Gardens offer sanctuary amid fears and uncertainty
The garden has always been my safe place. For more than three decades of good times and bad, it’s a space to reflect and gain…
March 2020
Sweet Potato Walnut Falafel Bowls
Falafel 1 raw sweet potato (12 ounces), peeled and cut into chunks 1 cup cooked quinoa 1/2 cup California walnuts 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2…
Pet of the Day 03-18-20
Meet Zora, a beautiful black Pit Bull Terrier Mix with the cutest pointy ears you ever did see. She’s loving, very playful, a little shy,…
Venango planners give conditional OK to 2 building projects
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Venango County Regional Planning Commission gave conditional approval to two new building projects Tuesday during a meeting conducted via…
Days Inn up for sheriff’s sale
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The Days Inn hotel in downtown Oil City has been scheduled for a sheriff’s sale in May. A notice…
Trump’s economic rescue package could approach $1 trillion
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a massive federal effort, President Donald Trump asked Congress to speed emergency checks to Americans, enlisted the military for MASH-like hospitals…
Steelers place LB Shazier on reserve/retired list
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan Shazier’s NFL career is over. For now at least. The Pittsburgh Steelers placed the inside linebacker on the reserved/retired list on…
Judge hands major win to Katy Perry in ‘Dark Horse’ dispute
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge in Los Angeles handed a major victory to Katy Perry on Tuesday, overturning a jury’s verdict that found…
Recent Deaths 3/18/20
Robert “Bob” Glass, 83, of Venus, died March 16, 2020. H. R. “Baretta” “Rick” Scott, Jr., 66, of Emlenton, died March 15, 2020. For…
A Sweet Seasonal Shake
(Culinary.net) St. Patrick’s Day may call to mind hearty meals and pots o’ gold, but that doesn’t mean sweets can’t be part of the equation,…
Pet of the Day 03-17-20
Chop says “Look deeply into my eyes…” He knows that one look at those beautiful peepers will melt your heart, and you won’t be able…
State high court issues statewide judicial emergency
From staff reports Amid COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Monday declared a statewide judicial emergency, effective until April 14, according to a…
OC school board hears report on proposed work at Hasson
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Oil City School Board members heard a presentation Monday about extensive building renovations being proposed for Hasson Heights Elementary School….
Government issues historic restrictions amid virus outbreak
The Associated Press Shutdowns swept across the United States, with nearly 7 million people in the San Francisco area all but confined to their homes…
Steelers place franchise tag on Dupree as Foster retires
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding onto outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Ramon Foster is walking away. The team placed the franchise tag on…
With 208th song on Hot 100 chart, Drake sets new record
NEW YORK (AP) — Drake has landed his 208th song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting a new record for most songs on the…
Recent Deaths 3/17/20
Ella M. McCartney, 91, of Sandy Lake, died March 12, 2020. Mary J. Nugent, 67, of Knox, died March 14, 2020. Norman L. Todd, Jr.,…
Erie VA Medical Center Announces Changes Due to Cornovirus
– Call before you come to the VA or CBOC. The VA encourages all veterans to call ahead if they are having any symptoms (cough,…
Baked Bread to Celebrate St. Patty’s Day
(Culinary.net) From hearty stews to minty pies, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are all about enjoying the flavors of the holiday. Whether you’re cooking up a…
Pet of the Day 03-16-20
Timber, a Domestic Short Hair, is a 12 week old female. She has an black coat with just a smudge of white on her chest…
Food available to students during school shutdown
From staff reports Community agencies, businesses and schools will be providing food to students affected by the school shut down. – Oil City School District…
Titusville facility gets state funding
From staff reports A Titusville facility is receiving $500,000 from a $2.8 million state revitalization fund, Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday. Titusville Iron Works is…
US moves nearer to shutdown amid coronavirus fears
CHICAGO (AP) — Officials across the country curtailed many elements of American life to fight the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, with health officials recommending that…
IOC official says no deadline for decision on Olympics
SYDNEY (AP) — The leader of the IOC’s coordination commission for the Tokyo Olympics said there is no May deadline to cancel the games and…
Ticket sales dive at box office; lowest turnout in 20 years
