Valley Grove raises pay for substitute teachers
By JON HAAG Staff writer Valley Grove School District, following the lead of other districts in the area, raised the pay rate for substitute teachers…
October 2016
‘Thank A Veteran Week’ activities slated in area
From staff reports The Venango County Veterans Affairs office and the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce have declared the week of Nov. 7 “Thank A…
Workplace shooting suspect described as ‘perfect neighbor’
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — The man who authorities say fatally shot a former co-worker and wounded three others before killing himself at a rail car…
Crosby scores in Pens’ 3-2 victory
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Sidney Crosby scored in his season debut as the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Crosby,…
‘Battlefield 1’ looks backward for fresh ideas
The Associated Press Why doesn’t World War I get more attention in popular media? It’s complicated. Sure, we all know it started when some archduke…
Recent Deaths 10/26/16
Thomas LeRoy Zacherl, 66, of Tionesta, died Oct. 21, 2016. Theresa Helen Cornell, 64, of Oil City, died Oct. 24, 2016. Charles L. Firster, 88,…
Ceremony set Thursday for OC bridge reopening
From staff reports A community ceremony will be held Thursday to mark the reopening of the Center Street Bridge in Oil City. The event, scheduled…
Pet of the day 10/25/16
Name: Minnie Breed: Terrier Mix Age: 1 year Sex: Female Size: Medium Color: White/ Tan Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Minnie can be found at Venango…
Down came the rain
Down came the rain … and along with it most of autumn’s early color. Most of the bright leaves from the early maples are now…
Firefighters taking campaign to OC residents
From staff reports Members of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association canvassed the North Side of Oil City on Saturday in an attempt to gain support…
Sandy Lake Twp. criminal mischief
Coolspring Twp. fire investigation
Franklin pilot, 5 others escape injury
From staff reports A Franklin man and five passengers escaped injury Sunday in a plane crash at the Titusville Airport. Sgt. Ruel Root of the…
Students learn about dangers of impaired driving
Franklin High School students took turns using impaired and distracted driving simulators as part of a National Teen Driver Safety Week presentation offered at the…
Pediatricians: Babies should sleep in same room as parents
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for infants to be kept in their parents’ bedroom at night for six months…
Pens’ Crosby could suit up tonight
PITTSBURGH (TNS) – The UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex was eerily quiet Monday a few minutes after 11 a.m., its ice surface empty except for an…
Amy Schumer slammed for Beyonce parody she calls tribute
The Associated Press Amy Schumer is brushing off critics who say her parody of Beyonce’s “Formation” video is racially insensitive. The video features a sweaty…
Recent Deaths 10/25/16
Edna Mae “Maisie” Thorpe, 86, of Youngsville, formerly of Seneca and Sugar Grove, died Oct. 23, 2016. Charles L. Firster, 88, of Oil City, died Oct….
It’s up to us to continue to tell the stories
If we do our jobs right and continue to tell the story, said Karen Parsh, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Knox, speaking Monday night…
Oil City YMCA Kicks Off Annual Rose Sale
From staff reports The Oil City YMCA has kicked off their Annual Rose Sale. Roses are on sale at the YMCA and at businesses in the…
Vehicle strikes ditch in Irwin Twp.
Rockland Twp. harassment
Pet of the day 10/24/16
Name: Miss Maple Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 2 years Sex: Female Size: Small Color: Grey/Orange Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $40.00 Miss Maple…
Small cost-of-living hike; Fellowship deadline extended
* New COLA Stays Stagnant: Military retirees, veterans receiving VA compensation, and some 70 million Americans on Social Security will see a 0.3 percent cost-of-living…
Classes resume at 14 state-owned universities
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Classes have resumed for more than 100,000 students who attend Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities. Classes resumed Monday after the union representing…
WikiLeaks tests power of full transparency
LONDON (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange first outlined the hypothesis nearly a decade ago: Can total transparency defeat an entrenched group of insiders? “Consider…
Predators feast on Penguins, 5-1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – After losing three straight, the Nashville Predators got a balanced effort to get back on the winning track. Kevin Fiala and…
Pats too much for Steelers
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Tom Brady and LeGarrette Blount were too much for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger or no Ben Roethlisberger. Blount ran for 127…
Bill Murray honored with Mark Twain prize
WASHINGTON (AP) — In an evening filled with jokes about Bill Murray’s elusiveness and quirky personality, the actor was honored with the nation’s top prize…
Official: Gas spill has had no impact on water so far
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — There has been little impact to the water supply so far from a ruptured pipeline during a freak storm in…
Posting ballot selfies: Personal choice or illegal act?
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — You probably already know whether you’ll vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton on Election Day, leaving one important question to…
Predators down the Penguins 5-1
The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Predators came into Saturday night’s game dealing with a bout of food poisoning. The Penguins are more likely…
Overjoyed Chicago Cubs fans turn attention to World Series
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs fans are turning their attention to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. Overjoyed fans streamed out…
OCHS forms new drug and alcohol awareness club
From staff reports Oil City High School has a new club this year called Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol (TADA) which is a newly registered…
Polk burglary
Complaint details gun incident in Oil City
By SAXON DAUGHERTY Staff Writer New details have emerged about an incident involving a gun near Central Avenue in Oil City on Thursday afternoon. A…
Students get lifesaving driving lesson
As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, a mobile DUI victims memorial made a stop at Franklin High School on Friday during its tour…
3 U.S. states deny Russia request to monitor election
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma and at least two other states said Friday that they have denied efforts by Russian officials to be present at…
Nobel academy member calls Dylan’s silence ‘arrogant’
STOCKHOLM (AP) — A member of the Swedish Academy that awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in literature to Bob Dylan says the U.S. singer-songwriter’s silence…
Steelers face daunting task with Pats
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Tom Brady wanted the showdown with Ben Roethlisberger, if he’s being honest. And the New England star is far from the only…
Recent Deaths 10/22/16
Ronald Rayburn Rhodes, 83, of Rimersburg, died Oct. 21, 2016. Mary Ruth (Temchulla) McCracken, 91, of Roseville, died Oct. 20, 2016. Nancy Eaker, 78, of Corsica, died Oct….
US internet repeatedly disrupted by cyberattacks on key firm
LONDON (AP) — Cyberattacks on a key internet firm repeatedly disrupted the availability of popular websites across the United States Friday, according to analysts and…
Technology Center will host open house
From staff reports The Venango Technology Center will host a Career & Technical Education Open House from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. The…
Vehicle strikes deer in Cornplanter Twp.
Polk Borough burglary
Pet of the day 10/21/16
Name: Cracker Breed: Hound/ Mix Age: 2 years Sex: Female Size: Large Color: White/ Black Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Cracker can be found at Venango…
All warm and fuzzy
Precious Paws Animal Rescue is working to make a few dogs a little warmer this winter. Tri-County Animal Rescue has an event and a spay…
Adult, juvenile charged in incident involving gun
From staff reports An adult and a juvenile are facing several charges after allegedly pointing a rifle at residences around Oil City on Thursday afternoon….
West Forest homecoming king and queen crowned
Andrew Schwab and Kristina Wagner were crowned homecoming king and queen at West Forest High School. He is the son of James and Tammy Schwab….
Typhoon Haima lashes China; death toll up in Philippines
BEIJING (AP) — Typhoon Haima barreled into southern China on Friday after hammering the northern Philippines with ferocious wind and rain, triggering flooding, landslides and…