EDITOR’S CHOICE
Three Things: Firefighter camp makes its mark, state park changes for 2027 and three safety events become one
David Barron has spent more than a quarter of a century as a Portland firefighter — and he’s watched the applicant pool shrink. When he took the firefighter test in the 1990s, he was competing against about 2,800 people. The most recent test drew fewer than 500. He’s quick to add that it’s a national trend, not just a Portland problem. Barron, who lives in the Summit vicinity, is trying to close that gap with FRIEND Firefighter, the nonprofit he…
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NEWS
OSP Log: Lebanon man dies in Highway 20 motorcycle crash
A 59-year-old Lebanon man died and his passenger was seriously injured when their motorcycle left Highway 20 near Lebanon on Nov. 5.
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Saalsaa named grand marshal for Philomath Parade of Lights
Philomath City Councilor Rich Saalsaa will lead this year’s Philomath Parade of Lights as grand marshal. The council chose Saalsaa, a retired Philomath Fire and Rescue deputy chief, at its Nov. 9 meeting. The vote was 6-0 with Saalsaa abstaining. The parade is in its fourth year and is set…
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BCSO Log: Felon-in-possession arrest made on Highway 20
Benton County sheriff’s deputies make arrests on weapon, DUII and warrant charges, respond to a rainy Highway 20 crash and investigate thefts near Philomath.
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Philomath councilors invited to join statewide City Day at the Capitol in January
League of Oregon Cities event on Jan. 26 gives local officials a chance to meet with legislators in Salem
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Philomath Rotary to host ‘Gut Heart Connection’ presentation
Angie Gallagher, a functional medicine health coach and heart health strategist, will speak to the Philomath Rotary Club during its meeting at noon Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church. Her talk is titled “The Gut Heart Connection: Beyond Cholesterol.” Gallagher worked with diabetic and heart patients for more than 25 years,…
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SPORTS
Howard, Peters lead Philomath’s all-league football picks
Philomath High didn’t have enough experienced offensive linemen to build a running game this fall, so the Warriors went to the air and put the ball in Kaden Howard’s hands. In the trenches, Jamin Peters was so tough on defense that opponents ran plays away from his side of the field. Both seniors made the first team on the 4A Special District 2 all-league football team, leading a group of 12 Warriors who earned postseason honors. Peters made the list…
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Nora Stanley earns first-team all-conference honors for 4th straight year
Philomath High senior Nora Stanley capped her career by earning first-team all-Oregon West Conference honors in volleyball for the fourth straight season. Stanley, an outside hitter, made the first team as a freshman and kept her place there every year after. As a junior, she was also named to the…
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League champion Philomath places eight on all-Oregon West girls soccer team
Philomath High School placed eight players on the all-Oregon West Conference girls soccer team, including three first-team picks — junior midfielder/forward Kya Bolton, junior midfielder Bella Nuñez and senior defender Annaleise Brown. Freshman midfielder Lilly Ellis, sophomore forward Autumn Wilson, freshman defender Noelle Gonzalez-Bush and senior goalkeeper Makena Sleeman made…
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Five Warriors earn all-conference honors in boys soccer
Philomath High School placed five players on the all-Oregon West Conference boys soccer team, including two first-team picks — junior midfielder Sammy Hernandez and junior forward Dreyton Nuño. Senior defender Esias Sapp and freshman forward Skyler Wilson made the second team, and junior midfielder Archer Schroeder received honorable mention. Hernandez…
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MORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
SATURDAY, NOV. 14, 2026: Ceramic mosaic on a bench outside Philomath Community Library. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 2026: Fall day looking west along Grange Hall Road. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 2026: Excavation work underway on South Ninth Street and Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11, 2026: Workers spread infill across the new synthetic turf at Philomath High School’s Terry Stephenson Field last weekend. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, NOV. 10, 2026: U.S. Navy veteran Vern Carr, father of PHS teacher Jessica Mattson, shares his military experience with students at Monday's Veterans Day high school assembly. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
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)
GALLERIES
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
SELF ISH
A one person shop
You might guess
Has an owner who
Minds their own business
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