EDITOR’S CHOICE
Steelhead mural brings Siletz design to 13th Street
A leaping steelhead now fills a once-blank wall along 13th Street. It is a fish familiar to local anglers, and its body is filled with a pattern that has been woven into Siletz basket caps for generations. Erin J. Case, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, began painting the mural last weekend on the east-facing side of the Chiseled Spirit building behind the Dizzy Hen. By Wednesday afternoon, the fish was largely complete, and Case was…
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NEWS
Forest Service to start fall pile burning; small prescribed burn planned at Marys Peak
Fire crews on the Siuslaw National Forest could begin burning slash piles as early as next week with the work expected to continue into spring as weather allows. The U.S. Forest Service announced Thursday that the arrival of cooler, wetter fall conditions has opened the window for pile burning, which…
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Philomath councilor’s 760-mile health equity walk to end in Seattle
A month after setting out from Bozeman, Montana, Philomath City Councilor Rich Saalsaa is scheduled to take the final steps of his 760-mile trek on Thursday afternoon in Seattle. Saalsaa, 68, and naturopathic doctor Dennis Godby, 70, are wrapping up the final leg of Godby’s five-year, 3,450-mile Walk USA for…
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BCSO Log: DUII, rear-end crash, unoccupied inner tube
Benton County deputies arrested a Toledo woman on suspicion of DUII, investigated two crashes and checked a suspicious vehicle and a Marys River inner tube.
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Panda Express fundraiser to benefit PHS robotics program
Philomath High robotics program, also known as PHRED, is holding a fundraiser Friday in association with Panda Express. Customers who place an online order for pickup or delivery that day and enter fundraiser code 9015751 at checkout will have 28% of their purchase donated to the team. The offer is…
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Mount Union Stories: Rozella C. Shipley (1870-1908)
In this week’s Mount Union Stories, read about Rozella Shipley, daughter of John and Mary Wyatt who died at age 37 from heart failure.
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SPORTS
Astoria, Warrenton down PHS in girls volleyball
The Philomath High School girls volleyball team dropped matches to Astoria and Warrenton during a three-school event on the road Saturday. In the Warriors’ first match of the day, Astoria, the host school, posted a 25-10, 25-17, 25-16 win over PHS. Then Philomath came up short against Warrenton, 25-20, 25-19, 25-13. “We’re still working out the lineup and finding where everyone plays most confident and has success,” PHS coach Whitney Thomas said. “There were many bright moments during both matches.…
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PHS girls test themselves against elite field at Tillamook
Philomath High School’s girls cross-country team, ranked among the state’s top Class 4A contenders this fall, participated in a high-level competition Saturday at The Mook XC Invitational in Tillamook. The Warriors finished 11th in a stacked Elite Varsity field that included 123 runners on teams from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and…
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Simplified game plan powers Philomath to 35-18 football victory
After struggling through the first two weeks of the season, Philomath High’s coaching staff decided to strip things down to basics. On Friday night, that adjustment paid off in a big way. Powered by a passing attack that found its rhythm early and a run game that also had its…
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Gallery: PHS football vs. Molalla (Sept. 18, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 35-18 football win at home over Molalla on Friday.
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MORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2026: Fall colors along the railroad tracks behind Pioneer Park on Tuesday — the first day of fall. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2026: Philomath High graduate Rocco De La Rosa lines up on special teams Saturday night during Oregon State's 52-17 win over Montana. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 2026: Seneca Sloan plants a tree during a celebration of life event Sunday in Philomath City Park in honor of her late husband and former mayor Rocky Sloan. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2026: Philomath High cheerleaders carry the POW/MIA flag onto Clemens Field during a pregame presentation on Friday night. (Photo by Andy Cripe/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 2026: Benton Habitat for Humanity home under construction on Quail Glenn Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 2026: Philomath High's spirit rock promotes the upcoming Glow Dance. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 2026: Outdoor garden classroom at Clemens Primary School. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2026: Annabelle Schultz from the Benton County Mounted Posse rides “Pistol” to help park vehicles at the Public Safety Chili Cook-off on Sunday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12, 2026: A fire hydrant near the entrance to Philomath Middle School off Chapel Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2026: Musicians contribute to the atmosphere at the Philomath Farmers' Market. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2026: A view from Neabeack Hill Road. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9, 2026: Fall colors begin to appear in front of the Philomath Scout Lodge. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2026: Lindsey Free, Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce board president, puts up flags with the Philomath Rotary Club on Labor Day. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 2026: PHS varsity volleyball players during the playing of the National Anthem at Thursday evening's home opener. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 2026: Footbridge in Marys River Park and Natural Area. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3, 2026: Blackberries along Newton Creek. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2, 2026: Free "little library" at the corner of Sunrose Court and Neabeack Hill Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2026: The Root Vegetables, a Philomath-based group, plays to a packed house at the Willamette Grange on Saturday night. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
OUT WEST
A group of singers from our town
Is known in this locale
As being very average
They’re our OK Chorale
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