EDITOR’S CHOICE
Three Things: Frolic grandstands, wrestling standout and a coffee confession
The next phase of the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo’s arena project — new grandstands on the east and north sides — remains on hold while the board works through planning details. “We’re kind of in a holding pattern at the moment,” board president Alyssa Collins said in a mid-July interview, conducted shortly after this year’s rodeo wrapped up. “There’s some things that we’re trying to finish addressing and trying to kind of line things out so we know what is…
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NEWS
OSP Log: Recent fatalities include 2 involving motorcycles and vehicle hitting elk
Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. FRIDAY, JULY 31 • 9:41 p.m. — Troopers responded to a vehicle-motorcycle crash on Highway 226 east of Scio…
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Philomath council to weigh façade grant changes, planner contract extension
The Philomath City Council will consider changes to the city’s commercial building façade grant program and a three-year extension of its planning services contract when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday at Philomath City Hall. City Manager Chris Workman is recommending the council switch the Commercial Building Façade Grant Program…
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Philomath Fire and Rescue board to vote on tax levy resolution Monday
The Philomath Fire and Rescue Board of Directors will consider a resolution to formally impose the district’s property tax levy for the 2026-27 tax year when it meets at 3 p.m. Monday at Station 201. Resolution No. 26-07 would set the permanent rate tax at $1.5080 per $1,000 of assessed…
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Retired deputy fire chief, now city councilor, to take 760-mile walk
Philomath City Councilor Rich Saalsaa is about to trade council chambers for mountain passes. Beginning Aug. 24, the retired Philomath Fire and Rescue deputy fire chief will set out from Bozeman, Montana, on foot, aiming to cover 760 miles over a month before finishing at Seattle’s Pier 62 on Sept.…
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Benton County marks Overdose Awareness Month with trainings, vigils
Benton County Health Department will hold four free community events in August as part of Overdose Awareness Month, offering overdose recognition training, naloxone distribution and vigils to remember those who have died from overdose. The events lead up to International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, described as the world’s…
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SPORTS
Muir takes over Philomath High’s softball program
Philomath High School’s softball players will have a familiar face returning this spring. Tim Muir, junior varsity coach for the past two years, takes over for Kari Jaques. Muir, a 2000 Philomath High graduate who also helped with the varsity last season, said he wanted the job to help provide continuity within the program. “I’ve coached a lot of these girls for three years now and I’ve built a bond with them,” said Muir, who also coached the group that…
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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…
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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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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 2026: Mule On Fire plays a set at the Strengthening Rural Families Summer Gathering Friday night at Lumos Wine Co. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 2026: Jodi Russell, Philomath Community Services board president, shares comments at Thursday's Celebrating Service fundraiser at Cardwell Hill Cellars. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2026: Hazy skies from wildfire smoke as seen this week in the Philomath area. (Photo by David Low) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5, 2026: A banner at Philomath Community Library's front desk promotes summer reading. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 4, 2026: Philomath High junior Bryce Hruska shows his pygmy goat during the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Auction Saturday night at the Benton County Fair. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 2026: Philomath City Park's skate park opened during the summer of 2000. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026: An excavator works along the tree line at the Millpond Crossing housing development site in Philomath early this week. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
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)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
ON THE ONE HAND
The Ambidextrous Society
Is growing every night
Because of all the people
Joining left and right
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