EDITOR’S CHOICE
Filing opens for three Philomath City Council seats on November ballot
Three Philomath City Council seats will appear on the November ballot with the filing period for candidates opening Wednesday. Interested residents have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 11, to complete the filing process for the Nov. 3 General Election. The three seats to be included on the ballot are currently held by Jessica Andrade, Teresa Nielson and Rich Saalsaa. Andrade and Nielson are each serving second terms, having first been sworn in back in January 2021. Their current four-year terms…
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Class of 2026: Nine students share PHS valedictorian distinction
The Philomath High School’s Class of 2026 will turn their tassels on Saturday at Clemens Field in a graduation ceremony scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Seniors finish classes Thursday and are scheduled to go on their traditional walk to the various campuses Friday morning. School staff also had plans…
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BCSO Log: Reckless driver clocked at 104 mph, stolen retirement check, Craigslist scam attempt
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office log includes a reckless driving arrest at 104 mph on Highway 20, a stolen retirement check and a foiled Craigslist scam in Philomath.
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Class of 2026: Syd Clark pushes herself across the graduation finish line
Philomath High senior Syd Clark overcame significant health challenges and credits her own drive for reaching graduation and her future in law.
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Mount Union Stories: Alwilda Dunn (1847-1925)
In this week’s Mount Union Stories, read about Alwilda Dunn, who came to Oregon as a child in the early 1850s and was a teacher for many years — even instructing the future Benton County sheriff his ABCs.
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Siuslaw National Forest raises fire danger to moderate amid dry conditions
With unseasonably hot and dry conditions settling over western Oregon, Siuslaw National Forest officials have elevated the area’s fire danger rating from “low” to “moderate.” Forest officials are warning that human-caused wildfires remain the leading threat on National Forest lands and are urging visitors and nearby communities to take extra…
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SPORTS
Philomath seniors celebrate college athletic commitments in signing ceremony
Eight Philomath High School seniors gathered on the school’s auditorium stage Monday to celebrate their commitments to compete in college athletics, signing a ceremonial document marking the occasion. The group represented four sports and five college destinations — volleyball players Taylor Hudson and Shaylee May will head to the College of the Redwoods; baseball pitcher Caleb Babcock and volleyball setter Avery Smith to Linn-Benton Community College; distance runners Abby Phelps to Bushnell University and Leo Pausch to New Mexico State…
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Six Warriors earn Oregon West all-conference softball honors
Philomath High School had six players recognized on the all-Oregon West Conference softball team, led by center fielder Rylee Martin’s first-team selection. Martin, a sophomore who also saw time at shortstop and served as the team’s leadoff batter, was the lone Warrior to earn first-team honors. Three players landed on…
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State track: Eckhold vaults to victory, Smart sweeps distance events to lead PHS girls
EUGENE — Junior Hailey Eckhold was still trying to borrow a pole Saturday morning when the other competitors were walking into Hayward Field. An hour later, she was a state champion. Eckhold’s dramatic pole vault title, combined with sophomore Cassidy Smart’s sweep of the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs, headlined a…
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Gallery: PHS girls track and field at 4A state meet (May 29-30, 2026)
A collection of photos from the Philomath High girls track and field team at the 4A state championships in Eugene on Friday and Saturday.
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026: Trophies won by Philomath High this academic year are lined up in the front office. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026: Philomath schoolchildren created artwork for the food donation barrel at Citizens Bank, items that then go to Philomath Community Services. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026: A 1952 MG TD on display on Saturday during the 1950s-themed Benton County Historical Society's 75th anniversary celebration. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026: The PYAC Community Carnival took over Clemens Field Friday evening with a variety of inflatables. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026: A flowering Kousa dogwood blooms in Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026: A Philomath firefighter at the scene of a structure fire on Main Street in Alsea on Wednesday. (Photo provided by Philomath Fire and Rescue) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026: Volunteers place flags on the graves of veterans on May 23 at Mount Union Cemetery in recognition of Memorial Day. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026: Tom Wright, a member of Philomath Lions Club, volunteers to water flower baskets along Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2026: The American flag and a Warrior Pride flag on display at Warrior Field on a windy afternoon. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026: Instrument cases lie in the grass while Philomath Middle School band students play in the gazebo at the first Music in the Park concert of the season. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026: A load of logs rolls through town. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026: Outdoor fitness equipment installation at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026: Sunrise over the entrance to Starker Forests, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026: A rose bush blooms in Philomath Elementary's Kindness Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026: A project that will add curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parking and an electric vehicle charging station to South 12th Street is underway. Improvements are also planned for South 11th. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
GETTING HEAVY
If the trouble
Is your weight
Try to lighten
Up your plate
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