I know this town has always had a lot of characters but the most recent one I’ve noticed a black lady that wanders around the downtown area and always asks for $60 every time i see her. When she asks the amount never changes but the story around why she needs it does. Anyone else encountered her?

Advance apologies for any possible ranting I may be doing here.

Earlier this year I bought a house here in Corvallis after renting for a while. I paid too much for the place but we desperately needed a home because the one we were renting had problems, both structurally and with the landlord, and my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and needed to be by the Samaritan hospital.

We paid just over $1.5million, which is insane amount for me. The house was on the market for about 4 years and had been vacant since 2022, so it was not in the best of shape. The one nice thing was that it came furnished: from bedroom and living room sets right down to the books on the shelves, pictures on the walls, and the kitchen full of nice cookware. It even came with stereo systems and tv sets, even yard equipment that included a zero turn electric riding mower.

The house is a bit of a pig, but pickings were slim in Corvallis at the time.

Anyway - enough of the background, because I just got my 1st tax bill in the mail today. Now, I knew the taxes were crazy high, but I had not expected the county to jack up the price of the house over 10%.

Five months ago I bought the place that was on the market since 2022. Five months ago.

Benton county has this property valued a million dollars more than I paid and my tax bill is close to $24,000. That is basically half my annual income.

There is no tax break for seniors in Benton county. There is no homestead in Oregon, The county said I must pay it and then fight it in January for next year.

Seeing that I bought the place just a few months ago and they say it was worth over $900,000 more than I paid for it, not taking into account the place came furnished.

The guy at the tax office was a real asshole. He actually looked me in the eye and said that the taxes are based on square footage, so if I wanted lower taxes I should tear down 30% of the house. He also said the county tax system is not based on actual purchase price, and pointed out how some neighborhoods that have cookie-cutter similar homes can see tax differences up to 2-3 times different, on the exact same style homes on the same street.

For the record: I did not want to buy this white elephant. My wife loved the place and since she is dying of cancer I bought it to make her last year or so nice for her.

Can anyone recommend a good law firm to address this matter against Benton county? Thanks for any info.

We have the Monday Rage Thread where we rant about things that displease us and it was suggested that we also do the opposite. So here we are.

What is something good that happened to you this week?

What is something wonderful about Corvallis (and the greater Corvallis area)?

Me and my coworkers are gonna go to the bars after we close around 11, Peacock will be open for sure but it's gonna be a shit show I bet

There's a little Asian grocery store on 11th and Van Buren that I recommend. It's Rice & Spice. First off, they sell the best kimchi I have ever tasted. They have a great selection of ramen and some really good fresh vegetables too.

I have been a customer for decades, and I wanted to bring up that they were robbed of their life savings in 2025. They are an important part of our community and they deserve our support. They are working past what they had planned on.

If you love kimchi, you NEED to get some of theirs, because it really is the best there ever was (my opinion).

Hello! I am looking for anything and everything to do this Halloweekend! Any events from the 29th to Nov 1st are appreciated! Me and my friends are of age to drink so bars are welcomed!

I am looking for a maternity photographer in the area. Not looking for anything fancy, just a few pictures outdoors for 30-45 minutes. I am looking away from experienced photographers to keep my costs low.

Anyone have any leads or suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone, i just found fleas on both my cats and i was wondering if anyone knows any affordable vet i can get flea treatment from ? i also want to make sure theres no tapeworms

Hi all! I’ve posted this before to no avail, so here we go again! I would love to get a group of ladies together for a small league or just group of gals to play disc golf with! Mostly at Wilamette but could jump around to courses nearby! I’m a 24 year old woman who very regularly plays disc golf at Wilamette and it would be awesome to have others to play with! I know there’s currently a handicap league weekly at Wilamette but I’d love to get a women’s group together!

I've seen flyers for women's leagues at back to the 90s but wasn't sure if there's a mens/open league. Would love to try to get better and meet fellow pinheads casually!

I need a transmission replacement for a 2009 Toyota matrix 5 speed.

I like doing stuff myself but a transmission replacement is probably past my abilities.

Best place for this? considering Crossroads since they specialize in toyotas and other imports

Anyone know of a salon? Im brunette and want to touch up my roots and don’t have 200$. I’m out of state and weary. I miss my trusty stylist back home

These three sisters are ready for their forever homes!

