The recent situation in Newport involving the sudden relocation of a Coast Guard rescue helicopter along with news that the federal government appears to be looking to locate an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility at its airport has been troubling to that city’s government and residents.
Last week, it was announced that the helicopter would return and remain at Newport. However, it’s unknown what might be happening with the possibility that ICE could be coming to town.
It’s only 48 miles from Philomath City Hall to Newport Municipal Airport. So, should Philomath get involved in some way with what could be happening on the coast?
Mayor Christopher McMorran said during the Dec. 8 City Council meeting that if an ICE facility comes in, “That is not just a Newport problem, that is an all-of-our-local-communities problem.”
Sen. David Gomberg wrote in his Dec. 5 email that NOTUS, a nonprofit digital news outlet that covers U.S. politics, reported on plans for a 200-person detention center in Newport.
McMorran approached the City Council early last week to see if there was an “appetite” for writing a letter of support for Newport.
“It’s more of backing up our friends in Newport, saying, ‘yeah, we would be pretty ticked off if they try to do that here, too’ and recognizing the regionality of it where if someone wants to get to the central coast, what’s the easiest way to get there — through Philomath,” McMorran said. “We are all very interconnected economically, transportation, with our residents.”
Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan made a request at a Council of Governments board meeting for other communities in the region to share support, McMorran said.
“Absolutely … we need to show that support,” City Councilor Diane Crocker said.
Earlier in the Dec. 8 meeting during public comments, Toledo City Councilor Andrew Keating, attending through videoconferencing, spoke in favor of showing support for Newport.
“Philomath can help send a strong message that building an ICE detention center in Newport is not worth the far-reaching harm it would cause our shared regional economy,” said Keating, who mentioned he was speaking only for himself and not representing Toledo. “There are many links between Philomath and coastal communities like Toledo and Newport.”
Keating made references to possible impacts to shared industries and the economy.
In the end, the council approved a motion for McMorran, the council president and the city manager to collaborate on a letter to be sent to Newport.
“I think we all have our own feelings about immigration policy and ICE but to me, it feels like something that we should all be able to agree on is we do not want the federal government coming in and trampling our own local authority and shutting down needed public safety infrastructure for the sake of something that’s a little more politically driven,” McMorran said.
2. Blood for the big game
There’s an old saying about blood, sweat and tears — but this January, Benton County residents might just trade a pint of blood for a trip to the Super Bowl.
Benton County Health Services is teaming up with the American Red Cross for a community blood drive next month, offering donors more than just the warm glow of doing good. Anyone who rolls up their sleeve between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25 will be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX in Southern California.
The Red Cross blood bus will be parked at 530 NW 27th St. in Corvallis from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are encouraged and can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or visiting RedCrossBlood.org with sponsor code “bentoncountyhealth.”
“Giving blood is one of the simplest ways to help save lives,” said Dianna Bagenski, onboarding and training coordinator with Benton County Health Services.
The stakes are real — blood donations support patients in emergencies, during surgeries and throughout ongoing medical treatment. Community participation keeps the supply stable when it’s needed most.
So whether you’re dreaming of watching football’s biggest game from the stands or simply want to help your neighbors, this is one opportunity where everyone wins. Details about the Super Bowl giveaway are available at rcblood.org/SuperBowl.
3. The mayor’s new chapter
Philomath Mayor Christopher McMorran is trading the state Capitol for Oregon’s public universities — but he’s not leaving his hometown behind.
McMorran, who has served as chief of staff for Sen. Lisa Reynolds (D-Portland), will join the Coalition of Oregon Public Universities as assistant director on Jan. 20. The organization, formerly known as the Oregon Council of Presidents, represents the state’s seven public universities in policy and advocacy work.
“I’m excited to start the new job!” McMorran said. “It’s definitely a little bittersweet to be leaving the Capitol, but I’m ready to dive into this new opportunity.”
The career move might raise questions about McMorran’s mayoral duties, but he made clear he’s not stepping away from City Hall.
“I may need to adjust some schedules or commitments depending as I learn more about the expectations of my new job, but it was something we talked about in my interviews to make sure I’d still have some flexibility to do mayoral things,” he said.
The transition means Philomath’s mayor will be advocating for higher education statewide while continuing to guide his hometown — a balancing act he appears to be prepared to manage.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).