2023 Year in Review — News: January to March

JANUARY

Jan. 1 — Steven Mainwaring, 32, of Corvallis, was found dead on Marys Peak.

Jan. 1 — Just 2 hours and 3 minutes into 2023, Benton County’s first baby was born at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Finchley Ceperich was born at 2:03 a.m. Jan. 1 to Russ and Angel Ceperich, of Alsea.

Jan. 2 — Philomath High graduate Rhiannon Gudge was among the Tulane University marching band members to perform at the Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas.

Jan. 6 — Gov. Tina Kotek announced that Melissa Goff, former superintendent of schools at Philomath, had been appointed to educator adviser.

Jan. 9 — Mayor Chas Jones and city councilors Matt Lehman, Ruth Causey, Jessica Andrade, Teresa Nielson, Christopher McMorran and Diane Crocker took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. In the meeting that followed, councilors made several committee appointments and assignments.

Jan. 13 — Philomath Fire and Rescue reported a record year for call volume with 975 in 2022.

Jan. 14 — After nearly three decades, Les Schwab Tire Center again had a presence in Philomath with the transfer of ownership from Beggs Tire & Wheel to the tire retail chain. Former owner Luke Beggs worked his final day on Jan. 13.

Jan. 18 — Mail delivery in Philomath appeared to be getting better after problems that plagued several residents over a period of months in 2022.

Jan. 22 — The Millpond Crossing housing subdivision went dark over several weeks following a stop order issued by the city and a re-evaluation of the entire project by the developer.

Jan. 23 — Eleven weeks after ordering Millpond Crossing’s developer to install construction fencing around excavated work sites within the local housing development, the work had not been done. As a result, the Philomath City Council approved for the city to put up temporary fencing and require the developer to pay for it.

Jan. 25 — City councilors Ruth Causey, Diane Crocker and Christopher McMorran, and City Manager Chris Workman, were in Salem to mingle with state lawmakers, including those who represent Philomath as part of their districts.

Jan. 26 — Philomath High School’s graduation rate continued its annual trend of performing well above the state average, according to data released Thursday by the Oregon Department of Education.

Jan. 27 — Several fire departments, including personnel and equipment from Philomath and Kings Valley, responded to a house fire in Eddyville. The home was a total loss.

Jan. 27 — A mother with a toddler and an infant in the vehicle crashed off Highway 20 down an embankment just west of Highway 34. The mother and two children were transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for further assessment.

Jan. 31 — Philomath residents Rick and Danielle Bennett prepare to hold “Oregon’s Largest Indoor Bounce Park” Feb. 4 at the Benton County Fairgrounds following an idea to hold something indoors for kids during the winter months.

FEBRUARY

Feb. 4 — The next time you enjoy a downtown walk in Philomath, pause for a few moments at 1243 Main St., the spot right next door to The Dizzy Hen. Built in 1947 as a movie theater and repurposed through the years to accommodate various businesses, it’s almost as if you could hear the history inside. Since the beginning of the year, Chiseled Spirit CrossFit has been operating at the site in the main space and Yours Truly Salon’s owner is doing hair and nails in a cozy spot with its own entrance.

Feb. 4 — On Saturday afternoon at Philomath City Hall, Rep. David Gomberg met with the community to provide a legislator’s view of the state’s current session, answered questions of concern and just got to know folks a little bit better in a city that’s new to his district.

Feb. 6 — Every Monday morning in Philomath, a group of individuals get together to try to work their way through challenges while shedding pounds. It’s the Philomath chapter of TOPS — an acronym for “take off pounds sensibly.”

Feb. 8 — More than 200 people showed up for a Justice System Improvement Program open house at the Kalapuya Building in west Corvallis.

Feb. 11 — Even on the cloudiest winter days, Sherry DeWall’s modest Philomath home on North 19th Street shines bright with decorations for the holidays. Leading up to major holidays, DeWall’s front yard draws a lot of attention through creative displays, which often include inflatables.

