Hope 21 getting set to reopen at new OC site
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Hope 21, a ministry offering free clothing and shoes, will collect donations beginning Monday in preparation for reopening in a…
2024
Israel signals it has wrapped up major combat in northern Gaza as the war enters its 4th month
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military signaled that it has wrapped up major combat in northern Gaza, saying it has completed dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure…
Steelers top Lamar-less Ravens 17-10, will make playoffs if Buffalo or Jacksonville loses
BALTIMORE (AP) — Cameron Heyward figures the Pittsburgh Steelers can make some noise in the playoffs. They still need a little help to get in,…
Resurrected Golden Globes will restart the party with ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ and Swift
The Associated Press The Golden Globes are back from the dead, and ready to party. The long-running award show will again have the champagne flowing Sunday night…
Flu, COVID infections got worse over holidays, with more misery expected, CDC says
NEW YORK (AP) — The flu season in the U.S. is getting worse but it’s too soon to tell how much holiday gatherings contributed to…
Supreme Court to decide if Trump can be kept off 2024 presidential ballots
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide whether former President Donald Trump can be kept off the ballot because of his…
Review: Anthony Hopkins shines in ‘Freud’s Last Session’
The Associated Press “Freud’s Last Session,” starring Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud, adds to a string of sterling late-chapter performances by the 86-year-old actor. He was the…
Recent Deaths 1/6/24
Carole A. Petraglia, 87, died Dec. 16, 2023. Stephen L. Blauser, 62, of Oil City, died Dec. 29, 2023. Donald Leo Dombrowski, 88, of Franklin,…
Edamame Brown Rice and Lentil Salad
(Family Features) Juggling those weeknight responsibilities including homework, catching up on emails, after-school activities, social events and more can leave families scrambling when it comes…
Pet of the Day 1/5/24
Handsome young Luke came to us as a stray, so we aren’t sure what the beginning of his life looked like. He is estimated at…
Reducing Negative Human Impact
Let’s start the new year with an example of how one community has worked to reduce the negative impacts humans have had on the environment….
2 Franklin residents charged in domestic dispute
From staff reports Two Franklin residents are facing charges in connection with a domestic dispute on Christmas Day. Franklin police said in a criminal complaint…
Veterans getting public notice over info mix-up
From staff reports The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is sending letters to 2,380 veterans notifying them of the potential disclosure of limited information that may…
Teen kills 6th grader, wounds 5 others in Iowa high school shooting, police say
PERRY, Iowa (AP) — A teen armed with a shotgun and a handgun unleashed terror at an Iowa high school on the first day of…
Crosby’s power-play goal in 3rd period sends Penguins to 6-5 win over Bruins
BOSTON (AP) — Sidney Crosby scored on the power play to snap a third-period tie and added two assists, lifting the Pittsburgh Penguins to a…
Chastain, Sarsgaard reflect on the gray areas of ‘Memory’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Jessica Chastain first read the script for “Memory,” she was struck by the flurry of unanswered questions left swirling around…
Recent Deaths 1/5/24
Herbert J. (Herb) Schwegler, 88, died Jan. 3, 2024. Elaine Greenlee, 84, of Polk, died Dec. 31, 2023. Richard Arlen “Dick” Riddle, 90, of Boalsburg,…
Pet of the Day 1/4/24
Eggnog, the 5-year-old hound mix, was brought to us as a stray around Christmas. Weighing in at just under 50 pounds, Eggnog is a classic…
Baja Fish Taco Bowls
(Family Features) Juggling those weeknight responsibilities including homework, catching up on emails, after-school activities, social events and more can leave families scrambling when it comes…
Titusville woman accused of resisting arrest, assaulting officers
From staff reports A Titusville woman is facing charges for resisting arrest and assaulting police earlier this week at her boyfriend’s residence in Cherrytree Township….
Applications open for Keystone Historic Preservation grants
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) is accepting applications from nonprofits and local governments for the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program….
