VOLUME 6, NUMBER 17
Thursday, January 23, 2025
RANDOM OBSERVATION: This afternoon, I discovered that a particular spot that I’ve loved and frequented over past 10 years recently changed one of my favorite products. Last year, the same spot discontinued my son’s favorite. And the year before that, the phone app that had been easy to use became so difficult to figure out that I quit using it. It’s odd, I feel a pit in my stomach — it’s like I’ve lost an old friend. — Brad Fuqua, publisher/editor
Editor’s Choice
Icy roads lead to crashes in Kings Valley, Philomath
Pickup slides off Maxfield Creek Road and lands upside down in creek; vehicle on Grange Hall Road flips over on its side
Slippery road conditions were factors in crashes that occurred Wednesday afternoon in Kings Valley and Thursday morning in Philomath, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office reported. Emergency medical services personnel and […]
News
BCSO Log: Crashes, destroyed mailbox, taxi ride among recent incidents
A rundown of recent responses from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office included crashes on Highway 34 and Marys River Estates Road.
Obituary: Kenneth Jeffery Melton (1955-2025)
Kenneth Jeffery Melton, lovingly known as Jeff, was born in Salem, Oregon, and passed away at 69 in Albany, Oregon. Jeff spent his youth working […]
Woman stranded in remote Linn County location rescued
A 30-year-old woman who had wandered about a mile away from her vehicle along Highway 20 several miles east of Sweet Home in winter weather […]
Wyden decided against protecting the Owyhee — another chance could be far off
Dr. Julie Weikel, a retired large animal veterinarian, has been fighting to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands in Southeastern Oregon for a long time. How long? […]
A new forest project, including logging, is coming to Hells Canyon in Wallowa County
As far as names go, Morgan Nesbit sounds pretty benign. The U.S. Forest Service’s Morgan Nesbit Forest Resiliency Project, however, has sown plenty of discord. […]
U.S. presidents with the lowest golf handicaps
Golfing among U.S. presidents is culturally embedded in the job—even if you come into the White House as a casual player. It’s seen as a […]
Sports
Philomath swim teams sweep season’s final home meet
Philomath High’s boys and girls swim teams swept the final home meet of the season Wednesday at Clemens Community Pool, a performance that included 11 […]
Philomath boys off to positive start in Oregon West
The Philomath High School boys basketball team created a cushion in the first half and then pulled away for good in the third quarter to […]
PHS girls open league play with 55-11 win at Sweet Home
The Philomath High School girls basketball team opened Oregon West Conference play Tuesday on the road with a 55-11 victory over Sweet Home. The Warriors […]
In Case You Missed It
Obituary: Cynthia E. Shaffer (1965-2025)
Cynthia “Cindy” Eileen Shaffer, 59, of Philomath, Oregon, passed away on January 20, 2025, after a valiant battle with cancer. Cindy was born on July […]
Obituary: Tracy Shaffer (1959-2025)
Tracy Vernon Shaffer, 65, passed away at his home in Stayton, Oregon, on January 20, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Tracy was born […]
Daimler will resume selling diesel trucks in Oregon
The nation’s largest maker of large trucks will once again sell diesel trucks in its home state. Daimler Trucks North America said in a statement […]
Mount Union Stories: Hannah Starr (1856-1920)
In this week’s Mount Union Stories, read about 64-year-old Hannah Starr, a longtime resident of the Oak Creek vicinity who died in 1920.
Philomath in Photos
Community Calendar
• Thursday, Jan. 23: Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 24: PHS Cheer at JAMZ School Cheer Nationals (Las Vegas)
• Friday, Jan. 24: PHS Wrestling at Reser’s Tournament of Champions (Sherwood HS)
• Friday, Jan. 24: PHS Girls Basketball vs. North Marion, 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 24: PHS Boys Basketball vs. North Marion, 7 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 24: Philomath Unified Basketball vs. Sweet Home, 7 p.m.