EDITOR’S CHOICE
PYAC’s firewood fundraiser hit by theft as delivery season approaches
For 25 years, Philomath Youth Activities Club board members and volunteers have spent their fall weekends cutting, splitting and delivering firewood — a fundraiser that started small in 2001 and has since grown into one of the nonprofit’s most important sources of general operating funds. But this year’s effort got off to a rocky start after someone stole one of PYAC’s log splitters from its firewood site, located just outside the city limits on the west end of Philomath. Eddie…
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NEWS
BCSO Log: DUII crash leads to felony assault charge
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office log includes a felony assault arrest after a head-on DUII crash on West Hills Road, excavator vandalism on Starker property and a meth stop near Blodgett.
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Only one candidate has filed for three open City Council seats with Aug. 11 deadline approaching
With less than two weeks remaining to file, only one candidate has completed the qualifying process for three open Philomath City Council seats on the November ballot. Rich Saalsaa, who was appointed to his seat in January 2025 following Matt Lehman’s departure, is so far the only candidate who has…
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City Council approves three-year police union contract
The Philomath City Council approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Philomath Police Personnel Association on Monday night by a 5-1 vote. The agreement, formalized through Resolution 26-24, covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, and replaces a previous contract that expired June 30. According to information…
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Mount Union Stories: Justina Newton (1838-1917)
In this week’s Mount Union Stories, read about Justina Newton, who was among the pioneers of that family who lived in the Philomath vicinity. The wife of Norris P. Newton, she was the mother of nine children.
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Philomath City Council sets monthly police services fee at $5 after final approval
The Philomath City Council gave final approval Monday night to an ordinance establishing a police services fee and then set the fee at $5 per month for utility customers. The ordinance passed 5-2 on a roll-call vote during the second reading with Mayor Christopher McMorran and Councilor Jessica Andrade voting…
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MORE NEWS
SPORTS
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 those days from 9-11 a.m. at the PHS soccer fields located behind the middle school. The cost will be $50 per player, $90 for two players or $125 for three…
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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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Every rep counts as Philomath coach develops baseball players
Watching from the home team’s dugout Wednesday evening in a D1 baseball game against Corvallis, longtime Philomath High coach Levi Webber shouts out encouraging words to Henry Bennett, one of the youngest pitchers competing with the Les and Bob’s summer program. It’s a small moment, but one that captures how…
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MORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026: Looking through Philomath City Park's main playground toward the new outdoor fitness area. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026: A 1949 Tucker Sno-Cat, which was used to monitor the watershed and wildlife on Marys Peak, makes an appearance in the Great Oregon Steam-Up's parade on Sunday at Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks. (Photo by Canda Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2026: A row of hand-painted rocks lines the curb at Philomath City Park, spotted Tuesday morning near the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce caboose display. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2026: Flowers were placed at the Philomath Veterans Memorial in Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026: The Philomath Lions Club's book sale opened Thursday at the rodeo grounds and will continue through Saturday. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026: The Philomath Farmers' Market operates on Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Philomath Community Library and Philomath Police Station parking lot area. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026: A street-level view through the trees looking toward Applegate with Philomath Museum in the distance. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026: A sampling of spirits by Divine Distillers during an At Home Properties tasting stop at Saturday's Sip and Stroll in downtown Philomath. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026: Volunteers build a kaleidoscope bus out of the kinetic sculpture, Glory, at Maxtivity on Main Street. The Graand Kinetic Challenge is this weekend in Corvallis. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026: A bench in Old Reservoir Park at sunset. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026: Bike lanes on Applegate Street get a fresh coat of paint Wednesday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2026: A flower basket hangs in front of Philomath Community Library. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026: Work is underway on Philomath's new water treatment plant. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026: The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo's annual fireworks display on Friday night. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026: A John Deere tractor drags the arena at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo ahead of Thursday's performance. The rodeo continues Friday and Saturday nights. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026: The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo's Home Run Derby took place Wednesday evening at the PHS softball field. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026: A view of the Frolic's arena as it appeared Monday ahead of this week's NPRA rodeo performances. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026: Recently installed natural playscape equipment at Flossie Overman Park on North 11th Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026: Happy Fourth of July from an inflatable on the corner of South 13th and Applegate. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026: A 13-star centennial flag from 1876 along with a satin dress from the same period are displayed at the “Centuries of Celebration” exhibit at Philomath Museum. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026: The historic Philomath College building against the Wednesday evening sky. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026: A strawberry moon rises over Philomath June 29 on the evening of its peak. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
GIVE UP
Love is surrender.
Surrender is love.
To know this.
Is enough.
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