EDITOR’S CHOICE
Next Steps preschool faces uncertain future amid funding crunch
The Next Steps preschool program at Clemens Primary School faces an uncertain future as funding challenges force difficult decisions about the district’s financial priorities. Strengthening Rural Families, which has operated the preschool in Philomath since 2016-17, is not offering winter programming this year and remains unsure about spring sessions, Superintendent Susan Halliday told the Philomath School Board on Thursday. “They started the year with 34 students in the fall,” Halliday said. “There’s no winter programming and they’re not sure about…
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Philomath City Council to vote on utility rates, board appointments
The Philomath City Council meets Monday to vote on utility rate increases, appoint citizens to boards and committees, and review second-quarter strategic plan progress.
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OSP Log: Seven fatal crashes reported across Oregon
Oregon State Police responded to five fatal crashes from Dec. 31-Jan. 7 across eastern and southern Oregon that claimed five lives.
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Audit, levy update and more on Fire and Rescue board’s meeting agenda
The Philomath Fire & Rescue Board of Directors will hold its regular session meeting at 3 p.m. Monday at Station 201. According to the meeting agenda, the board plans to appoint one of its members to begin a job and contract review of Fire Chief Chancy Ferguson. The board also…
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Warrior boys finish 2nd by single point at Newport swim meet
The Philomath boys swim team came within one point of victory Friday at a tri-meet hosted by Newport High School while the girls placed third in their competition. The Warriors boys finished with 106 points just behind Newport’s 107 with West Salem third at 65. Philomath’s girls scored 57 points,…
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Cardwell Hill Drive section to close Monday for cleanup, road work
Benton County Public Works will temporarily close a section of Cardwell Hill Drive on Monday, Jan. 13, to conduct cleanup and road maintenance work, officials said. The closure will affect the 0.8-mile stretch between the west gate and the slide repair construction zone. All pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic will…
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SPORTS
Five individual wins help PHS boys claim 1st at Benton County Championships
Derick Kohn and four other Warriors won individual titles as Philomath’s boys wrestling team captured the Benton County Championships on Thursday.
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Robertson continues comeback season with 1st at Benton County Championships
Following a large amount of success on the mat during her middle school years, Philomath’s Sarah Robertson entered her first season of high school wrestling with high expectations. She made her high school debut at the Warrior Classic and pinned a couple of opponents for first place. About a month…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
FRIDAY, JAN. 9, 2026: The playground at Clemens Primary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, JAN. 8, 2026: The Philomath-based band, “Bryson, Lewis and the Pocket Change,” play a set Wednesday evening at Dirt Road Brewery. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, 2026: Tools of the logging trade on display at Timber Towne Coffee. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, JAN. 6, 2026: A bench sits on the edge of Matt’s Orchard outside Marys River Grange Hall. The trees were planted in memory of Matthew Coen. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, JAN. 3, 2026: A New Year’s Eve sunset in Philomath. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, JAN. 2, 2026: Happy New Year from Philomath Fire and Rescue. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
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Verses
By Kevin Ahern
MAYBE
I hesitate on everything
From lunch to wrong or right
My uncertainty can surely move
Faster than the speed of might
Where to Write
Click on the name below to send an email to an elected representative:
U.S. SENATE
Sen. Ron Wyden
Sen. Jeff Merkley
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rep. Val Hoyle
OREGON LEGISLATURE
Sen. Dick Anderson
Rep. David Gomberg
BENTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Pat Malone
Commissioner Gabe Shepherd
Commissioner Nancy Wyse
PHILOMATH CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Christopher McMorran
President Teresa Nielson
Councilor Jessica Andrade
Councilor Diane Crocker
Councilor Spencer Irwin
Councilor Brent Kaseman
Councilor Rich Saalsaa
PHILOMATH SCHOOL BOARD
Chair Tom Klipfel
Vice Chair Erin McMullen
Director Ryan Cheeke
Director Erin Gudge
Director Sandi Hering