VOLUME 7, NUMBER 16
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Good morning, Philomath.
Sen. Jeff Merkley was in Philomath on Sunday afternoon for his Benton County Town Hall — I sat down with him for an interview and Andy Cripe shot a photo gallery. We have the latest Philomath Police Log and Philomath Fire and Rescue Calls. The wrestling team was in Redmond and the girls basketball team hosted Silverton. Plus, a preview of a county commissioners meeting coming up this morning. And, the Oregon Journalism Project folks put together a piece on the state of bridges across the state — Benton County has the second-highest rate of those labeled as poor quality. — Brad Fuqua, Publisher/Editor
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Editor’s Choice
Overflow crowd jams Philomath High for Merkley’s Benton County Town Hall
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley brought his latest town hall tour to Philomath on Sunday afternoon, fielding questions from an estimated 750 people at the local […]
News
Gallery: Sen. Jeff Merkley Town Hall (Jan. 18, 2026)
A collection of photos from Sen. Jeff Merkley’s Benton County Town Hall at Philomath High School on Sunday.
Analysis shows Oregon bridges mostly in fair condition
As lawmakers search for a funding solution for the Oregon Department of Transportation, an OJP analysis of Oregon bridge data shows that only 6% of […]
Philomath Police Log: Recent activity includes 4 arrests, injured dog
The Philomath Police Department log for Jan. 9-15 includes four arrests, traffic crashes and various other calls for service in the community.
Fire and Rescue Calls: Cooking incident, Highway 34 crash among responses
Commissioners to reconsider landfill expansion approval at Tuesday meeting
Oregon legislation poised to tackle ‘fishing expedition’ searches of license plate data
The average savings account balance in the US: Here’s how much Americans have in the bank
Sports
Philomath wrestlers go 3-3 at two-day duals tournament at Redmond
The Philomath High School wrestling team went 3-3 at the Oregon Classic Friday and Saturday at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond. […]
Silverton rallies past Philomath in final game against 5A opponent
The Philomath High girls basketball team’s challenging 11-game run this season against schools in larger classifications ended Saturday afternoon in the home gymnasium with a […]
Philomath in Photos
In Case You Missed It
Three Things: PHS ranks No. 12 statewide, grocery store challenges, beaver solution at Bald Hill
OSP Log: Crashes in Klamath, Jefferson, Clatsop, Lane and Yamhill counties claim 5 lives
From homelessness and prison to helping others: A man’s journey to Benton County counselor
Community Calendar
Tuesday, January 20
• Benton County Board of Commissioners Meeting, 10 a.m.
• Philomath Rotary Club Meeting, noon
• READ Dogs at the Library, 3:30 p.m.
• PHS Boys Basketball vs. Sweet Home, 5:30 p.m.
• Philomath Community Meal, 6 p.m.
• Yoga at the Grange, 6 p.m.
• Benton County Planning Commission Meeting, 6 p.m.
• PHS Girls Basketball vs. Sweet Home, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21
• Quilts From Caring Hands, 9 a.m.-noon
• Philomath Storytime at the Library, 10:30 a.m.
• Philomath Lions Club Meeting, noon
• Wednesday Noon Book Club, noon
• Dementia Warriors Support Group Meeting, 2:30-4 p.m.
• PHS Swimming vs. Kennedy, Salem Academy, Sisters, 4:15 p.m.
• PHS Wrestling at CGHS Senior Night Duals, 5 p.m.
• Winter Blooms Arranging Workshop, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Craft Night and Spoon Jam at the Grange, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
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