EDITOR’S CHOICE
Column: Finding fun, familiarity and fellowship at the Frolic
Brad Fuqua reflects on 11 years covering the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo from early interviews to this year’s 73rd annual event.
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NEWS
Gallery: Philomath Frolic and Rodeo (July 10, 2026)
A collection of photos from the 2026 Philomath Frolic and Rodeo from Friday night rodeo night to various activities and events.
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OSP Log: Single-vehicle fatal crashes near Umatilla, Pendleton
Oregon State Police reports that single-vehicle crashes on I-82 near Umatilla and on I-84 near Pendleton end with fatalities.
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City Council to weigh next steps for 13th and Main property, vote on police services fee
The Philomath City Council will tackle an agenda at its Monday night meeting that includes discussion on next steps for developing city property at 13th and Main streets as well as votes on a police services fee ordinance and a resolution on setting the fee at $5. The July 13…
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Philomath Fire and Rescue board meets Monday for regular session
The Philomath Fire and Rescue Board of Directors will meet at 3 p.m. Monday at Station 201 for its regular meeting. According to the meeting agenda, discussions will include a fire chief survey, election of board officers, approving recurring journal entries, civil service appointments and a landowners’ request of 45.7…
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Public invited to comment on plan to possibly triple logging in eastern Oregon national forests
Officials at the U.S. Forest Service are proposing new management plans for eastern Oregon’s Blue Mountains that include potentially tripling the amount of logging across 5.5 million acres in the next decade. The Forest Service published a draft of proposed changes to the 35-year-old Blue Mountain Forest Plan last week.…
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SPORTS
Every rep counts as Philomath coach develops baseball players
Watching from the home team’s dugout Wednesday evening in a D1 baseball game against Corvallis, longtime Philomath High coach Levi Webber shouts out encouraging words to Henry Bennett, one of the youngest pitchers competing with the Les and Bob’s summer program. It’s a small moment, but one that captures how Webber runs his summer program. D1 baseball isn’t built around chasing wins. It’s built around reps, patience and figuring out what each player — from the youngest prospects to those…
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Philomath’s Smart wins heat, places 4th in steeplechase at Nike Outdoor Nationals
Philomath High cross-country and track standout Cassidy Smart added another exceptional athletic accomplishment to her résumé this past Friday by winning her heat and placing fourth overall in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Competing against 50 other girls in the Championship division, Smart was first in Heat…
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PYAC opens fall sports registration for flag football, volleyball and cheer
The Philomath Youth Activities Club has opened registration for its fall sports programs with a deadline of July 10 for families to secure spots in flag football, volleyball and recreational cheer. Volleyball is open to students in grades 4-8. Grades 4-6 will compete in the Valley League, while seventh and…
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After years of fundraising, Philomath turf project within striking distance
After years of fundraising, the effort to install artificial turf at Philomath High School’s baseball and softball fields is closing in on its goal with organizers now roughly $70,000 to $80,000 short of what’s needed to move forward. “We are actually really, really close to getting everything that we need,”…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026: The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo's annual fireworks display on Friday night. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026: A John Deere tractor drags the arena at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo ahead of Thursday's performance. The rodeo continues Friday and Saturday nights. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026: The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo's Home Run Derby took place Wednesday evening at the PHS softball field. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026: A view of the Frolic's arena as it appeared Monday ahead of this week's NPRA rodeo performances. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026: Recently installed natural playscape equipment at Flossie Overman Park on North 11th Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026: Happy Fourth of July from an inflatable on the corner of South 13th and Applegate. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026: A 13-star centennial flag from 1876 along with a satin dress from the same period are displayed at the “Centuries of Celebration” exhibit at Philomath Museum. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026: The historic Philomath College building against the Wednesday evening sky. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026: A strawberry moon rises over Philomath June 29 on the evening of its peak. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
CHIROPRACTICE
The ailing man
With a hunched back
Has a one-word plan:
Lumbarjack
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