March 2019
School districts feel pinch of substitute shortage
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Area school districts are facing a severe shortage of substitutes in all disciplines from teacher to groundskeeper and cafeteria…
Trout stocked in local waterways
From staff reports Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission workers and several volunteers placed about 3,300 fish in Justus Lake at Two Mile Run County Park…
Robot offers a deeper dive into Lake Erie research
MEADVILLE (AP) — An underwater robot will be roaming Presque Isle Bay to collect water quality data beginning this spring. The robot doesn’t look impressive….
Stones postpone tour as Jagger receives medical treatment
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rolling Stones are postponing their latest tour so Mick Jagger can receive medical treatment. The band announced Saturday that Jagger…
Retail Theft
Warrant Arrest
Military members to benefit via Second Harvest program
From staff reports Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania’s Military Share Program, a produce express initiative, is expanding to Venango County. The program distributes…
OC workers to install new water main on Cowell
From staff reports The Oil City water department will install a new water main on Cowell Avenue during the first weeks of April. Daily start…
Franklin crews to sweep city streets
From staff reports The City of Franklin street department will sweep streets next week in the following areas: Monday – Third shift: Business district and…
Remembering Three Mile Island accident, 40 years later
MIDDLETOWN (AP) — It was about 8 a.m. on a Wednesday, and Lou Braasch, program director of WKBO radio in Harrisburg was holding down the…
Rinne makes 42 saves, Predators top Penguins 3-1
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pekka Rinne stopped 42 shots to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. Rinne…
Jackson, Nicks enter hall with encouragement for women
NEW YORK (AP) — Stevie Nicks, who became the first woman inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Janet Jackson, the…
Recent Deaths 3/30/19
Jack E. Benninger, 92, formerly of 134 East Ave., Greenville, died March 28, 2019. Philip Bruno, 88, of Perry Township, Ohio, died March 27, 2019….
Spicy Yet Savory Poppers
(Family Features) Your guests won’t be able to have just one of these sweet and savory poppers. With a touch of heat from the cayenne…
Pet of the Day 3/29/19
Ruger is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever & Labrador Retriever Mix Young, Male, Medium, Brown/Chocolate COAT LENGTH: Short HEALTH: Vaccinations up to date, spayed / neutered Ruger, a Chocolate Labrador…
Venango Co. commissioners sign contract for new voting machines
By JIM MEYER Staff writer Venango County commissioners, at the recommendation of the county election board, have signed a contract with Election Systems & Services,…
Sandycreek students compete in STEM event
A team of four Sandycreek Elementary fifth-grade students coached by Connie Palmer and Kelley Bilotto participated in the Thermo Fisher STEM Challenge against 19 other…
Bump stocks are turned in or destroyed as ban takes effect
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The largest supplier of bump stocks turned in its entire remaining inventory to be destroyed — some 60,000 devices. Washington state’s…
Reds rally for 5-3 win over Pirates
CINCINNATI (AP) — Unexpected stars, unconventional moves, one pleasing win. The David Bell era in Cincinnati got off to an encouraging start for a Reds…
Jay-Z to receive special honor at NAACP Image Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay-Z will receive the President’s Award during the 50th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday. The NAACP announced Thursday it selected the…
Recent Deaths 3/29/19
Linda K. Solinger, 78, of Oil City, died March 27, 2019. Barbara Jean White, 67, of Dempseytown, died March 28, 2019. Claude Allen Mohney, 82,…
Cranberry Students Create Lifelike Special Effects
Photos by Lindsay Perry By AMBER HOLT Student Contributor On the morning of March 14, Cranberry High School seniors Tyler Cosmiske and Danielle Peterson held…
Halyday Run Road traffic stop
Pet of the day 3/28/19
Name: Harper Breed: Pointer, German Wirehaired mix Age: 4 years Gender: Male Size: Medium Color: Brown/ White Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Harper can be found…
Kale and Quinoa Bite Tacos
(Family Features) Whether it’s a simple date night at home or a weeknight meal for the entire family, finding inter-culinary balance between everyone at the…
Charges filed against OC man extradited from South Carolina
By JIM MEYER Staff writer An Oil City man who was extradited last month from South Carolina has been charged in Forest County for violating…
Franklin gets grant money for downtown project
From staff reports A $135,850 project in Franklin is part of the $54.7 million in funding that will be infused into the state’s transportation infrastructure…
Silver Cornet Band rehearsals to begin
From staff reports The Franklin-based Silver Cornet Band will begin rehearsals for its 163rd season on Monday. Rehearsals are held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m….
