Venango in line with state on masks
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer After being given the choice, Venango County will permit unvaccinated people to enter its buildings without masks once the state…
May 2021
Oil City adds 2 full-time firefighters
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Oil City Council approved the hiring of two new full-time firefighters. Interim Oil City fire Chief Derek Long introduced firefighter…
Biden’s $6T budget: Social spending, taxes on business
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is proposing a $6 trillion budget for next year that’s piled high with new safety net programs for the…
School put on lockdown during prom after ‘credible’ threats
NEW CASTLE (AP) — New Castle High School was placed on lockdown during a procession for students attending the prom after what officials called “credible”…
Brubaker, Keller pitch Pirates to 2 shutouts, sweep Rockies
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mitch Keller and the Pittsburgh bullpen finished off a pair of seven-inning shutouts, and the Pirates blanked the Colorado Rockies 4-0 to…
Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby top BET Award nominations
NEW YORK (AP) — Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby are the prom queen and king of the 2021 BET Awards. The chart-topping rappers each scored…
Ohio man faces charges in Franklin man’s drug death
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Ohio man is facing charges of delivering drugs, which led to the death last year of a Franklin man,…
GOP blocks Capitol riot probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked creation of a bipartisan panel to investigate the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, displaying continuing party loyalty…
Flu cases plummet in PA amid COVID-19 precautions
HARRISBURG (AP) — The just-concluded flu season was one of the mildest on record in Pennsylvania, health officials reported Friday, with COVID-19 precautions like masking…
Rain wipes out Rockies-Pirates; split doubleheader Saturday
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Will Craig tried to find a little humor a day after his egregious fielding mistake brought the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie first baseman…
In a punk ‘Cruella,’ dogs play second fiddle to the designs
The Associated Press German punk princess Nina Hagen isn’t the most obvious inspiration for a Disney movie, but “ Cruella ” is also not your typical Disney…
Recent Deaths 5/29/21
Edith “Sally” Abate, 80, of Live Oak, Florida, died May 23, 2021. Marian E. Heald Emmett Weaver, 96, of Emlenton, formerly of Bradford, died May…
Theft from motor vehicle
Pet of the Day 5/28/21
Rose is a very vocal girl who has no shame in letting you know what she wants. She is very sweet most of the time,…
Easy Breakfast Quiche
(Family Features) The same old breakfast routine week after week can become tiresome and dull, especially for little ones. It’s time to add something new…
Community Farm is Officially Open
It took two tries, but with the second snip of the giant scissors on Saturday, May 15, the multi-colored ribbon was cut and the River…
Police say drugs, $4,000 found in Franklin apartment
From staff reports A Franklin man is facing charges after 400 grams of methamphetamine as well as other drugs and $4,000 were found in his…
390 tri-county veterans have died in past year
From staff reports Of the 390 tri-county veterans who have died since last Memorial Day, 282 were from Venango County, 99 were from Clarion County…
Senate hits snag on vote for Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate pushed action into Friday on a bill to create an independent commission to study the deadly Jan. 6 attack on…
State to lift mask mandate June 28, at latest
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania is lifting its mask mandate no later than June 28. The Department of Health announced Thursday that it will no longer…
Wait what? Bizarre sequence helps Cubs top Pirates 5-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Javier Báez hit reverse and chaos ensued, as tends to happen whenever the livewire Chicago Cubs shortstop is on the basepaths. The…
Review: A gauzy, tear-filled reunion for ‘Friends’ actors
NEW YORK (AP) — Toward the end of HBO Max’s “Friends” reunion special, host James Corden asks the six actors to imagine what their characters’…
Recent Deaths 5/28/21
Donald L. Jones, 91, of Franklin, died May 27, 2021. Raymond Anthony “Sam” Lauer, 94, of Seneca, died May 26, 2021. Ruth (Ross) Mushrush, 102,…
Pet of the Day 5/27/21
Steve recently came to us because his owner was no longer able to care for him. He is friendly but a little timid at first….
Fruity Sprinkles Smoothie
(Culinary.net) To kids, birthday parties are a big deal and only happen once a year. From the decorations to their friends and all the sweet,…
Police locate man facing multiple drug charges
From staff reports Oil City police have arrested a transient Oil City man they were searching for who is facing multiple drug-related charges. On Monday…
Seniors honored with military cords
Gus Baker, Logan Dykins, and Magnum Vincent, seniors at Rocky Grove High School, were honored with military cords that they will wear during graduation exercises….
