Recent Deaths 11/16/21
Herman R. “Chief Smitty” Smith, 93, of Polk, died Nov. 14, 2021. Harry L. (Lenny) Surrena, of Butler, formerly of Jefferson Township, died Nov. 8,…
November 2021
White House Announces VA Action for Toxic Exposure Presumptive Conditions
On Veterans Day, the Biden Administration announced a series of actions, that has been years in the making, that VA will take to address the…
Pet of the Day 11/15/21
Goofball Alert! Hutch is young, he’s adorable, and he’s ready to be your long-lost pal! This boy has personality for days and will give you…
Bell-Issimo Brie Melt
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about a main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering…
Junior Schubert Club officers installed
From left, Amber Shay Nicholson, Junior Schubert Club counselor, stands with Emma Fleming, president; Hannah Nicholson, vice-president; Miles Jenny, secretary; and Calvin Jenny, treasurer, on…
Biden’s $1T infrastructure bill historic, not transformative
WASHINGTON (AP) — The $1 trillion infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signs into law represents a historic achievement at a time of deeply fractured…
Comedy of errors as Steelers, Lions slog to 16-16 tie
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Detroit’s long losing streak is over. The threat of a winless season still remains. For now, the Lions will take it, no…
Capitals rout Penguins 6-1 in Crosby’s return
WASHINGTON (AP) — With three of their top offensive players out, the Washington Capitals are still right there atop the Metropolitan Division. Even Sidney Crosby’s…
Disney’s ‘Eternals’ tops domestic box office for 2nd weekend
The Associated Press Disney and Marvel’s “Eternals” took a steep drop in its second weekend in theaters, but it’s still hanging on to first place…
Recent Deaths 11/15/21
Patricia L. “Pat” Carbaugh, 86, of Seneca, died Nov. 12, 2021. Charlotte M. Morrow, 87, of Victory Heights, died Nov. 13, 2021. Glenn Alan Davis,…
Artists excited about relocation here from Florida
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer Oil City is welcoming two new artists to the city’s art scene. Rafi Perez and Klee Angelie made the move…
Proposed Venango budget approved, no tax hike in plan
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Venango County commissioners unanimously approved a tentative 2022 county budget Tuesday that doesn’t include a tax increase. The tax rate…
Nations compromise on coal to strike UN climate agreement
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Almost 200 nations accepted a compromise deal Saturday aimed at keeping a key global warming target alive, but it contained a…
Steelers not getting ahead of themselves against 0-8 Lions
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger’s absence from Sunday’s game against Detroit could be a tonic for what ails the winless Lions. The Steelers announced Saturday…
Batherson scores twice, Senators beat Penguins 6-3
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Drake Batherson had two goals and two assists, and the Ottawa Senators defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 Saturday night to end…
Man charged for threatening mother, making explosive devices
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A Kennerdell man has been charged with threatening his mother and making two homemade explosive devices. Franklin state police said…
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes will be collected at area churches
From staff reports Local churches are collecting shoeboxes full of gifts for children around the world for the annual Operation Christmas Child program. Samaritan’s Purse…
Federal court declines to lift stay on vaccine mandate
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal court declined Friday to lift its stay on the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more workers….
