2023 Year in Review — News: October to December

OCTOBER

Oct. 6 — Prior to kickoff at Philomath High’s home football game, the community joined family members and the school to remember Cody Patterson on the 10th anniversary of his death. Patterson was killed in a suicide bomb attack on Oct. 6, 2013, in Afghanistan while serving with the U.S. Army. Sisters Nicole Patterson and Letitia Williams shared their memories.

Oct. 6 — Philomath High School students and staff paraded through a section of town as part of homecoming week activities with each of the four classes showcasing well-designed floats.

Oct. 6 — Sophomore Ben McGovern and senior Ellie Morton were announced as the PHS king and queen during halftime festivities at the Warriors’ football game at Clemens Field.

Oct. 7 — Locals enjoyed three hours at the local fire station during the Philomath Fire and Rescue and Strengthening Rural Families Open House and Health Fair.

Oct. 8 — PHS sophomore Makayla Lillie took first place in her age group in the intermediate division at the Statewide 4-H Ranch Horse Competition at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.

Oct. 9 — The Philomath City Council again updated its American Rescue Plan Act funding strategy. Higher cost estimates on streetlights and a playground surface lead to a renewed discussion and revised decisions.

Oct. 9 — In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, the city of Philomath advanced beyond the act of approving a resolution and offered citizens a special program featuring Oregon State University assistant professor Luhui Whitebear.

Oct. 10 — In a fitting move during an open house celebration at Philomath Family Medicine’s new location on the west edge of town, Dr. Lorri Hendon and retired Drs. David Grube and Dave Cutsforth participated in a ribbon-cutting.

Oct. 14 — Marys River Grange’s Harvest Fest brings in a variety of arts and crafts vendors to raise money for the organization’s junior room remodel.

Oct. 18 — For artists on the Philomath Open Studios Tour, talking about their work and making connections is just as important as selling art during the event. More than 25 artists were getting ready to display their work in and around Philomath during the annual event over the last two weekends in October.

Oct. 19 — Speaking in front of a crowd of about 50 people at the Philomath Area Chamber Commerce luncheon, Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis) shared what he expects to be focusing on during the 2024 short session.

Oct. 20 — The Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director has been on the job for just over six weeks now with local resident Chelle Krantz settling into the position.

Oct. 21 — Lilly’s Lope for Hope attracted around 140 participants, including local resident Alex Brooks and her 17-month-old daughter. The suicide awareness event was held for the 10th time.

Oct. 22 — Elmira High School junior Katie Kilcullen was chosen at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo’s new queen for 2024.

Oct. 23 — The Philomath City Council approved the distribution of a combined $51,452 in social services funding, utility assistance and transient lodging allocations to 11 organizations during its meeting.

Oct. 23 — Mayor Chas Jones and four former mayors gathered at Philomath City Hall to remember the late Jeannine Gay, who died Sept. 26 at age 92, and took the opportunity to pose for a group photo.

Oct. 26 — Ethel Post shares insight about her life in Philomath on her 100th birthday.

Oct. 27 — A Linn County Circuit Court jury convicted a 36-year-old Blodgett man for second-degree murder.

Oct. 28 — A pickup with a driver later arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants crashed into a power pole in the early morning hours to send a power line down across Main Street.

Oct. 31 — The Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce’s 13th annual Trunk or Treat draws hundreds of kids.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 3 — Philomath students outperformed statewide averages in several categories, according to data reported through the Oregon Department of Education’s annual “At-A-Glance” district and school profiles.

Nov. 3 — The Oregon Department of Transportation provides clarity on the Philomath streetscapes project and what’s going on with streetlights.

Nov. 3 — Patrick Lumber Manufacturing has started work to add a sawmill at its Philomath manufacturing facility, the company announced.

Nov. 4 — A 72-year-old woman driving from Riddle to Depot Bay ventured off course somehow and ended up stuck in a Mary’s River Estates area drainage ditch.

Nov. 9 — In a patriotic presentation in Philomath Middle School’s gymnasium, students, staff and visitors listened to Veterans Day Assembly guest speaker Lt. Col. Thomas J. Clifford, who touched on his own inspirational family history in the military, recognized retired service members in the audience and provided youngsters with a sense of the importance of veterans serving as a unifying force during times of uncertainty.

