Face masks in demand
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The health directive urging Americans to cover their faces to stop the coronavirus contagion has sent individuals scurrying to…
April 2020
New unemployment benefits being implemented in PA
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf says the state labor department has started sending out expanded federal unemployment compensation payments provided by the coronavirus relief…
‘SNL’ returns for work-at-home version with host Tom Hanks
NEW YORK (AP) — “Saturday Night Live” tried its first “quarantine version” of the comedy show, with coronavirus pioneer Tom Hanks, Coldplay singer Chris Martin…
Channellock closed ‘until further notice’
From staff reports One of Crawford County’s biggest employers, Channellock, has temporarily closed the doors of its Meadville facility along South Main Street after one…
State implements new federal jobless benefits
From staff reports The state Department of Labor & Industry is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic…
Wolf suggests state’s virus cases could surge next week
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf predicted Friday that Pennsylvania will see a surge in new virus cases next week and implored residents to continue…
Virtual racing puts NASCAR, IndyCar ahead in sports shutdown
The Associated Press Get this: Some 1 million people have tuned in to watch professional racers play a video game on national television. Seriously. The…
‘Downton Abbey’ creator shifts gears with series ‘Belgravia’
NEW YORK (AP) — Julian Fellowes’ latest addictive series about English social classes kicks off with a party. Mind you, not just any run-of-the mill,…
Recent Deaths 4/11/20
Linda L. Hinkson, 76, of Franklin, died April 10, 2020. Ronald E. Comfort, 77, of Charlottesville, Virginia, died April 5, 2020. Virginia “Ginny” Birtcil, 89,…
Easy Ethnic Enchiladas
(Culinary.net) If your family is looking for a simple way to serve up a south-of-the-border classic, this Enchilada Casserole can be your ticket to a…
Pet of the Day 4/10/20
Bonnie showed up at a local barn, VERY pregnant! She gave birth almost immediately and was fixed when the kittens were 5 weeks old. She…
UPMC expedites testing of COVID-19 therapies
From staff reports A novel clinical trial developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine launched Thursday addresses how doctors should decide…
Cranberry shop will serve as collection spot for masks
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Susan Williams, CEO of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, recently got a call from a young medical student…
Schools ordered to remain closed until end of academic year
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania schools will remain shuttered for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened thousands and…
NFL will have 58 prospects participating remotely in draft
NEW YORK (AP) — Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young are among 58 prospects who will participate remotely in…
‘Saturday Night Live’ to air show, observe social distancing
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Saturday Night Live” will be back on the air this weekend with a show that abides by social distancing rules. The…
Recent Deaths 4/10/20
Ronald E. Comfort, 77, of Charlottesville, Virginia, died April 5, 2020. Thaddeus Scott Miles, 82, died April 9, 2020. Kristy Lynn Young, 32, of Cranberry,…
Blended Tacos
(Family Features) Cook once, eat twice. It’s a kitchen practice as simple as it sounds. Cook a base dish that can be enjoyed today and…
Pet of the Day 4/9/20
Renita is a shy little girl who hasn’t quite gotten used to her new surroundings. She is good with the other cats but shy with…
3 charged for stealing guns from Sugarcreek home
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer Three Sugarcreek residents are facing a collective 114 felony charges for stealing guns from a home on Causeway Drive in…
Diocese planning to livestream Easter Triduum services
From staff reports The Catholic Diocese of Erie is in the midst of its Holy Week At Home initiative. Many pastors in the diocese have…
16.8M Americans thrown out of work as economic toll rises
NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak has thrown at least 16.8 million Americans onto the unemployment rolls in just three weeks, underscoring the terrifying…
State to seize medical supplies for COVID-19 fight
The Associated Press Pennsylvania emergency management officials will be permitted to commandeer N95 face masks, ventilators and other crucial medical equipment for use in the…
BET plans all-star coronavirus special; Broadway stays dark
The Associated Press From finding ways to help others cope to sheltering in place to canceling events, here’s a look at some of the ways…
