Recent Deaths 12/18/21
Charlotte “Joyce” Dorothy Sherman, 83, of Shippenville, died Dec. 16, 2021. Virginia J. Matthews, 82, of St. Petersburg, died Dec. 16, 2021. William “Bill” Walter…
December 2021
Former Oil City resident indicted in Spanky’s robbery
From staff reports A former resident of Oil City has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of Hobbs Act robbery…
Window contest winners announced
From staff reports The Franklin Fine Arts Council, Franklin Retail & Business Association, and Galaxy Federal Credit Union announced the winners of their Franklin Downtown…
Biden acknowledges $2T bill stalled, but vows it will pass
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has all but acknowledged negotiations over his sweeping domestic policy package will likely push into the new year, as…
Schools step up security in response to threats on TikTok
The Associated Press Educators announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the country…
Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s ‘Lost Daughter’ is a stunner
The Associated Press Motherhood. It’s such a rich subject for art to ponder, you’d think we’d have already seen every kind of mother onscreen. But…
Recent Deaths 12/17/21
Orville L. Gadsby, 88 of Polk, died Dec. 15, 2021. Thomas Lee Bickel, of Polk, died Dec. 15, 2021. Margaret M. “Peg” Shuffstall, 64, of…
Hutchinson co-sponsors bill to halt closure of Polk State Center
From staff reports The state Senate passed legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Scott Hutchinson, that would keep Polk State Center open for a minimum of five…
Oil Creek Titusville Lines to receive funding
From staff reports On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of $33 million for 25 rail freight improvement projects that will enhance freight mobility…
Biden pledges ‘whatever it takes’ to assist tornado victims
DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday pledged to do “whatever it takes, as long as it takes” to help Kentucky and…
Pennsylvania asks FEMA for help with COVID surge
The Associated Press Pennsylvania asked the federal government on Wednesday to send health care workers to hospitals and nursing homes that are increasingly under stress…
Review: ‘Nightmare Alley’ serves up a lavish modern noir
The Associated Press A title like “ Nightmare Alley,” especially when paired with a filmmaker like Guillermo del Toro, suggests a certain kind of movie. Del…
Recent Deaths 12/16/21
V. Dewayne Doutt, 91, of Polk, died Dec 14, 2021. Thomas F. Siegel, 67, of Tionesta, died Dec. 13, 2021. For complete obituaries, pick…
Theft from motor vehicles
A Step-By-Step Guide for Growing Microgreens at Home
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many to stay home and avoid social activities. Besides the fear of infection, psychologists are observing a negative impact on…
VFW Testifies Before house Subcommittee
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on removing barriers to homeownership for veterans. VFW National Legislative Associate Director Emily DeVito…
Daughters of the American Revolution award
Laura Reasoner Jones, right, was awarded the National Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award for excellence in founding and dedicating years of service…
Police warn of scams involving payment applications
From staff reports Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents to be vigilant about scams involving peer-to-peer payment applications (apps) like Zelle, Venmo, and Cashapp. A…
Congress sends Biden $2.5T debt limit hike, avoiding default
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress averted a catastrophic debt default early Wednesday morning after Democratic majorities in both chambers voted to send a $2.5 trillion increase…
Rodrigues stays hot as streaking Penguins top Montreal 5-2
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evan Rodrigues always had the tools. A sneaky good shot. Vision. Speed. The tricky part for the Pittsburgh Penguins forward has been…
Review: A Spidey sense overdose in ‘No Way Home’
The Associated Press Spider-Man movies have come in such flurries over the last two decades that you could almost tell time by them. Who needs…
Recent Deaths 12/15/21
Jamie Wilson, 61, of Franklin, died Dec. 11, 2021. Donna L. Brown, 78, of Oil City, died Dec. 12, 2021. Sandra Louise Morrison (Blake) died…
Pet of the Day 12/14/21
Pumpkin is a silly boy looking for someone to play with him as he grows into a wonderful adult kitty. He loves attention and enjoys…
Man gets 35 to 80 years in drug-related random slaying
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — A man convicted of the random slaying of a stranger while he was under the influence of drugs in Pennsylvania last…
Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips
(Culinary.net) Fall is about cooler weather, football, sweaters, and warm, delicious food. It’s about gathering around the table with loved ones to enjoy a snack…
State details of AP’s review of potential voter fraud cases
