US consumer inflation eased again to 6.5% in December
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rising U.S. consumer prices moderated again last month, bolstering hopes that inflation’s grip on the economy will continue to ease this year…
January 2023
State Senate bill aims to undo 2023 gas tax increase
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state Senate on Wednesday voted to undo an automatic wholesale tax increase on gasoline and diesel that kicks in this year…
Review: Gerard Butler keeps ‘Plane’ grounded
The Associated Press After “Airplane!” “Airport,” “Up in the Air,” “Flight,” “Snakes on a Plane,” “Non-Stop” and “The Terminal,” we have finally arrived, like weary…
Recent Deaths 1/12/23
Robert E. “Bob” Jordan, 92, of Rockland, died Jan. 10, 2023. Edward A. Tecza, 100, of Oil City, died Jan. 9, 2023. For complete…
Pumpkin and Spinach Layered Rice Casserole
(Family Features) After a cool, blustery day, it’s hard to beat a satisfying meal that provides comfort from the inside out. Better yet, turning to…
Pet of the Day 1/11/23
Whiskey is one of the nicest dogs we have. He is between 4-5 years old and loves attention. Whiskey walks great on a leash and…
How to Care for Houseplants in the Winter
Your houseplants aren’t immune to life-threatening challenges during the winter, even though they live in a temperature-controlled climate. Indoor plants, whether they are year-round houseplants…
New Mega Millions jackpot of $1.35B is game’s 2nd highest
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Mega Millions prize has grown again to an estimated $1.35 billion after there was no winner of the lottery’s…
US to max out on debt soon, setting up political fight
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is on track to max out on its $31.4 trillion borrowing authority as soon as this month, starting the…
Shapiro names picks for ag, parks and environmental agencies
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro said Tuesday he wants to stick with two members of his predecessor’s Cabinet to oversee state parklands and…
Malkin’s 4-point game fuels rally as Pens top Canucks 5-4
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins watched the Vancouver Canucks score three times in the opening minutes on Tuesday night and essentially yawned. No panic….
At Globes, ‘The Fabelmans,’ ‘Banshees’ triumph
The Associated Press The Golden Globes returned to the air Tuesday with a red carpet flush with celebrities, comedian Jerrod Carmichael as a hesitant emcee…
Recent Deaths 1/11/23
Jerry Harold Fair, 19, of Parker, died Jan. 9, 2023. Marcella Buzard Haskell, of Scottsdale, Arizona, died Jan. 1, 2023. Randy Lee Waitz, 46, of…
Healthy 7-Layer Taco Dip
(Family Features) Gathering for the big game is a source of annual excitement for fans across the country, but the moment is as much about…
Pet of the Day 1/10/23
Zuni came to us after her owner passed away, and now she is ready to find her new forever home. Zuni is very sweet once…
Venango Region Catholic School gala set March 18
From staff reports Venango Region Catholic School will host its annual Heritage Gala to benefit local Catholic education on Saturday, March 18, at Venango Catholic…
California deluge forces mass evacuations, boy swept away
LOS ANGELES (AP) — As another powerful storm walloped California, a 5-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters Monday on the state’s central coast and…
House GOP kicks off majority with vote to slash IRS funding
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans began their tenure in the majority Monday by passing a bill that would rescind nearly $71 billion that Congress had…
Shapiro taps superintendent to be education secretary
HARRISBURG (AP) — A school superintendent who won Pennsylvania superintendent of the year and has experience in both the wealthiest and poorest districts will be…
The Golden Globes return Tuesday in a 1-year audition
The Associated Press After going dark for a year, the Golden Globes return to the air Tuesday on a one-year audition to try to win…
Recent Deaths 1/10/23
Mame (Marian) Estadt, 83, of Shippenville, died Jan. 9, 2023. Patricia “Pat” Shaffer, 85, of Hermitage, formerly of Marienville, died Jan. 8, 2023. For…
Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna”
(Family Features) Regardless of your motivation, opting for meatless meals regularly provides plenty of benefits that extend from the health of you and your loved…
Pet of the Day 1/9/23
Meka came to us because she was having difficulty getting along with some other cats. She is a big beautiful girl that enjoys attention and…
VFW Sets 2023 Priority Goals
The 118th Congress is now in session. Although there were significant legislative victories for veterans in 2022, there is still work to be done. The…
Oil Region National Heritage Area reauthorized for 15 years
From staff reports President Biden has signed legislation that will reauthorize northwest Pennsylvania’s Oil Region National Heritage Area for the next 15 years along with…
Entries arriving for Nature Art Showcase
From staff reports Entries for the Nature Art Showcase and Sale scheduled Feb. 3 and 4 in the lobby of the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin…
Biden inspects US-Mexico border in face of GOP criticism
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — President Joe Biden walked a muddy stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border and inspected a busy port of entry Sunday on…
Steelers beat Browns 28-14 but miss out on playoffs
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the second half of the season digging their way out of a deep hole, but they finally encountered…
Penguins beat Coyotes 4-1 to end 6-game slide
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Jake Guentzel came out of a scoring slump at the perfect time, allowing his team to end one of its own….
