As COVID-19 crisis ebbs, some seeking 9/11-style commission
The Associated Press With more than 600,000 Americans dead of COVID-19 and questions still raging about the origin of the virus and the government’s response,…
June 2021
Former Washington QB Haskins seeks fresh start with Steelers
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Dwayne Haskins wants to put a very forgettable run with Washington in the past. The 24-year-old is looking for…
US Mint to issue quarters honoring notable American women
The Associated Press Poet and author Maya Angelou, America’s first woman in space and a revered Cherokee Nation leader are among female trailblazers whose likenesses…
Recent Deaths 6/18/21
Neil F. Polumbo, Sr., 94, of Tionesta, formerly of Hazleton, died June 15, 2021. Nancy L. Rhoades, 77, of Franklin, died June 16, 2021. …
Orange Ice Cream
(Family Features) When families fire up their grills and turn to favorite summer recipes for filling meals, nutritional considerations are often not the focus. However,…
Pet of the Day 6/17/21
Kainen was recently brought to us because he needs someone to spend more time with him. He is high-energy and friendly. Kainen loves to give…
Tionesta woman accused of repeatedly stalking OC man
From staff reports A Tionesta woman is facing charges for repeatedly contacting and harassing an Oil City man. Oil City police said in a criminal…
Forest Co. commissioners hear Bigfoot Festival was big hit
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Forest County commissioners heard about the success of the Bigfoot Festival in Marienville during the panel’s regular meeting Wednesday. Robin…
Heatwave grips US West amid fear of new, hotter normal
PHOENIX (AP) — An unusually early and long-lasting heatwave brought more triple-digit temperatures Wednesday to a large swath of the U.S. West, raising concerns that…
Biden to sign bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. The House voted 415-14 on Wednesday to…
Journeyman Espino pitches Nationals to sweep of Pirates
WASHINGTON (AP) — Paolo Espino got his first major league win at age 34, Josh Bell hit a two-run homer against his former team and…
Review: In Pixar’s ‘Luca,’ young life as a stolen adventure
The Associated Press A brisk and bright sun-dappled fable of above-ground adventure and below-the-surface identity, Enrico Casarosa’s “Luca” — a summery, shimmering fish-out-of-water fairy tale — is…
Recent Deaths 6/17/21
Robert A. Everett, 60, of Pittsburgh/Beechview, formerly of Clarion, died June 13, 2021. Mary Jane Fina Kinosian, 93, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., died June 13,…
Pet of the Day 6/16/21
Maddi was brought to us recently with her sister JoJo. They are a little timid but super sweet girls. They are a bonded pair. Two…
Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef Kebabs
(Family Features) When families fire up their grills and turn to favorite summer recipes for filling meals, nutritional considerations are often not the focus. However,…
The Art of Container Gardening
Constructing a container garden isn’t about doing everything perfectly. In fact, there is no right way to create a container garden. It is more about…
Grant effort seeks to reduce vaccine hesitancy in state
By STACEY GROSS Staff writer Would you like a vaccine with that funnel cake? A grant introduced last week seeks to help local nonprofits in…
Hunting, furtaker licenses available
From staff reports Hunting and furtaker licenses are now being sold for the 2021-22 season. Licenses may be purchased at the treasurer’s office in the…
‘Two great powers’: Biden, Putin plunge into hours of talks
GENEVA (AP) — With stern expressions and polite words before the cameras, President Joe Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin plunged into hours of face-to-face talks…
State’s COVID-19 emergency declaration formally ends
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration on Tuesday certified the results of the May primary election, bringing a formal end to the disaster emergency…
Gomes, Corbin lead Nationals; Pirates lose 9th straight
WASHINGTON (AP) — Yan Gomes connected for a grand slam and Trea Turner got four hits, leading Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals over the…
Annie Murphy’s new show takes aim at familiar sitcom tropes
NEW YORK (AP) — “Schitt’s Creek” star Annie Murphy’s new AMC series “Kevin Can F Himself” presents itself as one of those traditional multicamera comedies…
Recent Deaths 6/16/21
Martha Grace ‘Martie’ Allen-Olszanski, of New Bethlehem, died June 14, 2021. Reverend Robert I. Moore died June 11, 2021. Lori Lee Zilafro, 58, formerly of…
Pet of the Day 6/15/21
Zorro was recently brought to us because his owner passed away. He is a friendly little fellow who needs to get on a weight loss…
Corn Muffin Hot Dog Sliders
(Family Features) Sunshine and summer evenings often elicit a certain craving for warm-weather favorites, but many families don’t always have time to light a grill…
Gala at VC raises more than $45,000
Venango Region Catholic School hosted its 2021 Heritage Gala with the theme “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Saturday at Venango Catholic High School. The evening…
