Emlenton woman accused of child endangerment
From staff reports An Emlenton woman is facing child endangerment and other charges for striking a man holding an infant so hard he dropped the…
2020
Townships change tax due dates
From staff reports Oakland Township supervisors have changed the due dates for 2020 real estate taxes for township residents. Discount payments will be accepted through…
Food pantry distribution set in Franklin
From staff reports Shepherd’s Green Community Food Pantry in Franklin will have its distribution from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The distribution…
Wolf resists calls to reopen economy, ease stay-home order
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday that he has not set any timetable for allowing nonessential businesses to reopen or people to leave…
QB of the future? RB of the present? Steelers weigh options
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft pick is already a home run, according to Kevin Colbert. The longtime general manager offers safety Minkah…
Brian Dennehy, Tony-winning stage, screen actor, dies at 81
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Dennehy, the burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for…
Recent Deaths 4/17/20
David V. Hovis, 51, of Oil City, died April 15, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this day…
Spanish Potato and Onion Omelet
(Family Features) A filling yet nutritious breakfast is a productive way to start any day, especially one loaded with flavor. Spanish Potato and Onion Omelets…
Pet of the Day 4/16/20
I am Zeus! Hear me bark. I am a little over a year old and found myself at a humane society after my owner didn’t…
PUC encourages awareness of Lifeline phone program
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is encouraging consumers across the state, especially those most vulnerable to social isolation, to understand the resources…
Food distributions scheduled at O.C. churches, agencies
From staff reports The Oil City Ministerium has compiled a calendar listing for local food sources provided by churches in the city. The schedule was…
Wolf mandates masks as GOP seeks to relax business shutdown
HARRISBURG (AP) — Going to a Pennsylvania supermarket, home improvement center, pharmacy or other business that remains open during the pandemic? Be prepared to wear…
Video chats to home workouts, draft prospects get it done
The Associated Press UCLA running back Joshua Kelley was looking forward to visiting various NFL teams, checking out their facilities and meeting coaches before the…
Tired of ‘Frozen’? Stream these less obvious kids movies
NEW YORK (AP) — Weeks of quarantine with kids have a way of burning through a movie collection. Even with the libraries of streaming services…
Recent Deaths 4/16/20
Ann L. Cratty, 83, of Oil City, died April 14, 2020. Janet Dittman, 59, of Greenville, formerly of Emlenton, died April 8, 2020. Joyce Dunlap,…
Mallards continue to impact waterfowl seasons
Pennsylvania waterfowl hunters have had it pretty good for a long, long time, at least in one sense. Whether that continues remains to be seen….
Kids Watermelon Sandwich Cookies
(Family Features) While so many families spend more time at home than normal, many may be seeking ways to increase fun and activity, especially for…
Pet of the Day 4/15/20
Clarence is a big boy who was recently rescued from a feral colony. He is incredibly gentle but slightly nervous since he arrived at Clarion…
Judge dismisses homicide charge in Kulling death
From staff reports A criminal homicide charge against a Franklin man accused of killing an Oil City man in December 2017 was dismissed Tuesday in…
Franklin panel wants to keep projects moving
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer With the backing of the federal government, the Franklin General Authority will enter the fight over who and what exactly…
Mail-in, absentee ballot applications surge for June primary
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania counties have processed about 283,000 absentee and mail-in ballots for the June primary, and requests from Democrats are three times more…
30 NFL draft hopefuls showed off skills at a virtual pro day
The Associated Press Hours before New Jersey closed all gyms indefinitely last month because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, 30 NFL draft hopefuls had a…
NBC’s Peacock launching in July with ‘handful’ of originals
The Associated Press NBCUniversal says its video-streaming service Peacock will launch nationally in July as planned, even though just a handful of its original series…
Recent Deaths 4/15/20
Chloe Jean Anastasia Acklin died April 11, 2020. Helen Best Bell, 97, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, formerly of Franklin, died April 14, 2020. James…
Mystic Mini Turkey Loaves
(Family Features) Leading a busy lifestyle doesn’t always leave time for spending hours in the kitchen, and these Mystic Mini Turkey Loaves can be made…
Pet of the Day 4/14/20
Artemis, a domestic medium hair, is a 9-month-old neutered male. He’s a white and grey tiger with hazel eyes. Artemis explored every level in the…
Casey co-leads effort to help victims of domestic violence
From staff reports U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., is co-leading a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership and appropriators requesting additional funding and provisions to support…
Tips offered for ‘using stimulus check wisely’
From staff reports Community Services of Venango County offers a variety of services and programs, and that roster includes budgeting assistance. “We do life skills…
Pennsylvania counties press governor for all-mail election
HARRISBURG (AP) — Some of Pennsylvania’s most populous counties are starting to press Gov. Tom Wolf to allow them to conduct the June 2 primary…
Glass plant to shut down 1 of 2 lines, lay off 108 people
ATLANTIC (AP) — A northwestern Pennsylvania glass plant has announced plans to shut down one of its two glass-making production lines, resulting in layoffs to…
ESPN and NFL Network will combine for NFL draft telecast
NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN and NFL Network will join forces for this year’s NFL draft. They will produce a broadcast that will air on…
Coming to device near you: H.E.R., vampires, ‘Roar’ and Elmo
The Associated Press If social distancing is getting old, consider how it would feel to do it for hundreds of years — and stay out…
Recent Deaths 4/14/20
Dale A. Sloss, 70, of Franklin, died April 13, 2020. Betty J. Snyder, 98, of Butler, formerly of Oil City, died April 13, 2020. Emery…
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata
Starting the morning on the right foot can help set a path toward a successful day, and for many, that strong start begins with breakfast….
Pet of the Day 4/13/20
Hi gang, Loki here! I’m a big ol’ dawg, a classic doggo, a scrapper but all around everyone’s favorite cool pal. I won’t lie though,…
State Flags Fly At Half-Staff
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s order for state flags at half-staff in all state institutions, buildings, and public parks is still in effect until further notice….
Small grease fire causes slight delay at Mong’s
From staff reports A grease fire at Mong’s Ice Cream in Seneca momentarily paused business Sunday evening. Seneca Fire Chief Paul Marsh said a grease…
Venango Aging Department providing services
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Venango County Department of Aging is continuing to provide needed services during the coronavirus pandemic. “People are still receiving…
State reports 13 new deaths among COVID-19 patients
HARRISBURG (AP) — There were 13 additional deaths among COVID-19 patients in Pennsylvania, raising the state’s total for the pandemic to 507, the Pennsylvania Health…
Game off: Youth baseball leagues scrambling amid pandemic
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The end to months of fundraising, planning and practice ended with a press release and tears. Mike DeLuca envisioned his youngest son,…
Recent Deaths 4/13/20
Laurie L. Edmonds, 60, of Oak Ridge, died April 10, 2020. Gerald A. “Jake” Griebel, 89, of Statesville, died April 11, 2020. Lucy B. Hartzell,…
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…
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,…