US calls for urgent UN action on attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in Red Sea
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States called on the U.N. Security Council Wednesday to take urgent action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels for attacking ships…
More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge
NEW YORK (AP) — More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in…
Unsealed court records offer new detail on old sex abuse allegations against Epstein
NEW YORK (AP) — Amid great hype, a new batch of previously secret court documents was unsealed late Wednesday related to Jeffrey Epstein, the jet-setting…
Recent Deaths 1/4/24
Dara Jean Shontz, 62, of Oil City, died Jan. 3, 2024. Kevin Borchert, 52, of Green, Ohio, died Jan. 2, 2024. Helen Louise (Hinds) Guth…
Pet of the Day 1/3/24
Sweet Sassy came to us with a litter of her puppies, and now that they have all been adopted and she is spayed. She is…
Whole Grain Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry
(Family Features) Putting dinner on the table quickly seems to be a goal more often than not, particularly in today’s sped-up world. However, spending less…
Starting Seeds in Winter
When you consider how seeds germinate in nature, it makes sense to sow seeds the same way. In late summer, left to their own devices,…
Online voting for Paint the Plow to open Monday
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 10 invites the public to vote on 11 plows decorated by high school students in…
Artist registration open for Nature Art Showcase
From staff reports Original art pieces are now being accepted for inclusion in the Feb. 2-3, Eighth Annual Nature Art Showcase and Sale, which is…
Biden will start year at sites of national trauma to warn about dire stakes of 2024 election
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is starting the campaign year by evoking the Revolutionary War to mark the third anniversary of the deadly insurrection…
Ovechkin scores as Washington uses fast start to beat Penguins 4-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal during Washington’s fast start, and the Capitals beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on…
In public domain, early Mickey Mouse version will star in horror movies
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, barely two days in the public domain. Slashed free of Disney’s…
Recent Deaths 1/3/24
Nancy Flick Dunmire, 84, of Kittanning, died Dec. 31, 2023. Jack Romito, of Clarion, died Dec. 29, 2023. Lawrence W. Schill, 81, of Venus, died…
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are VA survivor benefits that are tax exempt. This means you wont have to pay taxes on your compensation…
Pet of the Day 1/2/24
Who doesn’t love disco? This sweet and affectionate boy came to us with the rest of his siblings after he was found abandoned in a…
Sweet Chili Shrimp with Quinoa
(Family Features) Putting dinner on the table quickly seems to be a goal more often than not, particularly in today’s sped-up world. However, spending less…
Ragon: Rash of vehicle break-ins on South Side
By LUKA KRNETA News editor Oil City Police Chief Dave Ragon advised residents to ensure their parked vehicles are locked after multiple vehicle break-ins were…
National Fuel projecting sharp hike in customer bills
From staff reports National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. has submitted its annual purchased gas cost filing as required by the state Public Utility Commission (PUC),…
States, Congress wrestle with cybersecurity at water utilities amid renewed federal warnings
HARRISBURG (AP) — The tiny Aliquippa water authority in western Pennsylvania was perhaps the least-suspecting victim of an international cyberattack. It had never had outside…
Biden, Trump are poised for a potential rematch that could shake American politics
LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — U.S. presidential elections have been rocked in recent years by economic disaster, stunning gaffes, secret video and a pandemic. But for…
‘Wonka’ ends the year No. 1 at the box office, 2023 sales reach $9 billion
NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood closed out an up and down 2023 with “Wonka” regaining No. 1 at the box office, strong sales for “The…
Recent Deaths 1/2/24
David Allen Opitz, 70, of Stoneboro, died Dec. 30, 2023. Eric Charles Obert, 72, of Titusville, died Dec. 28, 2023. John Omiatek died Jan. 1,…
Pet of the Day 1/1/24
Pudding the chocolate lab came to us as a stray with another dog, Figgy. When Pudding was first brought to us in hunting season, he…
Acai Bowl with Whole-Wheat Toast
(Family Features) If you’re in need of a quick breakfast, consider starting your day with one of these tasty breakfast ideas. This on-trend Acai Bowl…