Remote Surveillance Trailer in Corvallis, OR

July 7, 2026 - The Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force (DVSTF) has issued its final report to the Corvallis City Council with recommendations about specific actions and strategies to improve downtown Corvallis. The report is available on the City website and is scheduled to be presented to the Council at the

The Task Force was created by the Council in 2025 and charged with engaging the community around possible actions and strategies to revitalize and improve downtown Corvallis.

The Task Force consisted of 40 members representing a broad cross section of downtown stakeholders, including property owners, business leaders, community members and representatives of partner agencies. To emphasize the importance of downtown to the entire Corvallis community, all nine City Councilors participated as members of the Task Force.

A priority on community engagement

Over the course of a year, the Task Force met 35 times to carry out their work. Task Force members discussed and developed a list of actions and strategies to improve downtown Corvallis. The community was invited to review and rank these strategies to help the Task Force understand community priorities. More than 2,000 responses were gathered through a variety of qualitative and quantitative feedback opportunities.

Task Force members fanned out into the community, driving engagement by hosting or attending 18 community meetings, including the 2026 Mayor's Town Hall and various business association meetings.

Conclusions and a call to action

The Task Force analyzed community input and crafted a list of eight overarching goals to help "nurture a thriving downtown as the hub and character of Corvallis." These include:

For each goal contained in the report, the Task Force identified which stakeholders might be involved in addressing the issue, including public agencies, private businesses and property owners, or nonprofit service providers.

Recommendations from the Task Force report will be considered by the Council on July 20, 2026.

Houston Cougars football will kickoff their highly anticipated 2026 season against the Oregon State Beavers on Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. inside TDECU Stadium.

The Cougars are taking on Oregon State for the second straight year and fifth time overall in series history. Last season, Houston overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and scored 17 unanswered points for a 27-24 Week 4 overtime victory on the road in Corvallis, Oregon.

It's probably going to look a bit different this season given how both teams have changed since that late September game. There's no doubt that Houston is the favorite in this one, but in order for that to be the reality, the Cougars must win these three crucial matchups.

Houston's Deep Passing vs Oregon State Safeties

The Cougars occasionally demonstrated their ability to stretch the field with big plays through the air last season. It looks as if Houston has improved at that during the offseason and fall camp. That starts with senior quarterback Conner Weigman, who has gained more arm strength and velocity when throwing.

Not only that, the Cougars have more big-play targets such as redshirt sophomore receiver Koby Young besides senior wideout Amare Thomas. Young has great breakaway speed and an ability to pull down contested catches. Additionally, senior transfer Trent Walker will be facing his former team, in Oregon State, in his first game as a Cougar.

Houston has plenty of weapons to gain big chunks and put up numbers going up against an inexperienced Oregon State safety group that doesn't really have stability. While the Beavers have some capable corners, the Cougars have what they need to take advantage and put on a show through the air.

Houston's Secondary vs Oregon State Receivers

This just might be the most important matchup of the game. The Cougars' secondary is known to be one of the strengths of the team with all the experience of three returning starters. Two of them are fifth-year senior safeties in Kentrell Webb and Jordan Allen.

Redshirt junior cornerback Will James is also a preseason All-Big 12 team member, while senior transfer Jalen Mayo is entering his fifth collegiate season. How this group that many have high expectations out of handle the Beavers' receiver group will be critical.

Sophomores Aeryn Hampton and Aaron Butler of Oregon State both have played in the SEC with Alabama and Texas, respectively, and won't be easy to contain. Additionally, Beavers coach JaMarcus Shephard has a long and decorated history of developing receivers into stardom, such as his time in Washington and Alabama, where he coached wideouts.

Houston's Running Game vs Oregon State Front 7

This is supposed to be an area of improvement for Houston. The offensive line has added three quality transfers and the standout is preseason All-American left guard Shadre Hurst, who greatly increases the ceiling of this group. The two All-MAC transfers in senior right tackle Drew Terrill and redshirt sophomore center Anthony Boswell are both quite strong in run blocking.

