NOV. 3 GENERAL ELECTION
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EDITOR’S CHOICE
City adds two hybrid vehicles with state energy grant funds
The city of Philomath has two new vehicles in its fleet paid for with Oregon Department of Energy grant money that became available on short notice. The city bought a 2025 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid to replace its administrative vehicle and a 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid compact pickup for the public works department. Both vehicles have arrived and are already in service. Starner shared the news with the Philomath City Council during staff reports at its Oct. 12 meeting. “That…
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NEWS
Board adopts interim travel policy, approves Costa Rica trip
The Philomath School Board adopted an interim student travel policy Tuesday night that creates a category for trips the district acknowledges but does not sponsor. The board then used that new category to approve a proposed student trip to Costa Rica. The board voted unanimously to adopt the revised policy,…
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Peace Lutheran event aims to remind shoppers that every dollar goes back to community
Peace Lutheran Church’s Ladies Guild will host its annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and organizers hope shoppers walk away with more than bargains this year. Guild member Holly Bendixen said the sale’s reputation for low prices sometimes overshadows its purpose. “People really haven’t been aware that…
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Philomath School Board agrees to elevate safety and security planning
Days after a deadly shooting at a Bend elementary school, the Philomath School Board agreed Tuesday night to make school safety and security a priority. The chair told colleagues he couldn’t say with confidence that the district has done enough to prepare for an attack. Board chair Tom Klipfel raised…
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Freeze warning in effect overnight; watch issued for Friday night
The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for the area that includes Philomath overnight Thursday into Friday morning with a freeze watch to follow Friday night into Saturday. The warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Thursday and remains in place until 9 a.m. Friday. Sub-freezing temperatures are expected…
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BCSO Log: Crashes, juveniles, grease-tampered truck
Benton County sheriff’s deputies responded to a flipped semi, a near hit-and-run, alcohol at a Kings Valley school and other incidents Oct. 3-18.
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SPORTS
Philomath seniors savor fun moments in four-set loss to Central
Philomath High School’s volleyball seniors had plenty of feelings and energy to work with Thursday night and they channeled them into a set win against one of the league’s top teams. Central won the match 25-18, 25-6, 23-25, 25-18 in the PHS gym but the Warriors bounced back from a lopsided second set to take the third, 25-23, against a Panthers team that came in near the top of the standings and ranked in Class 4A’s top 10. “That was…
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Gallery: PHS volleyball vs. Central (Oct. 22, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s girls volleyball match at home against Central on Thursday.
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Nuño’s hat trick lifts Philomath past Central in 6-5 boys soccer thriller
The Philomath High School boys soccer team escaped Independence with a 6-5 victory Thursday night over Central in an Oregon West Conference match. Junior Dreyton Nuño scored the game-winning goal in the 69th minute off a long throw-in by senior Esias Sapp. The goal completed a hat trick for Nuño.…
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Hood’s header highlights Philomath’s senior day rout of Central
Rising to meet Kya Bolton’s free kick in the 11th minute Thursday against Central, Philomath High’s Jordyn Hood scored on a header into the left side of the net. It was an emotional moment for the PHS senior — not only because she scored the game’s first goal but because…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 2026: Maxtivity's Glory, a human-powered kinetic sculpture vehicle, joins Philomath Elementary's bike bus on Friday morning. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2026: A scene from last weekend's Autumn Craft Show at Philomath Scout Lodge. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 2026: An evening-sky view looking east toward Plymouth on Tuesday. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 2026: The Oregon Department of Forestry's Ryan Schmidtgall demonstrates fire behavior and defensible space at the Philomath Fire and Rescue open house event earlier this month. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 2026: Steve King's Blinky Lights Halloween display at 597 Neabeack Hill Drive. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 2026: Fall colors at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 2026: A rooster skeleton Halloween yard decoration on Main Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2026: A participant in the Great Pumpkin Run turns off the Hunsaker Bike Trail onto Applegate Street on Sunday morning. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 2026: Philomath Fire and Rescue's Engine 251 provides rides to youngsters Saturday during the organization's annual open house event. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 2026: PHS junior varsity girls soccer coach Anton Grube talks to his team in the shade on a hot day before a game Thursday. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 2026: The Paul Mariman Memorial Cross-Country Course will be the site of Philomath High's annual meet on Saturday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 2026: Tree service workers trim limbs away from a power line while a bicyclist uses the bike lane on Applegate Street. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2026: Don Rogers shares his experiences spending his junior year in high school on a Rotary Youth Exchange in Jakobstad, Finland at Tuesday’s Philomath Rotary Club Meeting. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 2026: A new sign for the Philomath Police Department has been installed in front of the station. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 2026: A Philomath High band member glances back at bandmates while pounding out a beat on the bass drum during Friday morning's homecoming parade. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2026: The spirit rock at Philomath High promotes this week’s Golden Hour-themed homecoming dance. A homecoming parade is scheduled for 9:40 a.m. Friday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2026: The Philomath Farmers' Market on a fall Sunday afternoon. The market will operate through Oct. 18. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
RIGHT ON
Say what you want
Of him being dimwitted
At least when he’s right
He’s the first to admit it
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