Salem-News.com Corvallis articles Page 15

Benton County Seizes Record Marijuana Crop

The crop was spotted during an aerial operation near Alsea Falls.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - The largest marijuana seizure in Benton County history is much larger than officials initially thought. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office estimates that a sophisticated growing operation near Alsea Falls had produced over one thousand marijuana plants.

Phillip Hudspeth, Public Information Officer for Benton County, says it kept officers busy. "After an exhaustive count that took three days, the Sheriff’s Office says 7,951 total marijuana plants were seized in the September 20th raid."

Rabid Bat Found in Corvallis

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and mammals, and is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms begin.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Officials from Benton County Environmental Health have confirmed a dead bat found in North Corvallis has tested positive for rabies.

In Oregon this year, six animals have tested positive for rabies. A witness reported seeing a cat with the bat in its mouth. The cat was located, and it was verified that it had been vaccinated for rabies.

Suspect in Brooke Wilberger Case Convicted in New Mexico on Similar Charges

Courtney was expected to go to court in Oregon in September of this year, and the conclusion of the New Mexico should allow it to remain on schedule.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The man Oregon prosecutors believe is responsible for the disappearance of Brooke Wilberger, Joel Patrick Courtney, has pleaded guilty to Rape and Kidnapping charges in New Mexico.

Utah college student Brooke Wilberger was visiting her sister in Oregon. She disappeared from a Corvallis apartment complex May 24th, 2004.

Oregon Teen Arrested for Trying to Sexually Abuse a Horse

The teenager faces charges of burglary and sexual abuse of an animal.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - A Corvallis teenager has been arrested after a surveillance camera captured him preparing to sexually abuse a horse inside a barn.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office says the owners of the barn installed the camera after reporting an assault on the horse last summer.

In February, the owners noticed the halter of their mare had been moved, as well as some food dishes.

Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing Begins Monday in Corvallis

The smoke used for testing is not toxic, and will not harm people, pets or food.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Smoke testing of sanitary sewers will begin June 18th in northeast Corvallis, east of Hwy 99W and north of Walnut Blvd.

Residents will be notified at least 24 hours before testing begins in their neighborhood. Work will be conducted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The city's flow monitoring program has identified this area as having a significant amount of storm water entering the sewer system during a rain event.

Oregon Philanthropist Leaves $8 Million to OSU

The Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families will be part of OSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Hallie Ford, a noted Oregon philanthropist, made a gift of $8 million to Oregon State University shortly before she died, generously supporting a cause she advocated for throughout her lifetime — Oregon’s children and their families.

Her final act of philanthropy will build the Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, a facility on Oregon State University’s campus that will house a group of researchers who take a lifespan and preventive approach to child and family health.

Police Investigating Death of Oregon State Professor

Dr. Sulzman, an associate professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science, received the OSU Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2006.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police detectives are continuing the investigation into the death of an Oregon State University faculty member who became ill while inside her vehicle on the campus Sunday afternoon and later died at a Corvallis hospital.

Oregon State Police troopers and Corvallis Fire Department personnel found Elizabeth W. Sulzman age 40, from Philomath, gravely ill as her conditioned worsened quickly.

Benton County Initiates New Youth Community Service/Work Crew Policy

In 2006, over 250 young people were ordered to complete community service or work crew.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - The Benton County Juvenile Department is initiating a new policy to reduce “no-shows” for youths court ordered to community service or work crews.

The new policy will add an additional day of community service or work crew for the first offense, a second offense the person will be sent to the Linn-Benton Detention Center.

The Benton County Juvenile Department manages community service and work crew projects for local non-profit and public service organizations.

Benton County Sheriff`s Office Begins Seatbelt Enforcement Blitz

Oregon ranks third nationwide for seatbelt use.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Starting Monday and running through Sunday, June 3rd, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office will participate in Oregon’s Three Flags Blitz, a statewide seatbelt enforcement blitz.

Three Flags Blitz will coincide with the nationwide “Click it or Ticket” mobilization promoted by U.S. Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Administration.

Patrol enforcement activities will focus on proper seatbelt use and minors in open pickup beds.

Well, Septic System Class and Water Testing Offered

The class is free, but pre-registration is requested to ensure that adequate materials are available.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - Two free community classes to help people take the mystery out of maintaining and managing their private wells and septic systems will be held this week, sponsored by the OSU Extension Well Water Program.

The class, called “Rural Living Basics: Well Water and Septic Tanks,” will be offered twice at the Corvallis Public Library – on either Tuesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, or Wednesday, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.

Class participants may also have their water screened for nitrates by bringing about a half a cup of untreated well water in a clean, water-tight container.