Muriel Appanaitis of Philomath Elementary School, left, and Brooke St. Clair of Philomath Middle School, were announced by the city as winners of this year’s “If I Were Mayor …” student contest. Assistant City Manager Chelsea Starner presented the awards. (Photos provided by city of Philomath)

Two Philomath students win local ‘If I Were Mayor’ contest

Appanaitis, St. Clair entries advance to statewide consideration by Oregon Mayors Association

Two Philomath students earned top honors in the 2026 “If I Were Mayor …” student contest with their entries advancing to statewide consideration by the Oregon Mayors Association. Muriel Appanaitis of Philomath Elementary School won the Grades 4-5 category, and Brooke St. Clair of Philomath Middle School took the top…

A new generation builds on PHRED’s legacy

When Casey Baker walked into freshman orientation at Philomath High School four years ago, a table set up for the school’s robotics program caught his eye. He stopped. He signed up. Now a senior wrapping…

Forestry expo for middle schoolers returns to Philomath

Eighth-graders fanned out across Downing Research Forest behind Philomath Middle School on Friday morning, climbing into logging equipment, watching wildfire burn demonstrations and learning to plant Douglas fir seedlings as the Paul and Genie Mortenson…

PHS forestry team wins 5 events at FNRL convention

Eleven Philomath High School students competed at the Future Natural Resource Leaders state convention April 17-18, returning home with five first-place finishes across individual and team events. The two-day convention opened Friday at the LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon…

Philomath School Board to revisit 2027-28 academic calendar in May

The Philomath School Board last week took up a draft 2027-28 academic calendar but deferred a vote on the proposal until May after questions arose about how to handle Veterans Day. Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday presented the draft calendar,…

Philomath equestrian team wins district title, qualifies several for state

The Philomath High School equestrian team captured the Willamette District title and will send several riders to the state championships next month in Redmond. Philomath finished first in the league with 1,650 points across three district meets, outpacing second-place Sweet…

Philomath School Board to review district objectives, safety procedures

The Philomath School Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Philomath High School with an agenda that includes discussions on district objectives and safety procedures along with possible votes on the 2027-28 academic calendar and policy updates…

Philomath district to switch school bus companies after 15 years

The Philomath School Board voted unanimously Monday night to select First Student Inc. as the school district’s new student transportation provider, ending a 15-year relationship with Mid Columbia Bus Co. and setting the stage for a transition that must be…

Clemens Primary plans online kindergarten orientation on April 15

Clemens Primary School plans to offer an online kindergarten orientation on Wednesday, April 15, as part of the process leading up to enrollment this fall, school officials announced. The orientation and registration information event for parents will run from 7-8…

Linn-Benton Community College releases winter term honor roll

Linn-Benton Community College released this week the names of students who made the honor roll for the completed winter term. The list includes 33 students that in LBCC records show Philomath as their hometown or address: Also on the honor…

LBCC raises tuition 7% for 2026-27 academic year

The Linn-Benton Community College Board of Education approved a 7% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year during its March meeting, raising in-state tuition from $149.80 to $160.30 per credit hour. Fees will also increase from $22.05 to $23.25 per…

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