Terrill had the No. 1 run block grade by a tackle in the MAC (76.7) in 2025, while Boswell had the No. 3 run block grade by FBS centers (79.6). This group can definitely pave the way for senior transfer running back Makhi Hughes to take over on the ground.

Oregon State has some talent in the front seven, led by the linebacker room. Senior Dylan Layne, USC senior transfer Raesjon Davis, and senior Jabari Odoemenem are some of the key names Houston will need to account for to run the ball successfully.

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Published 14 minutes ago

MAANAV GUPTA

Maanav Gupta is a staff writer for Houston Cougars on SI. He graduated from the University of Houston in the summer of 2025 with his bachelor’s in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Gupta spent three years at the student newspaper, The Daily Cougar, and also covered the 2025 Final Four and National Championship as Houston beat writer for College Basketball Review. He also has his own YouTube channel, Maanav’s Sports Talk, where he has interviewed professional athletes and broadcasters like Jim Nantz, Jose Altuve, J.J. Watt, Rich Eisen, and Alperen Sengun. Gupta was also a contributor to the Houston athletic program as a student. You can find Gupta on X, Instagram and TikTok @MGSportsTalk.

Are you visiting Corvallis with young ones in tow? The city offers so much more to do than wandering around the OSU campus. Here are three family-friendly ideas to entertain everyone, from toddlers to teens plus the parents.

All aboard! Avery Park’s Lions Shelter offers excellent playgrounds, picnic tables, a strollable rose garden, and wonderfully unique climbing opportunities for the kids with a Georgia Pacific train up the hill from a pile of dinosaur bones. Next, head to the First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op at 1007 SW Third Street to pick up food for a picnic. While there, check out their disc golf collection for the next stop! Head south on 99 (aka Third) to Willamette Park (at the end of SE Goodnight Ave) for disc golf on a top-ranked 18-hole course, strolling, or river fun.

Don’t let grey fall and winter weather keep you and your kiddos from playing! Spend a few hours exploring some great indoor places. Escape Corvallis (301 SW 4th St, Suite 280) has a room specifically geared for kids ages 4-10 (insider tip: call ahead to reserve and ensure your spot). S&K Wacky Indoor Bounce has inflatables for kids (insider tip: they take same-day Open Play and have a special for Kids Night Out, while parents go elsewhere to play)!

Do your kids have you climbing the wall? Get them to climb too at Valley Rock Gym, which has areas for youngsters ages 4+. Just before dinner, head to The Toy Factory for puzzles, Legos, or other games to take home and play later. Around the corner is Common Fields, featuring Oregon beverages, food trucks, the occasional live band, and plenty of games for kids and adults to play.

Corvallis is a designated "Tree City USA," and hiking the many trails - mainly located on the north side of town- you understand why. But, since you’re in the area, why not try other activities? Stop by Play It Again Sports (On 1422 NW Ninth Street - when you see the big orange rocking chair, you’re close by!) for some new or used golf discs, and then head north on Pacific Highway West (7295 NE Arnold Ave) to Adair Park Disc Golf Course, one of Oregon's highest-rated disc golf courses.

Nearby is Garland Nursery (Garland Nursery, 5470 NE Hwy 20), a fun destination that offers a wide variety of events, or pick up the elements for making your own fairy garden as a reminder of your time hiking in nature. For those who prefer swimming pools, splash for hours at Osborne Aquatic Center (1940 NW Highland Dr.) and its famous outdoor water park, Otter Beach. Afterwards, head to MumMum, a Vietnamese restaurant known for its family-friendly menu items like sweet pandan waffles or customizable noodle bowls.

The Corvallis area has over 90 scenic trails, which could be overwhelming knowing which ones to pick. To help you out, check out these parent-approved, kid-friendly hikes and more options for hiking and biking.