US orders 8,500 troops on heightened alert amid Russia worry
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert to potentially deploy to Europe as part of a NATO “response force” amid growing…
January 2022
PA rolls out ‘strike team’ to ease hospital crunch
SELLERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania has deployed its first pandemic “strike team” of out-of-state health care workers to a suburban Philadelphia hospital under severe strain…
State prisons to halt in-person visitation through February
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state prisons announced Monday they will not allow in-person visits for the coming month because their staff has been thinned by…
At Sundance, documentaries resurrect lost eras of music
NEW YORK (AP) — Can a music scene still develop the way grunge did in 1990’s Seattle or hip-hop did in the Bronx in the…
Recent Deaths 1/25/22
Michael Catanzaro, 59, died Jan. 23, 2022. Gary A. Wilson, 80, of Seneca, died Jan. 23, 2022. Steven Allan “Cub” Culbertson, 70, of Franklin, died…
Pet of the Day 1/24/22
Kodiak recently came to us as a stray so we don’t know much about him. He is a friendly, playful boy who seems to do…
Royal Salmon with Romesco Sauce and Aioli
(Family Features) Whether you’re celebrating a weekend meal with loved ones or simply looking for a way to bring your family to the table at…
Sugarcreek burglary
Berry Botics Takes on Demo Daze Challenge
By ALYSSA WRIGHT Student contributor A few months ago, Cranberry High School’s Berry Botics was given the opportunity to compete at the BEST Robotics Regional…
VFW 2022 Priority Goals
The 117th Congress is now in its second session. Although there were some legislative victories for veterans in 2021, there is still much work to…
Trial to begin for cops accused of violating Floyd’s rights
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The federal trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights as Derek Chauvin pinned…
NATO outlines ‘deterrence’ plan as tensions with Russia soar
BRUSSELS (AP) — Tensions soared Monday between Russia and the West, with NATO outlining a series of potential troop and ship deployments and Ireland warning…
Penguins rally to edge Jets 3-2 in a shootout
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan isn’t thrilled with what he’s seeing on the ice these days. The scoreboard is another matter. Kasperi…
‘Spider-Man’ comes back swinging, takes No. 1 from ‘Scream’
The Associated Press After spending one weekend in second place, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” proved it still had some fight left. Sony’s superhero juggernaut swung…
Recent Deaths 1/24/22
Ethel R. McCartney Burch, 96, of Franklin, died Jan. 22, 2022. Mildred L. Sharrar, 95, of Oil City, died Jan. 22, 2022. Donna Mae Davidson,…
Creation of fire authority discussed at meeting
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The creation of a county fire authority was among the suggestions that was discussed during Wednesday’s gathering of Venango County…
More work on 100 Seneca going out to bid soon
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Venango County Economic Development Authority heard another update on the 100 Seneca at Cornplanter Square project at the panel’s…
Taxpayers face overloaded IRS as filing season opens Monday
WASHINGTON (AP) — Count 30-year-old Ethan Miller among that subset of Americans who are actually eager to file their taxes once income tax filing season…
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler retires
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler retired on Saturday, less than a week after his 19th season with the team ended in…
Orchestra fighting stigma of mental illness marks 10 years
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A classical music organization started in Vermont for musicians with mental illnesses and the people who support them is celebrating its…
Man arraigned on charges related to Franklin chase
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A man was arraigned Friday in connection with an incident on Liberty Street in Franklin last April in which he…
Pleasantville man gets Steelers truck he won in contest
From staff reports A Pleasantville man is driving around in a new Ford truck, thanks to his favorite football team — and his wife. Corey…
Booster shots needed against omicron, CDC studies show
NEW YORK (AP) — Three studies released Friday offered more evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the omicron variant, at least among people…
Crosby’s 15th hat trick leads Penguins over Blue Jackets 5-2
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Sidney Crosby notched his 15th career hat trick and added an assist to lead Pittsburgh over the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2…
Miranda talks about Bruno, and the ‘Encanto’ phenomenon
