Review: ‘Matrix Resurrections’ rewrites its programming
The Associated Press How deep does the rabbit hole go? Deep enough, it turns out, to accommodate at least four movies, several videogames, a comic,…
Recent Deaths 12/22/21
Cornelius G.W. Stover, 86, of Knox, died Dec. 20, 2021. Robert N. “Bob” Botts, 80, of Oil City, died Dec. 20, 2021. Elaine R. Adam,…
Pet of the Day 12/21/21
Leo is a very sweet boy who needs a patient loving home. He got into some trouble with paint in his last home. Leo is…
Chocolate Dipped Candied Orange Peels
Consider these tips from the entertaining experts at Sunkist and food blogger, podcaster, and TV host Brandi Milloy for a fresh spin on your festivities….
Man killed in Irwin Township crash
From staff reports One person was killed in a one-vehicle crash in Irwin Township that apparently occurred overnight Sunday, according to Venango County 911. The…
Franklin names home decorating competition winners
From staff reports Franklin has announced the winners of its “Get Lit” Christmas home decorating competition. The first-place winner is Michael Fulmer of 726 Grant…
Biden to pledge 500M free COVID-19 tests to counter omicron
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the omicron variant on the march, President Joe Biden plans to announce 500 million free rapid tests for Americans, increased support…
NHL shuts down Wednesday through Saturday; 5 games postponed
The Associated Press The NHL is beginning a leaguewide shutdown Wednesday amid a rise in positive COVID-19 test results among players, and with 10 of…
Smoke and mirror Steelers somehow still alive in AFC North
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t make any sense. They can’t run the ball. They can’t stop the run. They can’t score a ton…
Blanchett, del Toro on the femme fatale of ‘Nightmare Alley’
NEW YORK (AP) — With a touch of Barbara Stanwyck, a sumptuous Art Deco office, and a deadly shade of crimson lipstick, Cate Blanchett plays…
Recent Deaths 12/21/21
Winifred A. Black, 85, of Franklin, died Dec. 16, 2021. Cornelius G.W. Stover, 86, of Knox, died Dec. 20, 2021. Scott A. Salser, 59, of…
Pet of the Day 12/20/21
Poplar is a cuddlebug. She loves attention and head rubs. She can be playful, but often you’ll find her curled up for a nap on…
Baked Camembert Wreath with Navel Orange and Cranberry
(Family Features) Despite a busy holiday schedule, you can take the stress out of entertaining and cooking by planning ahead and simplifying your menu. Consider…
Congress Passes FY 2022 NDAA
The House and Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA). This includes a 2.7 percent pay raise for service members;…
St. Joseph Church renovations
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Oil City is undergoing extensive renovations. The renovations to the sanctuary include painting and…
Manchin upends Biden’s agenda, won’t back $2 trillion bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin all but delivered a death blow to President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion domestic initiative, throwing his party’s agenda…
Spidey nets 3rd best opening of all time with $253 million
The Associated Press Never underestimate your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, even with a mutating virus afoot. Despite rising concerns over the omicron variant, “Spider-Man: No Way…
Tennessee two-step: Sloppy Titans fall once again
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The sight of the ball bounding out of his grasp is becoming far too familiar to Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill. So is…
Penguins beat Devils 3-2 for 7th straight victory
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Danton Heinen, Teddy Blueger, and Mike Matheson scored in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ seventh straight win, beating the New Jersey Devils 3-2…
Decision on Times Square New Year’s Eve event due this week
NEW YORK (AP) — The fate of the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square will be decided this week. New York City Mayor…
Recent Deaths 12/20/21
Charles L. “Charlie” Burk, 79, of Franklin, died Dec. 19, 2021. Christopher L. Burns, 47, of Oil City, died Dec. 17, 2021. Joseph L. “Chief”…
Oil City man, woman charged in methamphetamine case
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A man and a woman are each facing charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine in the Venango County area. On…
Local schools: No issues after TikTok scare
By STACEY GROSS Contributing writer A rash of viral videos on Thursday sparked large responses at school districts nationally, including in the Oil Region. A…
Typhoon deaths in Philippines top 100, mayors plead for food
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The governor of an island province in the central Philippines said Sunday at least 72 people died in the devastation wrought…
Hits ‘keep coming’: Hospitals struggle as COVID beds fill
DETROIT (AP) — Hospitals across the country are struggling to cope with burnout among doctors, nurses and other workers, already buffeted by a crush of…
Paul Rudd hosts ‘SNL’ sans audience, Charli XCX
NEW YORK (AP) — People’s Sexiest Man Alive of 2021 was indeed inducted into the vaunted Five-Timers Club on “Saturday Night Live,” but the surging…
Homicide charges filed in double fatal Redbank crash
By RODNEY L. SHERMAN Clarion News editor A 29-year-old Tarentum man has been charged with numerous offenses, including two counts of criminal homicide, stemming from…
CATA to revise fare structure
From staff reports Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA) will revise the fixed route bus fare and bus pass structure in Venango and Crawford counties effective…
Surging COVID-19 cases bring a 2020 feel to the end of 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. officials intensified calls Friday for unvaccinated Americans to get inoculated in the face of the new omicron variant that contributed…
Carter scores in OT as Penguins top Subban, Sabres 3-2
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Malcolm Subban made a save so spectacular, it left the Pittsburgh Penguins muttering to themselves. Not that it mattered in the end….
