2016
St. Patrick students work on service project
From staff reports Seventh- and eighth-grade students at St. Patrick School in Franklin worked with Mustard Seed Missions and Catholic Rural Ministries on a service…
DEP official’s private email had urged advocates for ‘pushback’
HARRISBURG (AP) – In an email that precipitated his resignation, Gov. Tom Wolf’s environmental protection secretary criticized environmental advocates for a lack of “pushback” against…
Penguins goaltending decision won’t be made until today
The Associated Press Coach Mike Sullivan offered little clarity to the team’s goaltending situation before the Penguins left Monday afternoon for Tampa, Fla., telling reporters…
Ginger Zee shines on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ despite injury
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ginger Zee’s ailing back didn’t seem to affect her much during the first half of the two-night season finale of ABC’s…
Recent Deaths 5/24/16
Betty K. Umstead, 71, of Franklin, died May 22, 2016. Rose M. Dunkle, 66, of Wallaceville Road, died May 23, 2016. John E. “Jack” Egan, 89,…
Officer acquitted on all charges in Freddie Gray case
BALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore officer was acquitted Monday of assault and other charges in the arrest of Freddie Gray, dealing prosecutors a second straight…
Center Twp. theft
Cranberry DUI
Pirates’ Vogelsong hit in head by pitch, leaves game
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates pitcher Ryan Vogelsong was hit in the head by a pitch in the second inning and left the game against the…
Chewbacca Mom’s infectious laugh draws more than 135M views
NEW YORK (AP) — A Texas woman who spontaneously donned a Chewbacca mask she bought for a Facebook video says she “feels like she deserves…
Ridgway Twp. criminal mischief
Pet of the day 5/23/16
Name: Pecan Breed: Doberman Pinscher mix Age: 5 years Sex: Female Size: Large Declawed: No House- Trained: Unknown Pecan can be found at Venango County…
Ex-Megadeth drummer Nick Menza collapses on stage, dies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Menza, former drummer for the influential metal band Megadeth, died after collapsing on stage during a performance of his progressive…
Obama lifts decades-old arms ban in visit to Vietnam
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday lifted a half-century-old ban on selling arms to Vietnam, looking to bolster a government…
Golden years
Three adoptable dogs at the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca are looking to spent their golden years in a loving home. Yogi Bear, Bittles…
Fox Twp. criminal mischief
Ridgway Twp. public drunkenness
Pirates, Rockies postponed to today
PITTSBURGH (AP) – On the diamond, Juan Nicasio demonstrated part of the problem with Pittsburgh’s rotation, allowing a pair of quick extra-base hits Sunday. Off…
Police catch three escapees from Pathways
From staff reports Three juvenile males escaped from Pathways Adolescent Center Sunday afternoon. Oil City police said that the three of them were caught on…
Cranberry Elementary students get safety lesson
From staff reports Nearly 200 Cranberry Elementary School students spent a portion of Friday afternoon outside learning about summertime safety. The program was a reward…
No contamination found from pipeline explosion
GREENSBURG (AP) – Spectra Energy says third-party soil and water tests have turned up no contamination from a massive natural gas pipeline explosion in western…
Lightning stun Pens in OT
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Tampa Bay Lightning are one win away from a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Tyler Johnson deflected Jason Garrison’s…
Madonna, Stevie Wonder pay tribute to Prince at Billboard
The Associated Press Madonna closed Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards paying tribute to Prince with the help of Stevie Wonder, ending the night with “Purple Rain.”…
Recent Deaths 5/23/16
Blair P. McCurdy Sr., died May 21, 2016. George M. Harris, 53, died May 22, 2016. Mary Joan Bagnato, 94, of Fredonia, formerly of Oil City, died May…
Crash in Utica
I-80 Accident
Solar-powered plane lands in Ohio after flight from Oklahoma
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A solar-powered airplane has touched down in the Ohio hometown of two of America’s most well-known aviation pioneers on the latest…
Billboard Awards to be an emotional night with performances
The Billboard Music Awards will feature a mix of emotional and explosive performances. Madonna will pay tribute to Prince, who died last month; Kesha will…
3 charged for arson in mobile home fire
By SAXON DAUGHERTY Staff writer Three men are facing felony arson charges for their alleged roles in a fire that destroyed a mobile home Sunday…
Game commission: Don’t disturb young wildlife
From staff reports HARRISBURG – Whether in their backyards or high on a mountain, it’s almost certain Pennsylvanians will encounter young wildlife this time of…
Closer Melancon takes first loss as Pirates fall to Rockies
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mark Melancon was philosophical after his first loss of the season. Rookie infielder Cristhian Adames’ first career home run capped a four-run…
Harassment at Home Depot
Lancaster Twp. DUI
‘The Lobster’ finds Colin Farrell vs. the clock in surreal quest for a mate
A long way from Tinder, the entrancingly strange black comedy “The Lobster” imagines single life not as an array of swipe-right options, but rather as…
Recovered Stolen Vehicle
Theft at Boscov’s
Solar-powered plane’s latest leg: Oklahoma to Ohio
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A solar-powered airplane that landed in Oklahoma last week is headed to Ohio on the latest leg of its around-the-world journey….
Winners announced in Feldman competition
From staff reports Winners in the 24th annual Margaret Feldman Competition for Excellence in Writing were announced Thursday at a ceremony at St. John’s Episcopal…
Wayne Twp. DUI
Vehicle lands in creek
From staff reports A vehicle driven by a Franklin man landed in a creek early Friday morning in Jackson Township. Franklin state police said Matthew…
Trucks Collide in Butler County
Lightning beat Penguins 4-3, even Eastern Conference finals
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Ninety minutes before the opening faceoff, Jon Cooper talked about what the Tampa Bay Lightning needed to do to get back…
Recent Deaths 5/21/16
Homer Ivan Tarr, 90, of Rocky Grove, died Thursday, May 19, 2016. John Edward “Ed” Klingensmith, 73, of Franklin, died Thursday, May 19, 2016. Danielle…
Official: Armed person shot by Secret Service officer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A uniformed Secret Service officer shot an armed person on a street outside the White House, a U.S. law enforcement official said…
Annin Twp. fire
Debris found from Egypt plane crash, no clue on cause
CAIRO (AP) — Search crews found human remains, luggage and seats Friday from the EgyptAir jetliner that fell out of the sky over the Mediterranean…
Jackson Twp. DUI crash
Pet of the day 5/20/16
Name: Outback Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 1 year Sex: Female Size: Small Color: White and black Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $40.00 Outback…
CDC: Violation found in 80 percent of pool inspections
ATLANTA (AP) — A government survey has found at least one violation in nearly 80 percent of public pool and hot tub inspections from 2013 in…