Volume 6, Number 167, August 16, 2025

VOLUME 6, NUMBER 167
Saturday, August 16, 2025

Good morning, Philomath.

Philomath News is on vacation (read about it here). I’ve picked out six random stories to revisit from 2022. — Brad Fuqua, Publisher/Editor

Community steps up in aftermath of the grandstand fire

Philomath Frolic & Rodeo sees outpouring of support; demolition occurred Wednesday with temporary bleachers to be brought in

The Frolic has deep roots in Philomath. The name has varied through the years — it was called the Buckaroos and Loggers Frolic at its inaugural event in June 1954 and the rodeo didn’t come along until 1983. No matter what the name, the summer celebration established itself as an annual tradition in this small […]

Historical marker brings Shipley family’s story into focus

Special program on Saturday morning in Philomath takes place 150 years after Reuben Shipley’s death

The Plymouth community near Philomath lost a respected and industrious individual named Reuben Shipley on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1872, after falling ill suddenly “with a fit of paralysis.” Those details from a long-ago newspaper article also mentioned that the man was familiarly known as “Reub” around the region. Mary Jane Shipley, who had been his […]

Philomath High girls reach goal of winning state championship

Program secures its first title in 22 years with 46-35 victory over Corbett in 4A finale

COOS BAY — The sound of the final buzzer echoing through Marshfield High’s gymnasium late Saturday night set off a crazy celebration. The players jumped for joy and fell into a heap near midcourt. The student section erupted and rushed the floor. Coaches and managers hugged one another. Parents and fans cheered and captured the […]

Streetscapes project kicks off with groundbreaking ceremony

Philomath’s downtown redesign finally in motion after a dozen or so years of dreaming and planning

Among those standing in the crowd for a streetscapes groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday afternoon was Randy Kugler, the former longtime city manager who was in place through the controversial couplet project and in the following years when the idea of a downtown redesign started to first pick up momentum. “I’m very excited to see what […]

Ten-year-old’s mom: ‘She’s just not one to stay down’

A few weeks after getting hit by a truck, Philomath girl gets ready to ride again after local police present her with new bicycle

Ten-year-old Kalei Rynearson let out a squeal of delight when she realized what the Philomath Police Department had brought to her house late Monday afternoon. It was a new bicycle, complete with a new helmet and some cool accessories to complete the package. Just two weeks earlier, Kalei had been hit by a vehicle. “She’s […]

Philomath High girls take 4A track and field title

Warriors get wins in javelin and shot with Sage Kramer, in the 400 with Janice Hellesto and in the 4-by-400 relay

EUGENE — Before track and field season started this spring, Philomath coach Joe Fulton knew he had a group of talented freshman girls on his hands. They had shown a lot of athletic skill in preseason workouts but at the time, he wasn’t completely sure if his youngest athletes could bring that level of competitiveness […]

Community Calendar

Saturday, August 16
• Amazing Grange Day, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Summit Summer Fest 2025, 11 a.m.-late evening
• Lego Saturday, 11 a.m.
• The Cooper Hollow Jazz Quintet at Lumos Wine, 2 p.m.

Sunday, August 17
• Philomath Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Easy Targets at Lumos Wine, 2 p.m.

Monday, August 18
• Philomath TOPS Meeting, 9 a.m.
• Bodyweight Strength Training at Dance With Me Studio, 9 a.m.
• Dementia Warriors Coffee Connections, 10 a.m.
• Country Dance at Marys River Grange, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, August 19
• Benton County Board of Commissioners Meeting, 9 a.m.
• Yoga at Dance With Me Studio, 9 a.m.
• Philomath Rotary Club Meeting, noon
• READ Dogs at Philomath Community Library, 3:30 p.m.
• Yoga at the Grange, 6 p.m.
• Philomath Community Meal, 6 p.m.

Editor’s note: The Community Calendar listings were last updated Aug. 13 and may not include events that had not been submitted prior to that date.

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