EDITOR’S CHOICE
Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail fully reopens after volunteers, landowners forge new route around closed section
The Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail Partnership — known as C2C — said final trail work wrapped up on Coast Range Conifers property during the week of Aug. 17 to complete a reroute around a five-mile stretch — trail miles 51 to 56, westbound — that had been closed to hikers since fall 2025. The closure began after a change in private landownership near Ona Beach. Steve McLay, a C2C board member who was serving as board president when the closure hit, said…
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NEWS
BCSO Log: DUII arrests follow crashes on Marys Peak Road, Kings Valley Highway
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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Ballot set for Philomath City Council; commissioner race gains challenger, sheriff unopposed
The ballot for the Nov. 3 general election is coming into final shape with five candidates confirmed for three Philomath City Council seats, a last-minute addition to the Benton County commissioner race and an unopposed candidate advancing for county sheriff. All five candidates seeking a City Council seat have now…
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Oregon Health Authority approves Samaritan’s affiliation with MultiCare
Samaritan Health Services has cleared a major regulatory hurdle in its planned affiliation with Washington-based MultiCare Health System, receiving approval from the Oregon Health Authority this week. The Aug. 24 approval marks what Samaritan officials called the most significant milestone to date in the affiliation process, which was first announced…
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Gomberg to chair new Oregon Blue Economy Task Force
State Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis) has been named chair of a newly formed Oregon Blue Economy Task Force, created this year to examine ways to grow the state’s coastal economy while safeguarding coastal ecosystems. The task force was established through Senate Bill 1525 during the 2026 legislative session. Gomberg, whose…
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Oregon Secretary of State: Mail elections to continue as planned despite court setback
All Oregon voters will receive ballots by mail and should plan to return them by mail or an official dropbox despite a legal setback for states suing to block the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict mail voting, Secretary of State Tobias Read said Tuesday. Read, a Democrat elected in 2024,…
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MORE NEWS
SPORTS
Girls volleyball season preview: Warriors navigating retooled roster, league
Philomath volleyball coach Whitney Thomas doesn’t have to look far for the identity of this year’s team — it starts with senior outside hitter Nora Stanley. Stanley, a first-team all-conference selection last year, has started on varsity since she was a freshman and returns for her final season as the Warriors’ clear go-to player, both on the court and in the locker room. “I think this will be a great year for Nora,” Thomas said. “Nora has always shown amazing…
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Football season preview: Warriors return veteran core, brace for tougher district
Philomath High School’s football team spent the winter and spring with a bit of unfinished business hanging over the program. The Warriors closed last season 6-3, capping the regular season with a 26-14 win over Sweet Home that appeared to punch their ticket to the playoffs — only for the…
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Cross-country season preview: Deep girls team, rebuilding boys squad
The Philomath High School cross-country season kicks off Friday on Western Oregon University’s Ash Creek Preserve course in Monmouth — and for the girls, the storyline is continuity. For the boys, it’s about restocking after losing two all-state runners. Longtime head coach Joe Fulton, entering the season with assistant coaches…
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Challenge of Champions bull-riding series coming to Philomath on Saturday
Bull riders from across the country will converge on Philomath this Saturday for a stop on the Challenge of Champions Tour, a traveling bull-riding series making a stop in Philomath. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds. The doors open at…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, AUG. 27, 2026: Finished street improvements on South 11th between Applegate and Main. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26, 2026: Seniors Erynn Kohler, left, and Olivia Daggett get started on painting their parking spots at Philomath High School on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 25, 2026: The creativity of student artists on display on a mural located outside of Philomath High's Clemens Community Pool. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 22, 2026: Strings of lights brighten 13th Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, AUG. 21, 2026: Sunflowers bloom at Lupe's Community Garden next to Philomath Community Services. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 2026: A vintage Studebaker pickup parked at the Philomath Farmers' Market last weekend. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19, 2026: A school bus mailbox on South Ninth Street marks the location of the Philomath School District's new transportation provider, First Student Inc. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 18, 2026: Ashlyn Terry, of Philomath, competes in pole bending at last weekend's Northwest Youth Rodeo Association finals in the Frolic arena. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 2026: Chainsaw art at Skirvin Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, AUG. 14, 2026: A chestnut horse pauses for a close-up at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds Friday morning as the Northwest Rodeo Association finals get ready to kick off. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2026: Philomath Public Works employees install wood framing Wednesday around the new readerboard at Dale Collins Memorial Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12, 2026: Benton County Emergency Manager and Philomath resident Bryan Lee encourages residents to prepare for emergencies during a program at the Sunset Building in Corvallis on Tuesday night.(Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 11, 2026: A load of lumber rolls down Philomath's Main Street last week. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
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)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
TIMBER!
When it comes to lighting fires
Pinocchio has one rule
He doesn’t want to be involved
Cuz he’s nobody’s fuel
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