Feb. 13 — A property owner with an eye on building multiplex housing on the corner of South 19th Street and Chapel Drive cleared a hurdle with the Philomath City Council’s approval of an application to rezone four parcels from medium- to high-density residential.

Feb. 14 — Oregon police officers that need to go through the state’s police academy are waiting several months to get on the Salem campus to complete required training. It’s an issue that has plagued police departments around the state, including Philomath.

Feb. 15 — Standing before the community on the high school auditorium’s stage four individuals ranging in age from 17 to 66 represented the latest group to be honored as first citizens during the annual Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce Samaritan Awards — Lorelei Schell, Christopher McMorran, Mark Koeppe and Doug Edmonds.

Feb. 16 — Philomath High School senior Roman Padar earned a significant academic honor when Principal Mark Henderson announced that he has been chosen as a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

Feb. 18 — While most teenagers sleep in on chilly Saturday mornings, a group of 27 Philomath High School students and advisers woke up early to support the Special Olympics through their participation in the annual Polar Plunge.

Feb. 18 — The Philomath Rotary Club’s fundraising efforts through the Salmon & Jazz dinner returned for the first time since 2019.

Feb. 22 — Wearing those familiar T-shirts with an illustration of a dog sitting in front of a book, the four-member Reading Retrievers won Philomath Elementary’s Battle of the Books competition.

Feb. 23 — Philomath Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday tells the School Board about notable damage to Downing Research Forest that occurred from a late December windstorm.

Feb. 24 — Philomath High School took first place in the Future Forestry Workers Career Day logging and forestry skills competition at the 85th annual Oregon Logging Conference.

Feb. 26 — Folks who planned on enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon in Philomath City Park instead witnessed a chaotic scene unfold as law enforcement chased down a man who ended up in Newton Creek and was arrested on a felony warrant.

MARCH

March 3 — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality rescinded recommended precautions for Millpond Crossing residents, a list that had advised no open flames, use of power tools, wood and charcoal fires, smoking or cutting grass with electric- or gas-powered lawn mowers.

March 8 — Through the work of Philomath-based King’s Glory Productions, a 14-minute video attempts to provide a new and deeper connection to the man who was Reuben Shipley, the former slave who helped establish Mount Union Cemetery.

March 13 — The Philomath City Council gave its stamp of approval to purchase a half-acre property on the corner of Main Street and North 20th Street. Councilors did not discuss any potential uses for the site but City Manager Chris Workman believes there could be some very good options.

March 13 — The City Council approved a motion to support Benton County’s upcoming bond measure vote. Commissioner Nancy Wyse and Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall responded to several questions about the construction of a new jail, other safety-related facilities and expanded services.

March 14 — For the first time since the early 1990s, the Philomath School District appears to be headed in a new direction with its food services program.

March 15 — Moana, Maui, Tamatoa, Te Fiti and the rest of the characters made famous by the 2016 Disney movie will be coming to the local stage this week with Philomath Middle School students to perform four shows.

March 17 — With no candidates several weeks into the filing process, the idea of the current Philomath School Board needing to fill seats through future appointments started to become a possibility. But in the final week, four local residents threw their names into the race with Steven King, Ryan Cheeke, Sandi Hering and incumbent Karen Skinkis.

March 21 — Philomath took a detailed look into the state’s Climate-Friendly Area requirements, including an open house.

March 21 — A Kings Valley Charter School bus transporting children was involved in a crash at the Highway 20 and Highway 34 intersection west of Philomath. The bus driver and none of the children were injured in the crash. The driver and a passenger in the car involved in the crash were also reportedly not injured.

March 26 — Jace Barrett, Christopher Ludington and Zachary Novak reflect on earning the Boy Scouts of America Eagle rank.

March 26 — A female motorist who crashed off a slippery Highway 20 on Wren Hill was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

March 29 — Philomath now has an auto sales dealership with owner Joe Carrillo moving into the building owned by Bill Mayer at 1811 Main St., just west of Towne Pump. Chiseled Spirit CrossFit relocated at the end of the past year.

March 29 — The Philomath School Board finalized the Integrated Guidance Plan, a document designed to streamline the grant application process and improve student outcomes.