EDITOR’S CHOICE
Three Things: Thirty years on the job, quilt not needed and flags for the fallen
Try to name something you’ve done for 30 straight years. Not a hobby. Not a relationship. A job. Same employer, same town, showing up. That’s what Eric Nittka has done for the city of Philomath, and on Monday night the City Council took a moment to recognize the senior utility maintenance worker for hitting the three-decade mark. His anniversary date was May 13. The numbers alone tell a story. When Public Works Operations Supervisor Garry Black started in 1999 —…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
NEWS
OSP Log: Woman arrested following crash that killed 2 people on motorcycle
Oregon State Police responded to two fatal crashes from May 9-11 that claimed three lives; Medford driver arrested for DUII and manslaughter.
READ MORE
City manager to talk about Philomath Community Vision 2050 at May 19 Rotary meeting
The Philomath Rotary Club will host a presentation by City Manager Chris Workman at noon Tuesday at Peace Lutheran Church. The May 19 event is open to all Rotarians and community members. Workman will give a talk titled “Philomath Community Vision 2050 — Designing Tomorrow, Together.” Philomath Community Vision 2050…
READ MORE
Letter: McMorran urges ‘yes vote’ on fire levy, backs Malone for commission
To the Editor: With election day right around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to encourage Philomath residents to exercise their civic duty — and vote! There are a lot of important decisions on this year’s primary ballot, and I truly hope you’ll be part of making those…
READ MORE
Council approves Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month proclamation
The Philomath City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday proclaiming May as National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, with the mayor sharing pointed remarks about online reaction to a previous proclamation. The resolution, which passed with some wording changes during the May 11 meeting, recognizes this year’s national…
READ MORE
Samaritan to host Cancer Survivors Day events on June 7
The Samaritan Cancer Program will mark National Cancer Survivors Day on June 7 with free afternoon celebrations in Corvallis and Newport honoring cancer survivors and the people who have supported them. Both events run from 1 to 3 p.m. The Corvallis gathering moves to a new location this year, the…
READ MOREMORE NEWS
SPORTS
Boys 4th, girls 5th at track and field meet in Cottage Grove
In the team’s final regular-season meet before competing in the conference championships, junior Kaden Howard won the long jump and sophomore Sammy Hernandez took first in the high jump to lead Philomath’s boys to a fourth-place finish at Friday’s Wally Ciochetti Invitational at Cottage Grove. Howard took the long jump by just one-fourth of an inch over runner-up Jeremiah Brunick of Henley with 22 feet, 1 inch. In the triple jump, Howard was also in the hunt but settled for…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
Boys volleyball season ends with league playoff loss at Western Christian
Philomath High School’s boys volleyball season came to a close Thursday night with a four-set loss at Western Christian in Salem, 25-16, 20-25, 25-15, 25-15. The Warriors finished the season with a 7-10 record. PHS coach Helen Bennett said the team was prepared going into the league playoffs after a…
READ MORE
Warriors ride 4-game win streak into regular season’s final week
The Philomath High School baseball team appears to be hitting a productive stride at just the right time. Sophomore Jayce Iverson had a pretty good 24 hours in a Warriors uniform. On Wednesday, he pitched a complete-game six-hitter with six strikeouts and hit a one-run double to give Philomath the…
READ MORE
Gallery: PHS baseball vs. Newport (Thursday, May 14, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 12-2 baseball win at home over Newport on Thursday.
READ MORE
MORE SPORTS
Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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
election 2026
May 19 election: Q-and-A with candidates in contested primary for county commissioner
Benton County voters will decide a contested Democratic race for county commissioner on the May 19 primary election ballot. The Democratic primary for the board’s…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
May 19 ballot: Philomath Fire and Rescue seeks five-year operating levy
Philomath Fire and Rescue officials say a five-year local operating levy on the May 19 ballot is essential to maintaining current staffing and service levels…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
May 19 ballot: Voters to decide psilocybin ban, 7 annexation measures
Philomath voters will weigh in on eight city-referred ballot measures in the May 19 primary election, deciding whether to permanently ban psilocybin-related businesses within city…
CLICK TO READ THE FULL STORY
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
TOOTHLESS
Whenever I eat an apple
It is my belief
I would eat much more of it
If I had my front teeth
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