Extra unemployment aid expires as virus threatens new states
LOS ANGELES (AP) — As public health officials warned Friday that the coronavirus posed new risks to parts of the Midwest and South, enhanced federal…
July 2020
Flaherty sharp, DeJong homers, Cards beat Bucs 5-4 in opener
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jack Flaherty pitched seven solid innings, Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and the St. Louis Cardinals opened the season by…
Music Review: Taylor Swift’s new album is strikingly heroic
The Associated Press In the years since Taylor Swift released her killer pop album “1989” in 2014, the singer has amped the production of her…
Recent Deaths 7/25/20
Donald Harold Slagle, 79, of Oil City, died July 23, 2020. June Kennedy, 92, formerly of Oil City, died July 23, 2020. Jean Marie Eckel…
Chicken Stuffed Roz Heads
(Family Features) Introducing kids to unfamiliar flavors doesn’t have to be a frightful experience. Getting creative and taking cues from some beloved characters may be…
Pet of the Day 7/24/20
Ellis loves treats, but has quite the cattitude. She has come a ways from where she was when we received her, but still has progress…
Credit union sets shred week in August
From staff reports Galaxy Federal Credit Union will hold its annual shred week in August. The community event will be held during normal business hours…
Gift bags given out at festival
Cohen Motter, 6, receives a bag of gifts at the Harriott/Land of Laughter playground in Oil City on Thursday from Kristine Keith of Youth Alternatives…
School openings hinge on case counts, health official warns
HARRISBURG (AP) — Every region of Pennsylvania has seen an increase in the rate of positive coronavirus cases and failing to stop that could jeopardize…
Even flow: Shelton brings positivity and grit to Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The initial dream died quickly and quietly late in 1993 when surgeons opened up Derek Shelton’s mangled right elbow and tried to…
Movie theaters implore studios: Release the blockbusters
NEW YORK (AP) — A long time ago in a pre-COVID universe far, far away, blockbusters opened around the globe simultaneously or nearly so. In…
Recent Deaths 7/24/20
Glen L. Mohnkern Jr., 73, of Oil City, died July 21, 2020. John Paul “Jiggs” Gruber Jr., 88, of Huddleston, Virginia, died July 22, 2020….
Rockland burglary
Pet of the Day 7/23/20
Curie has come quite a long way from the behaviors we saw when we received her. She was a stray in an abandoned house and…
Mom’s Favorite Tuna Noodle Casserole
(Family Features) Stocking up on pantry essentials is a productive practice, especially as people across the country spend more time at home. However, having all…
Trees knock lines onto garage, causing fire
By DILLON PROVENZA Staff writer No one was injured in a garage fire Wednesday morning in Oil City. The garage, which is detached from the…
Heritage Festival concerts can be seen live on TV, Facebook
From staff reports Live outdoor concerts, always a mainstay in the annual Oil Heritage Festival schedule, have been reconfigured into virtual performances. “We’re still going…
US labs buckle amid testing surge; world virus cases top 15M
WASHINGTON (AP) — Laboratories across the U.S. are buckling under a surge of coronavirus tests, creating long processing delays that experts say are undercutting the…
Pennsylvania won’t allow Blue Jays to play in Pittsburgh
TORONTO (AP) — The state of Pennsylvania won’t allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic, health…
Review: A Marie Curie biopic in ‘Radioactive’
The Associated Press It was dirty work, Marie and Pierre Curie’s discovery of radium and polonium. To investigate uranium at their Paris laboratory, Marie acquired…
Recent Deaths 7/23/20
Edward “Eddie Lee” Baker, 82, of Strattanville, died July 21, 2020. Donna Bell Dolby, 85, of Oil City, died July 21, 2020. Barbara Ann Exley,…
9 Ways to Become a Weather Expert
(StatePoint) Weather impacts a range of decisions we make throughout the day, from what to wear, whether to bring an umbrella, when to head out…
Fizzy Orange Pineapple Punch
(Culinary.net) Hardly anything beats a cold, refreshing drink on a hot day. This Fizzy Orange Pineapple Punch provides a chilling moment of relaxation with the…
Pet of the Day 7/22/20
Hello! My name is Adelaide! I love attention, but I don’t really like my head touched very much. I love to be held and cuddled,…
Oil City woman facing second set of drug charges
From staff reports An Oil City woman already accused of selling drugs to undercover buyers is facing additional drug-related charges after police searched her residence…
9 girls vying for Heritage queen
From staff reports Nine local students are candidates for the 2020 Oil Heritage Festival queen. The queen will be crowned at 7 p.m. Thursday in…