Bannon indicted on contempt charges for defying 1/6 subpoena
WASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has been indicted on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress after…
Britney freed: Judge dissolves Spears’ conservatorship
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears is free. A Los Angeles judge on Friday ended the conservatorship that has controlled the pop singer’s life and…
Recent Deaths 11/13/21
Robert Joseph Venturella, 71, died Oct. 31, 2021. Pennie A. Lawrence, 75, of Oil City, died Nov. 7, 2021. Earl K. Lawrence, 79, of Oil…
Pet of the Day 11/12/21
Stella is a very sweet kitty. She doesn’t always like other cats, but it seems to depend on the cat and their temperament. She is…
Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about a main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering…
Coming Together to Make Change
In the last column, I mentioned the creation of a regional coalition of redevelopment partners. I threw out some soundbites like “innovation ecosystem” and “regional…
Sugarcreek crash
United Way will offer walk-in vaccine clinics
From staff reports The United Way of Venango County will hold two walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics next week. The first will be held from 9…
Franklin to hold Light-Up Night
From staff reports Franklin will hold its annual holiday Light-Up Night on Saturday, Nov. 20. The event features a parade, fireworks, music, and more. The…
COVID-19 hot spots offer sign of what could be ahead for US
The Associated Press The contagious delta variant is driving up COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Mountain West and fueling disruptive outbreaks in the North, a worrisome…
Carter, Jarry lead Penguins to shootout win vs Panthers
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry is well aware he’s struggled in shootouts this season. Jarry took a significant step forward against the Florida…
Who’s going back to the movies? So far, not everyone
NEW YORK (AP) — The movies are clawing their way back in theaters, but, so far, not everyone is showing up like they used to….
Recent Deaths 11/12/21
Mary (Yori) Blair, 88, of New Bethlehem, died Nov. 9, 2021. Joyce Yvonne Botts, 78, of Oil City, died Nov. 10, 2021. Steven A. Huff,…
Suspicious person
Domestic incident
Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about a main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering…
Pet of the Day 11/11/21
Kora is a friendly high-energy young dog! She seems to be mostly Australian cattle dog, and they need to keep busy. She has been a…
Fall is best time to plant most trees, shrubs and perennials
The green buds that emerge with the first warm days of April cannot help but inspire winter-weary gardeners, so it’s no wonder that spring is…
Cochranton woman charged with homicide in adoptive son’s death
From staff reports A Cochranton woman has been charged with homicide in connection with the death of her adoptive son. Mary Eileen Diehl, 62, was…
Seventh Street students decorate flag
Second-, third- and fourth-grade students at Seventh Street Elementary School in Oil City, under the direction of their art teacher Pamela Marterella, created a huge…
OC firefighters distribute 600 children’s coats
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Oil City Fire Department distributed about 600 coats for children in need to all the school districts in Venango…
‘Strong’ start to kids vaccine campaign, but challenges loom
WASHINGTON (AP) — The campaign to vaccinate elementary school-age children in the U.S. is off to a strong start, health officials said Wednesday, but experts…
Court throws out gov.’s school mask mandate, appeal filed
HARRISBURG (AP) — An order by Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary that requires masks inside K-12 schools and child care facilities was thrown out Wednesday by…
Penguins’ COVID-19 outbreak easing as 2 return to practice
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins may be nearing the end of a COVID-19 outbreak that’s sent eight players and head coach Mike Sullivan into…
Chris Stapleton takes 6 at CMA Awards, Combs wins top prize
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Stapleton was the big winner with six trophies including song and album of the year and Luke Combs claimed the…
Recent Deaths 11/11/21
Barbara Jean (Bostwick) Hunt, 87, of New Bethlehem, formerly of East Brady, died Nov. 5, 2021. Nancy V. Lassiter, 80, of Oil City, formerly of…
Thomas carries Sacred Heart over La Salle 86-81 in OT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyler Thomas had 24 points and 11 rebounds as Sacred Heart narrowly defeated La Salle 86-81 in overtime in a season opener…
US jobless claims drop to pandemic low of 267,000
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a new pandemic low 267,000 last week as the job market recovers…
Pet of the Day 11/9/21
Annie is a super wiggly, happy, energetic, friendly girl. She can be dog selective on who she wants to be friends with, lol. The previous…
Apple Oat Crumble and Citrus Caramel Topping
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about the main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering…
OC woman charged in theft case involving auto
From staff reports An Oil City woman is facing a theft charge for agreeing to take a Franklin man’s vehicle to an automotive shop, missing…
New A&E program takes another look at Shauna Howe case
From staff reports A new television show that has been airing over the last week and a half on the A&E network is taking another…