Pet of the Day 01/24/26
Meet Wynona! Wynona was born in May of 2025. She is still pretty shy, but gets along well with other kitties. You can visit and…
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Connected Along the Way
2 charged for trafficking cocaine in region
PennDOT bridge project includes 1 in Venango, 3 in Forest
PennDOT seeking feedback on Petroleum Center Road bridge project
Franklin Jr. High School Talent Show makes its return
After a seven-year hiatus since 2019, the Franklin Jr. High School Talent Show will return on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium….
VEX Robotics showcases inventiveness, resourcefulness
Twenty-one teams of student engineers tested their robots and problem-solving skills during last week’s VEX Robotics competition at Cranberry Area High School, where teams competed…
Recent Deaths 01/22/26
Mary Lou Gruphofer, 60, of Polk, passed away January 17, 2026. Kenneth L. “Ken” Lowrie Sr., 68, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, January 20,…
Pet of the Day 01/21/26
Meet Simba! Simba was born in 2020 and is such a sweet boy. He is very affectionate and wouldn’t be a good option for someone…
Cranberry woman accused of arson
A Cranberry Township woman is facing multiple charges after a home on Tippery Road burned down Saturday, with state police alleging the fire was intentionally…
Venango economic development approves rec center contracts, expands maker space plans
At its first meeting of 2026, the Venango County Economic Development Authority approved several contracts, including two tied to the proposed Venango Sports and Recreation…
Evaluating the Garden
Winter is the perfect time to reflect on the successes and disappointments of last year’s garden. In the lull after the holidays, stop and take…
Recent Deaths 01/21/26
Brenda L. Kapp, 65, of Miola, passed away on Monday evening, January 19, 2026. “Butch” Blaine A. Henry Jr., 68, of Leeper, passed away on…
Pet of the Day 01/20/26
Meet Frankie! Frankie came to us after 6 years of being a friendly barn cat. She is a sweet and affectionate girl and will thrive…
Regional cold front is dangerous, meteorologists say
A cold front bringing snow squalls and dangerous wind chills has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a cold weather advisory for the Oil…
Recent Deaths 01/20/26
Karen Elizabeth May, 80, passed away on January 10, 2026. Carolyn (Kelly) Nielsen, 84, passed away on the morning of January 17, 2026. William A….
Resolution-Adjacent
Well, here we are – a whole week into a whole new year. This time of year always comes with a strange kind of energy,…
Pet of the Day 01/19/26
Meet Poptart! Poptart was surrendered to Precious Paws when her Mom and Dad got a divorce and moved into apartments. She was loved but neither…
Farm Show scholarship goes to Titusville resident
Titusville resident Mark Snyder, seen with state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, holds his Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship. Snyder, a freshman at Penn State World Campus, is…
Vacant residence in Oil City catches fire
A vacant residence at 69 Grove Ave. that had been used by the Oil City Fire Department for training caught fire Saturday morning, prompting a…
Franklin man charged in child pornography case
A Franklin man, 66-year-old Larry Boocks II, has been charged with 50 felony counts of child sexual abuse material after investigators say two electronic devices…
Recent Deaths 01/19/26
Rose Marie Oertel Mong, 61, of Franklin, died on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Sarah W. Bills, 87, of Clarion, passed away Thursday, January 15, 2026….
Pet of the Day 01/17/26
Meet Mike Hannigan! Mike was born in January of 2025 and came to PAWS with eight other kitties after being found in a garage out…
Nifty at 90: Family matriarch enjoys games and family
Today’s Nifty at 90 feature highlights Franklin resident Anita Corbett, who is celebrating her 90th birthday on Sunday and remains active and full of life…
Judge Kirtland accepting letters of interest for Abramovic’s successor
Venango County President Judge Matthew Kirtland is accepting letters of interest from Venango County Democrats interested in filling the commissioner seat that will be vacated…
Recent Deaths 01/17/26
Michelle “Missie” Greenlee, 55, of Franklin, passed away the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026. Stanley Joseph “Joe” Szympruch, 79, of Center Conway, NH, passed…
Pet of the Day 01/16/26
Meet Bear! Bear has had a difficult start to life. He is afraid of everything. He would do best in a home without small children…
Recent Deaths 01/16/26
Mary Lou Huff, 74, of Oil City, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Gerald L. “Jerry” Faller, 84, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday,…
Pet of the Day 01/15/26
Meet Sandra Green! Sandra was born in 2020 and came to PAWS with kittens from various litters. Her babies are weaned, and she’s ready for…
Free smoke detectors available for Oil City residents
The Oil City Fire Department is offering free smoke detectors and installation to city residents on a first-come, first-served basis as part of its Free…
Oil City Council approves new lead truck, reviews paving costs
During its Monday meeting, Oil City Council addressed several routine matters alongside discussion of the recent river search, including approving the purchase of a $312,000…
Recent Deaths 01/15/26
Chase Jason Ruth, 18, of Emlenton, passed away Dora M. Nageli, 93, formerly of Oil City, passed away on December 29, 2025. Joyce M. Riddle,…
Pet of the Day 01/14/26
Meet Barrett! Meet Barrett, a loving and friendly boy who is sure to capture your heart! Barrett was brought to the rescue as a stray…
Keeping a Garden Journal
Keeping a garden journal can be a valuable tool to help both novice and experienced gardeners meet their goals. A garden journal provides a mechanism…
Oil City woman convicted of cruelty to animals
A jury has convicted an Oil City woman on charges of cruelty to animals following a trial in Erie County. The charges were first filed…
Weller to retire; OC schools go with new reading program
The Oil City Area School Board approved the retirement of Superintendent Lynda Weller at its Monday meeting and gave final approval to a new elementary…
Recent Deaths 01/14/26
Patricia (Patti) Ann McCauley, 59, of Saint Petersburg, passed away on January 11, 2026. Donald B. “Bruce” Ritts, 73, of Shippenville, formerly of Strattanville, passed…
Pet of the Day 01/13/26
Meet Silver! Silver is a 1 year old male who came to us with 6 other cats. Silver is so sweet and docile and loves…
Kate Newman Day marks 15 years as woman’s legacy stays in focus
Today marks the 15th anniversary of Kate Newman Day in Oil City, honoring the life and legacy of the late Oil City native who returned…
Recent Deaths 01/13/26
Joan Anne Hartle (nee Peitz), lovingly known as Mimi, 72, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Phillip E. McNellie, 70, of Cherrytree, died Sunday,…
Pet of the Day 01/12/26
Meet Zeus! Zeus is a 9-10 year old, male, Lab/Shepherd mix surrendered to the rescue when his owner became homeless. Owner reports he lived in…
Search of Allegheny River for missing person suspended in Oil City due to hazardous conditions
The river search that began Wednesday night following a report that an individual had fallen from Oil City’s Wye Bridge into Allegheny River has been…
Hiking clubs enjoy trek from Foxburg to Emlenton in winter tradition
With rain holding off, about two dozen hikers from the Clarion County Chapter of the North Country Trail Association and the Butler Outdoor Club took…
Franklin boy makes annual donation to Precious Paws
Will Cisek, the Franklin boy known for his “Will’s Christmas Blow-up Extravaganza,” has made yet another annual donation to Precious Paws Animal Rescue with money…
Recent Deaths 01/12/26
Mark T. King, 62, of Oil City, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026. Christopher A. Collett, 72, of Clarion, passed away on January 10, 2026….
Pet of the Day 01/10/26
Meet Kaylee! Kaylee and her sister Jo came to us after their owner passed away. They are both 7 years old, sisters, and have been…