EDITOR’S CHOICE
Philomath Fire and Rescue levy heads to May ballot
Philomath Fire and Rescue will be asking voters to approve a five-year local option operating levy on the May 19 ballot, a measure the district says is necessary to maintain current staffing levels and emergency response capabilities as call volume continues to climb. The proposed levy would take effect in July 2027, stepping in as the district’s existing capital bond expires. Voters approved that $3.5 million bond in May 2016 by a 62%-38% margin, allowing the district to borrow funds…
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Psss column: Our group finds new home at Rebekahs Lodge for monthly meetups
The Psss group, Philomath Sensational Senior Society, is keeping active and has a couple of new things to announce. First of all, we have a brand-spanking-new email dedicated to PSSS information. If you would like to be on our email list, please write to us at philomathseniors@gmail.com. We will only…
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Service Notice: Linda Lou Modrell (1943-2025)
A celebration of life gathering in memory of Linda Lou Modrell will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Corvallis Arts Center, the family announced. Modrell died Nov. 7, 2025, in Albany at age 82. A multiple-term Benton County commissioner, she was survived by a sister, two…
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Philomath Park board planning to select Music in the Park bands Tuesday
The Philomath Park Advisory Board will hold its first meeting of 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall for an agenda that includes electing new officers and selecting bands for this summer’s Music in the Park concert series. The board had planned to choose bands at a Feb. 3…
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Rotary meeting Tuesday to cover food insecurity program, club priorities
The Philomath Rotary Club will host presentations on the Philomath School District’s Weekend Food Pack Program and a member’s experiences at a recent training during its Tuesday, March 3 meeting at Peace Lutheran Church. Beth Edgemon, Philomath High School counselor, is scheduled to speak on the supplemental food program, which…
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BCSO Log: Fentanyl and meth arrest, sex offender registration violation, crashes
The latest Benton County Sheriff’s Office log includes drug arrests, a post-prison supervision violation, failure-to-appear warrants and a sex offender registration charge.
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SPORTS
Newport boys claim Oregon West title with win over Philomath
In a battle for the Oregon West Conference regular-season title in boys basketball, Newport came through on its home floor Tuesday night to defeat Philomath, 76-58. The Warriors (13-9 overall, 7-3 Oregon West) will now turn their attention to the Class 4A state playoffs. Philomath will wait for the Oregon…
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Philomath girls close out regular season with dominant 59-20 win at Newport
In a final regular-season appearance on the road against an overmatched Newport squad, the Philomath High School girls basketball team on Tuesday rolled to a 59-20 victory. The Warriors (13-10 overall, 5-3 Oregon West) will now wait to see where they will go for the first round of the playoffs.…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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
LIGHTEN UP
Police accused a young man
Of being a common vandal
For stealing wax and wicks
And causing an awful scandle
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