election 2026
May 19 election: Q-and-A with candidates in contested primary for county commissioner
Benton County voters will decide a contested Democratic race for county commissioner on the May 19 primary election ballot. The Democratic primary for the board’s Position 1 features two candidates — incumbent Pat Malone of Kings Valley and challenger John Wilson of Adair Village. No Republican candidates filed for the position, meaning the winner of the Democratic primary will be the only major-party candidate on the November general election ballot. The Benton County Elections office planned to begin mailing ballots…
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EDITOR’S CHOICE
May 19 ballot: Philomath Fire and Rescue seeks five-year operating levy
Philomath Fire and Rescue officials say a five-year local operating levy on the May 19 ballot is essential to maintaining current staffing and service levels as call volumes climb and operational costs continue to rise. Measure 2-155 would authorize the district to levy 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in the 2027-28 fiscal year and running through 2031-32. The proposed rate matches an existing bond for buildings and emergency response vehicles that expires in June 2027, meaning the…
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featured
Warriors sweep singles to take down Estacada in boys tennis
The Philomath High boys tennis team swept all four singles matches to defeat Estacada 4-1 in a home match on Thursday afternoon. Warriors freshman Cameron Barlow took down sophomore Liam Morgan 6-1, 7-5 at the top singles spot, while senior Nate Houck rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over sophomore…
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Nature Neighbors program aims to turn small Benton County yards into wildlife habitat
A new Benton County program is enlisting residents to convert small patches of yard — as little as 50 square feet — into habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Nature Neighbors, a partnership between Greenbelt Land Trust and the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, offers participants hands-on guidance,…
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Stayton edges Philomath, 6-5, in finale of tight baseball series
Stayton’s Owen Mitzel turned out to be a major difference maker in his team’s 6-5 victory Thursday evening over Philomath. Not only did Mitzel get the win in relief on the mound for three innings of work and launch a solo home run in the fourth for a 5-3 lead…
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Sweet Home evens season series with Philomath in softball
Philomath High’s softball team mustered just two hits and fell behind early Thursday afternoon in a 16-0 loss to Sweet Home in an Oregon West Conference matchup at Warrior Field. The game was stopped after three innings on the 15-run rule. The Warriors (6-7 overall, 1-5 Oregon West) entered the…
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Cascade hands Philomath boys tennis 7-1 loss
The Philomath High School boys tennis team played for the fifth time in nine days Wednesday and dropped a Special District 2 match on its home court to Cascade, 7-1. Warriors freshman Andrew Sims had the lone victory for the team with a 6-1, 6-1 showing against Cascade senior Dalton…
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SPORTS
Gallery: PHS softball vs. Sweet Home (April 30, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 16-0 softball loss at Warrior Field to Sweet Home on Thursday.
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PHS girls tennis stays hot with road win at Cascade
The Philomath High School girls tennis team won three of four singles matches and three of four doubles matches in a decisive win on the road Wednesday over Cascade. Warriors senior Lucy King at No. 1 singles pulled away from Cascade senior Kenzie Clausen for a 6-4, 6-1 win. At…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026: Colors outside of Lupe's Community Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026: PHS Warrior flags fly at the tennis courts earlier this week. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
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
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
HITCHED
That woman who lives in the shoe
A husband she’s now got
She grabbed a preacher coming through
Then went and tied the knot
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