EDITOR’S CHOICE
OSU opens regional digital forensics lab for Linn-Benton law enforcement
With phones, cars and computers at the scene of nearly every crime, digital evidence can play a crucial role in solving criminal cases. Oregon State University’s police department aims to become a hub for digital forensics with a regional lab serving the Linn-Benton area. The lab is a shared space at OSU’s Department of Public Safety used by digital forensics examiners from university police, the Linn and Benton county sheriff’s offices and the Corvallis and Albany police departments. The lab…
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NEWS
Benton County Elections to host voting town hall Oct. 8
Benton County Elections staff will field questions from voters at a town hall next week as the Nov. 3 general election approaches and county officials report an unusually high volume of inquiries about the voting process. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in the Kalapuya Building,…
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Mount Union Stories: Luman Robert Ray (1841-1907)
In this week’s Mount Union Stories, read about Luman R. Ray, an Ohio-born man who died one day shy of his 66th birthday at his home two miles west of Philomath.
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BCSO Log: Deer collisions, fraud case, hit-and-run, trespassing
Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. All calls for service may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate and may not be included if it could identify victims of certain crimes of a…
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Mattress recycling event set for Saturday at Benton County Fairgrounds
Benton County residents looking to get rid of old mattresses and box springs will have a chance to do so for free Saturday at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The collection event, part of the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the…
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Siuslaw National Forest to begin issuing firewood permits Oct. 15
Firewood cutters planning to stock up for winter in the Siuslaw National Forest can begin picking up permits on Oct. 15. The forest offers both free personal-use permits and paid commercial permits. Either type is required to harvest or transport firewood from forest land, and cutters must carry the permit…
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SPORTS
Taft outlasts Philomath in four-set volleyball match
In an Oregon West Conference volleyball matchup Tuesday night in Philomath High’s gym, visiting Taft survived an early challenge from the host Warriors before posting a 27-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-11 victory. “We played a tough Taft team with scrappy defense and some great offensive plays,” PHS coach Whitney Thomas said. Warriors senior Nora Stanley had a team-high 15 kills in the four-set match. Senior teammate Marri Best finished with 10 kills. Junior Addison Rice and senior Cheyenne Adams had 10…
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Philomath boys soccer picks up first league win behind freshman’s hat trick
The Philomath High School boys soccer team evened its record in the Oregon West Conference, and freshman Skyler Wilson pulled off a hat trick in a 6-2 victory for the Warriors on Tuesday at Taft. The visitors took control early with junior Sammy Hernandez finishing in the second minute. Senior…
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PHS freshman scores 4 goals in 9-0 girls soccer win
Philomath High freshman Lilly Ellis scored four goals in the first 26 minutes and the Warriors overpowered winless Taft on Tuesday afternoon, 9-0, in an Oregon West Conference girls soccer match. The game was stopped at halftime on the OSAA mercy rule. “We controlled throughout — starting with a great…
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PHS girls win, boys 4th at Woahink Lake Invitational
Even without their top runner, the Philomath High girls cross-country team placed five runners among the top nine finishers and cruised to a team title Saturday at the Woahink Lake Cross-Country Invitational near Florence. The Warriors scored 23 points to finish well ahead of runner-up Cottage Grove at 54. Siuslaw…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2026: The Philomath Farmers' Market on a fall Sunday afternoon. The market will operate through Oct. 18. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2026: Sunset along a wooded hiking trail in Bellfountain County Park, 16 miles south of Philomath. The park is the oldest in Benton County. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 2026: ODOT contractors finish pouring new sidewalks along the traffic median east of downtown. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, 2026: Firefighters work at the site of a controlled burn earlier this week at Bald Hill Farm. Philomath Fire and Rescue's Chancy Ferguson, Dan Eddy and Will Beede participated along with a tender and medical standby. (Photo provided by Philomath Fire and Rescue) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2026: Fall colors along the railroad tracks behind Pioneer Park on Tuesday — the first day of fall. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2026: Philomath High graduate Rocco De La Rosa lines up on special teams Saturday night during Oregon State's 52-17 win over Montana. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 2026: Seneca Sloan plants a tree during a celebration of life event Sunday in Philomath City Park in honor of her late husband and former mayor Rocky Sloan. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2026: Philomath High cheerleaders carry the POW/MIA flag onto Clemens Field during a pregame presentation on Friday night. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 2026: Benton Habitat for Humanity home under construction on Quail Glenn Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 2026: Philomath High's spirit rock promotes the upcoming Glow Dance. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 2026: Outdoor garden classroom at Clemens Primary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2026: Annabelle Schultz from the Benton County Mounted Posse rides “Pistol” to help park vehicles at the Public Safety Chili Cook-off on Sunday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, 2026: A fire hydrant near the entrance to Philomath Middle School off Chapel Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2026: Musicians contribute to the atmosphere at the Philomath Farmers' Market. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2026: A view from Neabeack Hill Road. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9, 2026: Fall colors begin to appear in front of the Philomath Scout Lodge. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2026: Lindsey Free, Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce board president, puts up flags with the Philomath Rotary Club on Labor Day. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 2026: PHS varsity volleyball players during the playing of the National Anthem at Thursday evening's home opener. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 2026: Footbridge in Marys River Park and Natural Area. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3, 2026: Blackberries along Newton Creek. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2, 2026: Free "little library" at the corner of Sunrose Court and Neabeack Hill Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2026: The Root Vegetables, a Philomath-based group, plays to a packed house at the Willamette Grange on Saturday night. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
WET HEAD
The hostess of the doggie bash
Was horrified to read
One guest went and party-crashed
And then RSVPeed
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