New FICDA director makes Franklin her business
By JIM MEYER – Staff Writer The new year means a new job for Deb Eckelberger, as she will take on the role of developmental…
December 2017
Airport lands a deal
By JIM MEYER – Staff writer Local vintage aircraft enthusiasts who travel to airports around the country to get a look at historic planes will…
Grinch accused of stealing Christmas in Cranberry
By JIM MEYER – Staff writer Engaging in his own war on Christmas, a Whoville resident was arrested in Cranberry on Thursday. The classic cartoon…
‘Jumanji’ sequel serves up stars, good hearted fun
More than two decades after Robin Williams conquered that pesky board game, “Jumanji” has been resurrected with more and glossier stars (Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart…
Typhoon ravages south Philippines with 120 dead, 160 missing
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) — One of the deadliest storms to hit the Philippines this year blew out of the country’s south Sunday after leaving more…
Ducks throttle sloppy Penguins 4-0
PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Gibson grew up in Pittsburgh. He downplayed his annual homecoming Saturday night, but his teammates with the Anaheim Ducks understood this…
Christmas Surprise
Redbank Valley High School teacher Blane Gold took his AP Government class shopping. The students purchased gifts for 8 children in the New Bethlehem community….
Fire destroys Clintonville home
A house burns at 368 Weldon Road in Clintonville early Friday morning. “I’d rule it a total loss, but we were able to save a…
Wintertime visitor
Jim Ames, of Seneca, snapped this photo Friday of a snowy owl. The owl was seen on Bredinsburg Road, on the lane heading toward Pennsylvania…
California wildfire now largest in state history
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California wildfire that has killed two people and seared its way through cities, towns and wilderness northwest of Los Angeles…
Carey returns to ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’
NEW YORK (AP) — Mariah Carey is determined to have a better New Year’s Eve than in 2016 — she is returning to “Dick Clark’s…
Recent Deaths 12/23/17
Ronald W. McDonald, 82, of Marienville, died Dec. 21, 2017. Patricia D. Hays, 78, of Franklin, died Dec. 22, 2017. Beverly A. Osberg, 89, of Knox, died…
Disorderly Conduct at Lakeview School
Frenchcreek Twp. Terroristic Threats
Mercer Co. Fatal Crash
Senior Center sets schedule
From staff reports The Titusville Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon for a suggested donation of…
Still waiting
Area animal rescues highlight their available adoptable animals. Long timers Precious Paws Animal Rescue president Theresa Weldon posted earlier this week on the group’s Facebook…
Pet of the day 12/22/17
Name: Rocky Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 1 year Gender: Male Size: Medium Color: White/ Black Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $40.00 Rocky can…
Ribeye steaks with thyme-garlic butter
Start to finish: 30 minutes Serves 4, generously 2 rib-eye steaks, about 1 1/2 inches thick, and 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each Kosher salt…
Oil City man accused of strangulation waives hearing
From staff reports An Oil City man accused of strangling and hitting a woman during a domestic dispute earlier this month waived his preliminary hearing…
First Night marks 20 years
From staff reports There will be some old faces and some new faces performing at First Night Oil City. The event which will be held…
Poll: Most say sex misconduct victims are underprotected
WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans say sexual misconduct is a major problem and that too little is being done to protect victims, according to a…
Pens top Blue Jackets
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan doesn’t want to see Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang drop the gloves every game. But…
Facebook signs deal with music label Universal Music
NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook and record label Universal Music Group have signed a multiyear deal that will let Facebook users share videos that have…
Recent Deaths 12/22/17
Ronald W. McDonald, 82, of Marienville, died Dec. 21, 2017. Kirk Alan Dailey, 48, of Cooksburg, died Dec. 20, 2017. Robert Kenneth “Ken” Weeter, 83,…
Holiday travel tips
Millions of people travel to visit family and friends each holiday season. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, during the Christmas and New Year’s…
Pet of the day 12/21/17
Biggie is an approximately 7 year old , male, JRT that initially came to the rescue as a stray. He is active and playful and…
Spanish-style crispy potatoes
Start to finish: 1 hour 45 minutes (35 active) Servings: 6 For the potatoes: 2 pounds medium Yukon gold potatoes, sliced crosswise 1/2-inch thick 1/2…
Centerville man accused of Galloway Church break-in
By MARISSA DECHANT Staff writer A Crawford County man is facing charges after he allegedly broke into the Galloway Church in September. A criminal complaint…
School holiday project
Brooks McFall (right) asks if he could eat this piece of candy instead of putting it on his gingerbread house made of graham crackers as…
Car rams into pedestrians in Melbourne; 19 injured
SYDNEY (AP) — Australian police said there is no evidence of a terrorist link to a car ramming attack Thursday in central Melbourne that left…
Steelers veterans Haden, Gilbert return to full practice
PITTSBURGH (AP) — For vastly different reasons, two of the Steelers veteran starters were prevented from practicing fully or playing in games during December. That…
‘Downsizing,’ a big-picture film about little people
The Associated Press It’s hard to say what’s better about the first half of Alexander Payne’s wonderfully weird — or is it weirdly wonderful? —…
Recent Deaths 12/21/17
William Ben Bickel, 80, of Franklin, died Dec. 19, 2017. Ardythe (Tiny) Keith Jacoby, 91, of Galloway, died Dec. 15, 2017. Donald L. Wirt, 87, of…
Cranberry Twp. theft
Paint Twp. theft
Pet of the day 12/20/17
Kyle is an adorable male kitten. He likes to play and attention, although a little shyer than his brothers. He is current on vaccines, negative…
Almond and flax crackers with a smoked almond spread
Servings: 12 Start to finish: Active time: 25 minutes. Cooking time as much as 15 hours. 1 cup almonds 1 cup smoked almonds 1/2 cup…
Oil City student accused of threats to ‘shoot up’ school
From staff reports An Oil City High School student is facing charges after he allegedly made a gun threat at the school Tuesday morning. Oil…
Franklin students win first place in tournament
From staff reports Twenty-six Franklin students participated in the LinguiSHTIK tournament at Slippery Rock University. They competed across four divisions and represented all classes from…
8 Steelers, 6 Eagles and Saints highlight Pro Bowl squads
NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers lead the NFL in one category this season: most Pro Bowl players. Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Ben…
Fox’s version of ‘Christmas Story’ fails to excite viewers
NEW YORK (AP) — To judge by the collective shrug that viewers greeted Fox’s performance of “A Christmas Story Live!,” the fascination with live theater…
Recent Deaths 12/20/17
Kurtis Brian Loughner, 64, of Polk, died Dec. 16, 2017. William L. Huber, 76, of Oil City, died Dec. 18, 2017. Louise L. Gathers, 91, of…
Jackson Twp. accident
Washington Twp. criminal mischief
Point of view
Whether or not folks like snow depends on their point of view. A new fallen fluffy snow that outlines bare tree branches and coats what…
Pet of the day 12/19/17
Maisie appears to be a young, petite ( no more than 30lbs ), female, Boxer mix that came to the rescue center as a stray….
Carrot and chickpea salad
Servings: 8 Start to finish: 15 minutes Salad: 3 cups shredded carrots 1 1/4 cup cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained if canned, about…
Tionesta man arrested for growing marijuana in home
From staff reports A Tionesta man is facing charges after police recovered 71 marijuana plants and paraphernalia from his basement earlier this month. A criminal…
Cranberry students show ‘a lot of giving of the heart’
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer After handling a short list of routine business matters, the Cranberry School Board turned its attention to its top…