Fire chief updates group about 911 adjustment
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Franklin fire chief Jim Wetzel gave a brief update about an adjustment regarding Venango County 911 during Wednesday’s meeting of…
Community Playhouse returning to stage with first show in 2 years
From staff reports Community Playhouse Inc. will present its first show in two years with “Love Letters” on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26,…
Ukraine rebels mobilize troops amid Russia invasion fears
MOSCOW (AP) — Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization Saturday amid a spike of violence in the war-torn region and fears…
Judge rejects effort by Trump to toss Jan. 6 lawsuits
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has rejected efforts by former President Donald Trump to toss out conspiracy lawsuits filed by lawmakers and two Capitol…
Ottawa crackdown: police arrest 100 after 3-week protest
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Police arrested scores of demonstrators and towed away vehicles Friday in Canada’s besieged capital, and a stream of trucks started leaving…
Review: From hippies to hipsters, ‘Texas Chainsaw’ is back
The Associated Press Et tu, pause button? I thought you were my friend. Anticipating the inevitable guts and gore and murderous mayhem, I screened Netflix’s…
Recent Deaths 2/19/22
Virginia Joyce Gibson, 92, of Oil City, died Feb. 16, 2022. Viola Ruth Burneisen Brown, 78, of Oil City, died Feb. 10, 2022. Joseph P….
Pet of the Day 2/18/22
Hello! I am Meadow! I used to be really shy when I first arrived here at the shelter. I started to really like the people…
Caramelized Onion, Mozzarella, Prune and Thyme Flatbreads
(Family Features) Supplementing meals and snacks with powerful, versatile ingredients can take healthy eating from bland and boring to delicious and adventurous. Take your breakfasts,…
Germany leads in women’s Olympic bobsled, USA in 3rd
BEIJING (AP) — The Germans remain right at home on China’s Olympic sliding track. Winners of gold medals in seven of the eight sliding events…
Israeli strawberry clocks in as world’s heaviest on record
KADIMA-ZORAN, Israel (AP) — After a year-long jam, a mammoth Israeli strawberry is entering the record books. Weighing a whopping 289 grams (10.19 ounces, more…
Review: Tom Holland in the video game adaptation ‘Uncharted’
Goonies never say die, and neither do some of their storylines. “Uncharted,” a new movie based on the PlayStation video game, cribs heavily from adventures…
‘Irreversible’: No easy fix for water fouled by gas driller
DIMOCK, Pa. (AP) — Meeting with a man whose well water has been polluted for years, officials in the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office asked him…
Pet of the Day 2/17/22
Diesel came to us because he wasn’t doing well in a home with a toddler. He has a twisted front leg that he was born…
Prune, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers
(Family Features) Add a healthy twist to happy hour at home with a nutritious snack that goes perfectly with your favorite beverages. When gathering family…
Oil City woman facing theft charges
From staff reports An Oil City woman is facing charges for using another woman’s debit card to make unauthorized charges. Oil City police said in…
Overdose task force visits Rocky Grove students
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer Members of the Venango County Overdose Task Force interacted with Rocky Grove High School students during the students’ lunch period…
Truckers brace for a police crackdown in besieged Ottawa
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Police poured into downtown Ottawa on Thursday in what truckers feared was a prelude to a crackdown on their nearly three-week,…
Biden: Infrastructure plan gives $1B for Great Lakes cleanup
The Associated Press Long-delayed cleanup of Great Lakes harbors and tributary rivers fouled with industrial toxins will accelerate dramatically with a $1 billion boost from President…
Amazon’s ‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ to end after season five
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Miriam “Midge” Maisel will have one more shot to make her stand-up career dreams come true. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” will…
Recent Deaths 2/17/22
Freda M. Chilson, 72, of Knox, died Feb. 15, 2022. Paul Ronald Brewer, 64, of Parker, died Feb. 13, 2022. Janie Irene Ball Lehman, 74,…
Banana Walnut Pancakes
(Family Features) With the weather cooling, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in the kitchen to try out fun recipes and create special…
Pet of the Day 2/16/22
All I really want is a home to lay around in the laps of luxury and fed. I once stole an entire treat bag and…
Man serving homicide sentence pleads guilty in federal case
From staff reports A former Cochranton man who has already been sentenced for killing his stepmother and half-brother in 2019 has pleaded guilty to federal…
Route 8 plans display available online
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invites the public to view the online plans display for a project to improve Route 8 (Pittsburgh…
Sandy Hook families settle for $73M with Remington
