Good morning, Corvallis.

A Love of Learning column honored three Philomath High School graduates killed in the Vietnam War—Paul J.

Cochran in 1968, David 'Doc' Styles in 1969, and Larry Gassner in 1970—whose names appear on memorial walls in Washington, D.C., Salem and Corvallis as the community reflects on their sacrifice this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Weekend begins with high gas prices that are driving up travel costs for both out-of-state visitors and local residents + Gas Buddy reports that Eugene prices are 70 cents above the national average and up seven cents from last week, leaving travelers and locals to cope with rising expenses.

Lucille Reinhart (a Philomath teen from Crescent Valley High) accepted an appointment to join the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2029 and will be inducted on June 26.

She will begin six weeks of Plebe Summer training (a boot camp for new midshipmen) and plans to study cyber operations.

A coalition of schools and community groups in Linn and Benton counties launched a three-year program to support Black middle and high school students by offering tutoring, mentorship, and cultural learning opportunities — the initiative is funded by the Oregon Department of Education’s Student Success Plan grant.

The Corvallis School District’s budget committee approved a $182.6 million budget for 2025-26 that includes cuts such as less music education and staff reductions even though it is larger than last year’s budget, and the school board will vote on it by June 30.

Declining student enrollment and ongoing financial pressures have led officials to defer planned maintenance — a step that critics say may affect school quality.

The Philomath Inclusivity Committee will meet Tuesday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Philomath City Hall to discuss plans for a possible event celebrating National Hispanic American Heritage Month — while Benton County will hold multiple public hearings on budget proposals and related matters throughout the week.

PHS senior Adele Beckstead won third place at the state tennis tournament on Saturday after beating St. Mary’s-Medford sophomore Carys Chamberland 4-6, 6-0, 11-9 and finishing her four-year career with a 78-12 record—she also competed in track events at the Oregon West Conference Championships, qualifying for state in three races.

Lebanon Strawberry Festival

Various times — Cheadle Lake Park — Free entry — Celebrate the community with fireworks, parades, and the World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake.

Live & Learn with your Baby

9:00 – 10:50 AM — Benton Center, Linn-Benton Community College — $25 — Discover how to nurture your baby’s growth through songs and activities while connecting with other parents.

Scheherazade and Celilo Falls (Oregon Symphony)

Featuring fantastical worlds of bewitching lovers and swashbuckling sailors, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade recalls the queen who saves her life — and those of 1,000 women — with her stories. And Principal Cello and composer Nancy Ives merges music, poetry, and photography to tell the story of the majestic falls of Celilo, Oregon.

Scheherazade and Celilo Falls (Oregon Symphony)

Featuring fantastical worlds of bewitching lovers and swashbuckling sailors, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade recalls the queen who saves her life — and those of 1,000 women — with her stories. And Principal Cello and composer Nancy Ives merges music, poetry, and photography to tell the story of the majestic falls of Celilo, Oregon.