EDITOR’S CHOICE
Philomath freshman breaks new ground at state wrestling
PORTLAND — Makinzey Harrington walked out of Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Friday night after the fifth-place medal match with disappointment written across her face. The Philomath freshman had lost to Molalla’s Alvina Ruiz — someone she had pinned a week earlier at the district tournament. Despite the loss and sixth-place finish at 135 pounds, Harrington had just become the first female wrestler in Philomath High’s history to earn a state medal. “To be a state placer, the first ever, that’s…
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Three Things: Defining Warrior culture, preschool gets lifeline, 50-year transit partnership in question
PHS launches a community survey on Warrior identity, Next Steps Preschool secures spring funding and Benton County weighs ending its 50-year Dial-A-Bus partnership.
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Obituary: Guy R. Griffin (1953-2026)
Guy Richard Griffin, of Albany, Oregon, peacefully passed away Feb. 14, 2026, after battling several medical issues for many years. He was 73. Guy was born to John Franklin Griffin and Helen Lucille (Winefeldt) Griffin Feb. 1, 1953, in San Diego, California. He was the fifth of eight children; he…
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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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SPORTS
Gallery: PHS wrestling at state championships (Feb. 27, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath’s appearance at the 4A boys championships and 4A/3A/2A/1A girls championships on Friday.
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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 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