UK leader Theresa May makes final push on EU divorce deal
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May was making a final push Thursday to save her European Union withdrawal deal after her promise to…
Families make online videos a job but few rules protect kids
PHOENIX (AP) — A trip to the grocery store. A little league baseball game. A cute baby swinging from a tree. Millions of people have…
Recent Deaths 3/28/19
William Thomas Steele, of Franklin, died March 21, 2019. Linda L. Klinger, 72, of Franklin, died March 24, 2019. Betty J. Spence, 89, of Oil…
Cherrytree Twp. criminal mischief
Oakland Twp. DUI
Releasing fish so they live to breed, fight again
You’ll feel good. Not outright heroic maybe, but certainly noble to at least some degree, believing you’ve done right by conservation and fishing. And maybe…
Pet of the day 3/27/19
Ella is a 4 year old female. She finds herself at the rescue with her sister Cinder after their owner passed away. She is spayed…
Suspect in 3 high-speed chases in custody
From staff reports A Titusville man accused of leading police on three high-speed car chases in the last two months was taken into custody at…
Ziti with Fennel and Italian Sausage
Servings: 4-6 Start to finish: 30 minutes 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed 2 onions, halved and sliced thin 1 fennel bulb,…
Teacher hopes her students ‘drive to be better, try to help others’
By ROSEMARY FIELDING Staff writer One of teacher Jess Vogan’s goals is to introduce the junior and senior students in her learning support program at…
County bans unvaccinated minors in public as measles spreads
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A county in New York City’s northern suburbs declared a state of emergency Tuesday over a measles outbreak that has infected…
Review: ‘Dumbo’ remake takes flight on its own charms
The Associated Press The original “Dumbo” was released in the summer of 1941 while Germany was spreading across Europe and war was breaking out in…
Recent Deaths 3/27/19
Patsy L. Hoffman, 74, of Franklin, died March 24, 2019. William Joseph “Bill” Shettler, 87, of Emlenton, died March 25, 2019. Alvin Manford Anderson, 91,…
Pet of the day 3/26/19
Name: Bridget Breed: Hound mix Color: White/ Black Age: adult Size: Medium Bridget can be found at Tri-County Animal Rescue Center.
Simple, Flavorful Recipes to Reimagine Mealtime
(Family Features) While it can be easy to fall into a routine of cooking the same recipes week in and week out, getting creative with…
OC STEM team presents winning project to school board
By JIM MEYER Staff writer As they prepare to take their invention to Harrisburg, members of the Oil City Area High School STEM team presented…
Cranberry students get much praise at board meeting
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Cranberry students involved in several artistic ventures came in for some hearty praise from the school board at a…
Linked by pain: 2 school massacre survivors, dad kill selves
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Tragedies like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and Sandy Hook Elementary school massacres eventually fade from view, blunted by other…
Penguins surge to 5-2 win over Rangers
NEW YORK (AP) — The surging Pittsburgh Penguins are closing in on the top spot in their division. Teddy Blueger scored twice, Matt Murray made…
‘Shadows’ sucks comedy from everyday lives of vampires
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Think your roommates are a pain? Try living in a house full of vampires. They’re up all night, every night. The…
Recent Deaths 3/26/19
David J. Zacherl, 96, of Shippenville, died March 24, 2019. Patsy L. Hoffman, 74, of Franklin, died March 24, 2019. Dorothy (Maudice-Greaves) Schick died March…