Biden eases trade friction with EU ahead of Putin summit
BRUSSELS (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday moved to end a long-running dispute with the European Union over subsidies for aircraft manufacturers, a major…
Schwarber goes deep again for Nats in 3-2 win over Pirates
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered again to snap a seventh-inning tie and drove in two runs for the Washington Nationals in their 3-2 victory…
Review: ‘Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’ really misses the target
The Associated Press Toward the end of “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” there’s a scene where Ryan Reynolds is repeatedly smashing a man’s head into a jukebox aboard…
Recent Deaths 6/15/21
Thomas A. Collins, Sr., 71, of Titusville, died Aug. 11, 2020. Larry K. Dent, 72, of Oil City, died June 13, 2021. Dora “Pat” Ann…
Pet of the Day 6/14/21
Cubbie recently came to us as a stray. He is full of energy and loves attention. Cubbie doesn’t always love other dogs, but he may…
Annual Convention Set in Pittsburgh
The Department of Pennsylvania VFW and Auxiliary Annual Convention will be held in Pittsburgh. For the VFW, it is the 102nd Pennsylvania State Convention. It…
Carrots in a Blanket
(StatePoint) To celebrate spring, Carla Hall, renowned chef, author, and television host, offers two delicious recipes that make carrots the star ingredient of the season….
First Forest County Bigfoot Festival draws hundreds of fans
By RANDY BARTLEY Staff writer Bigfoot left a big impression in Marienville last weekend. The first Forest County Bigfoot Festival drew hundreds of fans of…
You’re Not Alone group is meeting again
From staff reports The NarAnon group called You’re Not Alone has restarted its regular weekly support group meetings. The group meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays…
Biden at NATO: Ready to talk China, Russia and soothe allies
BRUSSELS (AP) — President Joe Biden made his entrance at the NATO summit aiming to consult European allies on efforts to counter provocative actions by…
García, Yelich help Brewers sweep Pirates with 5-2 win
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Avisaíl García hit a two-run homer, Christian Yelich added a pinch-hit sacrifice fly on his bobblehead day and the Milwaukee Brewers completed…
‘In the Heights’ makes muted debut, edged by ‘A Quiet Place’
NEW YORK (AP) — Just when a party was poised to break out in movie theaters, the below-expectation debut of “In the Heights” dampened Hollywood’s…
Recent Deaths 6/14/21
Dolores Hastings, 79, of Cochranton, died June 12, 2021. Everett L. Kerns, 88, of Tionesta, died June 12, 2021. Robert I. Moore, 90, of New…
Caregiver accused after autistic man found wandering
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Oil City man is facing charges after an autistic man he was supposed to be caring for was found…
County looks forward to getting recycling center up and running
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer After five years of planning, a new Venango County recycling center will open next month at the former Crawford Area…
As summit ends, G-7 urged to deliver on vaccines, climate
CARBIS BAY, England (AP) — The Group of Seven leaders aim to end their first summit in two years with a punchy set of promises…
Yelich, Brewers bail out Burnes in victory over Pirates
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brewers ace Corbin Burnes has made things easy for his teammates this season, shutting down opponents and working deep into games. When…
Review: A star-studded retirement home in ‘Queen Bees’
The Associated Press There are two genres I tend to approach with extra caution: Slashers and retirement home comedies. Both have found me covering my…
Ex-Butler Health System official, husband, sentenced in fraud case
From staff reports A former chief operating officer with Butler Health System and her husband were sentenced on Thursday in federal court on fraud and…
Justice Dept., Congress probing Trump seizures of Dems’ data
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department’s internal watchdog launched an investigation Friday after revelations that former President Donald Trump’s administration secretly seized phone data from…
Ice shelf protecting Antarctic glacier is breaking up faster
The Associated Press A critical Antarctic glacier is looking more vulnerable as satellite images show the ice shelf that blocks it from collapsing into the…
Brewers win 7-4 by capitalizing on Pirates’ control problems
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Patience paid off for the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. It helped that they were facing a Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen that couldn’t…
Vin Diesel says ‘Fast and Furious’ saga planning an ending
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Vin Diesel made a mark as the street racer patriarch in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, but the storyline starring his…
Recent Deaths 6/12/21
James A. Bartley, 79, of West Monterey, Parker, died June 11, 2021. Jackie “Jack” DeWayne Schwab, 78, of Salem, Virginia, formerly of Oil City, died…