EDITOR’S CHOICE
Man, 72, dies in Friday fire on west end of Philomath
A 72-year-old man died in a Friday morning fire on Philomath’s west end despite a rescue attempt by firefighters who pulled him from the home minutes after arriving on scene. The fire broke out in the 600 block of Main Street. Philomath Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 7:25 a.m. after a passerby reported the fire to 911, the agency reported. Fire Chief Chancy Ferguson said the first crew arrived three minutes later and found heavy fire coming from the…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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featured
Hoskins-Kings Valley fire district puts Siletz Tribe grant to work on rescue gear
The Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District has placed new vehicle rescue and safety equipment into service after receiving a grant from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, Deputy Chief Brady Walters announced. The grant funded rescue struts, used to stabilize crashed vehicles during extrication, along with warning signs that…
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Millpond Crossing housing development inches its way forward
Millpond Crossing’s developer is making incremental progress on the housing development’s outstanding work but still has not closed out Phase 2, leaving the timeline for Phase 3 construction uncertain, City Manager Chris Workman said this week. Workman provided an update on Philomath’s largest housing development, a project that has been…
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PHS boys volleyball team wins at Toledo in 3
Philomath High’s boys volleyball team ended the regular season on a high note with a 25-9, 25-13, 25-8 victory over Toledo, a winless program that’s just getting started in the sport this season. The Warriors finished fifth in the Special District 3 standings with a 4-8 record to qualify for…
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Warriors blank Woodburn without dropping a set in girls tennis
Philomath’s girls tennis team was dominant from start to finish, sweeping all eight matches without dropping a set in an 8-0 victory Thursday at Woodburn High School. Senior Lucy King led the way at No. 1 singles, blanking Yuleni Rubio Lopez 6-0, 6-0. Junior Lucy Thomas was nearly as dominant…
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PHS boys defeat Woodburn in boys tennis, 4-2
Philomath High swept the three completed singles matches and added a doubles win Thursday on its home courts to defeat Woodburn 4-2 in boys tennis. PHS freshman Cameron Barlow opened with a 6-2, 6-3 win over junior Jovanny Magallon at No. 1 singles. Senior Nate Houck was dominant at No.…
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SPORTS
Philomath bats hot in 16-4 baseball win over Cascade
Philomath High’s baseball team carried a big bat into Thursday’s series finale against visiting Cascade to the tune of 17 hits in a 16-4 rout in six innings. Every batter in the Warrior lineup had at least one hit and the game ended appropriately on a three-run homer to center…
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Gallery: PHS baseball vs. Cascade (May 7, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 16-4 victory in six innings at home over Cascade on Thursday.
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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026: PHS Warrior flags fly at the tennis courts earlier this week. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026: Rhododendrons bloom at the PHS Botany Lab. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026: A trail through Downing forest on Philomath School District property. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026: Newton Creek runs through Philomath City Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026: The Philomath High School baseball team meets postgame under a canopy of blue sky and clouds Thursday evening at Terry Stephenson Field. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026: The historic Philomath College building, now Philomath Museum, in the side-view mirror. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026: A walk in the park — Philomath City Park — on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026: Construction of Dirt Road Brewing's on-site brewery facility on North 13th Street. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026: Trees line Applegate Street looking west from the sidewalk in front of Philomath City Hall. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026: A side view of Philomath Museum behind College United Methodist Church. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News) 
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026: A slide in the main playground at Philomath City Park. (Photo by Eric Niemann) 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026: Wood rounds are stacked at Philomath High School's Forestry and Natural Resources outdoor classroom. (Photo by Eric Niemann)
GALLERIES
STATE
COMMENTARY
STACKER
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
HUNGER GAMES
That drive-in restaurant brings folks in
To get some tasty bites
I seems to be a place where they
Can curb their appetites
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