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The families of nine victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting announced Tuesday they have agreed to a $73 million…
Crosby scores 500th, Pens rally past Flyers 5-4 in OT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby never makes it about himself. Ever. Stanley Cups. Scoring titles. MVP awards. Conn Smythe trophies. The Pittsburgh Penguins star never…
Review: Tom Holland in the video game adaptation ‘Uncharted’
The Associated Press Goonies never say die, and neither do some of their storylines. “Uncharted,” a new movie based on the PlayStation video game, cribs…
Recent Deaths 2/16/22
Ernest John Novak, 58, of Polk, died Feb. 11, 2022. Betty J. Hoover, 97, of Oil City, died Feb. 14, 2022. Helen M. “Butch” Blauser,…
Pet of the Day 2/15/22
Eddie is high energy and friendly. He will need some work on obedience and he likes treats! Eddie likes to play next to other young…
Butter Pecan Waffles
(Family Features) With the weather cooling, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in the kitchen to try out fun recipes and create special…
Oil City’s Winter Formal
By HANNA CRATTY Student contributor Throughout the months of December and January, Junior Exec and Meghan Fulmer, started planning for Oil City High School’s Winter…
OC man facing drug charges in two cases
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Oil City man is facing drug charges in two separate cases. Oil City police said in a criminal complaint…
OC students perform at district chorus festival
Oil City High School students Eric Goughler, Jaxon Knox, Hannah Krug, Matthew Myers, Mason Stephens, and Alex Webster performed as part of the 2022 Pennsylvania…
Canada’s Trudeau invokes emergency powers to quell protests
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers Monday to quell the paralyzing protests by truckers and others angry over Canada’s COVID-19…
Russia says some forces pulling back amid Ukraine crisis
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia said Tuesday that some units participating in military exercises were returning to their bases, adding to glimmers of hope that the…
Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes to host Oscars
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After three years without a host, the Oscars are making up for lost time with three hosts for this year’s awards:…
Recent Deaths 2/15/22
Helen E. Serbati, 88, died Feb. 12, 2022. William D. Allmendinger, 72, of Knox, died Feb. 13, 2022. Virginia M. Heister, 93, of Franklin, died…
Peanut Butter Crunch
(Family Features) Adding better-for-you recipes to your family’s menu can be as simple as incorporating protein with ingredients that enhance flavor and nutrition. For example,…
Pet of the Day 2/14/22
Onix was recently brought to us because he wasn’t able to live in a home with other dogs. He is such a good boy with…
Independent Budget Released
Leading veterans service organizations (VSOs) –– the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), DAV (Disabled American Veterans), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) –– have released…
Key US-Canada bridge reopens as Ottawa protest persists
WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) — The busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing was open Monday after protesters demonstrating against COVID-19 measures blocked it for nearly a week, but…
Kremlin signals more talks with West amid Ukraine tensions
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s top diplomat advised President Vladimir Putin on Monday to keep talking with the West on Moscow’s security demands, a signal from…
Kupp’s late TD lifts Rams over Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Their defense laying siege to the Bengals, the Rams needed something — anything — from their slumbering offense. How about a…
Boyle puts scalding Penguins ahead in 4-2 win over Devils
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Brian Boyle scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Tristan Jarry made 28 saves and the Pittsburgh Penguins kept…
‘Death on the Nile’ tops a quiet box office weekend
NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood’s Super Bowl weekend largely fizzled with the muted debut of Kenneth Branagh’s long-delayed Agatha Christie whodunit, “Death on the Nile,”…
Recent Deaths 2/14/22
Michael W. Chapman, 73, of Strattanville, died Feb. 12, 2022. William L. “Bill” Crate, Sr., 80, of Clarion, died Feb. 11, 2022. Edwin A. Hewston…
Brothers charged in connection with overdose death
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Two brothers from Polk have been charged in connection with the overdose death of their neighbor last year. Franklin state…
Reading companions at Franklin library
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer The local Paws 4 a Cause organization is holding hour-long reading sessions this winter at Franklin Public Library where school-aged…
Flights to Ukraine halted, redirected as crisis brews
MOSCOW (AP) — Some airlines have canceled or diverted flights to Ukraine amid heightened fears that an invasion by Russia is imminent despite intensive weekend…