EDITOR’S CHOICE
Philomath Academy’s Class of 2026 marks graduation with 22 diplomas
Sixteen students participated in Wednesday evening’s graduation ceremony staged in the west lawn area near Philomath Academy, each carrying a story that took a different road to get there. For Nate Bennett, the journey included a rocky start to high school before he found his footing at the alternative school — and then some. He finished his junior and senior years in a single academic year. “I started high school and just started off pretty rough, and then I came…
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NEWS
New contractor aims to get Millpond Crossing back on track
A new contractor hired by Millpond Crossing developer Levi Miller has met with city officials and appears to be moving forward with infrastructure work at the long-delayed housing development, City Manager Chris Workman told the Philomath City Council on Monday night. Workman said representatives from Jody Miller Construction — a…
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PCS Gleaners program on 3-month hiatus after coordinators step down
The Philomath Community Gleaners program has entered a three-month hiatus as the group works to find new leadership after its two co-coordinators stepped down for family and health reasons, PCS Executive Director Sharon Thornberry said. The pause — which took effect following the program’s final distributions on May 29 and…
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City works toward vision statement for transportation safety plan
The Philomath City Council discussed vision statement language Monday for the city’s Transportation Safety Action Plan, a federally required document aimed at eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries — though not all council members were comfortable with the word “zero.” City Manager Chris Workman said the TSAP process remains on…
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Mount Union Stories: Ella Kilpatrick (1865-1924)
In this week’s Mount Union Stories, read about Ella Kilpatrick, who died in 1924 at age 59 about a year after her mother had died in the same Philomath home.
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Philomath council approves capital improvement plan after lengthy debate
The Philomath City Council on Monday approved the fiscal year 2026-27 capital improvement plan following more than an hour of discussion that touched on water treatment costs, facility upgrades and the future of a proposed City Hall remodel. The CIP, which covers infrastructure, facility and equipment needs across three fiscal…
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MORE NEWS
SPORTS
Philomath hires former Central assistant to take over as boys soccer coach
Philomath High School has a new boys soccer coach and he comes with a deep connection to the Oregon West Conference — and even a memory or two of playing against the Warriors. Gerardo Garibay, 31, was hired to lead the Philomath program after spending nearly a decade on the coaching staff at Central High School in Independence. He replaces Dave Ellis, who coached the Warriors from 2017 to 2025 and compiled a record of 61-37-12 that included a state…
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Three Warriors earn Special District 3 honors in boys volleyball
Three Philomath players were recognized for their contributions this season as part of those included on the Special District 3 all-district boys volleyball team. Senior Chris Eaton and senior Mayson Wallace earned second-team honors, while sophomore Nico Mayo Carrasco received an honorable mention selection. The Warriors finished the season 7-11…
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Philomath seniors celebrate college athletic commitments in signing ceremony
Eight Philomath High School seniors gathered on the school’s auditorium stage Monday to celebrate their commitments to compete in college athletics, signing a ceremonial document marking the occasion. The group represented four sports and five college destinations — volleyball players Taylor Hudson and Shaylee May will head to the College…
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Six Warriors earn Oregon West all-conference softball honors
Philomath High School had six players recognized on the all-Oregon West Conference softball team, led by center fielder Rylee Martin’s first-team selection. Martin, a sophomore who also saw time at shortstop and served as the team’s leadoff batter, was the lone Warrior to earn first-team honors. Three players landed on…
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026: The Marys River on a June afternoon. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026: An interactive exhibit at the Philomath Museum encourages visitors to reflect on the nation's 250th birthday. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026: Philomath Academy Principal Garth Gerot shoots a photo of graduate candidates on the west lawn of the school on Friday morning. The academy's graduation is scheduled for June 10. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026: Chairs fill the field and track at Clemens Field ahead of Philomath High School's commencement exercises scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday.(Photo by Eric Niemann) 
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026: Trophies won by Philomath High this academic year are lined up in the front office. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026: Philomath schoolchildren created artwork for the food donation barrel at Citizens Bank, items that then go to Philomath Community Services. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026: A 1952 MG TD on display on Saturday during the 1950s-themed Benton County Historical Society's 75th anniversary celebration. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
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)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
READ PAST STACKER STORIES
Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
BIGGER IS BUTTER
You added fat around your waist
And never exercised
Your heart is stressed because your frame
Has been too super-sized
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