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and crisis services. Learn more about Lincoln County Behavioral Health Services and Benton County Behavioral Health Services.

People can learn more about the health impacts from wildfire smoke on this Oregon Health Authority 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. 

Lincoln County Health Department

Lincoln County Public Health is a division of Health and Human Services working to prevent illness and injury and promote well-being in our community. Lincoln County Public Health focuses on health for the whole community, so that fewer people get sick, hurt, or harmed in the first place.

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Los condados de Benton y Lincoln destacan la salud y la seguridad durante la temporada de incendios forestales

CONDADOS DE BENTON Y LINCOLN, Oregón — Mayo es el Mes de Crear Conciencia sobre los Incendios Forestales. Los condados de Benton y Lincoln están destacando los impactos en la salud del humo de los incendios forestales y la importancia de la planificación de evacuaciones, particularmente para las poblaciones vulnerables.

El humo de los incendios forestales puede tener graves repercusiones en la salud de todas las personas, pero especialmente de las personas embarazadas, los niños pequeños, los adultos mayores, las personas con problemas de salud crónicas y aquellas que viven o trabajan al aire libre.

“El humo de los incendios forestales suele ser una mezcla de gases y partículas finas provenientes de materiales en combustión que pueden resultar nocivos al ser inhalados”, afirmó John Pegg, Coordinador del Programa de Salud Ambiental del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton (BCHD por sus siglas en inglés). “Si necesita permanecer al aire libre, el uso de un cubrebocas N95 aprobada por el NIOSH puede ayudar a filtrar estas partículas”.

Permanecer en interiores es lo ideal cuando la calidad del aire es deficiente. Se recomienda consultar las condiciones de la calidad del aire utilizando el Índice de Calidad del Aire (AQI por sus siglas en inglés) de airnow.gov.

Es importante mantener el aire interior lo más limpio posible cerrando ventanas y puertas, utilizando un filtro de aire de partículas de alta eficiencia (HEPA) para reducir la contaminación del aire en interiores y evitando actividades que puedan empeorar la calidad del aire interior, tales como fumar, utilizar estufas de leña o chimeneas, quemar velas o incienso y pasar la aspiradora. Vea este breve video para aprender a fabricar un filtro de aire interior casero utilizando un ventilador de caja.

Asimismo, las personas pueden limitar su exposición al humo al conducir manteniendo las ventanas cerradas y configurando el sistema de aire para que recircule. Beber abundante agua puede ayudar a aliviar síntomas como la irritación de garganta y la tos.

Evacuar una zona con humo denso puede ser la opción más segura para aquellas personas con problemas de salud que las sitúan en mayor riesgo de enfermarse debido al humo de los incendios forestales. Se recomienda a las personas hacer un plan con anticipación para quedarse con amigos o familiares, o acudir a refugios, en caso de que el humo se vuelva denso en su lugar de residencia.

“Dado que los expertos pronostican un mayor riesgo de incendios forestales para esta temporada, es fundamental planificar con anticipación y estar preparados”, afirmó Daniel Norton, Coordinador de Preparación para Emergencias de Salud Pública del Condado de Lincoln. “Asegúrese de tener listos los planes y algunos suministros para sus hijos, sus mascotas y cualquier medicamento indispensable, por si fuera necesario evacuar rápidamente”.

Para obtener una lista imprimible de los artículos esenciales para un kit de emergencia, consulte el folleto disponible en la página web del BCHD.

Los incendios forestales y el humo que generan pueden aumentar el estrés y agravar los problemas de salud mental; por ello, resulta especialmente importante cuidarnos mutuamente y estar atentos a nuestros amigos y vecinos. Los condados de Benton y Lincoln ofrecen servicios de asesoramiento en salud mental, tratamiento para trastornos por uso de sustancias y servicios de intervención en crisis. Obtenga más información sobre los Servicios de Salud Mental del Condado de Lincoln y los Servicios de Salud Mental del Condado de Benton.

Las personas interesadas pueden conocer más sobre los efectos del humo de los incendios forestales en la salud visitando este sitio web de la Autoridad de Salud de Oregón.

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 se esfuerzan por 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.

Departamento de Salud del Condado de Lincoln

El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Lincoln es una división de Salud y Servicios Humanos que trabaja para prevenir enfermedades y daños, y para promover el bienestar en nuestra comunidad. Salud Pública del Condado de Lincoln se centra en la salud de toda la comunidad, con el fin de que menos personas se enfermen, se lesionen o sufran daños en primer lugar.

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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.