EDITOR’S CHOICE
Philomath Community Services voices safety concerns amid water plant construction
Philomath Community Services board leadership told the Philomath City Council during a July 27 meeting that construction of the city’s new water treatment plant next door to their building has created safety hazards for the hundreds of people who rely on the nonprofit’s food pantry and clothing bank each month. The next day, Mayor Christopher McMorran, Assistant City Manager Chelsea Starner and City Councilor Diane Crocker visited the facility at 360 S. Ninth St. during a late-afternoon food bank distribution.…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
NEWS
Sheriff’s Office Back to School Supply Drive underway
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office’s 17th annual Back to School Supply Drive is in progress through Aug. 26. For those interested in donating to the supply drive, backpacks have historically been a large need for students of low-income families returning to school. Monetary donations will also be accepted. For example,…
READ MORE
BCSO Log: Two-vehicle Highway 20 crash among recent incidents
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…
READ MORE
Philomath Scout Lodge to host third annual Nonprofit Rummage Sale on Saturday
The Philomath Scout Lodge will host its third annual Nonprofit Rummage Sale on Saturday to give area nonprofit organizations a free venue to sell donated items and raise money for their causes. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Philomath Scout Lodge, 660 Clemens Mill Road,…
READ MORE
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…
READ MORE
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center earns Baby-Friendly re-designation
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis has achieved re-designation as a Baby-Friendly hospital following a rigorous review by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for the international certification in the United States. The hospital’s Center for Women and Families is one of only two hospitals in Oregon to hold the…
READ MOREMORE NEWS
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…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
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…
READ MORE
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…
READ MORE
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…
READ MOREMORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026: A street-level view through the trees looking toward Applegate with Philomath Museum in the distance. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026: A sampling of spirits by Divine Distillers during an At Home Properties tasting stop at Saturday's Sip and Stroll in downtown Philomath. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026: Volunteers build a kaleidoscope bus out of the kinetic sculpture, Glory, at Maxtivity on Main Street. The Graand Kinetic Challenge is this weekend in Corvallis. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026: A bench in Old Reservoir Park at sunset. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026: Bike lanes on Applegate Street get a fresh coat of paint Wednesday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2026: A flower basket hangs in front of Philomath Community Library. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
LOTS OF COMPETITION
I should have known
That failure beckoned
In a contest for losers
I finished second
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