EDITOR’S CHOICE
District’s new bus company brings newer fleet, safety tech to Philomath routes
More than two months after First Student Inc. took over student transportation for the Philomath School District, the company’s buses are running, its new operations base on South Ninth Street has its signage up and district officials say the transition has gone about as smoothly as they could have hoped. The switch ended the district’s 15-year relationship with Mid Columbia Bus Co. and brought back a company that had actually served Philomath decades earlier before Mid Columbia won the contract…
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NEWS
City-UO partnership kicks off with housing, transportation projects
Philomath city officials outlined a slate of University of Oregon student projects planned for the coming year during Monday evening’s Philomath City Council meeting, part of a two-year partnership through the university’s Sustainable City Year Program. City Manager Chris Workman and Assistant City Manager Chelsea Starner told the council the…
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Philomath School Board to hear PERS bond pitch
The Philomath School Board plans to meet Thursday evening for an agenda that includes an Oregon Public Employees Retirement System bond presentation and discussion from Piper Sandler, a financial services company. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Philomath High School Community Conference Room.…
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Obituary: Nephi Monroe Patton (1934-2026)
Nephi Monroe Patton of Philomath, Oregon, passed away peacefully on Sept. 14, 2026. It is a testament to his devotion to his family that he was surrounded by his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in his concluding days as his health waned. Nephi was born in Lamar, Colorado, on…
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BCSO Log: DUII arrest at Main and 17th
Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. All calls for service may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate and may not be included if it could identify victims of certain crimes of a…
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Harwood honored for 20 years of service to Philomath
The Philomath City Council on Monday night honored Brianna Harwood for 20 years of service to the city with a celebration of her rise from a temporary utility clerk to the city’s municipal court specialist. Harwood began her career with the city in April 2006 as a temporary utility clerk.…
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MORE NEWS
SPORTS
Warrior boys take 6-2 soccer win on road
The Philomath High School boys soccer team converted six scoring opportunities Tuesday night at Dallas for a 6-2 victory. Junior Sammy Hernandez recorded a hat trick in the victory, the team’s first this season under new head coach Gerardo Garibay. Philomath shot out to a 2-0 lead in the game’s first 14 minutes with goals by junior Dreyton Nuño in the 10th and senior Esias Sapp in the 14th. But Dallas, a 5A school, had an immediate response with junior…
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West Albany rallies in 2nd half for girls soccer win over Philomath
West Albany scored three goals in the second half on its home field to defeat Philomath, 3-0, in a nonconference girls soccer match on Tuesday evening. Bulldogs senior Kristin Krug scored in the 49th and 74th minutes. In between those two, sophomore Jocelyn Lasselle found the net in the 68th…
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Pleasant Hill posts girls volleyball victory over Philomath
Pleasant Hill’s girls volleyball team used strong defense and efficient hitting to defeat Philomath High in three sets Tuesday night, 25-12, 25-12, 25-19. Warriors coach Whitney Thomas said the result reflected ongoing growing pains for a roster still adjusting to varsity-level volleyball rather than anything alarming about her team’s play.…
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Gallery: PHS girls volleyball vs. Pleasant Hill (Sept. 15, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s home girls volleyball match vs. Pleasant Hill on Tuesday.
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MORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2026: Musicians contribute to the atmosphere at the Philomath Farmers' Market. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2026: A view from Neabeack Hill Road. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9, 2026: Fall colors begin to appear in front of the Philomath Scout Lodge. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2026: Lindsey Free, Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce board president, puts up flags with the Philomath Rotary Club on Labor Day. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 2026: PHS varsity volleyball players during the playing of the National Anthem at Thursday evening's home opener. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 2026: Footbridge in Marys River Park and Natural Area. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3, 2026: Blackberries along Newton Creek. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2, 2026: Free "little library" at the corner of Sunrose Court and Neabeack Hill Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2026: The Root Vegetables, a Philomath-based group, plays to a packed house at the Willamette Grange on Saturday night. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
WORD TO THE WHYS
Question after question
Probing the unknown
I’ve come to think my kid was born
With a why chromosome
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