Around The County

By Sally BellStaff writer Christmas and community spirit have come to the halls of the Venango County Human Services offices. This year’s Christmas decorating effort…

HARRISBURG (AP) — Motorists in Pennsylvania will be hit with the third and final step in the gradual gas tax increases that are being phased in…

By JON HAAG Staff writer The Historic Franklin Preservation Association has set its sights on the restoration of a church at the corner of 11th…

Tyler Lyons plays trumpet during the annual Franklin Middle School and High School Christmas concert Monday night at the Franklin High School auditorium. The seventh…

By SALLY BELL Staff writer Venango County’s outreach program is partnering with some area churches to donate gifts to hundreds of children in the child…

A Victorian Christmas Weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18, in Franklin.  The event includes various holiday shopping opportunities at Franklin businesses.  The…

By SALLY BELLStaff writer Cranberry Township is giving Seneca Volunteer Fire Department $100,000 toward the purchase of a new fire rescue truck. The move came…

From staff reports Santa will arrive by train and make a stop from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at 2 Relief St., near National Fuel…

From staff reports Pizza Hut in Oil City is on pace to reopen Monday. The restaurant on Seneca Street has been closed since late September…

From staff reports Clark’s Donuts has a presence once again in Oil City. With the departure of the two Thorne’s Market locations last month, Clark’s…

By SAXON DAUGHERTYStaff writer  The people sitting in the top two spots on the Oil City School Board will remain the same heading into next…

The Hasson Heights Community Church will holds its annual Santa’s Workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The event began five years…

The Venango County Historical Society will hold a Christmas toy show at its headquarters, the Egbert-Mullins- Koos House, 307 S. Park St., Franklin.  The show…

From staff reports The following closures will be in effect from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday in Oil City for the Jingle Bell 5K that…

Venango Technology Center students Kolton Mayer (left), Ty Barker and Ben Middleton will participate today in the 36th annual American Welding Society Weld Off to…

From staff reports HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking deer hunters to take two good shots this hunting season – one with their…

Smedley Street Elementary School students hosted their second annual Oil City Police Department appreciation luncheon. The students created a banner for the department and had…

From staff reports Pennies From Heaven, a charity that helps provide items for children of low-income working families, is taking applications for its Christmas program…

Miss Helch’s fourth grade students at Seventh Street Elementary School completed their Native American Projects for Social Studies class.  The students gave a presentations about…

By SALLY BELL Staff writer Local Korean War veterans are set to receive recognition for their participation in the decades-old conflict. Respect for these service…

From staff reports Hour of Code sessions will be offered at two Venango County libraries in December. A session will be held from 5:30 to…

TITUSVILLE — The schedule for next year’s historical teas at the Tarbell House has been announced.  Teas are scheduled at 4 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 10,…

Oil City collections: Oil City street crews will use the leaf collection machine next week on the following streets: Tuesday – Seely Avenue, Harriott Avenue…

From staff reports Oil City’s 16th annual Christmas Past is set to get underway next week. The traditional holiday weekend will begin Thursday evening and…

From staff reports A dozen people are wanted by Venango County Domestic Relations for being in arrears with required payments. Anyone with information as to…

From staff reports Franklin High School senior Amy Mook helps Sandycreek Elementary school fifth graders Bryson Watson and Elliott Moffett write messages for their Kids…

From staff reports HARRISBURG – Timed for the Monday, Nov. 28, opening of Pennsylvania’s traditional deer season, the state Bureau of Forestry reminded hunters a…

From staff reports Pennsylvania state trooper Craig Amos, Pennsylvania DUI Association representative Cathy Tress and Franklin Police Department Lt. Kevin Anundson stand near the DUI…

A 45-foot-tall Norwegian spruce tree is lit during the annual Light-Up Night in downtown Franklin on Saturday. For a story and more photos, visit TheDerrick.com….

TITUSVILLE — Tickets will be on sale Monday for the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass Holiday concert and the live performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on…

From staff reports Oil City leaf collection Oil City street crews will use the leaf collection machine next week on the following streets: Monday –…

From staff reports The Venango County Emergency Food and Shelter program will sponsor a county-wide food distribution in December and is looking for eligible residents…

By JON HAGG Staff writer Franklin’s annual downtown Light-Up Night kicks off this Saturday. As one of Franklin’s mainstay events, Franklin events coordinator Ronnie Beith…

From staff reports Franklin Rotary Club recently purchased and donated dictionaries to all third-grade students in Franklin Area School District, Valley Grove School District and…

From staff reports The Allegheny River is a nominee for River of the Year. Other contenders for 2017 Pennsylvania River of the Year, along with…

Mike Dulaney of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce hangs lights on the 45-foot tall spruce in front of the Venango County Courthouse Tuesday. The big…

By SAXON DAUGHERTY Staff writer Hasson Heights Elementary School in Oil City will begin using some of the $4,000 stipend it received from the state…

From staff reports Students at Franklin, Rocky Grove, Oil City and Cranberry schools are collecting food items to be donated to local food pantries to…

By NATASHA BRENNEMAN Staff writer Donation boxes have popped up all over Venango County for the annual Toys for Tots campaign, and organizers are hoping…

From staff reports Cranberry High School students (back row, from left) Shay Harry, Trevin Chittester, Ian Hepler, Andrew Holden (middle), Joe Gunn, Jenna Seigworth (front),…

From staff reports The Salvation Army in Oil City will take applications for its Christmas toy and food assistance program next week. It is open…

By SAXON DAUGHERTY Staff writer A Michigan-based company has been awarded a contract for the demolition of Oil City’s condemned parking ramp. Venango County commissioner…

Pianists Dennis Geib and Nicholas Nasibyan will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry in Oil…

From staff reports Franklin Civic Operetta’s Youth Theatre program’s production of “The Story of Hansel & Gretel” will be a sweet treat for the whole…

From staff reports The Oil City Police Department will step up enforcement of parking ordinances and vehicle codes in the upcoming months to maximize the…

Isabella Whittling, 10, of Seneca, got a little bored waiting in line with her mother at the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department polling location, so she…

From staff reports The annual Junior Schubert Club installation ceremony was held Monday at the Belles Lettres Clubhouse in Oil City. Installed as president for…

From staff reports Stockings for the Veterans & Family Memorial Care’s Christmas Stockings for Soldiers initiative can be picked up through Friday, Dec. 16, at…

Genevieve Hoover looks through a tree set design during rehearsal at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin for the upcoming play “Hansel and Gretel,” which opens…