2023 Year in Review — News: July to September

JULY

July 1 — Each summer during the Philomath Classic Car Show it’s not an uncommon sight to see an 80-something making his way up and down the rows of cars, lingering a little longer perhaps alongside certain makes and models that makes one wonder if he’s visiting a familiar “face” from the past. The 26th annual Philomath Classic Car Show returns July 8.

July 1 — The second story in a series of Philomath Frolic and Rodeo previews takes a look at the Grand Parade.

July 1 — A 51-year-old Eugene man was killed near Peoria when the paraglider that he was a passenger in crashed into the Willamette River.

July 2 — The third story in a series of Philomath Frolic and Rodeo previews focuses on volunteers behind the scenes at the arena.

July 3 — The fourth story in a series of Philomath Frolic and Rodeo previews goes through the celebration’s special events.

July 3 — Philomath School Board chair Rick Wells led newcomers Ryan Cheeke and Sandi Hering through a swearing-in ceremony.

July 3 — No decisions have been made with the school district and teachers’ union continuing their contract negotiations, a process that both sides anticipate continuing at least into August.

July 4 — Philomath Fire & Rescue was out in full force on the Fourth of July with responses in the afternoon and evening that included a significant grass fire and a structure fire in the Corvallis vicinity.

July 5 — A fire that scorched approximately 7 acres in the Fir Grove vicinity Wednesday afternoon north of Pedee involved a response from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s West Oregon District and the Hoskins Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District.

July 6 — Philomath Frolic and Rodeo attaches the name of the late Heather Helkey to Kids Korner, which provides activities for youth in the celebration’s vendor area.

July 6 — A Salem woman is arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants (drugs) following an incident that involved a Dax delivery robot. The woman got out of her car for a closer look at the robot but failed to put her vehicle in park.

July 7 — The city of Philomath recently lifted a stop work order on Millpond Crossing and the developer, MPC Builders, has resumed construction activities at the site on South 16th Street between Timothy Street and Chapel Drive.

July 8 — While this year’s Philomath Frolic & Rodeo queen, 17-year-old Anya Hester, wears a big smile and enthusiastically waves to the crowd whether riding in the rodeo arena or on the parade route, there is pain lingering just below the surface with thoughts of her beloved horse, “Philo.”

July 8 — The route through local streets may have changed and the start time’s temperature turned out to be much cooler than what’s been experienced in recent years but the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo’s Grand Parade maintained the familiar small-town feel that appeals to a lot of residents. That includes two familiar faces sitting in a convertible as the parade’s grand marshals — Mark and Charla Koeppe.

July 8 — With a love for cars running deep, lifelong local resident Denny Bennett says he’s pretty much been a regular at the Philomath Classic Car Show from the very beginning. That’s a run of more than a quarter century.

July 8 — As the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo wrapped up the rodeo, the organization’s board president had his mind on the future and work that needs to get done over the next several months.

July 8 — The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo saw a healthy number of bull-riding entries for this year’s performances and unlike last year, there were riders who were able to stay aboard long enough to record scores.

July 10 — A construction firm didn’t follow contract specifications when pouring a massive concrete slab for the city of Philomath’s reservoir June 28 — and that could be a costly error, officials said during a City Council meeting. “Removal and replacement may be three-quarters to a million (dollars),” City Attorney Jim Brewer said.

July 10 — The Philomath City Council determined that it needs more information before it can allocate more than $160,000 in remaining federal pandemic funding. During a council work session, City Manager Chris Workman was asked to create a prioritized list of potential projects.

July 13 — Changes for the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library — including new catalog software, permanent delivery service and later hours on weekdays at Philomath Community Library — were recently implemented to make it easier than ever for residents to check out books and other materials.

July 15 — The weather was scorching, and the hot place to cool off was Philomath Museum’s water-themed Family Day. The free event included educational booths and fun activities.

July 16 — Firefighters extinguished a grass and car fire following a crash near the intersection of North Ninth Street and West Hills Road.

July 20 — A nice sampling of a wine varietal, the enjoyment of a craft brew or a taste of the harder stuff straight up or in a cocktail will all be part of the coming weekend’s Sip & Stroll in Philomath.

July 21 — Philomath Family Medicine’s relocation from an aging building in the middle of town to a new facility on the west end is expected to happen toward the end of the summer with hopes for patients to start going to appointments at the site in mid-September.

July 22 — World War II veteran Dalmon “Ed” Calcote, age 100, talks about his childhood, military service and his years as a professional baker.

July 26 — Natalie Dunn came up with eye-catching images. Alyssa Kvidt discovered the perfect font. Together, their visuals are featured in this year’s promotional poster for the Public Safety Chili Cook-off.

