EDITOR’S CHOICE
Park board takes steps toward summer concert lineup
The Philomath Park Advisory Board’s preparations for this summer’s Music in the Park concert series took a step forward with the ranking of 18 bands that had submitted applications to play the venue and listening to a proposal by the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the final performance. Member Owen Cass compiled a survey from others on the park board and briefly explained how the bands were ranked using a point system. Those results were not made public…
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Philomath girls to open 4A basketball playoffs at Molalla
The Philomath High School girls basketball team will travel to Molalla for the first round of the Class 4A playoffs on Saturday. The Warriors (14-10) were seeded ninth for state as the top at-large qualifier in the field. Philomath finished third in the Oregon West Conference this season behind Stayton…
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Philomath boys will head to St. Helens for 4A hoops playoff opener
The Philomath High School boys basketball team will open the Class 4A playoffs on Friday with a road trip to St. Helens. The Warriors (13-9) were seeded 12th for the playoff bracket after ending up at No. 11 in the final Oregon School Activities Association rankings. Fifth-seeded St. Helens (17-5)…
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City launches sign-up for this year’s Downtown Flower Basket Program
The city of Philomath is accepting sponsorships and volunteer sign-ups for its 2026 Downtown Flower Basket Program, with hanging baskets expected to be installed by the end of May. Each basket is available for a $100 sponsorship contribution. When hung, the baskets will line both sides of Main Street from…
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Mount Union Stories: Lewis E. Cooper (1876-1898)
Published as it appeared on Aug. 25, 1898, in the (Portland) Oregonian, Page 9, Column 4. Funeral of Lewis Cooper. CORVALLIS, Or., Aug. 24.—The funeral of Lewis Cooper, eldest son of Hon. Thomas Cooper, took place from Plymouth church yesterday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. W.C. Kantner, of…
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School Budget Committee to meet for work session on Thursday
The Philomath School District’s Budget Committee plans to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Philomath High School. The committee will meet for its first work session as part of the 2026-27 fiscal year budget preparation process. A second work session could occur March 31, but only if necessary. The work…
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SPORTS
Philomath’s Sapp, Peters earn first-team all-conference basketball honors
Philomath High juniors Esias Sapp and Jamin Peters were first-team selections to the all-Oregon West Conference team, which was released this week by the league. Two other PHS players, junior Kaden Howard and sophomore Dreyton Nuño, earned spots as honorable mention selections. Sapp led the Warriors in scoring this season…
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Philomath’s Barrett caps wrestling career with third straight state title
PORTLAND — Riley Barrett became the first three-time state wrestling champion in Philomath High’s history on Friday, but the path to that milestone was anything but smooth. The senior captured his third consecutive title at the Class 4A championships at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, surviving a tense 150-pound semifinal before closing…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026: A lunar eclipse produces a blood moon over Philomath earlier this week. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026: Daffodils bloom in front of Philomath Middle School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, FEB. 28, 2026: The scene on Friday morning at Mount Union Cemetery. (Photo by David Low) 
FRIDAY, FEB. 27, 2026: Sunset behind Marys Peak. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, FEB. 26, 2026: A large table at the Out West Farm and Ranch food court displays the brand of the late Winston Grant, longtime rancher in the Harlan vicinity. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 2026: Wood carvings above the entrance to Philomath Community Library. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, FEB. 24, 2026: Philomath’s Liam Bennett recently led an Eagle Scout project to construct a sensory hub space featuring sandboxes at Clemens Primary School. (Photo provided by Tom Klipfel) 
SUNDAY, FEB. 22, 2026: Cheer squad co-captain Josey Schreiber glances back at family during Senior Night activities on Friday in the PHS gym. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, FEB. 20, 2026: Sketches of Philomath High School on the wall in the PHS Community Conference Room. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, FEB. 19, 2026: Flags fly at the Philomath Scout Lodge's veterans memorial. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18, 2026: Philomath Rotary Club President Fred Shaub goes through various notes with members at the organization's Tuesday meeting. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, FEB. 17, 2026: Two women walk Tuesday at Marys River Park and Natural Area on a morning that saw light snow. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, FEB. 14, 2026: A "Happy Valentine’s Day" inflatable decoration on North 19th Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, FEB. 13, 2026: The sun rises behind Philomath High School's Forestry building, highlighting one of the school's signature career and technical education programs. (Photo by Barb Davis) 
THURSDAY, FEB. 12, 2026: Open space under a blue sky at Marys River Park and Natural Area. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, 2026: A view of Philomath Community Library after the removal of the large American elm, which had been designated by the city as a Heritage Tree. The tree was removed because of Dutch elm disease. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, FEB. 10, 2026: The Corvallis Indoor Winter Market at the Benton County Fairgrounds on Saturdays draws Philomath-area vendors and shoppers. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, FEB. 7, 2026: Evening traffic along Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, FEB. 6, 2026: The Shipley Family Homestead Marker in Newton Creek Park. Black History Month is observed in February. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, FEB. 5, 2026: A piece of Philomath High's old gym floor before the high school's remodeling project in 2012. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 2026: The Independent Community Center on the corner of Fern Road and Airport Avenue. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, FEB. 3, 2026: A snow moon on Groundhog Day over Philomath. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
SPEECH, SPEECH
A friend of mine to mime school went
‘Twas just around the bend
He saw the light and I lament
Never hearing from him again
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