Hope, challenges amid surge of funds to plug abandoned wells
PITTSBURGH (AP) — State environmental regulators have spent years ringing alarms about the scourge of abandoned oil and gas wells littering Pennsylvania’s landscape. The biggest…
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ snags eye-popping $50M in previews
NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time since the pandemic began, the box office is booming. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” grossed $50 million in…
Recent Deaths 12/18/21
Charlotte “Joyce” Dorothy Sherman, 83, of Shippenville, died Dec. 16, 2021. Virginia J. Matthews, 82, of St. Petersburg, died Dec. 16, 2021. William “Bill” Walter…
Former Oil City resident indicted in Spanky’s robbery
From staff reports A former resident of Oil City has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of Hobbs Act robbery…
Window contest winners announced
From staff reports The Franklin Fine Arts Council, Franklin Retail & Business Association, and Galaxy Federal Credit Union announced the winners of their Franklin Downtown…
Biden acknowledges $2T bill stalled, but vows it will pass
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has all but acknowledged negotiations over his sweeping domestic policy package will likely push into the new year, as…
Schools step up security in response to threats on TikTok
The Associated Press Educators announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the country…
Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s ‘Lost Daughter’ is a stunner
The Associated Press Motherhood. It’s such a rich subject for art to ponder, you’d think we’d have already seen every kind of mother onscreen. But…
Recent Deaths 12/17/21
Orville L. Gadsby, 88 of Polk, died Dec. 15, 2021. Thomas Lee Bickel, of Polk, died Dec. 15, 2021. Margaret M. “Peg” Shuffstall, 64, of…
Hutchinson co-sponsors bill to halt closure of Polk State Center
From staff reports The state Senate passed legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Scott Hutchinson, that would keep Polk State Center open for a minimum of five…
Oil Creek Titusville Lines to receive funding
From staff reports On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of $33 million for 25 rail freight improvement projects that will enhance freight mobility…
Biden pledges ‘whatever it takes’ to assist tornado victims
DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday pledged to do “whatever it takes, as long as it takes” to help Kentucky and…
Pennsylvania asks FEMA for help with COVID surge
The Associated Press Pennsylvania asked the federal government on Wednesday to send health care workers to hospitals and nursing homes that are increasingly under stress…
Review: ‘Nightmare Alley’ serves up a lavish modern noir
The Associated Press A title like “ Nightmare Alley,” especially when paired with a filmmaker like Guillermo del Toro, suggests a certain kind of movie. Del…
Recent Deaths 12/16/21
V. Dewayne Doutt, 91, of Polk, died Dec 14, 2021. Thomas F. Siegel, 67, of Tionesta, died Dec. 13, 2021. For complete obituaries, pick…
Theft from motor vehicles
A Step-By-Step Guide for Growing Microgreens at Home
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many to stay home and avoid social activities. Besides the fear of infection, psychologists are observing a negative impact on…
VFW Testifies Before house Subcommittee
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a hearing on removing barriers to homeownership for veterans. VFW National Legislative Associate Director Emily DeVito…
Daughters of the American Revolution award
Laura Reasoner Jones, right, was awarded the National Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award for excellence in founding and dedicating years of service…
Police warn of scams involving payment applications
From staff reports Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents to be vigilant about scams involving peer-to-peer payment applications (apps) like Zelle, Venmo, and Cashapp. A…