EDITOR’S CHOICE
Six residents earn certificates from Philomath Citizens’ Academy
Six Philomath-area residents have completed the city’s 2026 Citizens’ Academy, a nine-session course on how local government and community partners operate. Don Holthofer, Tom Murphy, Linda Nendel, Rochelle Rainey, Janet Selby and Matt Weeber met the requirement of attending at least seven of the nine sessions to earn a certificate of completion. City Manager Chris Workman, who runs the academy, recognized the graduates who attended Monday night’s Philomath City Council meeting. Council President Teresa Nielson led the meeting because Mayor…
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NEWS
Antique Musical Roadshow brings rare instruments to BCGS program
A program on Saturday will show off instruments that used to be common in American parlors and have mostly gone silent since. The Benton County Genealogical Society presents “Antique Musical Roadshow” with collector and musician Brent Bunker from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 on the second floor of the…
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Philomath Police Log: Halloween DUIIs, dog attack, rental scam
Philomath Police Log for Oct. 30-Nov. 5 includes two DUII citations, a dog attack, a rental scam and a fence built on city right-of-way.
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Ornament Hunt expands to more forests, including the Siuslaw
People hiking on public lands this holiday season could find a handmade wooden ornament on the trail. Finding one is also an entry for a two-day Willamette Valley getaway. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association is running its ninth annual Ornament Hunt from Nov. 20 through Dec. 31. This year the…
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Fire and Rescue Calls: Reported structure fire turns out to be forestry burn
Philomath Fire and Rescue calls from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, including a reported structure fire, controlled burns and mutual aid calls.
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Obituary: Carl Hendrix (1943-2026)
Carl M. Hendrix, a Philomath resident who worked in timber, child care and recycling, died Nov. 6. A celebration of life is Nov. 14.
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SPORTS
Hernandez, Smart lead Philomath girls to state runner-up finish
EUGENE — One of Philomath High’s top runners ran with nothing to lose. The other had a title to defend and a lot on her mind. Olivia Hernandez, a freshman, came to the state meet with no nerves at all. “I was going in like, this is my first year — let’s just show how fast I can do it,” she said. Cassidy Smart, a junior, was back from an injury-related layoff that kept her out of most of October.…
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Gallery: PHS cross-country at 4A championships (Nov. 7, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High boys and girls cross-country at the 4A championships in Eugene on Saturday.
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Philomath cross-country teams take record streaks to state meet
One Philomath cross-country team arrives at state with a shot at the title. The other got in on a wildcard. Both race Saturday at Lane Community College in the Class 4A State Championships. The girls run at 11:45 a.m., and the boys go at 12:20 p.m. The girls are ranked…
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Late Estacada goal ends Philomath girls soccer season
The Philomath High School girls soccer team spent the second half of Wednesday afternoon’s Class 4A playoff opener digging out of a two-goal hole. Estacada needed just one late moment to end it. Senior Ellianna Zavala scored in the 79th minute off an assist from senior Willow Wiley, lifting the…
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MORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 2026: A Rotary Peace Pole was recently installed outside Philomath Community Services on South Ninth Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, NOV. 6, 2026: A sunrise appears over Neabeack Hill earlier this week. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, NOV. 5, 2026: Philomath High School students cheer for the girls soccer team during Wednesday afternoon's playoff game. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4, 2026: A red maple tree at Dale Collins Memorial Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, NOV. 3, 2026: Philomath native Joey Webber, who serves as Portland Timbers mascot Timber Joey, applauds as a specially designed scarf is unveiled during Native American Heritage Night at Sunday’s Timbers game. (Photo by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2026: Trunk or Treats attracted hundreds of kids on Friday afternoon in downtown Philomath. (Photo by Mike Brawner) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 2026: A fall afternoon in Philomath City Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2026: Cinnamon rolls, cookies and hot chocolate were among the items served at a fundraiser last weekend for Tom Overlin. The At Home Properties event was organized to help Overlin with medical expenses. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 2026: Philomath High sophomore Kaylie Thomas shoots photos for the yearbook at Tuesday's boys soccer game. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 2026: A view from Neabeack Hill looking west down Applegate Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 2026: The Willamette Community and Grange Hall on Greenberry Road was built in 1923 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 2026: Maxtivity's Glory, a human-powered kinetic sculpture vehicle, joins Philomath Elementary's bike bus on Friday morning. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2026: A scene from last weekend's Autumn Craft Show at Philomath Scout Lodge. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2026: An evening-sky view looking east toward Plymouth on Tuesday. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 2026: The Oregon Department of Forestry's Ryan Schmidtgall demonstrates fire behavior and defensible space at the Philomath Fire and Rescue open house event earlier this month. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
STEPPING UP
It rang quite true
To those in attendance
The inventor of stairs
Had many descendants
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