EDITOR’S CHOICE
Summit Summer Festival marks 47th year Saturday
The 47th annual Summit Summer Festival will take place on Saturday with music, art, crafts, food and a parade planned from 11 a.m. into the evening at the Summit Community Center. The festival — one of the region’s longest-running community traditions — draws generations of “Summiteers,” some of whom have called the small, close-knit town home for more than 50 years. Admission is free and open to all ages. More than 25 booths will feature work from local artists and…
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Council extends city planner’s contract three years
The Philomath City Council unanimously approved a three-year extension of the city’s contract with planning consultant Laura LaRoque during its Aug. 10 meeting with a discussion that included unprompted praise for her work. The amendment extends LaRoque’s contract with Pathfinder Land Use Consulting LLC through Aug. 8, 2029. Her hourly…
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Philomath City Council picks its top five priorities for state lobbying push
The Philomath City Council unanimously approved five legislative priorities Monday night to submit to the League of Oregon Cities after weighing in on a list of 27 potential issues that will help shape the statewide advocacy group’s lobbying agenda for the 2027-28 legislative session. After a 38-minute discussion, councilors settled…
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Guest viewpoint: Philomath’s new fee echoes 2017 budget crunch
Déjà Vu! That’s the feeling, following Philomath’s 2026-27 budget deliberations. To balance the general fund budget, the City Council created a $5 police services fee to be added to utility bills, starting in October. The last time a fee was enacted to fill a general fund budget gap was in…
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Rotary Club to hear suicide awareness presentation at Aug. 18 meeting
The Philomath Rotary Club plans to meet at noon Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church for a club assembly meeting featuring a presentation on suicide awareness and prevention. All Rotarians and community members are welcome to attend. The gathering will open with introductions and announcements before turning to the main presentation,…
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Pioneer Connect completes acquisition of Monroe Telephone Co.
Pioneer Connect, the Philomath-based telecommunications cooperative, finalized its acquisition Tuesday of Monroe Telephone Co., extending its fiber, DSL and telephone network into the Monroe area. Monroe Telephone has operated in the community since 1912 when it was established as a mutual association providing telephone and telegraph service. The company’s service…
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SPORTS
Muir takes over Philomath High’s softball program
Philomath High School’s softball players will have a familiar face returning this spring. Tim Muir, junior varsity coach for the past two years, takes over for Kari Jaques. Muir, a 2000 Philomath High graduate who also helped with the varsity last season, said he wanted the job to help provide continuity within the program. “I’ve coached a lot of these girls for three years now and I’ve built a bond with them,” said Muir, who also coached the group that…
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Junior Warriors Soccer Camp coming Aug. 10-13
The Philomath High School boys and girls soccer teams will host a youth soccer camp Aug. 10-13 for students going into kindergarten through the eighth grade. Each day’s activities will include instruction on skill development and team play concepts along with challenges and games. The sessions will run each of…
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Siuslaw National Forest extends comment period on rec fee proposal
The Siuslaw National Forest has extended the public comment period for a proposal to change recreation fees at sites across Coos, Douglas, Lane and Tillamook counties, giving residents until Sept. 18, to weigh in. The proposal covers 19 campgrounds as well as summer holiday weekend fees at Sand Lake Recreation…
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Philomath’s Elise Reese earns scholar-athlete honor at Linfield
Philomath High School graduate Elise Reese, a member of the Linfield University women’s tennis team, has been named a 2026 Intercollegiate Tennis Association scholar-athlete, the school announced. Reese, who graduated with the PHS Class of 2024, earned the honor after completing her sophomore season with a grade point average of…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
FRIDAY, AUG. 14, 2026: A chestnut horse pauses for a close-up at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds Friday morning as the Northwest Rodeo Association finals get ready to kick off. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2026: Philomath Public Works employees install wood framing Wednesday around the new readerboard at Dale Collins Memorial Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12, 2026: Benton County Emergency Manager and Philomath resident Bryan Lee encourages residents to prepare for emergencies during a program at the Sunset Building in Corvallis on Tuesday night.(Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 11, 2026: A load of lumber rolls down Philomath's Main Street last week. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 2026: Mule On Fire plays a set at the Strengthening Rural Families Summer Gathering Friday night at Lumos Wine Co. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 2026: Jodi Russell, Philomath Community Services board president, shares comments at Thursday's Celebrating Service fundraiser at Cardwell Hill Cellars. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2026: Hazy skies from wildfire smoke as seen this week in the Philomath area. (Photo by David Low) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5, 2026: A banner at Philomath Community Library's front desk promotes summer reading. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 4, 2026: Philomath High junior Bryce Hruska shows his pygmy goat during the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Auction Saturday night at the Benton County Fair. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 2026: Philomath City Park's skate park opened during the summer of 2000. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
WHAT GOES AROUND ...
My overweight hamster died
And it all makes sense to me now
The vet said it didn’t get enough exercise
It lacked the wheel to live
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