‘M3gan’ dolls up with $30.2M while ‘Avatar’ stays No. 1
NEW YORK (AP) — The Blumhouse evil-doll horror film “M3gan” got off to a killer start, debuting with $30.2 million in ticket sales, according to…
Recent Deaths 1/9/23
Gloria N. Terwilliger, 87, of Perry Township, died Jan. 7, 2023. Cody James Donaldson, 28, of Harrisville, died Jan. 5, 2023. Richard L. “Rick” Myers,…
Franklin man charged with homicide by vehicle
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A Franklin man is facing numerous charges, including homicide by vehicle, in connection with a crash last year in Mercer…
Deadline nearing to challenge broadband access map in state
From staff reports The Jan. 13 deadline is approaching for Pennsylvanians to review and challenge the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband access map for accuracy. The…
Big week for US-Mexico ties going into North American summit
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s been a big week for U.S.-Mexico relations, and that was even before President Joe Biden becomes the first U.S. leader to…
Ukraine hails US military aid as cease-fire said to falter
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president praised the United States for including tank-killing armored vehicles in its latest multibillion-dollar package of military aid, saying they…
Mayor: Teacher shot by 6-year-old ‘red flag for the country’
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia teacher who was critically injured when she was was shot by a 6-year-old student in Newport News is showing…
No one injured in Oil City fire
From staff reports No one was injured in a fire at a home at 110 Hone Avenue in Oil City that broke out a little…
OC Elks donate to Venango VA
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Oil City Elks lodge has made a donation of $4,000 that will help Venango County veterans. Harry Whittemore, the…
Jan. 6 remembrance led by Dems as GOP wrestled with rebels
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden conferred high honors on those who stood against the Jan. 6 Capitol mob two years ago and the menacing…
McCarthy elected House speaker in rowdy post-midnight vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected House speaker on a historic post-midnight 15th ballot early Saturday, overcoming holdouts from his own ranks and…
Steelers still eyeing playoffs as Browns visit in finale
PITTSBURGH (AP) — When November began, the Pittsburgh Steelers were lifeless and listless at 2-6, searching for a chance to get back to “respectability,” as…
Recent Deaths 1/7/23
James J. “Jimmy” Stepulla, of New Bethlehem, died Jan. 5, 2023. Donna Belle Avery, 90, of Clarion, died Jan. 4, 2023. Kevin Eugene Hillary, 61,…
Baked Vegetarian Taquitos
(Family Features) Regardless of your motivation, opting for meatless meals regularly provides plenty of benefits that extend from the health of you and your loved…
Pet of the Day 1/6/23
Rose is a gorgeous girl who likes to “talk” to let you know she needs attention. She is pretty friendly but can have some mild…
One person killed in Irwin Township crash
From staff reports One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning on Route 8 in Irwin Township. Franklin state police said the crash…
Sugarcreek Council votes to remove foot bridge
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer Sugarcreek Borough Council members were presented with two solutions during their meeting Wednesday regarding concerns raised by Venango Water Sewage…
Kremlin-ordered truce is uncertain amid mutual mistrust
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — An uneasy calm in Kyiv on Friday was broken by air raid sirens that also blared out across the rest of…
NFL: Bills-Bengals won’t resume; playoff scenarios revealed
The Associated Press The NFL said Thursday it will not resume the Bills-Bengals game that was suspended Monday night after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed…
2 years after Jan. 6, speaker scrap paralyzes Congress again
WASHINGTON (AP) — Such are the fractures in the country, between the political parties and inside the Republican Party itself, that one time-honored specialty of…
Eichel shines in Knights return in 5-2 win over Penguins
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists in his return from a lower-body injury and the Vegas Golden Knights beat…