Pet of the Day 5/11/22
Athena is a young, energetic girl who came to us because her owner could no longer care for her. Athena can be wary of new…
May 2022
Landscaping for Wildlife: Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
Landscaping for wildlife can restore critically needed habitat and beautify your yard at the same time. Many excellent native trees, shrubs, and vines offer four…
Man accused of fleeing after trying to break into house
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Evans City man is facing charges for trying to break into a condemned house in Franklin and then fleeing…
Komatsu Power Fluid Challenge wraps up
By BRAD LENA Staff writer Teams of seventh and eighth-grade students from eight area school districts gathered Tuesday at the Rocky Grove fire hall to…
US inflation hit 8.3% last month but slows from 40-year high
WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation slowed in April after seven months of relentless gains, a tentative sign that price increases may be peaking while still imposing…
US, Western Europe fret over uncertain Ukraine war endgame
WASHINGTON (AP) — An interminable and unwinnable war in Europe? That’s what NATO leaders fear and are bracing for as Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds…
Justin Turner hits 3 of Dodgers’ 8 doubles in rout of Bucs
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Justin Turner hit three of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ eight doubles and finished with four hits and four RBIs in an 11-1…
‘Succession’ star glues hand to Starbucks counter in protest
NEW YORK (AP) — Actor and activist James Cromwell has gone from “Succession’s” Uncle Ewan to real-life supergluin’ — pasting his hand to a midtown…
Recent Deaths 5/11/22
George Zerres, Jr., 78, of Franklin, died May 9, 2022. Cathy L. Neal, 74, of Brookville, died May 10, 2022. For complete obituaries, pick…
Pet of the Day 5/10/22
Echo came to us as a stray with another dog so we don’t know his history. We do know that Echo is very friendly and…
Strawberry Walnut Hand Pies
(Family Features) Power up for summer adventures by shaking up your snacking routine with homemade recipes inspired by childhood favorites. Tasty and versatile, California walnuts…
Preparing for the Future
By ABIGAIL KREIDLER Student contributor FACS is a class that students have to take at Oil City High School in order to graduate. The purpose…
Letter carriers annual food drive to resume
From staff reports After a two-year hiatus, letter carriers throughout the U.S., including northwestern Pennsylvania, will once again participate in the nation’s largest, single-day food…
Tech center seniors sign letters of intent with businesses
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer Students, families, and employers gathered last week at Venango Technology Center for a letter of intent signing at the school….
Bodies found in Lake Mead renew interest in Vegas mob lore
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas is being flooded with lore about organized crime after a second set of human remains emerged within a week…
Russia pounds vital port of Odesa, targeting supply lines
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — Russian troops pounded away at the vital port of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday, apparently as part of efforts to disrupt…
Quintana gets 1st win since 2019, Pirates down Dodgers 5-1
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jose Quintana pitched six scoreless innings for his first win since 2019 and the first victory by a Pittsburgh starting pitcher this…
Pens chase Shesterkin again, topple Rangers 7-2 for 3-1 lead
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Igor Shesterkin toyed with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the regular season. The New York Rangers’ goaltender even waved Sidney Crosby and company…
Librarians, authors, publishers form anti-book ban coalition
NEW YORK (AP) — The American Library Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and more than a dozen other organizations have formed a coalition to…
Recent Deaths 5/10/22
Marlene Ruth Bickel, 64, of Franklin, died May 8, 2022. Bernard Baker, 89, of Kennerdell, died May 9, 2022. Doris R. White, 86, of Franklin,…
Pet of the Day 5/9/22
Pluto was recently found as a stray with another dog so we don’t know much about his history. Pluto was a little nervous and unsure…
Sweet Italian Sausage Polenta
(Family Features) Warm weather means grilling season is back, but evenings spent around the grill are no longer just for hot dogs and burgers. This…
Young anglers reel in the fish
By RANDY BARTLEY Staff writer It was raining, the water was high but the fish were biting in Sigel on Saturday at the annual Heath…
FHS Alumni group honors essay winner
Jackie Sutton (left) wrote the winning essay in a contest held at Franklin High School. Sutton’s essay is titled “My Mother, My Hero.” The FHS…
Biden starts program to provide discounted internet service
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The Biden administration announced on Monday that 20 internet companies have agreed to provide discounted service to people with low incomes,…
No end in sight for Ukraine war as Putin hails Victory Day
