Explosion, fire controlled at Petrolia petroleum plant
PETROLIA, Pa. (AP) — A fire at a western Pennsylvania petroleum processing plant is under control, though 911 dispatchers say there’s a report of one…
Around The County
Relay for Life team to host benefit dance
From staff reports TITUSVILLE — Venango County’s Relay for Life Team The Lil’ Rawrr’s will host a benefit dance beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16,…
AG: Warden, wife took $132K to pay Moose club gambling debts
COCHRANTON (AP) — The state attorney general says a Pennsylvania county jail warden and his wife stole $132,000 from a Moose lodge, largely to cover…
Venango Chamber Orchestra opens season Sunday
From staff reports FRANKLIN – The spring concert of the Venango Chamber Orchestra will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in…
Cranberry High School musical opens April 7
From staff reports Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Cranberry High School will present the beloved classic “The Wizard of Oz” at 7 p.m….
CUP Young Democrats host senate candidate
From staff reports CLARION – Clarion University Young Democrats will host a candidate’s forum with Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, one of three Democrats seeking the…
Wilkinson Hall crumbles with Nair Hall soon to follow
By ERIC ZAVINSKI Staff writer CLARION – Wilkinson Hall at Clarion University is being torn down with its neighbor Nair Hall soon to follow. With…
Community college closed due to MRSA case
BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania community college campus has been closed because of the superbug known as MRSA. Officials at Butler County Community…
Clarion PennDOT bridge projects span 4 years
By TOM DISTEFANO Staff writer MARIANNE – PennDOT has a slew of bridge projects on tap this summer and for the next couple of years,…
Sea Chanters to perform at free event
The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters is coming to Oil City and tickets are free. The band will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, April 4,…
Help save local 4-H programs
From staff reports CLARION – A local group of 25 4-H members and parents traveled to Harrisburg to join with over 500 other supporters to…
Civil Air Patrol squadron to host open house
From staff reports CLARION – The Civil Air Patrol Clarion Composite Squadron will be hosting a STEM Fair open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m….
Corry hatchery to hold trout stocking events for upcoming fishing season
From staff reports Local anglers do not have much longer to wait before trout season kicks off. Youth under the age of 16 can join…
Street sweeping set in Franklin
From staff reports The City of Franklin street department will sweep streets next week in the following areas: Monday – Third shift: business district; first…
Children’s Day celebration set April 10 at mall
From staff reports The 20th annual Children’s Day celebration at the Cranberry Mall is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 10. About 40…
Familiar Feathered Friends series continues at OC and Clarion libraries
By ANNA APPLEGATE Binoculars, bluebirds and more will be discussed when Seneca Rocks Audubon Society continues its Familiar Feathered Friends series on Tuesday and Thursday….
“Oil City Uncorked” spring wine walk is April 29
From staff reports “Oil City Uncorked” will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 29, and will feature an evening of wine sampling…
5K season in the area is near
Be A Hero For A Hero 5K CLARION — The Clarion County Youth Council will hold its Be A Hero For A Hero 5K run/walk…
St. Stephen students participate in water project
From staff reports Fourth-grade students at St. Stephen School in Oil City participated in an Erie Diocese project called “I Was Thirsty.” First, the students…
Boy Scout Troop 412 Easter Shoot is Saturday
From staff reports Boy Scout Troop 412 of Utica and Polk will hold and Easter Shoot on Saturday, March 26. The shoot starts at 9…
Little music lover
Luke Irwin’s aunt Mary Ostenson said the 16 month old loves music and often tries to sing and dance along as they listened to Ellen…
Easter weekend is full of fun for everyone
Easter weekend is coming up, so Christians are going to be attending services at their local churches to celebrate the resurrection. If you are religious…
Princess Tea Party held
The Oil City YWCA held its Princess Tea Party on Saturday. Seventy little princesses participated in the event which included lunch and activities such as…
St. Patrick students presenting Passion Play today
Students in first through third grades at St. Patrick School in Franklin are presenting the Passion Play at 10 a.m. today at the school. Pictured…
Area student gets internship with Erie artist
From staff reports Deirdre Keane, a student enrolled in Lighthouse Island Academy in Tionesta has recently been invited to serve as a student intern with…
