VOLUME 5, NUMBER 120
Thursday, June 13, 2024
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Good afternoon. In the newsletter today: We have coverage of last night’s Philomath Academy graduation ceremony. Twenty students earned diplomas and we have photos of the 14 that participated in the event plus a story. Also, 20 years ago today, Eric McKinley was killed in a roadside attack in Iraq. We have a guest piece by Sean Davis, who was in the vehicle with McKinley on that day, with his perspective on the young man that was lost, the attack that occurred and what we should remember moving forward.
Thanks for reading!
Brad Fuqua, publisher/editor
Top Stories
Twenty students earn Philomath Academy diplomas
Class of 2024 graduates enjoy evening celebration with family and friends on the grass just outside of the alternative school’s home at the district office
In an intimate graduation ceremony Wednesday evening on the grass and under trees, 14 of the 20 Philomath Academy students that earned diplomas turned their tassels, stood proud with family […]
More News
Gallery: Philomath Academy Graduation (June 12, 2024)
A collection of photos from the Philomath Academy graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
Guest Commentary: Remembering soldier Eric McKinley 20 years after a tragic day in Iraq
On June 13, 2004, four Humvees of Oregon National Guard soldiers drove into an organized and violent ambush just north of Taji, Iraq. Insurgents detonated […]
From the Past: Bicycle vs. horse in 1899, Kings Valley quilter in 1949 and PHS softball in 1984
150 years ago1874 Precinct officers: The following are the Justices of the Peace, elected for this county, at the general election held June 1st 1874. […]
In controversial push to thin forests to prevent wildfire, concerns grow over loss of old growth
It was a mountain biker on a trail in Bend in 2022 who first spotted the pod of large old Ponderosa pines marked for cutting. […]
The history of lawn mowers
The history of the lawn mower is really the history of cutting grass, and that starts with a scythe. In roughly 200 years we’ve gone […]
Philomath in Photos
In Case You Missed It …
Philomath City Council approves $40.8 million budget
The cost of running a city continues to rise and in Philomath’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget approved Monday night, the numbers add up to $40.8 […]
Philomath’s new volleyball coach has strong ties to program
A familiar face will return to Philomath High School volleyball this fall with Whitney Rasmussen beginning a second stint as the program’s head coach. Whether […]
Artistic Flourish: Local seasonal inspirations for artistic minds
Creativity abounds in the summer months! As I promised, I am returning this month to share about opportunities to flourish. It cannot go unsaid that […]
Community Calendar
• Thursday, June 13: Maxtivity Arts and Crafts Creative Space: Relax Into Your Art, 7-9 p.m.
• Friday, June 14: Bingo at the Grange, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 15: Philomath Pride, noon-4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 15: Community Conversations: Philomath Museum Master Plan, 2-4 p.m.
• Sunday, June 16: Philomath Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.