EDITOR’S CHOICE
Babcock earns Pitcher of the Year, PHS places 7 on all-conference team
Caleb Babcock capped a standout senior season by earning Oregon West Conference Pitcher of the Year honors, leading a strong contingent of Philomath players on the league’s all-conference team. Babcock was one of seven Warriors recognized, with the group spanning first team, second team and honorable mention selections following Philomath’s 14-13 season that included a second-place finish in the OWC standings. The senior left-hander was dominant on the mound, going 6-3 with a save, a 3.16 ERA and a 1.157…
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Coffee, doughnuts and conversation: Local bank hosts return of Coffee with a Cop
A neighbor’s overgrown weeds. Traffic concerns. Curiosity about an officer’s favorite — and least favorite — parts of the job. Those were among the conversations that filled the lobby of Citizens Bank on Thursday morning as Philomath Police personnel chatted with residents over free coffee and doughnuts during the latest…
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Hunter Hayes, Queen Nation to headline Benton County Fair
Country star Hunter Hayes and Queen tribute band Queen Nation will headline the main stage at the 2026 Benton County Fair and Rodeo, which runs July 29 through Aug. 1 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. All concerts on the main stage are free with $10 daily fair admission, organizers announced.…
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BCSO Log: Three driving-related arrests over three days
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office log includes three driving-related arrests over three consecutive days on Highway 20 and Highway 34.
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Business: Philomath Emporium plans live auction on Saturday
The Philomath Emporium will host its first live auction Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., the business announced. A professional auctioneer will lead the event with items hand-selected from the collections of vendors who have booths at the store. Admission and participation in the auction are free. Following the auction, an…
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Lumina to host Spring Memorial event May 30 at fairgrounds
Lumina will host its Spring Memorial, a free community event to remember and honor those who have died, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Benton County Fairgrounds Floral Courtyard. The May 30 family-friendly event will feature refreshments, a meditative walk, live music, and arts and crafts. There…
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SPORTS
Warrior Watch: Mission accomplished, All-American leap and gymnastics crown
Most college distance runners spend their first two years after high school logging mileage, dropping times and chasing conference qualifying marks. Ben Hernandez spent his walking the streets of Mexico City. The 21-year-old Philomath High Class of 2023 graduate has returned to competitive running at Western Oregon University after a two-year mission through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — and he’s already turning a layoff into a learning curve. Missionaries voluntarily leave their homes to share the…
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Philomath’s baseball season ends with 7-6 loss in Eugene
EUGENE — A back-and-forth quarterfinal that turned into a slugfest after a measured start ended with Philomath one run short, as 14th-seeded Philomath fell 7-6 to third-seeded Marist Catholic on Tuesday at Scott Halbrook Field. The Warriors led twice and held a 6-5 advantage going into the bottom of the…
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Gallery: PHS baseball at Marist Catholic (Tuesday, May 26, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 7-6 baseball loss in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs at Marist Catholic on Tuesday.
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Philomath track and field girls win ninth straight conference title
The Philomath High School girls track and field team won the Oregon West Conference Championships for the ninth straight year while the boys settled for runner-up on Saturday at Stayton. Beyond those team results, the girls and boys teams (as of Saturday evening) had each qualified in 10 events for…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026: A Philomath firefighter at the scene of a structure fire on Main Street in Alsea on Wednesday. (Photo provided by Philomath Fire and Rescue) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026: Volunteers place flags on the graves of veterans on May 23 at Mount Union Cemetery in recognition of Memorial Day. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026: Tom Wright, a member of Philomath Lions Club, volunteers to water flower baskets along Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2026: The American flag and a Warrior Pride flag on display at Warrior Field on a windy afternoon. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026: Instrument cases lie in the grass while Philomath Middle School band students play in the gazebo at the first Music in the Park concert of the season. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026: A load of logs rolls through town. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026: Outdoor fitness equipment installation at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026: Sunrise over the entrance to Starker Forests, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026: A rose bush blooms in Philomath Elementary's Kindness Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026: A project that will add curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parking and an electric vehicle charging station to South 12th Street is underway. Improvements are also planned for South 11th. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026: Tuesday String Band leads a jam session Wednesday evening at Marys River Grange Hall. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026: A rainbow over Applegate Street on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026: Volunteers cook pancakes, sausage and bacon at a breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning at the Main Street fire station. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026: Dutch irises bloom in front of the Benton County Historical Society's Johnson Collection Center. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026: The Merry's Place concession stand at the PHS baseball field — named in memory of Merry Rath. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026: Adjutant Frank Blair, left, and Post Commander Elwin Callahan conduct business at the May meeting of the American Legion Marys River Post 100. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026: Playground equipment at Philomath Elementary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026: New signage in front of the Philomath School District office. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026: The Centuries of Celebration exhibit at Philomath Museum. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026: Colors outside of Lupe's Community Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT
Blueberry, strawberry, cherry
Cut ‘em or carve ‘em, don’t ask why
Cuz no matter how you slice it, dice it, or price it,
It’s still pie
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