Volume 6, Number 169, August 20, 2025

VOLUME 6, NUMBER 169
Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Good morning, Philomath.

Philomath News is on vacation (read about it here). I’ve picked out six random stories to revisit from 2024. I’ll be back in the office tomorrow. — Brad Fuqua, Publisher/Editor

Philomath’s Riley Barrett completes perfect run to state wrestling title

Warriors sophomore finishes 48-0 while winning 150-pound division; 5 PHS wrestlers in all earn medals in 4A tournament at Portland

PORTLAND — Walking off the mat at last year’s state wrestling tournament with a fourth-place finish did not sit well with then-freshman Riley Barrett. In the months that followed, he upped his commitment with a level of hard work often only seen in athletes who reach the top of their sport. As it turns out, […]

Philomath’s historic museum now running on solar energy

Project on the roof of the Johnson Collections Center puts renewable energy on full display in the center of town

Several years ago, the Benton County Historical Society qualified for a grant to go toward the installation of solar panels on the organization’s museum campus in Philomath. But the project never happened because the historical society wasn’t able to raise the matching funds that were required to secure the gift. Now through a renewed effort, […]

Philomath celebrates establishment of new veterans park

Named in memory of Paul J. Cochran, a Vietnam War soldier lost in 1968, the park follows through on a mother’s wishes

A sizable crowd with several veterans in attendance watched the city of Philomath officially celebrate the opening of Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park Saturday morning on the corner of College and North 16th streets. The special program featured a remembrance of the park’s namesake, the presentation of bronze service medals to Vietnam War veterans, […]

One-on-one with Philomath’s retired police chief

Ken Rueben opens up about his 40-year career, leaving Philomath PD with Percy and shares plans about how he’s staying involved in law enforcement

When Ken Rueben put on the uniform for his final day as Philomath’s chief of police on April 3, he admits that it was a difficult morning. “This sounds bad but it’s not really the job, it’s the people,” Rueben said during a recent sit-down interview in the police station’s conference room. “I know that’s […]

Three-peat! PHS girls win another track and field title

A series of bad breaks that would knock down most teams did not stop the Warriors from again reaching the top

EUGENE — The possibility of a three-peat by the Philomath High girls track and field team appeared to be in jeopardy Saturday at Hayward Field. Heading into the weekend, Philomath had already seen its potential for points lessened by a couple of bad breaks in the previous week’s district meet. Then on Saturday afternoon at […]

Pacific Northwest’s top chainsaw carvers competing in Philomath

Organizer says the carvings create that ‘wow factor so that when you look at it, you go holy crap and you just can’t believe it’

Situated side-by-side in 20-by-20-foot work spaces at the rodeo grounds in Skirvin Park, 15 professional chainsaw carvers got started Thursday on a 19-hour competition to come up with award-winning creations. The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo’s newest attraction brought out curious onlookers on the celebration’s opening day in the hour prior to the rodeo. The crowds […]

Community Calendar

Wednesday, August 20
• Bodyweight Strength Training at Dance With Me Studio, 9 a.m.
• Quilts from Caring Hands, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Philomath Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday Noon Book Club, noon
• Philomath Lions Club Meeting, noon
• Dementia Warriors Support Group Meeting, 2:30-4 p.m.
• U.S. Ron Wyden Town Hall, 4 p.m.
• Spoon Club at Marys River Grange, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 21
• Yoga at Dance With Me Studio, 9 a.m.

Friday, August 22
• OneLove Retreat, 5 p.m.
• Round House Band Duo at Cardwell Hill Cellars, 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.