EDITOR’S CHOICE
State track: Four runner-up finishes power Philomath boys to 4th-place trophy
EUGENE — Junior Bryce Hruska had never competed at the state track meet. A year ago, an appendectomy ended his sophomore season before he got the chance to try to qualify. On Saturday afternoon in the Class 4A state championships at Hayward Field, he made up for lost time — taking second place in the 110-meter high hurdles. Those eight points in the team’s final event of the meet helped boost Philomath High’s boys to a fourth-place trophy. Stepping back…
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NEWS
After nearly 4 decades, Gathering Together Farm founders ready to ‘pass the carrot’
After nearly 40 years of growing organic vegetables along Grange Hall Road, John Eveland is ready to pass the carrot — he just wants to make sure the right hands are there to catch it. “There’s been some definite sadness and some tears have flowed,” Eveland said Friday. “I mean,…
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Three Things: Fridays on 13th, peace poles and kinetic glory
The idea of turning a downtown block into a summertime gathering spot took a few more steps forward at a May 27 Philomath City Council special meeting where councilors dug into the details of “Fridays on 13th Street.” The concept, championed by City Manager Chris Workman, would close a half-block…
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PSSS column: Review of May happenings and preview of June offerings
Our Philomath Sensational Senior Society has been growing and flourishing of late. At our May 5 crafting session at Maxtivity, we had the largest group to date, enjoying a great time learning the art of quilling, led by the accomplished and encouraging Mary T. Fun and laughter were had by…
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Election update: Philomath psilocybin ban falls behind for first time in latest ballot count
A proposed permanent ban on psilocybin-related businesses in Philomath fell behind for the first time in updated May 19 primary returns, with opponents now holding a narrow 15-vote edge as ballot counting continues. Measure 2-147, which would prohibit psilocybin-related businesses and product manufacturing within Philomath city limits, trailed 858 yes…
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Business: Philomath Emporium plans live auction on Saturday
The Philomath Emporium will host its first live auction Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., the business announced. A professional auctioneer will lead the event with items hand-selected from the collections of vendors who have booths at the store. Admission and participation in the auction are free. Following the auction, an…
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SPORTS
State track: Eckhold vaults to victory, Smart sweeps distance events to lead PHS girls
EUGENE — Junior Hailey Eckhold was still trying to borrow a pole Saturday morning when the other competitors were walking into Hayward Field. An hour later, she was a state champion. Eckhold’s dramatic pole vault title, combined with sophomore Cassidy Smart’s sweep of the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs, headlined a meet that saw the Philomath girls finish fifth. It was a different outcome than the Warriors had grown accustomed to — Philomath entered Eugene having won the state title in…
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Gallery: PHS girls track and field at 4A state meet (May 29-30, 2026)
A collection of photos from the Philomath High girls track and field team at the 4A state championships in Eugene on Friday and Saturday.
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Gallery: PHS boys track and field at 4A state meet (May 29-30, 2026)
A collection of photos from the Philomath High boys track and field team at the 4A state championships in Eugene on Friday and Saturday.
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Smart wins 3,000 title as Philomath opens state meet at Hayward Field
Sophomore Cassidy Smart won the 4A girls 3,000 meters title Friday to highlight Philomath High’s opening day at the state track and field championships at Hayward Field in Eugene. Smart won in a personal-best 10:17.53, holding off Cottage Grove’s Ella Cardwell, who finished second in 10:22.19. Editor’s note: A gallery…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026: The PYAC Community Carnival took over Clemens Field Friday evening with a variety of inflatables. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026: A flowering Kousa dogwood blooms in Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026: A Philomath firefighter at the scene of a structure fire on Main Street in Alsea on Wednesday. (Photo provided by Philomath Fire and Rescue) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026: Volunteers place flags on the graves of veterans on May 23 at Mount Union Cemetery in recognition of Memorial Day. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026: Tom Wright, a member of Philomath Lions Club, volunteers to water flower baskets along Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2026: The American flag and a Warrior Pride flag on display at Warrior Field on a windy afternoon. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026: Instrument cases lie in the grass while Philomath Middle School band students play in the gazebo at the first Music in the Park concert of the season. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026: A load of logs rolls through town. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026: Outdoor fitness equipment installation at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026: Sunrise over the entrance to Starker Forests, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026: A rose bush blooms in Philomath Elementary's Kindness Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026: A project that will add curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parking and an electric vehicle charging station to South 12th Street is underway. Improvements are also planned for South 11th. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026: Tuesday String Band leads a jam session Wednesday evening at Marys River Grange Hall. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026: A rainbow over Applegate Street on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026: Volunteers cook pancakes, sausage and bacon at a breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning at the Main Street fire station. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026: Dutch irises bloom in front of the Benton County Historical Society's Johnson Collection Center. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026: The Merry's Place concession stand at the PHS baseball field — named in memory of Merry Rath. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026: Adjutant Frank Blair, left, and Post Commander Elwin Callahan conduct business at the May meeting of the American Legion Marys River Post 100. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026: Playground equipment at Philomath Elementary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026: New signage in front of the Philomath School District office. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026: The Centuries of Celebration exhibit at Philomath Museum. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026: Colors outside of Lupe's Community Garden. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
SPRAIN STRAIN
That Oslo guy
Sure did complain
His ankle svelte up
From a sprain
Where to Write
Click on the name below to send an email to an elected representative:
U.S. SENATE
Sen. Ron Wyden
Sen. Jeff Merkley
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rep. Val Hoyle
OREGON LEGISLATURE
Sen. Dick Anderson
Rep. David Gomberg
BENTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Pat Malone
Commissioner Gabe Shepherd
Commissioner Nancy Wyse
PHILOMATH CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Christopher McMorran
President Teresa Nielson
Councilor Jessica Andrade
Councilor Diane Crocker
Councilor Spencer Irwin
Councilor Brent Kaseman
Councilor Rich Saalsaa
PHILOMATH SCHOOL BOARD
Chair Tom Klipfel
Vice Chair Erin McMullen
Director Ryan Cheeke
Director Erin Gudge
Director Sandi Hering