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
Three Things: Firefighter camp, a $100M lawsuit and a Dizzy Hen nod
Three Things: A firefighter STEM camp coming to Philomath, a $100M wrongful death lawsuit and a Dizzy Hen statewide nod.
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OSP Log: Pedestrian crashes, motorcycle collisions, manslaughter arrest
Oregon State Police responded to six fatal crashes from April 30-May 5 that claimed six lives; troopers seek witnesses in Sweet Home manslaughter case and Wasco County pedestrian crash.
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Letter: Flinn the most qualified for circuit court judge
Letter to the Editor: Corvallis attorney John Barlow, a former longtime Philomath resident, endorses Mike Flinn for Benton County Circuit Court judge, citing his courtroom experience in the first contested race in 20 years.
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Council to weigh summer street closures for downtown ‘Fridays on 13th’
Downtown revitalization will take center stage at Monday’s Philomath City Council meeting with City Manager Chris Workman presenting an update on North 13th Street improvements and seeking council feedback on a new summer initiative aimed at turning the corridor into a weekly gathering spot. The meeting is scheduled to begin…
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Philomath Fire and Rescue board takes up 2026-27 budget Monday
The Philomath Fire and Rescue Board of Directors will meet at 3 p.m. Monday, May 11, at Station 201 for a budget hearing and regular meeting. Published agendas show the start time for both the public hearing and the regular meeting as 3 p.m. At the hearing, time will be…
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SPORTS
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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Philomath in Photos
VIEW PHILOMATH IN PHOTOS GALLERIES FROM PAST MONTHS
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) 
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)
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Philomath Community Services
Verses
By Kevin Ahern
HOLED OVER
My cousin coming to my house
Was late in his arriving
Cuz he bought donuts on the way
And got stopped for Dunkin’ driving
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