July 24 — In the aftermath of a late December windstorm that caused widespread damage in Philomath School District’s Downing Research Forest, a tree-removal operation begins. The school district believed it became clear that downed and damaged trees need to be removed out of liability concerns. As the operation progressed, community members started to absorb the scope of the project and it created a startling sight for many, including those connected with the cross-country program.

July 29 — Relaxing in lawn chairs in the grass near the main shelter at Philomath City Park, John and Lucy Leach took in some sun, enjoyed lunch and shared a few memories about the Philomath High School they knew nearly three quarters of a century ago. They were two of the 114-plus in attendance at this year’s Philomath High School All-Class Reunion.

AUGUST

Aug. 1 — The Philomath Police Department swears in an officer with local ties in Colter Forrest, who grew up in Philomath and attended Philomath High School.

Aug. 3 — The Benton County Fair takes place over four days with entertainment, rides, competitions and exhibitions.

Aug. 3 — Alert travelers on Highway 20 stopped and sprang into action to contain a roadside fire until units could arrive at a location just west of the Benton-Lincoln county line.

Aug. 4 — Several fire agencies, including Philomath Fire and Rescue, responded to a fire that is burning vegetation and sending a huge plume of smoke into the air off Priceboro Drive outside of Harrisburg.

Aug. 4 — A fire destroyed a garage and heavily damaged the attic of a house on South 15th Street.

Aug. 5 — A 15-day closure of Chapel Drive between South 16th Street and Bellfountain Road begins as Benton County makes progress on a project intended to make the roadway safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Aug. 5 — Philomath High coach Joe Fulton said that when he first saw what remained of Downing forest and his decimated cross-country course following the school district’s tree-removal project, it felt like he was visiting a cemetery. “I started crying,” Fulton said while walking the grounds. “I was just dumbfounded.”

Aug. 6 — Philomath Fire and Rescue Chief Chancy Ferguson, Lt. Paula Anderson, firefighter Layne Converse and the department’s heavy brush rig returned from the Priceboro Fire near Harrisburg.

Aug. 9 — The city of Philomath plans to move forward with the hiring of an independent consultant to test the concrete slab that was poured in late June as part of the construction of a new $4.2 million water reservoir on South Ninth Street.

Aug. 12 — The fifth annual Amazing Grange Day returned to Philomath with a rummage sale and pie auction to help raise money for maintenance needs at the historic Marys River Grange Hall.

Aug. 12 — The Oregon Department of Forestry moved into extreme fire danger with restrictions on open fires beginning in Benton County.

Aug. 14 — Freelance photographer Andy Cripe spends a day on Marys Peak.

Aug. 16 — Perched on a branch above the historic Summit Community Center with a line of musical parade participants in the foreground, a black raven with a tiny red heart in its beak serves as the dominant imagery of this year’s T-shirt and poster art for the Summit Summer Festival.

Aug. 18 — The Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce finds itself in the midst of change with a new location, a new executive director and by early 2024, a new board president.

Aug. 19 — Marys River Grange Hall settles into the role of a local meeting place with events such as monthly bingo, concerts, dances and others open to the community.

Aug. 19 — Deputies arrested a Prineville man in a fir tree outside Blodgett. The man had been pulled over on Highway 20 and allegedly had possession of a felony-level amount of fentanyl.

Aug. 19 — The 44th annual Summit Summer Festival takes place and features music, arts and crafts booths, a mellow vibe and a family-friendly feel.

Aug. 22 — Philomath Citizens Academy’s organizer said the series of programs provides a well-rounded view of what the community offers.

Aug. 23 — With the Downing Research Forest tree-removal project in the past, school officials and others with an interest have now transitioned into what to do in the future at the outdoor education and cross-country course site.

Aug. 23 — The Philomath School Board and the Philomath Education Association appeared to be closing in on an agreement with a vote on teacher contracts to take place in the coming days.

Aug. 24 — Twenty-two years ago, the Philomath Youth Activities Club needed to find a way to raise money to fix an important piece of equipment for youth basketball. Selling firewood turned out to be the answer.

Aug. 24 — The Philomath School District planned to add two new teachers before the beginning of classes this fall in response to larger-than-anticipated kindergarten and fourth-grade classes.

Aug. 25 — Thunderstorms that rolled through the region overnight sparked three fires, including one in Kings Valley that prompted officials to issue a “be ready” evacuation notice to five residences in the vicinity.

Aug. 26 — While incoming kindergartners had fun pedaling cars around a town set up the previous week in the Clemens Primary gym, a passing of the baton was occurring in the background involving a now-retired police officer and a rookie who is getting ready to head off to the state academy.