Nov. 10 — While the nation pays tribute Nov. 11 to America’s soldiers in recognition of Veterans Day, the construction of a special park dedicated to those who served continued on the corner of College and North 16th streets in Philomath. The park could be finished and open sometime this spring.

Nov. 13 — Establishing a new housing committee, considering the possibility of driving golf carts around town, studying pedestrian connectivity, setting synthetic turf standards and coming up with a way to protect city trees all received approval from the Philomath City Council as additions or revisions to objectives in the city’s 2023-24 Strategic Plan.

Nov. 13 — The Philomath News entered uncharted territory in the news publishing business in Oregon when it was announced that the digital-only news operation was officially designated as the newspaper of record for the city of Philomath for the purpose of publishing public notices.

Nov. 16 — Perched atop a hill but somewhat hidden on the corner of Pioneer and 10th, the old College of Philomath building represents a peek into the city’s past. A local nonprofit organization believes it can breathe new life into the aging structure to serve the community well into the future.

Nov. 16 — Sitting at the mic in a room packed with supporters, former football coach Troy Muir appealed to the Philomath School Board during its meeting to allow him to volunteer with the high school boys basketball team.

Nov. 23 — A mushroom hunter who had gone missing Wednesday southwest of Philomath was found on Thanksgiving afternoon.

Nov. 28 — Icy road conditions reportedly contributed to three crashes over a three-day stretch in rural areas outside Philomath.

Nov. 28 — Retired after 35 years in the financial services industry, 73-year-old Dick Anderson hasn’t slowed down much. Sure, at first, he envisioned quality time at his Oregon Coast home with his wife, Sue, along with the relaxation of getting in some rounds of golf. As it turned out, retirement has gone in a different direction. Anderson (R-Lincoln City) is a state senator who represents District 5 — a region that includes Philomath.

Nov. 30 — Philomath High students opened a four-show run of  “Newsies” — a musical that tells the story of New York newsboys who go on strike against newspaper heavyweights in the late 1890s.

Nov. 30 — Philomath ushered in the holiday season with the annual lighting of the community Christmas tree, an evening that also included an appearance by Santa Claus, the serving of cocoa and cookies, the ringing of the museum’s bell and singing by local elementary school students.

DECEMBER

Dec. 1 — A Hyundai Sonata rolled over on Highway 20 about 2 miles west of Philomath with its driver transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center to be evaluated for injuries.

Dec. 1 — The Philomath Youth Activities Club honored the late Dan Drivon with its Promise Builder Award on an evening that featured former NFL tight end and PHS standout Kevin Boss as the guest speaker.

Dec. 2 — Local businessman and former high school coach Troy Muir will not be allowed to help with the Warriors boys basketball program this season with Philomath Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday’s decision from earlier this fall upheld through an appeal process.

Dec. 8 — A malfunctioning bandsaw sparked a fire at Interfor’s sawmill on Industrial Way.

Dec. 13 — A fire destroyed the historic Cabell Lodge building at the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.

Dec. 10 — A single-vehicle crash on Highway 20 sent two people to the hospital. And a 48-year-old Eugene man driving on Fern Road lost control of his Toyota Sequoia on a curve in the fog and crashed into a power pole just north of Powder House Road.

Dec. 11 — The Philomath Community Library appears to be in line for a long-awaited expansion project with the City Council directing the city manager to move ahead with hiring a firm to conduct a feasibility study.

Dec. 16 — Philomath’s Holiday Cheer program reached more families than ever this year. Philomath Community Services reported that 78 families and more than 220 children are benefited from the program.

Dec. 16 — The city of Philomath’s first-ever Parade of Lights takes place with several businesses and organizations participating.

Dec. 19 — Management skills, use of technology and effective intergovernmental communication stood out as strengths according to the most recent annual performance evaluation for Philomath City Manager Chris Workman.

Dec. 20 — Philomath earned the title of top wrestling team in Benton County.

Dec. 22 — Earlier in the month in the aisles at the Fred Meyer store in Corvallis, children searched for the perfect gift as part of the 29th annual Shop With a Cop.