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…
Recent Deaths 5/6/22
Rebecca “Becky” Ann Baker, 89, of Franklin, died May 4, 2022. Donald D. Oglesby, 92, of Emlenton, died May 3, 2022. LeAnne Renee Rankin, 60,…
Pet of the Day 5/5/22
Kenny was found as a stray by himself. He has been in a foster home for a couple weeks where he is described as “the…
Care home staff picket for better conditions
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer Staff members at the Oil City Healthcare and Rehabilitaion Center on Grandview Road gathered in front of the facility Wednesday…
Franklin students now painting their mural
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer After months of preparation, Franklin middle and senior high school art students are well into the painting portion of their…
Mariupol steel mill battle rages as Ukraine repels attacks
LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Heavy fighting raged Thursday at the besieged steel plant in Mariupol, as Russian forces attempted to finish off the city’s last-ditch…
Pirates beat up Tigers’ bullpen to split doubleheader
DETROIT (AP) — Bryan Reynolds doubled in Pittsburgh’s two-run seventh inning, and the Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 7-2 to split Wednesday’s doubleheader. The Tigers…
Dolly Parton, Eminem, Richie get into Rock Hall of Fame
The Associated Press Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, and Pat Benatar have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,…
Recent Deaths 5/5/22
Norma L. Wiser, 91, of Clarion, died May 3, 2022. Donald D. Oglesby, 92, of Emlenton, died May 3, 2022. Francis T. “Bud” Baran, 84,…
Mother’s Day French Toast Casserole
There are two camps of Mother’s Day celebrators: those who like nothing more than a lavish brunch/lunch/dinner at a restaurant, and those who hope for…
Pet of the Day 5/4/22
Petrie is a spunky little guy looking for a home to bring joy to. He loves to play, both by himself or with a friend,…
Dollar General opens along Route 157
From staff reports A new Dollar General store has opened at 2360 Route 157 in Oil City. The store provides household essentials, food, over-the-counter medications,…
ORA cancels awards ceremony
From staff reports The Oil Region Alliance has canceled its Historic Preservation Awards ceremony that was scheduled for tonight. An email from the agency Tuesday…
Biden blasts ‘radical’ Roe draft, warns other rights at risk
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday blasted a “radical” Supreme Court draft opinion that would throw out the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion…
Russia pounds Ukraine, targeting supply of Western arms
LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces pounded targets across Ukraine, taking aim at supply lines for foreign weapons in the west and intensifying an offensive…
Malkin’s tip lifts Penguins past Rangers in 3OTs in Game 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Louis Domingue didn’t know what to think when he saw teammate and starting goalie Casey DeSmith skate to the bench midway…