Found as a stray litter living in someone's barn. When we took them in to foster at approx 6 weeks old they were filthy, feral and frightened. Now they are 4 months old, spayed, vaccinated, socialized and ready to play and cuddle!

They are friendly with other cats and have gotten along great with our permanent residents. And they each have wonderfully unique little personalities of their own.

They will go to the Salem PetSmart adoption center this weekend. But I wanted to give our Corvallis neighbors a chance to meet them if anyone is interested. Comment any questions, DM to arrange a meeting.

Adoption info links:

Truffle Salt (white with black spots) - loves to play fetch, will chase a spring toy and bring it right back to you. Also apt to run on a cat wheel if you have one. Quietly clever and demure.

Peppercorn (black with white bib) - A bit skittish and jumpy initially, but wants her back gently scratched and will demand to chase the wand lure toy.

Cardamom (grey coat) - the most outgoing/brave and human oriented. Approaches you directly to see what you're doing, wants to be involved, rolls on the floor in your way to get your attention.

Paprika (dilute calico) adopted

Forced to move from Tigard after I was laid off after Christmas last year, live with my family now and can't afford to move back.

Really bitter about it since this city has little to no job opportunities for me.

Anyways, is there any advice? I just need a job I've never been able to get college or trade school since I've never been able to afford it.

I apply to about 40 or so jobs a week and I'm coming up short every time.

Does anyone know of evening yoga classes happening after 5 pm on weekdays? I’ve been enjoying yoga and would like to do it more consistently but I’m not seeing many options that fit my 8-5 work schedule.

What’s going with all the burn outs and shitty music at the high school ? Tuesday night ffs ?? Tired old grumpy man complains.

I’m increasingly frustrated with transportation issues in the Corvallis School District. We regularly receive notices about delayed buses, driver shortages, route changes, and high-school routes being combined with elementary routes.

My high-school student has recently had substantially changed pickup/drop-off times and can spend close to an hour—or more—on the bus. I understand that driver shortages are a broader problem, but it is difficult not to question whether contracting transportation out to STA is contributing to the reliability issues.

The district told me that STA is dealing with a driver shortage and that, when drivers are absent, elementary routes are prioritized because younger students need more consistency. They also said STA offers sign-on bonuses, benefits, and higher wages.

Still, if the contractor cannot consistently staff routes, it seems reasonable for the district to demand a better solution—or reconsider whether outsourcing is actually saving money once service quality is taken into account.

I have heard that Greater Albany Public Schools keeps bus transportation in-house and may have fewer of these problems, but I have not been able to confirm that.

Albany-area parents, students, or drivers: How reliable has GAPS transportation been this school year? Are there frequent driver shortages, long delays, combined routes, or major schedule changes there as well?

The website says "The crisis center serves all ages, regardless of ability to pay, no appointment needed" but I don't know if you have to meet a certain financial threshold or if they don't even ask for your financial info and it's 100% free

My group and I are wanting to bar hop this weekend (Saturday) for Halloween!! Any fun events or anything of the sorts at any of the bars downtown? I know common fields is doing a drag show that night. Looking for some other things to bounce around to and from as well:)

GOOD DAY CORVALLISITES

WELCOME TO MELTDOWN MONDAY: WEEKLY RAGE THREAD - ALL CAPS WHEN COMPLAINING OR ELSE...SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN!

THE RULES

• PRESS THE CAPSLOCK BUTTON ON YOUR KEYBOARD

• WRITE ABOUT WHATEVER IS MAKING YOU ANGRY

• OTHER USERS WILL AGREE WITH YOU IN ALL CAPS

• LET RAGE FILL YOUR STICKER ENCRUSTED FANCY METAL WATER BOTTLE

• SHOUTING AT EACH OTHER ABOUT CORVALLIS WILL ESTABLISH A GENIUNE BOND IN THE CORVALLIS COMMUNITY

• THE LOUDER YOU SHOUT THE MORE FACTUAL YOU ARE

• DON'T LIKE IT? BLAME u/TheFeenyCall FOR THIS EXCELLENT IDEA

Does anyone else hear a constant generator, low rumbling and/or humming noise at Witham Hill Oaks (gardenside) constantly?

I hear this noise all day and night, its maddening to the point I leave whenever I can. What is it?

Lost my baby girl in July and now have to go to the vet later today for my little man to cross over too.