Corvallis e-News | August 2026

In this issue: Sean hits the road, the mammoth tusk comes to the Library, and downtown gets a boost!

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No GPS, no hotels, no problem

Sean Johnson tackles epic motorcycle road trip for charity

Think back to the last time you went on a good old-fashioned road trip. Was it 300 miles? 400 miles? Maybe you spent the whole day in the car, stopping only to gas up and take a stretch break. Remember how nice it felt to arrive at your destination, after a long day behind the wheel?

For Sean Johnson, that’s just day one. Sean is a building inspector in the City's Development Services Division, but he's also a long haul motorcycle enthusiast. In August, he’s setting out on an epic, 11,000 mile road trip across America. He’s hoping to log 800 to 1,000 miles a day over almost two weeks – a demanding pace that would make even the hardiest road warrior a bit … sore.

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge ™ is an annual event that draws hundreds of riders eager to test their endurance on a grueling route that spans the continental United States. Riders like Sean must follow strict rules, including no use of GPS or mapping devices (handwritten directions are provided at various checkpoints). The route is typically a mix of backroads and state highways, no interstate freeways, and riders cannot sleep indoors for the duration of the ride.

This is Sean’s first year attempting the Hoka Hey Challenge, but he’s no stranger to long-distance motorcycle rides. Astride his trusty Harley Davidson, Sean logged a staggering 37,000 miles last year. He’s a certified long haul cyclist who can bang out 500 miles without batting an eye.

Giving back through charity support

Sean rides to support two charities: Candlelighters for Children with Cancer and Mile Monsters Inc.

Both organizations support children and families dealing with pediatric disease, and both organizations mean a great deal to Sean personally. When his son was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia at an early age, Candlelighters for Children stepped in and supported the family through a challenging treatment and recovery regimen. After 7 years of treatment, Sean’s son is in remission. Today, he’s a junior at Corvallis High School with a bright future ahead of him.

Likewise, Mile Monsters Inc. is an organization that supports kids with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This rare condition typically affects young boys, and the mission of Mile Monsters is to directly support boys with DMD as they face their disease.

By riding and raising funds for both of these charities, Sean has a chance to support the organizations that stood by him.

“This is my opportunity to give back, after all they’ve done for me and my family,” Sean said.

The journey begins August 1

In late July, Sean traveled to the starting point for this year’s Hoka Hey Challenge: Woodstock, Illinois. On August 1, his journey will begin. He’s carrying a tracking device so friends and family can track his location in real time on www.seanrides.com.

The website also includes links to support his two selected charities.

With a combination of grit, determination, and a little luck, Sean expects to roll across the finish line by August 15, just in time for the post-race party.

For Sean, the Hoka Hey Challenge is more than just an epic road trip. It’s an opportunity to give back, raise awareness, and carry the torch for an important cause.

Sean’s family has his back – wife Eren and five children, ranging in age from 10 to 26, plus a brand new granddaughter.

“I look forward to this coming event, the opportunity to raise awareness and support for children dealing with pediatric disease,” Sean said. “I am blessed to have the support of my whole family in this endeavor.”

To read more about Sean’s journey, please visit www.seanrides.com.

Mammoth tusk comes home to the Corvallis Library

After 12,700 years, a mammoth tusk unearthed underneath 9th Street has finally arrived in its final resting place at the Corvallis library, where it is on display for the public to see and learn about.

The saga started in 2021, when utility crews digging a trench for underground natural gas lines unearthed a Columbian mammoth tusk and immediately contacted the City of Corvallis to see about safeguarding the discovery. The City partnered with Loren Davis, an archaeological professor at Oregon State University, to preserve and safely remove the find.

The mammoth tusk proved to be an extraordinary preservation opportunity for Dr. Davis and his students at OSU. Radiocarbon dating revealed that the tusk was approximately 12,700 years old, dating back to a time when mammoths and other megafauna such as giant ground sloths, mastodons, giant beavers, camels, ancient horses and bison roamed the Willamette Valley.

The preserved tusk was carefully placed into a custom wooden display cabinet, built and donated by the talented woodworkers at the Highland Woodshop in Corvallis.

We're so grateful for the generous volunteer hours that went into this preservation effort. The display case and the mammoth tusk can be found at the Corvallis Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., in the children's section. Stop by and check out this new piece of Corvallis history!

Movie in the Park returns August 14

Nothing says summer like Movie in the Park!

Bring your picnic blankets and your favorite people to Avery Park on August 14 to watch The Emperor's New Groove.

The fun starts with the Kid Zone at 7 p.m. Enjoy games and kids activities while the sun slowly sets. 

At sunset, the movie will get underway. This event is free and open to the public!

Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force publishes final report

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 July 20, 2026 meeting.

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: 

• Enhance downtown cleanliness and safety.
• Foster a vibrant and successful retail, service, office, and entertainment economy.
• Make connections to the Willamette River an integral part of downtown.
• Emphasize ease of access, walkability and accessibility within and to downtown.
• Provide housing opportunities that contribute to a vital downtown community.
• Invest in cultural and public spaces, and buildings and services that contribute to a successful and engaging downtown.
• Advance downtown’s structural, environmental and economic resilience through strategic investments, policies, and partnerships among utility service providers, property owners, and government.
• Develop and submit to voters an urban renewal plan, including a tax increment financing district, to provide funding support for downtown improvements.

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.

Election season is underway in Corvallis

Election season is underway in Corvallis. Candidates for public office may contact the City's Elections Office for more information about filing paperwork to appear on the ballot in the November 2026 general election.

A running tally of candidates who are in the process of qualifying for the ballot is available online. More information about the upcoming November 2026 election is available on the City website.

Meals on Wheels seeking volunteers

Meals on Wheels of Corvallis is looking for volunteers to either work in the kitchen or deliver meals. 

Volunteers work 1-2 days a week. Each volunteer shift is about 2.5 hours in length. Kitchen volunteers package food for delivery and serve in-person diners. Drivers deliver meals and connect with clients, helping to make sure they are safe in their home.

To volunteer, please contact:  king@ocwcog.org or call 541-924-8432 or visit the program website at: https://mealsonwheelslbl.org

Summer @ Your Library

Summer reading is underway at the Library for kids, teens, and adults!

Find out more and get started: cbcpl.net/summeratyourlibrary

See our summer events: corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Catch up with your elected officials at their regularly scheduled meetings and work sessions. Upcoming meetings are listed below, along with links to calendar entries with more information. You don't have to attend to share feedback on any topic that's important to you. Feel free to use the Public Input Form to get in touch with the Council anytime, anywhere. 

FYI: Council Three-Month Calendar

The City Council's three-month calendar is a good way to track topics and learn about upcoming business items. The three-month calendar is available on the City website.

The schedule is subject to change, so be sure to contact your City Councilor to learn more about any particular topic you see on the calendar.