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin used a major patriotic holiday Monday to again justify his war in Ukraine but did not declare…
Moran hits grand slam, 2-run homer as Reds beat Pirates 7-3
CINCINNATI (AP) — Colin Moran hit a grand slam and a two-run homer against his former team, powering the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-3 victory…
‘Doctor Strange 2’ conjures up biggest opening of 2022
The Associated Press The summer movie season is off to a blockbuster start thanks to “ Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.” The superhero…
Recent Deaths 5/9/22
William Walter Weaver “Bill”, of Clarion, died May 5, 2022. Mary Jo (Frank) Dumbleton died May 7, 2022. Tammy Lee McChesney, 58, of Franklin, died…
PennDOT hears concerns on toll debate
By RANDY BARTLEY Staff writer The debate over the state’s interstate bridge tolling project took another turn this week during a couple of hearings held…
UPMC Northwest newborns celebrate Mother’s Day
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer UPMC Northwest is celebrating its newest mothers with matching baby hats and headbands in honor of Mother’s Day. Cheryl Siverling,…
New Mexico residents brace for extreme wildfire conditions
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — With the worst of the thick wildfire smoke having blown out of town, residents of this small northern New Mexico…
Dozens feared dead after Russian bomb levels Ukraine school
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — Dozens of Ukrainians were feared dead Sunday after a Russian bomb flattened a school sheltering about 90 people in its basement,…
Domingue, Heinen star as Penguins surge past Rangers 7-4
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Louis Domingue remembers dragging a net out into the street, pulling on his rollerblades and dreaming what it would be like to…
Fred Savage dropped from ‘The Wonder Years’ amid allegations
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fred Savage has been dropped as an executive producer and director of the rebooted “The Wonder Years” amid allegations of inappropriate…
Heritage Area could benefit through Senate legislation
From staff reports The Oil Region National Heritage Area stands to benefit from an amended version of the National Heritage Area Act advanced by the…
Valley Grove robotics team ‘excited’ about trip to Texas
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer Four of Ben Barrett’s sixth-grade students from Valley Grove Elementary School are “very excited” but also “very nervous” as they…
Abortion rights may rest on governor’s races in some states
HARRISBURG (AP) — All four leading Republicans in Pennsylvania’s governor’s race have vowed to ban abortion if given the chance. In Georgia, one top Republican…
Ukraine braces for escalated attacks ahead of Russia’s V-Day
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian troops solidified their positions around the nation’s second-largest city Saturday as Russian forces delivered more punishing attacks on an embattled…
Penguins goalie DeSmith out for playoffs after core surgery
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff run won’t include goaltender Casey DeSmith. Coach Mike Sullivan said DeSmith underwent core surgery on…
Rain washes out Pirates at Reds, makeup date is July 7
CINCINNATI (AP) — Friday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds was postponed because of heavy rain. The teams will make the game…
Recent Deaths 5/7/22
William H. Conn, 85, of Oil City, died May 5, 2022. Carl Bialo, 88, of Oil City, died May 6, 2022, Cynthia “Cindy” Kaylor, 59,…
Pet of the Day 5/6/22
Bria is a sweet girl who recently came to us because her owner could no longer care for her. Bria loves a nice romp in…
Potato Salad with Bacon and Parsley
Potato Salad with Bacon and Parsley Serves 6 11/2 pounds new potatoes, about 15 Kosher salt and black pepper 4 slices bacon 3 tablespoons olive…
Penelec’s tree-trimming program underway to enhance reliability
From staff reports Penelec plans to spend $38 million to trim trees along nearly 4,200 miles of power lines this year, including stretches in Franklin,…
Several honored at Venango County Human Services dinner
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Several people were honored Wednesday evening at the annual Venango County Human Services dinner at Forever Farms in Franklin. The…
Official: US gave intel before Ukraine sank Russian warship
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. says it shared intelligence with Ukraine about the location of the Russian missile cruiser Moskva before the strike that sank…
Lawmakers navigate state primary with unfamiliar maps
HARRISBURG (AP) — It’s been two months since the contentious, once-a-decade process to redraw Pennsylvania legislative districts wrapped up, and now a couple hundred candidates…
Panarin, Vatrano help Rangers beat Penguins 5-2 in Game 2
NEW YORK (AP) — New York coach Gerard Gallant was confident the Rangers would bounce back from a tough loss in the marathon series opener,…
Summer Preview: Banana! The Minions expand their empire
NEW YORK (AP) — Some of the movies’ biggest stars barely speak a word of English, or any other language for that matter. Sure, you…