EDITOR’S CHOICE
City seeks applicants to fill Planning Commission vacancy
The city of Philomath is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Planning Commission following the resignation of longtime volunteer and former mayor Van Hunsaker. Hunsaker, who also served on the city’s Budget Review Committee, submitted his resignation from both bodies in a July 30 letter to city officials. The resignation capped a pointed critique of the city’s budget process. Hunsaker argued that Budget Committee members needed more meeting time to review the proposed budget, took issue with…
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Guest Viewpoint: A community table — when faith takes practical form
Guest viewpoint: A Love INC board member explains how donated 4-H fair animals become thousands of pounds of meat for Benton County food programs each year.
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Philomath Police Log: No-contact order violation, warrant arrests, BB gun incident
Philomath police responded to a BB gun incident, warrant arrests, a no-contact violation and a highway crash assist during Aug. 7-13.
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Fire and Rescue Calls: Small fire, Highway 34 crash, possible gas leak
Philomath Fire and Rescue’s weekly log includes a small fire at Wren Hill Lumber on Highway 20 and a single-vehicle crash on Highway 34.
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Obituary: Lois Phelps (1937-2026)
Lois May Phelps, 88, of Philomath died July 21. A memorial service is set for Dec. 12 at Bellfountain Church.
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Planning Commission to hold public hearing on RV park modifications
The Philomath Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Monday on a set of proposed changes to the Glorietta Bay development on North 19th Street, which includes Tall Timber RV Park. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Philomath City Hall and can also be viewed via the city’s YouTube…
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SPORTS
Youth rodeo finals to fill Philomath arena this weekend
The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo arena will come alive Friday through Sunday as the Northwest Youth Rodeo Association holds its finals rodeo, the last stop of a summer-long season that draws young competitors from across the region. Gates open at 8 a.m. Friday and the day begins with 2027 NWYRA court tryouts, including a 9 a.m. orientation and a noon horsemanship session, followed by a 2 p.m. speeches and modeling session at the Yew Wood Corral. Competition gets underway at…
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Two-day camp aims to build confidence, strength in Philomath girls
Natasha Nuño is hoping to tackle a problem she’s watched play out for years — girls quitting sports just as they’re hitting their stride. Nuño, who is putting on the camp along with her daughter, Rivers, said research shows girls drop out of sports at roughly double the rate of…
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Muir takes over Philomath High’s softball program
Philomath High School’s softball players will have a familiar face returning this spring. Tim Muir, junior varsity coach for the past two years, takes over for Kari Jaques. Muir, a 2000 Philomath High graduate who also helped with the varsity last season, said he wanted the job to help provide…
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Junior Warriors Soccer Camp coming Aug. 10-13
The Philomath High School boys and girls soccer teams will host a youth soccer camp Aug. 10-13 for students going into kindergarten through the eighth grade. Each day’s activities will include instruction on skill development and team play concepts along with challenges and games. The sessions will run each of…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 2026: Chainsaw art at Skirvin Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, AUG. 14, 2026: A chestnut horse pauses for a close-up at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds Friday morning as the Northwest Rodeo Association finals get ready to kick off. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2026: Philomath Public Works employees install wood framing Wednesday around the new readerboard at Dale Collins Memorial Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12, 2026: Benton County Emergency Manager and Philomath resident Bryan Lee encourages residents to prepare for emergencies during a program at the Sunset Building in Corvallis on Tuesday night.(Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 11, 2026: A load of lumber rolls down Philomath's Main Street last week. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 8, 2026: Mule On Fire plays a set at the Strengthening Rural Families Summer Gathering Friday night at Lumos Wine Co. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
FRIDAY, AUG. 7, 2026: Jodi Russell, Philomath Community Services board president, shares comments at Thursday's Celebrating Service fundraiser at Cardwell Hill Cellars. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2026: Hazy skies from wildfire smoke as seen this week in the Philomath area. (Photo by David Low) 
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5, 2026: A banner at Philomath Community Library's front desk promotes summer reading. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, AUG. 4, 2026: Philomath High junior Bryce Hruska shows his pygmy goat during the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Auction Saturday night at the Benton County Fair. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 2026: Philomath City Park's skate park opened during the summer of 2000. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
IN SECURITY
For security purposes,
We encrypted our kid’s name
But (oops!) then forgot it
So now we just call him Password
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