Powerful quake jolts Alaska towns, produces small tsunami
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A powerful earthquake off Alaska’s southern coast jolted coastal communities late Tuesday, and some residents briefly scrambled for higher ground over…
A whole new look, for a whole new NBA game experience
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — There’s no bench. The courtside broadcasters will not be courtside. And the stat crew will be doing their work…
New Orleans musician offers kids trumpets for guns
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader is offering kids trumpets in exchange for guns. Shamarr Allen started the project last…
Recent Deaths 7/22/20
Betty H. Brooks, 93, of Franklin, died July 20, 2020. Scott A. Evans, 64, formerly of Jackson Center, died July 19, 2020. Mildred “Millie” Viola…
Pet of the Day 7/21/20
Bella is a happy girl with lots of energy and love to give. She seems to get along well with other dogs. She still needs…
Asian Carne Asada Tacos
(Family Features) Combine the best of both worlds this summer with an ethnic favorite straight off the grill. These Asian Carne Asada Tacos require less…
2 get probation in connection with explosive device cases
From staff reports Two people who had been charged in relation to three explosive devices discovered in apartments in Franklin and Sugarcreek Borough in December…
Coats for Kids campaign underway
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer It may be sweltering outside, but two local fire departments are focusing their attention on warm winter coats. “We’re…
Federal agents, local streets: A ‘red flag’ in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Federal officers’ actions at protests in Oregon’s largest city, hailed by President Donald Trump but done without local consent, are raising…
‘I always think about Cups’ – Rejuvenated Malkin leads Pens
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin is already thinking about the future, the one where the hockey star in the family isn’t the four-time All-Star forward…
Review: ‘Jeopardy!’ host Trebek searches for answers in book
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life,” Alex Trebek (Simon & Schuster) Alex Trebek is the one providing the answers…
Recent Deaths 7/21/20
Donna Lee Myers, 66, of Strattanville, died July 20, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this day or…
Pet of the Day 7/20/20
Banks is a great guy! He likes to jump up and hug, loves to go outside and listens extremely well. He is very sweet and…
Pecan Banana Bread
(Family Features) Freshen up family dinners by adding new ingredients like pecans, with natural richness and subtle sweetness coupled with irresistible crunch. Kitchen staples are…
Erie VA Medical Center In Need of Donations
A list of items needed by veterans using the Erie VA was recently released. One of the most asked for items is gas cards. Some…
Clarion, Venango counties see virus cases subtracted
From staff reports The state Department of Health announced Clarion and Venango counties each had a confirmed case of COVID-19 subtracted from their respective cases…
Charity golf tournament that helps VC graduates adjusts to virus changes
From staff reports Organizers of an annual charity golf outing that provides scholarships to Venango Catholic High School students were forced to change their plans…
GOP leaders head to White House as virus crisis deepens
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Republicans in Congress are expected to meet Monday with President Donald Trump at the White House on the next COVID-19 aid…
Penguins star Crosby misses practice with undisclosed issue
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby did not practice on Sunday, a day after leaving a team scrimmage with an undisclosed health issue….
Floating boat cinema coming to Pittsburgh, other cities
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-in movies have been making a comeback — now a company says a floating cinema allowing people to…
Recent Deaths 7/20/20
Thomas J. Bolents, 71, of Clarion, died July 18, 2020. John Earl Smith, 84, of New Bethlehem, died July 17, 2020. David R. Walker, 74,…
Heritage fest moving ahead; events cut, music still on tap
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The Oil Heritage Festival, an annual event celebrating the community and its storied history, is set for next week….
OC seeks input on what to do with CDBG money
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The City of Oil City wants the public to add its input into how to spend $306,577 that is…
Fires set, fences moved: Police call Portland protest a riot
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Protesters broke into a building, set it on fire and started dumpster fires late Saturday night in Oregon’s largest city, police…