EDITOR’S CHOICE
Q-and-A with Benton County commissioner candidates
Voters will fill an open seat on the Benton County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 3 general election with a choice between Pacific Green Party candidate James Dashiell and Democrat John Wilson. The Position 1 seat opened when Wilson defeated incumbent Pat Malone in the May Democratic primary. No Republican filed, and Dashiell entered the race Aug. 25, the final day of the filing period. Dashiell, 54, is a Corvallis graphic artist with a bachelor’s degree in production design…
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NEWS
Council adopts transportation safety plan to open door for grant funding
The Philomath City Council on Monday night unanimously adopted a Transportation Safety Action Plan that identifies six high-priority projects and puts the city in line to compete for federal and state grants to pay for them. Resolution 26-28 adopts the plan and reaffirms the council’s commitment to Vision Zero, a…
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Philomath artists open their studios for 21st annual tour
For the 21st year, artists in and around Philomath are inviting visitors inside their workshops, potteries and galleries. The Philomath Open Studios Art Tour and Sale returns over the last two weekends of October, with 27 artists at nine locations. The tour runs Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 with every…
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BCSO Log: Crashes, dogs and blocking BLM road
Benton County sheriff’s deputies towed a vehicle blocking a BLM road, responded to two non-injury crashes and impounded two dogs at large near Philomath.
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Lilly’s Lope for Hope returns Saturday for 13th year
Lilly’s Lope for Hope returns to Philomath City Park on Saturday for its 13th year to bring together runners, walkers and families to raise awareness of youth suicide and money for prevention efforts in Benton County. The timed 5-kilometer event starts at 10 a.m. on a course that begins at…
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City Council approves ARPA grant amendment for water treatment plant
The Philomath City Council on Monday night approved an amendment to the state grant agreement that is paying for much of the city’s new water treatment plant. The change gives the city three more months to spend its federal pandemic relief dollars and moves more of that money into construction.…
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SPORTS
Philomath girls flex with impressive win at 19-school Estacada Invitational
The Philomath High School girls cross-country team won the Estacada Invitational on Wednesday at Milo McIver State Park — even without its top runner in the lineup. The Warriors scored 42 points to beat second-place Ridgefield, Washington, by 32 points in the 19-team field. The Dalles finished third with 109 points. Philomath took the title without Cassidy Smart, the team’s top girls runner, who did not compete because of a foot injury. The meet was a late addition to the…
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Philomath Mat Club opens registration for 2026-27 youth wrestling season
Registration is open for the Philomath Mat Club’s 2026-27 season, a youth wrestling program for kindergarten through eighth grade. The club’s season typically runs from mid-November through the end of January with all practices held in the Philomath High School wrestling room. Wrestlers in kindergarten through fourth grade practice from…
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Warriors rally in third set to sweep Newport for first league win
Philomath High School’s volleyball fell behind by 10 points in the third set Tuesday night, then lived up to the mantra the team set before the match: Don’t let the ball hit the floor. The Warriors came back to finish off a 25-17, 25-18, 26-24 sweep of visiting Newport for…
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Newport pulls away from Philomath boys soccer in second half
The Philomath High School boys soccer team trailed just 1-0 at halftime Tuesday at Newport but struggled to keep pace with the Cubs over the final 22 minutes in what ended up as a 5-0 loss. The Cubs needed the victory to remain in contention for one of the top…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 2026: A rooster skeleton Halloween yard decoration on Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2026: A participant in the Great Pumpkin Run turns off the Hunsaker Bike Trail onto Applegate Street on Sunday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 2026: Philomath Fire and Rescue's Engine 251 provides rides to youngsters Saturday during the organization's annual open house event. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 2026: PHS junior varsity girls soccer coach Anton Grube talks to his team in the shade on a hot day before a game Thursday. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 2026: The Paul Mariman Memorial Cross-Country Course will be the site of Philomath High's annual meet on Saturday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 2026: Tree service workers trim limbs away from a power line while a bicyclist uses the bike lane on Applegate Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2026: Don Rogers shares his experiences spending his junior year in high school on a Rotary Youth Exchange in Jakobstad, Finland at Tuesday’s Philomath Rotary Club Meeting. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 2026: A new sign for the Philomath Police Department has been installed in front of the station. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 2026: A Philomath High band member glances back at bandmates while pounding out a beat on the bass drum during Friday morning's homecoming parade. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2026: The spirit rock at Philomath High promotes this week’s Golden Hour-themed homecoming dance. A homecoming parade is scheduled for 9:40 a.m. Friday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2026: The Philomath Farmers' Market on a fall Sunday afternoon. The market will operate through Oct. 18. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
YOU'RE SO VAIN
I can’t imagine anyone
As vain as my buddy Jim
He went and joined the Navy
So the world could see him
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