EDITOR’S CHOICE
A new generation builds on PHRED’s legacy
When Casey Baker walked into freshman orientation at Philomath High School four years ago, a table set up for the school’s robotics program caught his eye. He stopped. He signed up. Now a senior wrapping up his final season as a mechanical co-lead for PHRED — the Philomath High Robotics and Engineering Division — Baker is considering a future in software engineering. Baker’s story is the program’s story in miniature — kids walking past a table, getting curious and finding…
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featured
Master Gardener Plant Sale and Clinic set for Saturday at fairgrounds
The Benton County Master Gardener Plant Sale and Clinic returns Saturday at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The May 2 sale runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and will be held under cover at the Solar Barn and the Floral Courtyard. Organizers said nearly 10,000 locally grown plants will be available, including…
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Two Oregon Democrats are challenging U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle in May primary
Two Democrats are challenging U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle in the primary to represent Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, which includes the central and southern coast and parts of the Willamette and Umpqua River Valleys. Hoyle, a former state lawmaker and labor commissioner from Lane County, has held the seat since 2023.…
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Muir cracks top 5 at Taft girls golf invitational
Philomath High School senior Isabelle Muir turned in a top-five finish at the Taft Invitational Tuesday at Salishan Golf Links in Gleneden Beach. Muir made par on the fifth and 15th holes and finished with a 53 on the front 9 and a 51 on the back for a total…
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Philomath girls tennis sweeps North Marion on the road
The Philomath High School girls tennis team swept all eight matches on the road over North Marion Tuesday in a Special District 2 matchup. Senior Lucy King (6-1, 6-0), junior Lucy Thomas (6-0, 6-2), sophomore Ella Hammonds (6-4, 7-6) and junior Isabelle Norman (7-5, 6-2) all took care of their…
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Philomath’s singles success continues in win over North Marion
Philomath High’s boys tennis team continued to see exceptional results in the singles lineup Tuesday with all four players notching wins in a 7-0 sweep of visiting North Marion. Senior Nate Houck, who improved to 10-0 on the season, battled past his North Marion opponent 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (8) in…
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SPORTS
Gallery: PHS boys tennis vs. North Marion (April 28, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 7-0 boys tennis victory over North Marion on Tuesday.
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Philomath baseball loses close one at Stayton, 5-4
Stayton junior Ryland Thiessen hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give his team a 5-4 win Monday over Philomath in an Oregon West Conference baseball game. The Eagles, 13-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference, are ranked No. 5 in the latest Oregon School…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026: Rhododendrons bloom at the PHS Botany Lab. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026: A trail through Downing forest on Philomath School District property. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026: Newton Creek runs through Philomath City Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026: The Philomath High School baseball team meets postgame under a canopy of blue sky and clouds Thursday evening at Terry Stephenson Field. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026: The historic Philomath College building, now Philomath Museum, in the side-view mirror. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026: A walk in the park — Philomath City Park — on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026: Construction of Dirt Road Brewing's on-site brewery facility on North 13th Street. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026: Trees line Applegate Street looking west from the sidewalk in front of Philomath City Hall. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026: A side view of Philomath Museum behind College United Methodist Church. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026: A slide in the main playground at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026: Wood rounds are stacked at Philomath High School's Forestry and Natural Resources outdoor classroom. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026: California poppies grow outside the Philomath Youth Activities Club. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026: Sunset on Friday evening at Skirvin Park's Horse Plaza. (Photo by Kendra Gillman) 
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026: Construction progress has become more visible in recent weeks at Tall Timber RV Park along North 19th Street. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026: Crack-and-seal street project along Applegate Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026: A pink sunset over Philomath on Sunday evening. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026: High school golf is in its second year at Philomath. Here, Roman Robins walks the course Monday at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2026: Several different people of all ages helped move shovels of dirt during a tree-planting ceremony Friday afternoon in front of Philomath Community Library. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026: Public art in Dale Collins Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026: Spring tree blooms along North 17th Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026: An Easter bunny pickup in the PHS parking lot. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
COLD SHOULDER
The snowman they call Frosty
Is grinning with delight
Because he met a snowgirl
It was love at frostbite
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