Gold medals for leadership
Fifteen students represented Forest Area School District at the FCCLA State Leadership Conference from March 16 – 18. Students presented projects and returned home with six gold…
Breakfast to benefit Cochranton fair
From staff reports The 2016 Cochranton Community Fair is scheduled for Aug. 1-6 in Cochranton. This year’s theme is “We Have Good Things Growing.” To prepare…
Wolf declares Wildfire Prevention Week
From staff reports Governor Tom Wolf has declared this week to be Wildfire Prevention Week in Pennsylvania. Drying spring winds and climbing temperatures can turn…
University master plan moving forward
By ERIC ZAVINSKI Staff writer Clarion University’s master plan is in motion and its completion of Becht Hall renovations and the Suites on Main construction…
Abandoned Pennsylvania gas, oil wells sought
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew Zadnik probably walked through the same patch of woods in Toms Run Nature Reserve a dozen times while inspecting an abandoned…
Easter events planned around the area
Clarion **Clarion Moose 101, located at 401 Grand Ave., Clarion, will host an Easter party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Children…
Two local veterans complete business program
Two local veterans – Robert Fennell and Chad Beach – completed the Venango County Small Business Jump Start for Veterans program. A graduation ceremony was…
Annual cross walks set in Franklin, Clarion
From staff reports Annual cross walks have been scheduled for Good Friday, March 25, in Franklin and Clarion. In Franklin, the walk will begin at…
Franklin seeks young singer to perform at Taste of Talent final
From staff reports Franklin’s annual Taste of Talent vocal competition will be held through the summer months in the city’s Bandstand Park. The competition is…
Donuts with Dad
Sam Lingo and his dad enjoy a doughnut at Hasson Heights Elementary School in Oil City. The Fatherhood Initiative held its annual Donuts with Dads…
Slaying suspect was off-duty state prison guard
NEW CASTLE (AP) — A man jailed on charges he fatally shot another man after an argument at a western Pennsylvania public housing complex is…
Friendship Bag campaign receives $1,000
From staff reports CLARION – The Clarion office of Janney Montgomery Scott has donated $1,000 to the Clarion Area and Clarion-Limestone Children’s Friendship Bag campaign….
Friends of Cook Forest looking for volunteers
From staff reports COOKSBURG – Friends of Cook Forest is looking for a few good volunteers to help participate in upcoming programs at the state…
Oil City cross walk set on Good Friday
From staff reports OIL CITY – The annual Oil City cross walk is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Good Friday, March 25. The cross walk…
For the birds
Amber McElroy helps her daughter Ahveanna construct a bluebird house at the Franklin FCCA Twin Creeks Head Start parent and children activity night Tuesday. Jason…
PA Turnpike to increase speed limit to 70 mph
The Associated Press After studying the issue for more than 18 months, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission voted Tuesday to increase the speed limit on most…
Man jailed in fatal shooting at housing complex
NEW CASTLE (AP) — A man has been jailed on charges he fatally shot another man after an argument at a western Pennsylvania public housing…
Community Winter Skate Party held
Alissa, Maranda and Matthew Attleberger (from left) discuss their strategy for the skate games Monday at the third annual Community Winter Skate Party at the…
Young Professional of the Year nominees announced
From staff reports Ten nominees have been chosen for the region’s Young Professional of the Year award, which will be presented at the sixth annual…
Allegheny National Forest hiring for conservation program
From staff reports WARREN – The Allegheny National Forest is seeking applications from high school students who are interested in preserving natural resources to work…
Scouts place at pinewood derby
County farm bureau offering scholarships
The Clarion-Venango-Forest County Farm Bureau will select recipients for six $500 scholarships at their annual Spring Meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 29 at the Reminisce Banquet Hall…
Clarion Hospital Foundation accepting scholarship applications
From staff reports The Clarion Hospital Foundation is accepting applications for 2016 scholarships that will be awarded to students interested in a health care profession….
CLA students participate in event
From staff reports Christian Life Academy senior Josh Tygert presents a bill on student loan repayment Thursday during State Sen. Scott Hutchinson’s Senators’ Day at…
Local animal groups post hawk warnings
From staff reports Some local animal rescue organizations are warning of increased hawk activity in the area. Both the Venango County Humane Society and Tri-County…