Benton County Developmental Diversity Program

09/05/2026

* Español a continuación *

Benton County offices will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

Labor Day is observed to celebrate the contributions of workers and the labor movement.

Let's take advantage of this day to honor the hardworking people in our community.
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Las oficinas del Condado de Benton estarán cerradas el lunes 7 de septiembre en conmemoración del Día del Trabajo.

El Día del Trabajo se conmemora para celebrar las contribuciones de los trabajadores y del movimiento obrero.

Aprovechemos este día para honrar a las personas trabajadoras de nuestra comunidad.

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

Health Advisory Issued for Siletz Bay

The Oregon Health Authority issued a public health advisory for Siletz Bay on September 3 due to unsafe levels of f***l bacteria in the water.

People should avoid direct contact with the water in the advisory area until the advisory is lifted.

Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should use extra caution, as they may be more vulnerable to illness from contaminated water.

You can still enjoy the beach by walking, picnicking, flying kites, and other activities that don’t involve contact with the water.

👉 Read the full health advisory: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/Siletz-Bay-health-advisory-issued-Sept.-3-09.03.2026.aspx

Aviso de salud publicado para la bahía de Siletz

La OHA en Español publicó un aviso de salud pública para la bahía de Siletz el 3 de septiembre debido a niveles peligrosos de bacterias f***les en el agua.

Se recomienda evitar el contacto directo con el agua en la zona afectada por el aviso hasta que se levante.

Los niños, las personas mayores y aquellas con el sistema inmunitario debilitado deben usar precauciones extraordinarias, ya que pueden ser más vulnerables a contraer enfermedades por el agua contaminada.

Aún así, pueden seguir disfrutando de la playa paseando, haciendo un picnic, volando cometas y realizando otras actividades que no impliquen contacto con el agua.

👉 Lee el aviso de salud completo: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/Siletz-Bay-health-advisory-issued-Sept.-3-09.03.2026.aspx #

08/31/2026

https://youtu.be/M3n6nI7-Z4Y?si=KeYyLmCOBVC0yoQ7

On August 31, 1962, Fannie Lou Hamer attempted to vote in her hometown in Mississippi. She was denied because of her race. She was fired from her job by her boss and forced to leave her home and go into hiding due to threats of violence for attempting to vote.

Fannie Lou Hamer was a Black polio survivor who had enduring physical disabilities as a result of polio and beatings by police. She was forcibly sterilized without her knowledge and consent. She went on to adopt four children. She is credited with coining the term "Mississippi appendectomy" to refer to involuntary sterilization.

Fannie Lou Hamer was a civil rights leader in the Freedom Democratic Party, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the National Women's Freedom Caucus, and the Freedom Farm Cooperative. She was thanked by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Benton County Developmental Diversity on 55 incredible years of service, advocacy, and community impact! 🎊

We also extend our warmest congratulations to Division Director Jasper Smith on his retirement and wish him every happiness in this next chapter.

Thank you to Benton DD for inviting artists from our Living Studios program to display their artwork as part of this wonderful celebration. We were honored to contribute their creativity to such a meaningful milestone!

08/25/2026

ATTENTION BENTON COUNTY DRIVERS: Emergency road closure this Thursday and Friday on SW 53rd Street, from South of Country Club Blvd to Beals Ave. See map for details (in red) and detour guidance (in blue). Northbound lanes of 53rd closed from Plymouth to Country Club.

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

https://philomathnews.com/countys-developmental-disabilities-program-marks-55-years-prepares-for-leadership-change/

Benton County's DD Program celebrates 55 years Aug. 25 as director Jasper Smith retires and Laura Lonski takes over leadership.