Aug. 26 — A bicyclist attempting to make a left turn from Kings Valley Highway onto Highway 20 was injured when hitting a vehicle.

Aug. 26 — Five of six wildfires burning in Benton County appeared to be under control following a flurry of lightning-caused ignitions.

Aug. 27 — The Rock Creek Fire west of Philomath continued to burn in large timber on a steep and rugged slope near Marys Peak.

Aug. 28 — The mop-up phase of an operation on the Rock Creek Fire near Marys Peak got started.

Aug. 28 — Following a process that started in April and sparked a wide range of opinions, the Philomath City Council believed it had finalized its decision on how to spend just over $160,000 in America Rescue Plan Act funds.

Aug. 28 — Longtime City Attorney Jim Brewer announced plans to retire by the end of March during a City Council meeting. 

Aug. 30 — Benton County Sheriff’s Office detectives made an arrest following the investigation of a paraglider crash into the Willamette River this summer that killed a 51-year-old Eugene man.

Aug. 31 — The Forest Meadows manufactured home community in Philomath was in the midst of an expansion to create more options for those on the lookout for housing.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 5 — A pickup struck the rear of a dump truck loaded with rock in Kings Valley and pinned the driver in the cab.

Sept. 5 — As classes reconvene after a summer break that never seems to be long enough, administrators at the all seven campuses in the Philomath School District will see more students walking through their doors.

Sept. 7 — Taking over as the exalted ruler of Corvallis Elks Lodge No. 1413 earlier in the year, Tim Smith expressed the hope of seeing a stronger Philomath connection within the organization.

Sept. 7 — Following a unanimous vote by the School Board, the Philomath School District and the local teachers’ union officially came to terms on a two-year contract that becomes effective immediately and runs through the 2024-25 academic year.

Sept. 8 — Henderer Design and Build’s shop on Applegate Street received an American flag from an anonymous person after its previous flag had been stolen.

Sept. 10 — An event that has evolved into a must activity each September for a lot of folks in Philomath and the surrounding communities, the latest edition of the Public Safety Chili Cook-off took over the rodeo grounds. The event saw a record year for participants and attendance.

Sept. 10 — A man in his 60s who fell and dislocated his hip in a mountainous region was rescued and flown to the hospital in an operation that required responders to travel over challenging roads and find a place for a helicopter to land.

Sept. 11 — Philomath City Councilor Matt Lehman suggested the possibility of using photo radar to slow down drivers passing through town during a renewed round of talks on how to spend America Rescue Plan Act funds.

Sept. 11 — Sharon Thornberry takes over as the executive director of Philomath Community Services.

Sept. 13 — A colorful collection of vegetables and fruits bordered by a display of student handprints has brightened Philomath Elementary School’s courtyard.

Sept. 15 — The second annual Talk Like A Pirate returned to Marys River Grange under the organization of Yvonne McMillan.

Sept. 16 — Retired 16 months ago from a career in chemical engineering, Philomath resident Munk Davis reignited a longing from his younger years to put pen to paper. The result was his first book, a self-published title he calls “Boys Meets Ant: Syntropy — Book One.”

Sept. 16 — Tanner Dowless, an Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troop 161 in Philomath, spent the day with his crew of volunteers putting up an outdoor teaching kiosk at the local elementary school.

Sept. 17 — Philomath Community Services celebrated its volunteers and supporters during a special event at Marys River Park and Natural Area.

Sept. 21 — A report of a grass and car fire in the area of the North 19th Street curve near West Hills Road north of Philomath turned into a law-enforcement operation that led to the pursuit and arrest of two people.

Sept. 21 — Philomath Fire and Rescue had a busy stretch with responses to a field fire 16 miles north of Monroe and a fire along the railroad tracks near Daisy Drive.

Sept. 21 — A high student capacity percentage at Philomath Elementary, unknowns involving definitive revenue allocations from the state and the mention of having a committee look into a future backup plan for overflow students were all part of the Philomath School Board’s latest enrollment discussion.

Sept. 22 — The Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders honored longtime Philomath City Recorder Ruth Post with its City Recorder of the Year award.

Sept. 26 — A car fire in the eastbound lane of Highway 20 near Mustang Lane impacted the busy roadway. Passersby stopped and used a fire extinguisher on the fire before Philomath Fire and Rescue arrived.

Sept. 26 — A 78-year-old Corvallis woman suffered serious injuries when she was hit by a vehicle in a parking lot at Philomath City Park.

Sept. 28 — In a span of just four days from the time a teacher made a request to the Philomath School Board to the time of installation, Clemens Primary School had a covering to allow students to play outside on rainy days.

Sept. 30 — Philomath High School senior Bailey Bell was recently recognized as a “Commended Scholar” through the National Merit Scholarship Program.