Forcing Bulbs
Now is the time to plan and prepare for a bit of spring sunshine on dreary winter days. The term forcing refers to inducing a…
Tri-county area’s jobless rate drops
From staff reports The tri-county area’s November seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down from the previous month, according to the state Department of Labor &…
Flu case numbers edge upward
By RODNEY L. SHERMAN Clarion News editor Influenza cases reported to the state Department of Health are on the rise. For the week ending Dec….
White House, Jan. 6 committee agree to shield some documents
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol has agreed to defer its attempt to get hundreds of pages…
John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85
The Associated Press John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL…
FEMA to help Pennsylvania hospitals with COVID surge
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania hospitals overwhelmed with the latest COVID-19 surge will get help from federal teams as Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration finalizes the details,…
Recent Deaths 12/29/21
Edith Sullivan Foster died Dec. 27, 2021. Robert Netzler, 99, of Franklin, died Dec. 26, 2021. Nancy L. Smith, 69, of Oil City, died Dec….
Jamaican Jerk Popcorn
(Family Features) The winter months provide many occasions to celebrate, and no celebration is complete without tasty treats. A perfect partner for a broad variety…
Pet of the Day 12/28/21
Murphy is such a sweet playful young hound mix! He is just so handsome and he loves to run in our play yards. Murphy does…
US officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and…
Racial reckoning turns focus to roadside historical markers
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania had been installing historical markers for more than a century when the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017 brought…
NHL brings back taxi squads in effort to keep season going
The Associated Press The NHL is emerging from an extended holiday break with taxi squads and other roster revisions, a move made to guard against…
Outlets hurt by dwindling public interest in news in 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — The presidential election, pandemic, and racial reckoning were stories that drove intense interest and engagement to news outlets in 2020. To…
Recent Deaths 12/28/21
Beverly M. Gilmore, 80, of Monroeville, died Dec. 25, 2021. Harry Leonard Schultz, 96, of Franklin, died Dec. 25, 2021. Richard E. “Dick” Wonderling, 81,…
Furikake Popcorn
(Family Features) The winter months provide many occasions to celebrate, and no celebration is complete without tasty treats. A perfect partner for a broad variety…
Pet of the Day 12/27/21
Benny is a very nice hound that recently came to us as a stray. Though he was microchipped and neutered, no one came to claim…
Help Available for Veterans
The holiday times are very difficult for veterans. There is help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Veterans Crisis Line is available…
Omicron spreads global gloom over New Year’s celebrations
BRUSSELS (AP) — After struggling with the coronavirus for far too long, the world understands all too well Belgium’s word of the year, “knaldrang!” —…
Steelers dumped 36-10 by Chiefs as playoff hopes fade
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers arrived at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday with their playoff hopes beginning to fade. Then, they played like…
‘Spider-Man’ surpasses $1B globally in second weekend
The Associated Press Peter Parker’s good fortune continued over the holiday weekend as Hollywood prepares to close the books on a turbulent 2021. Even with…
Recent Deaths 12/27/21
Rowenna K. “Renny” Reagle Mansfield, 77, of Franklin, died Dec. 25, 2021. Pauline A. Master, 96, of Clarion, died Dec. 23, 2021. Don David Lewis,…
Panel OKs more funds for 100 Seneca project
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Members of the Venango County Economic Development Authority discussed funding and other matters related to the 100 Seneca project at…
Local churches collect relief supplies for Kentucky
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer On Dec. 10, people across the country watched in horror as a tornado ripped through western Kentucky, destroying homes, lives…
Space telescope launched on daring quest
The Associated Press The world’s largest and most powerful space telescope rocketed away Saturday on a high-stakes quest to behold light from the first stars…
Flight cancellations snarl holiday plans for thousands
NEW YORK (AP) — Airlines continued to cancel hundreds of flights Saturday because of staffing issues tied to COVID-19, disrupting holiday celebrations during one of…