NEW YORK (AP) — A month after “Encanto” debuted in theaters, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the movie’s Colombia-inflected songs, took a long vacation. By the…
Recent Deaths 1/22/22
Theodore Koenig Switzer, 86, of Knox, died Jan. 19, 2022. Paul A. Chandler, 95, of New Bethlehem, died Jan. 21, 2022. Mary E. McCauley, 93,…
Air Fryer Crispy (Un) Fried Chicken
(Family Features) When cooking, keep in mind small changes that can make a big impact on heart health. High cholesterol is one of the major…
Pet of the Day 1/21/22
Forest is a shy boy who needs a little extra time to warm up. But once he does, look out! He is very affectionate and…
Broad Benefits of Renewable Energy
Continuing the conversation from last week, let’s look at a few more redevelopment opportunities in the field of solar energy. From conventional residential solar panels…
OC man accused of sexually assaulting child
From staff reports An Oil City man is facing charges for sexually assaulting a child. Oil City police said in a criminal complaint that in…
Free Movie on Saturday in Franklin
From staff reports The Franklin Fine Arts Council and the Barrow-Civic Theatre are hosting a free movie showing of “How to Train Your Dragon” at…
US and Russia try to lower temperature in Ukraine crisis
GENEVA (AP) — The United States and Russia sought to lower the temperature in a heated standoff over Ukraine, even as they reported no breakthroughs…
Crosby and Malkin score, Penguins hold off Senators 6-4
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby scored, and the streaking Pittsburgh Penguins held off the Ottawa Senators 6-4 on Thursday night. Jake Guentzel’s…
Meat Loaf, ‘Bat Out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74
NEW YORK (AP) — Meat Loaf, the rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems…
Recent Deaths 1/21/22
Helen Marie Burchanowski, 81, of Oil City, died Jan. 19, 2022. Nancy Musser, 72, of Cochranton, died Jan. 19, 2022. Nancy Elizabeth Harkless, 79, of…
Pet of the Day 1/20/22
Ernie was brought to us with several others when his owner passed away. He is doing really well but he is still on the shy…
Chicken Tortilla Soup
(Family Features) When cooking, keep in mind small changes that can make a big impact on heart health. High cholesterol is one of the major…
A Hobby for All Seasons: 7 ScienceBacked Benefits of Indoor Plants
By REBECCA JOY STANBOROUGH, MFA – Medically reviewed by DEBORAH WEATHERSPOON, Ph.D., R.N., CRNA Indoor gardening is still enjoying a surge in popularity, fed by Instagram’s…
Venango County exceeds 10,000 total COVID-19 cases
From staff reports According to the latest state Department of Health statistics, the cumulative number of positive COVID-19 tests in Venango County has surpassed 10,000….
McMahon award recipient named
From staff reports Cam Crocker, a junior at Oil City High School, has been chosen as the recipient of the annual Cole McMahon “Heart of…
Biden says nation weary from COVID but rising with him in WH
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden acknowledged that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralized but insisted at a news conference marking his first…
Supreme Court allows Jan. 6 committee to get Trump documents
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rebuff to former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court is allowing the release of presidential documents sought by the congressional…
Rudolph, Haskins eager to make bid for open Steelers’ QB job
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mason Rudolph understands the baggage he carries. Dwayne Haskins too. The next seven months give the two Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks a chance…
Review: A generic modern fairy tale in ‘The Royal Treatment’
The Associated Press In the new Netflix movie “ The Royal Treatment,” the chief of staff for the prince of a fictional European country accidentally calls…
Recent Deaths 1/20/22
Rodney Eugene McMurray, 63, of Canal Township, died Jan. 18, 2022. Gloria Darlene (Womer) Culp, 73, died Jan. 18, 2022. Catherine Lois McCall, 87, of…
Pet of the Day 1/19/22
Keanu is the missing link you’ve been searching for. He loves to cuddle and constantly wants to be touching you in some capacity, preferably on…
Tart Cherry Bedtime Bites
(Family Features) If you want to add superfoods to your diet in the new year, Montmorency tart cherries may be perfect for you. Montmorency is…
Amaryllis Is a Bright Spot in Winter
A blooming amaryllis can add sparkle to holiday decorations and cheer during the short days and long nights of winter. The amaryllis, in the genus…
Man charged for fleeing police, breaking into home
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A McKees Rocks man is facing charges for fleeing from police during a traffic stop and breaking into a house…
Superload delayed again
From staff reports The superload moving from West Milton, New York, to Wampum, Pennsylvania, has been delayed again due to weather. At the earliest, the…