Details from The Associated Press review of potential voter fraud cases in the six political battleground states where former President Donald Trump and his allies…
Autopsy: Severe brain trauma in ex-NFL player who shot 6
ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — An autopsy revealed unusually severe brain disease in the frontal lobe of the former NFL player accused of fatally shooting…
Pet of the Day 12/13/21
Lita is a super sweet girl. She only has three legs, but she makes up for it with her lovins. She loves affection and loves…
Grape Dutch Baby
(Family Features) Whether you’re enjoying a special occasion or simply spending deserved time with loved ones, you can gather at breakfast or brunch and enjoy…
Papas, Reynolds help Monmouth beat Pitt 56-52
PITTSBURGH (AP) — George Papas had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists, Shavar Reynolds added 14 points and Monmouth beat Pittsburgh 56-52 on Sunday…
Thousands without heat, water after tornadoes kill dozens
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — Residents of Kentucky counties where tornadoes killed several dozen people could be without heat, water or electricity in frigid temperatures for weeks or…
Booster blitz: UK races to get ahead of surging omicron
LONDON (AP) — Long lines formed Monday at vaccination centers across England as people heeded the government’s call for all adults to get booster shots…
Veon nominated to fill Venango judge vacancy
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Marie Veon, a longtime Venango County district attorney, has been nominated by Gov. Tom Wolf to fill the judicial vacancy…
OC Council approves balanced budget without tax hike
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Oil City Council members unanimously approved the city’s 2022 budget at their final meeting of the year on Thursday. The…
Crews search for the missing after devastating tornadoes
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — Rescuers combed through fields of wreckage after a tornado outbreak roared across the middle of the U.S., leaving dozens dead and…
New inflation number feeds angst about Democrats’ $2T bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Government reports on rising inflation and the potential costs of President Joe Biden’s social and environment legislation raised fresh questions Friday about…
DeSmith stops 33 shots in Penguins’ 1-0 win over Ducks
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Goaltender Casey DeSmith found his confidence and it helped the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins to another win on Saturday night. DeSmith stopped all…
Strahan flies to space with astronaut’s daughter: ‘Wow!’
The Associated Press Football star and TV celebrity Michael Strahan caught a ride to space with Jeff Bezos’ rocket-launching company Saturday, sharing the trip with…
Fatal crash
Log Cabin owners hope to open early next year
Work to rebuild the Log Cabin Restaurant in Seneca is coming along. Missy Scrivens, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Josh, said they are…
Libraries to implement new technology
From staff reports The three libraries in the Oil Region Library Association will be gradually making the switch to RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology in the…
Tornadoes, storms strike US; Kentucky gov fears dozens dead
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Tornadoes and severe weather caused catastrophic damage across multiple states late Friday, killing at least six people overnight as it tore…
State high court throws out mask mandate for schools
HARRISBURG (AP) — A statewide mask mandate for Pennsylvania schoolchildren was thrown out by the state Supreme Court on Friday, raising the prospect that at…
Sidney Crosby records 2 assists, Penguins beat Capitals 4-2
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not easy for the Pittsburgh Penguins to find ideal linemates for Sidney Crosby or replace injured winger Jake Guentzel. Kasperi Kapanen…
Review: Leo, JLaw are trying to warn us in ‘Don’t Look Up’
The Associated Press You know you’re in deep doodoo when that planet-destroying comet on a collision course with Earth isn’t your biggest problem. Your biggest…
Recent Deaths 12/11/21
Cecil E. Smith, Jr., died Dec. 2, 2021. Margaret Elizabeth “Maggie” Aaron, 81, of Crates, died Dec. 7, 2021. James C. Groner, 71, of Seneca,…
Pet of the Day 12/10/21
Benson is a super sweet and loving kitten who has lots of love and energy to give. Benson is positive for Feline Leukemia, or FeLV,…
Bacon-Wrapped Halibut
(Family Features) When meals at home get stale and boring, adding some excitement back to family dinners can be as simple as a protein swap….
‘Bah-boom, bah-boom’: Acorn-ucopia of food fattens squirrels
DAMARISCOTTA, Maine (AP) — Humans aren’t the only species packing on extra pounds during the pandemic. Some squirrels are letting themselves go, too. Many squirrels…
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2021
They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over years of public service. But both also saw their legacies tarnished by their…