EDITOR’S CHOICE
Three Things: A pro podium, playground gift and plaque for kibble
Jacoby Babcock spent his first season in mountain biking’s professional ranks proving he belonged there. The 16-year-old Philomath High School junior finished third overall in the U21 Pro Men division of the 2026 Cascadia Dirt Cup, an enduro series run by Race Cascadia that draws riders from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia and California. Along the way, he won two races. Enduro racing tests both legs and nerve. Riders pedal untimed climbs, then race the clock on a series of…
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NEWS
OSP Log: Two die in separate crashes on I-84
Oregon State Police investigated two fatal crashes on Interstate 84 this week, including a truck driver struck while standing beside his disabled semi.
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The Deacon’s Desk: To be grateful is to be human
Welcome to the inaugural entry from The Deacon’s Desk. My name is Deacon Justin (Brent Kaseman), and I serve as a deacon in the Orthodox Church in America. I call Philomath home. Each month, I’ll share some thoughts and insights on things like gratitude, faith, forgiveness, family and perhaps even…
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Law enforcement stops 24 drivers in Philomath during crosswalk enforcement
Philomath Police, joined by officers from Corvallis and deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, stopped 24 drivers on Main Street during a crosswalk enforcement operation Wednesday. From those who were pulled over, 13 were issued citations. The joint operation in Corvallis and Philomath resulted in 53 traffic stops overall.…
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Business: Pioneer Connect rolls out lower internet pricing across all service tiers
Philomath-based Pioneer Connect announced this week a permanent overhaul of its internet pricing that the cooperative says will lower monthly bills for more than 85% of its current customers. The changes apply across nearly all of the cooperative’s service tiers from DSL up to fiber. The new pricing is available…
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Philomath Rotary Club to hold assembly meeting on Tuesday
The Philomath Rotary Club will hold a club assembly meeting at noon Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church with routine business on the agenda alongside a guest presentation. Members plan to finalize scheduling for the installation of peace poles at Philomath schools with specific sites still to be determined. A peace…
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SPORTS
Defending state champion Cascade overwhelms Philomath in football matchup
Cascade’s dominance on the line of scrimmage proved too much for Philomath on Friday night as the defending 4A state champions rolled to a 68-0 victory at Clemens Field. The Cougars scored on the first play from scrimmage, a 65-yard run by senior Wyatt Kerrigan, and built a 56-0 halftime lead that triggered the running-clock mercy rule for the second half. “Physically, they’re just dominant on the line of scrimmage,” Philomath coach Alex Firth said. “Across the board, if you…
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Gallery: PHS football vs. Cascade (Oct. 2, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 68-0 football loss at home to defending state champion Cascade on Friday.
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Cascade rallies past Philomath in girls volleyball
The Philomath High School girls volleyball team pushed Cascade on the road in a competitive match Thursday evening but the home team secured a win in four sets, 25-27, 25-18, 25-11, 25-23. Coach Whitney Thomas said it was a tough loss but sees a team moving in the right direction.…
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Philomath girls win cross-country meet over big-school field
The Philomath High girls cross-country team showed Thursday that classification doesn’t mean much on a 5-kilometer course. The Class 4A Warriors won the team title at the Grant Robison Invitational at Joe Dancer Park in McMinnville, finishing ahead of a 20-team field that included various 5A and 6A programs. Philomath…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2026: Sunset along a wooded hiking trail in Bellfountain County Park, 16 miles south of Philomath. The park is the oldest in Benton County. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 2026: ODOT contractors finish pouring new sidewalks along the traffic median east of downtown. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, 2026: Firefighters work at the site of a controlled burn earlier this week at Bald Hill Farm. Philomath Fire and Rescue's Chancy Ferguson, Dan Eddy and Will Beede participated along with a tender and medical standby. (Photo provided by Philomath Fire and Rescue) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2026: Fall colors along the railroad tracks behind Pioneer Park on Tuesday — the first day of fall. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2026: Philomath High graduate Rocco De La Rosa lines up on special teams Saturday night during Oregon State's 52-17 win over Montana. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 2026: Seneca Sloan plants a tree during a celebration of life event Sunday in Philomath City Park in honor of her late husband and former mayor Rocky Sloan. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2026: Philomath High cheerleaders carry the POW/MIA flag onto Clemens Field during a pregame presentation on Friday night. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 2026: Benton Habitat for Humanity home under construction on Quail Glenn Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 2026: Philomath High's spirit rock promotes the upcoming Glow Dance. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 2026: Outdoor garden classroom at Clemens Primary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2026: Annabelle Schultz from the Benton County Mounted Posse rides “Pistol” to help park vehicles at the Public Safety Chili Cook-off on Sunday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, 2026: A fire hydrant near the entrance to Philomath Middle School off Chapel Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
STEP ON IT
The decorator seemed to have
A covering paralysis
Then settled on linoleum
In her vinyl analysis
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