Forecast: 40% chance Earth to be hotter than Paris goal soon
The Associated Press There’s a 40% chance that the world will get so hot in the next five years that it will temporarily push past…
Islanders shut down Penguins again to advance to 2nd round
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — For the second time in three years, the New York Islanders did a masterful job shutting down Penguins stars Sidney Crosby…
Trevor Williams pitches Cubs past Pirates 4-1
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Trevor Williams pitched six innings and singled twice against his former team, helping the streaking Chicago Cubs top the stumbling Pittsburgh Pirates…
Review: ‘Plan B’ is this summer’s first-choice teen comedy
The Associated Press A painfully awkward sexual encounter. An impromptu road trip. A tested friendship. No, the outlines of Natalie Morales’ “Plan B” aren’t revolutionary….
Recent Deaths 5/27/21
Nelson L. Best, Jr., 64, of Rouseville, died May 20, 2021. Edward G. Henschel, Jr., 90, of Marienville, died May 20, 2021. Shirl B. Felix,…
Pet of the Day 5/26/21
Leia is a sweet girl that came to us recently because her owner did not have time for her. She adores butt scratches and attention…
Tuna Aioli Dip with Balsamic Drizzle
(Family Features) During the past year, many people have missed the opportunity to travel and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the world, but…
Maximizing Your Vegetable Garden
In this article, you will find information that will allow you to maximize your garden space and yield by employing a few simple strategies —…
Franklin gets $129,000 grant to remove blighted properties
From staff reports The city of Franklin was awarded a $129,000 grant to demolish and excavate 10 properties, according to a news release from state…
PennDOT announces reopening of more driver license centers
From staff reports PennDOT drivers license centers will be closed Saturday through Monday in observance of Memorial Day, but starting June 1, the department of…
GOP senators ready $1T infrastructure counteroffer to Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans revived negotiations over President Joe Biden’s sweeping investment plan, preparing a $1 trillion infrastructure proposal that would be funded with…
Pederson’s 2 homers, Arrieta lead Cubs over Pirates 4-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joc Pederson hit two home runs, Jake Arrieta beat Pittsburgh for the third time this season and the Chicago Cubs defeated the…
A year later, Krasinski’s ‘Quiet Place’ ready to make noise
NEW YORK (AP) — John Krasinski, whose “A Quiet Place Part II” is one of the biggest studio releases to open exclusively in theaters this…
Recent Deaths 5/26/21
John A. Baker, 87, of Yucaipa, Calif., formerly of Franklin, died May 22, 2021. Lois Louise (Barnett) Carrier, 94, of Roseville, died May 24, 2021….
Make a Decision to Save a Life
By DEVIN ZERBE and ASHTON WEAVER Student contributor Cranberry High School concluded its annual safe driving week on Friday, and it’s once again apparent that…
8th Graders Tackle Robotics Obstacle Course
By DEVIN ZERBE Student contributor For the past two years, 8th-grade students in Dan O’Brien’s technology class have had the opportunity to take part in…
Pet of the Day 5/25/21
Lilah is a wonderful older dobie girl who was recently brought to us because her owner was no longer able to care for her. We…
Green Beans with Mushrooms and Onions
(Family Features) As people have spent more time at home, many have rediscovered the simple joy of home-cooking and stumbled upon a secret weapon for…
Trading in Maroon and White for Black and Orange
By HANNAH NIEDERRITER Student contributor On Monday, May 17, Cranberry High School students exchanged their typical maroon and white school colors for orange and black…
Mercer man faces charges in drug case
From staff reports A Mercer man is facing charges after he was found under the influence and in possession of drugs in the area of…
Memorial Day ceremonies and parade set in Franklin
From staff reports Memorial Day will be observed Monday in Franklin with three services and a parade downtown. A memorial service for U.S. Navy veterans…
Grim western fire season starts much drier than record 2020
The Associated Press As bad as last year’s record-shattering fire season was, the western U.S. starts this year’s in even worse shape. The soil in…
Vaccine passport bill takes first step in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG (AP) — Republicans in Pennsylvania’s state Senate began advancing legislation Monday to prohibit governments and school districts from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for any…