Recent Deaths 4/9/20
William B. Cochran, 81, of Franklin, died April 8, 2020. Ricky L. Flickner, 57, Windber, died April 7, 2020. Regina M. “Toby” Sunseri, 90, of…
Breakfast Sandwiches
(Culinary.net) If you need an on-the-go breakfast option, wake up your morning with bacon, eggs and a biscuit in these simple, tasty Breakfast Sandwiches. Find…
How coronavirus is impacting outdoor activities, and how to combat it
The outdoors arena isn’t being spared in this world gone crazy. The coronavirus pandemic that has people all over the world suddenly working from home,…
Pet of the Day 4/8/20
Claudia, a domestic long hair, is a two-year-old spayed female. She has a soft black and white coat and green eyes. Claudia is a cuddle…
Project to reconstruct Route 8 in Venango Co. to resume
From staff reports Work is expected to resume today on Old Route 8 as part of phase one of the reconstruction of Route 8 in…
OC officials not sure whether pool will open
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer One of Oil City’s most popular venues may not open this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. City officials…
78 more virus deaths set new single-day high in PA
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania smashed its single-day high for reported coronavirus-related deaths, recording 78 more fatalities and nearly 1,600 more cases of COVID-19, as the…
Burton, Earnhardt, Edwards headline Hall of Fame nominees
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards were among the new nominees for NASCAR’s next Hall of Fame class announced…
Say hello to ‘Trolls,’ farewell to ‘Modern Family’ this week
The Associated Press This week’s entertainment offerings have a decidedly familial feel to them, and not the Force Family Fun kind. On television, viewers have…
Recent Deaths 4/8/20
Cindy Ann Burford, 61, of New Bethlehem, died April 4, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this day…
Pecan-Topped Raspberry Cake
With a distinct flavor that works well in dishes from sweet to savory, red raspberries can add bright flavor and balance to recipes ranging from…
Pet of the Day 4/7/20
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…
Cranberry Twp. DUI crash
Venango commissioners say nothing decided as far as possible layoffs
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Venango County commissioners said Monday the county is good financial shape right now and that nothing has been decided as…
OC Good Friday service available by remote viewing
From staff reports The annual Good Friday laymen’s service in Oil City will be held as scheduled, with some changes that were necessitated by the…
Congress, White House reach high for next virus bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders are jolting ahead with another coronavirus rescue package as President Donald Trump indicated that Americans will need more aid during…
NHL playoff scenarios run the gamut of where, when and how
The Associated Press Shorts and skates don’t usually mix. Maintaining NHL-quality ice in August or holding a Stanley Cup Final in September? Those are far…
New phone-only Quibi aims for bite of digital entertainment
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Want to see Chance the Rapper prank Hollywood stars? Catch a new action thriller starring Liam Hemsworth and Christoph Waltz? How…
Recent Deaths 4/7/20
Emily Ruth Griffin Eames, 73, of Oil City, died April 6, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this…
Red, White and Blue Greek Yogurt Bark
(Family Features) Snacks are a way of life for people of all ages, but especially children, who consume about 25% of their daily calories from…
Pet of the Day 4/6/20
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 curious and…
Well, Scammers Are At It Again
Veterans take notice, the scammers are now at it with the coronavirus. If you get a phone call and they say they are from the…
US, UK brace for soaring death tolls as pandemic bears down
LONDON (AP) — The U.S. and Britain braced for what could be one of their bleakest weeks in memory Monday as the human and financial…
Pennsylvania sets COVID-19 cleaning rules for big buildings
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania’s health secretary issued new standards Sunday for cleaning large buildings that remain open during the COVID-19 shutdown. Dr. Rachel Levine’s order,…
Byron wins virtual Bristol; Bubba ‘rage quits’ early in race
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — William Byron led the most laps in NASCAR’s first two virtual races and had nothing to show for his gaming skills….
At home with kids, pets and spouses, country stars play on
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music’s biggest stars should have been on the carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday in Las…