Putin to mull options if West refuses guarantees on Ukraine
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for…
PA fire departments facing volunteerism emergency
SUNBURY (AP) — The state of volunteer firefighting is in a crisis. That is the assessment of Acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook and…
Polenta Bites
(Family Features) Whipping up family favorites all winter long is a perfect activity to keep loved ones warm in the kitchen while avoiding the bitter…
Pet of the Day 12/24/21
Carter recently came to us as a stray. If you are looking for a nice, middle-aged, well-behaved boy, look no further! We are not sure…
Oil City gearing up for First Night festivities
From staff reports Oil City is gearing up for its First Night festivities on New Year’s Eve. Following a hiatus of one year due to…
Community performs Handel’s ‘Messiah’
Community members performed selections from Handel’s “Messiah” at the Belles Lettres Club on Saturday and Sunday. The group was directed by Francis Nesta and accompanied…
Yes, there is a Santa Claus. No, COVID-19 won’t stop him
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) — Rest assured, kids of all ages: Santa’s coming this Christmas Eve, and a second holiday with COVID-19 won’t…
Steelers head to KC for game with AFC playoff implications
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce the “best in the business.” He talked about about how…
New Year’s Eve in Times Square still on, with smaller crowd
NEW YORK (AP) — Revelers will still ring in the new year in New York’s Times Square next week, there just won’t be as many…
Recent Deaths 12/24/21
Bennie Lee Loud, 66, of Oil City, died Dec. 15, 2021. Mona L. Noziglia, 88, of Oil City, died Dec. 20, 2021. Michael A. Reitz,…
Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip
(Family Features) Whipping up family favorites all winter long is a perfect activity to keep loved ones warm in the kitchen while avoiding the bitter…
Pet of the Day 12/23/21
This sweet girl came in as a stray so we don’t have any history for her. She was pretty timid at first but has come…
Man facing charge in second trespass case
From staff reports An Oil City man who is already facing charges for entering a residence he had been evicted from is now facing an…
New vendor sought to handle recycling collections for county
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Venango County Economic Development Authority was updated on the county’s recycling center at the panel’s monthly meeting Tuesday. Jason…
Biden and Dems scramble to salvage social, climate package
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, along with progressive and moderate Democrats, appears determined to return to the negotiating table with Sen. Joe Manchin, the…
First things first: Steelers searching for early momentum
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The answer to the biggest problem facing the Pittsburgh Steelers is easy. “We’ve got to score points,” coach Mike Tomlin said. More…
Review: Penélope Cruz delivers in ‘Parallel Mothers’
The Associated Press Two women meet in a maternity ward and their lives become inextricably linked in Pedro Almodóvar’s gentle but penetrating “ Parallel Mothers.” It’s…
Recent Deaths 12/23/21
Marjorie Grace Rodgers, 97, of Franklin, died Dec. 21, 2021. Tobias Frazier, 26, of Polk, died Dec. 20, 2021. Robert Lee Neely, 63, of Franklin,…
Pet of the Day 12/22/21
Oakley has a big voice and he loves to use it! This senior boy would thrive in a quiet home with lots of love and…
Poppy Chow
(Family Features) No matter the occasion, nearly every gathering of loved ones is better with snacks. One opportunity to celebrate this winter, National Popcorn Day…
Grinch arrested at local school
Police continue investigation into Rockland homicide
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Franklin state police are continuing their investigation of a homicide that occurred earlier this month in Rockland Township. Peter Bernardo…
Cranberry economic panel eyes new housing development project
By STACEY GROSS Contributing writer The Cranberry Township Economic and Development Committee heard updates Tuesday on the Cranberry Mall, an upcoming outdoor expo, and the…
AP sources: NHL to withdraw from Olympics after COVID surge
The Associated Press The NHL is not sending players to the Beijing Olympics over concerns that the pandemic will disrupt the league’s ability to complete…
Secret Service: Nearly $100B stolen in pandemic relief funds
The Associated Press Nearly $100 billion at minimum has been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs set up to help businesses and people who lost their…