NEW YORK (AP) — Ticket sales plunged to their lowest levels in at least 20 years at North American movie theaters as the coronavirus pandemic…
Recent Deaths 3/16/20
Mary J. Nugent, 68, of Knox, died March 14, 2020. Alan John Cicciarelli, 74, of Rimersburg, died March 13, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick…
Some ideas laid out as planning starts for OC 150th
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The City of Oil City’s 150-year anniversary celebration set for 2021 got off to a hefty start Tuesday as…
Route 8 project’s start pushed back
From staff reports The start date for the project to reconstruct more than 17 miles of Route 8 in Venango County has been rescheduled due…
Iraq officials: Rocket attack hits base housing US troops
BAGHDAD (AP) — A barrage of rockets hit a base housing U.S. and other coalition troops north of Baghdad on Saturday, Iraqi security officials said,…
Wolf urges nonessential businesses to close in some counties
HARRISBURG (AP) — State health officials have announced six additional presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 47 cases, and the…
Oklahoma City marks bombing anniversary with artistic events
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City honors victims of the 1995 bombing that shocked the nation in what remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism…
3 arrested for drug delivery
Police report 2 scams affecting residents
From staff reports Area police have released information about two more scams affecting residents. Marienville state police are investigating an incident in which they say…
Local cancellations, closings listed
From staff reports Several area agencies, organizations and schools have canceled or postponed events as a result of the coronavirus. Other area facilities, including YMCAs…
Governor shutters PA schools for at least 2 weeks
HARRISBURG (AP) — All schools in Pennsylvania will close for two weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday as the state undertook sweeping measures aimed at…
No fans, no work: Arena workers caught in sports shutdown
MIAMI (AP) — David Edelman can usually be found at a Denver Nuggets basketball game or a Colorado Rapids soccer game. As an usher, he…
Disney sends ‘Frozen 2’ to streaming for housebound families
NEW YORK (AP) — The Walt Disney Co. will release “Frozen 2” on Disney Plus several months early to give families cooped up by the…
Recent Deaths 3/14/20
Matthew J. Baugher, 53, of Franklin, died March 11, 2020. Robert M. Hartzell, Sr., 83, of Clarion, died March 10, 2020. For complete obituaries,…
A Sweet St. Patrick’s Day
(Culinary.net) Even if you’re not Irish, a green treat like this Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie can get you and your guests into the…
Pet of the Day 03-13-20
Tulip, a Domestic Medium Hair, is a 2 year old female. She’s a cream tabby point with an angular head and dark eyes. Tulip is…
Apartment damaged in fire above Billy’s
By DILLON PROVENZA Staff writer Nobody was injured after a fire broke out at about 5 p.m. Thursday in a third-floor apartment above Billy’s bar…
School districts adhering to stricter guidelines
From staff reports Area school districts are hustling to meet new and stricter guidelines for facility cleaning in response to the coronavirus. In the Cranberry…
Pentagon: US strikes Iran-backed group that hit Iraq base
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. launched airstrikes in Iraq, targeting the Iranian-backed Shiite militia members believed responsible for the rocket attack that killed and wounded…
Coronavirus brings entertainment world to a standstill
NEW YORK (AP) — The entertainment industry prepared Thursday for an unprecedented shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, canceling upcoming movies, suspending all…
Recent Deaths 3/13/20
Shirley J. Moore, 83, of Franklin, died March 11, 2020. Kimberly Amsdell, 48, of Oil City, died March 5, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick…
Go Simple with Salmon
(Culinary.net) Make your next family meal quick and tasty with a recipe that calls for common ingredients and simple preparation. These Southwest Salmon Patties are…
Pet of the Day 03-12-20
Felix a Rat Terrier/Beagle mix, is a young male. His brown and white coat has a large patch of black on the back. Felix has…
OC man held for court on several drug charges
From Staff Reports An Oil City man accused of selling drugs to a confidential informant in Franklin was held for court Wednesday in Venango County…
Regional College will offer applied science degree
From staff reports Northern Pennsylvania Regional College has been approved by its board of trustees to offer a two-year associate degree of applied science in…
Iraq will investigate attack on base that killed U.S. troops
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s military on Thursday said it opened an investigation into a rocket attack hours earlier that killed three servicemen, including two Americans,…