News

Benton County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce a test of the Linn-Benton ALERT system on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

The test will cover all of Benton County. All traditional land phone lines in the 9-1-1 database will receive the message. Those who have registered other devices with Linn-Benton ALERT will also receive the test message.

The Linn-Benton ALERT Emergency Notification System is a mass notification system that allows public safety officials to provide rapid notifications to Linn and Benton County residents of emergencies, evacuations, and other urgent events.

There will be no reason to call the Sheriff’s Office once you receive the message; please do not dial 9-1-1.

Residents can sign up for the Linn-Benton ALERT system as well as learn about emergency preparedness at https://sheriff.bentoncountyor.gov/linn-benton-alert/.  As a reminder, each person in the household hoping to receive alerts will need their own profile/account. After signing up for the alerts you will receive all emergency-related notifications related to your location.

For questions on the mass notification system, email emergencymanagement@bentoncountyor.gov or call 541-766-6864.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has identified the man found deceased in the Willamette River on November 29, 2025, as Jonathan Avery Smith, 34, of Albany.

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The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is releasing photographs of two tattoos found on an unidentified adult male who was discovered deceased in the Willamette River on November 29, 2025. Investigators are sharing these images due to the absence of leads and the urgent need to identify the individual.

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The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is proud to host the 31st Annual Shop with a Cop event this holiday season. This long-standing tradition strengthens positive connections between youth and local law enforcement, offering children a fun and memorable shopping experience alongside officers and social workers.

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The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in coordination with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), confirmed that a cougar was euthanized yesterday afternoon just outside the city limits of NW Corvallis after it killed livestock and was deemed a threat to human safety.

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September is National Preparedness Month, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Emergency Management Team invites the community to its annual Preparedness Fair on Sunday, September 7, from 1-5 p.m., at the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Grounds. The event will run alongside the highly anticipated Public Safety Chili Cook-Off, making it a day full of education, fun, and community spirit.

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