EDITOR’S CHOICE
Wilson maintains slim lead over Malone; Philomath fire levy passes
Challenger John Wilson held a narrow lead over incumbent Pat Malone in the contested Democratic primary for Benton County commissioner, while Philomath voters were comfortably approving a five-year fire district operating levy, narrowly backing a psilocybin ban and approving all seven annexation proposals, according to updated returns released Tuesday night by the Benton County Records and Elections Department. The 10:45 p.m. tally was the second batch of results posted on election night. The county reported 23,323 ballots counted out of…
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Obituary: Tyler Allen Smouse (2007-2026)
Tyler went home to Heaven on Saturday, May 9, 2026. He was born in Corvallis, Oregon, on Sept. 20, 2007, to Misty Steele and Travis Smouse. Tyler grew up in both Wren and Philomath, where he went on to graduate three months early from the Philomath Academy in 2026. He…
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Mount Union Stories: Margaret D. Newton (1858-1927)
Published as it appeared on May 14, 1927, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Page 3, Column 4. Philomath Woman Died — Mrs. Margaret Deliah Newton, wife of A. B. Newton of Philomath, died at 11:30 yesterday morning at the family home. The funeral will be Wednesday afternoon, May 18, at 3…
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School Board to discuss objectives, calendar, bus contract Thursday
The Philomath School Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Philomath High School in the community conference room with an agenda that includes a discussion on district objectives, approval of the 2027-28 school calendar and a possible vote on the district’s bus services contract. A superintendent’s evaluation,…
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Drazan wins Republican primary for governor, teeing up rematch with Kotek
Oregonians voting in the 2026 governor’s race will decide between two familiar faces: State Sen. Christine Drazan and Democratic incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek. The Republican state senator from Canby who lost to Kotek by a few percentage points in a three-way race in 2022 took an early lead in the…
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Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejecting hikes to gas tax and vehicle fees
Oregonians are on track to overwhelmingly reject hikes to the state’s gas tax, payroll tax and vehicle registration and title fees that would have gone toward funding the maintenance and operations of public roads and bridges. Initial election results from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office shortly after 8 p.m.…
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MORE NEWS
SPORTS
Babcock’s two-hitter, 15 strikeouts lift Warriors to victory
The Philomath High School baseball team continued its late-season surge with a 5-0 victory Monday evening at North Marion. The Warriors have won five straight games and are now tied for first place in the Oregon West Conference. Philomath’s Caleb Babcock tossed a two-hitter, struck out 15 and gave up just one walk in a complete-game performance. The senior pitcher faced 26 batters and threw 108 pitches while lowering his season earned run average to 2.70. The Warriors gave Babcock…
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League leader Cascade downs Warriors in softball
The Philomath High School softball team traveled to face the Oregon West Conference’s first-place team on Monday and dropped a 13-3 decision in five innings to Cascade. The Cougars remained unbeaten in league play at 13-0 and have won 16 straight, improving their overall record to 18-5. Philomath goes to…
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Philomath senior Lucy King qualifies for state in tennis
Back in mid-April during a postmatch interview, Philomath High senior Lucy King said in a response to a question about personal goals that she “would love to be first singles.” King was off to a 4-0 start to the season at that point in time with a lot of tennis…
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Boys 4th, girls 5th at track and field meet in Cottage Grove
In the team’s final regular-season meet before competing in the conference championships, junior Kaden Howard won the long jump and sophomore Sammy Hernandez took first in the high jump to lead Philomath’s boys to a fourth-place finish at Friday’s Wally Ciochetti Invitational at Cottage Grove. Howard took the long jump…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026: Outdoor fitness equipment installation at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026: Sunrise over the entrance to Starker Forests, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026: A rose bush blooms in Philomath Elementary's Kindness Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026: A project that will add curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parking and an electric vehicle charging station to South 12th Street is underway. Improvements are also planned for South 11th. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026: Tuesday String Band leads a jam session Wednesday evening at Marys River Grange Hall. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026: A rainbow over Applegate Street on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026: Volunteers cook pancakes, sausage and bacon at a breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning at the Main Street fire station. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026: Dutch irises bloom in front of the Benton County Historical Society's Johnson Collection Center. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026: The Merry's Place concession stand at the PHS baseball field — named in memory of Merry Rath. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026: Adjutant Frank Blair, left, and Post Commander Elwin Callahan conduct business at the May meeting of the American Legion Marys River Post 100. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026: Playground equipment at Philomath Elementary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026: New signage in front of the Philomath School District office. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026: The Centuries of Celebration exhibit at Philomath Museum. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026: Colors outside of Lupe's Community Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
SLOW MOTION
Don’t worry about me
Though I’m slow as a tortoise
Apparently I have
Early onset rigor mortis
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