Coming Together to Make Change
In the last column, I mentioned the creation of a regional coalition of redevelopment partners. I threw out some soundbites like “innovation ecosystem” and “regional…
Sugarcreek crash
United Way will offer walk-in vaccine clinics
From staff reports The United Way of Venango County will hold two walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics next week. The first will be held from 9…
Franklin to hold Light-Up Night
From staff reports Franklin will hold its annual holiday Light-Up Night on Saturday, Nov. 20. The event features a parade, fireworks, music, and more. The…
COVID-19 hot spots offer sign of what could be ahead for US
The Associated Press The contagious delta variant is driving up COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Mountain West and fueling disruptive outbreaks in the North, a worrisome…
Carter, Jarry lead Penguins to shootout win vs Panthers
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry is well aware he’s struggled in shootouts this season. Jarry took a significant step forward against the Florida…
Who’s going back to the movies? So far, not everyone
NEW YORK (AP) — The movies are clawing their way back in theaters, but, so far, not everyone is showing up like they used to….
Recent Deaths 11/12/21
Mary (Yori) Blair, 88, of New Bethlehem, died Nov. 9, 2021. Joyce Yvonne Botts, 78, of Oil City, died Nov. 10, 2021. Steven A. Huff,…
Suspicious person
Domestic incident
Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about a main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering…
Pet of the Day 11/11/21
Kora is a friendly high-energy young dog! She seems to be mostly Australian cattle dog, and they need to keep busy. She has been a…
Fall is best time to plant most trees, shrubs and perennials
The green buds that emerge with the first warm days of April cannot help but inspire winter-weary gardeners, so it’s no wonder that spring is…
Cochranton woman charged with homicide in adoptive son’s death
From staff reports A Cochranton woman has been charged with homicide in connection with the death of her adoptive son. Mary Eileen Diehl, 62, was…
Seventh Street students decorate flag
Second-, third- and fourth-grade students at Seventh Street Elementary School in Oil City, under the direction of their art teacher Pamela Marterella, created a huge…
OC firefighters distribute 600 children’s coats
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Oil City Fire Department distributed about 600 coats for children in need to all the school districts in Venango…
‘Strong’ start to kids vaccine campaign, but challenges loom
WASHINGTON (AP) — The campaign to vaccinate elementary school-age children in the U.S. is off to a strong start, health officials said Wednesday, but experts…
Court throws out gov.’s school mask mandate, appeal filed
HARRISBURG (AP) — An order by Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary that requires masks inside K-12 schools and child care facilities was thrown out Wednesday by…
Penguins’ COVID-19 outbreak easing as 2 return to practice
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins may be nearing the end of a COVID-19 outbreak that’s sent eight players and head coach Mike Sullivan into…
Chris Stapleton takes 6 at CMA Awards, Combs wins top prize
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Stapleton was the big winner with six trophies including song and album of the year and Luke Combs claimed the…
Recent Deaths 11/11/21
Barbara Jean (Bostwick) Hunt, 87, of New Bethlehem, formerly of East Brady, died Nov. 5, 2021. Nancy V. Lassiter, 80, of Oil City, formerly of…
Thomas carries Sacred Heart over La Salle 86-81 in OT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyler Thomas had 24 points and 11 rebounds as Sacred Heart narrowly defeated La Salle 86-81 in overtime in a season opener…
US jobless claims drop to pandemic low of 267,000
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a new pandemic low 267,000 last week as the job market recovers…
Pet of the Day 11/9/21
Annie is a super wiggly, happy, energetic, friendly girl. She can be dog selective on who she wants to be friends with, lol. The previous…
Apple Oat Crumble and Citrus Caramel Topping
(Family Features) Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about the main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering…
OC woman charged in theft case involving auto
From staff reports An Oil City woman is facing a theft charge for agreeing to take a Franklin man’s vehicle to an automotive shop, missing…
New A&E program takes another look at Shauna Howe case
From staff reports A new television show that has been airing over the last week and a half on the A&E network is taking another…
Tri-county gasoline prices above region’s average cost
From staff reports The average price of gasoline throughout the tri-county area is above the western Pennsylvania average of $3.58, according to AAA East Central’s…
Jan. 6 panel subpoenas 6 more Trump associates in probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — Further expanding its probe, the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection has issued subpoenas to six additional associates of…
Wolf expects to let schools set masking rules in January
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania school districts will be allowed to modify or end the mask mandate for K-12 students in January, Gov. Tom Wolf announced…
Boswell’s late field goal lifts Steelers past Bears 29-27
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin sat down, smiled, and let out a sarcastic laugh. “Had ’em all the way, right?” the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach…
Drones, viral videos help ‘Nature’ thrive after 40 years
NEW YORK (AP) — Forty years ago, the programmers at PBS were eager to experiment, so they took a chance and started a new series…
Recent Deaths 11/9/21
Alletta R. Netzler, 100, of Franklin, died Nov. 8, 2021. Kelly Douglas O’Neil, 32, of Rockland, died Nov. 7, 2021. Jasper (J) Ivan Rhode, 86,…
Pet of the Day 11/8/21
Duck, duck, duck… That’s me! No goose here! I’m super friendly and love to play. I am a bit of a wild child as the…
Walnut Pumpkin Cream Cheese Tart
(Family Features) One of the best parts of the holidays is the aromas and flavors of the season, from walnuts and cinnamon to peppermint and…
VFW Speaks at GWOT Memorial Press Conference
VFW National Veterans Service Director Ryan Gallucci spoke at a press conference on S.535 the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Location Act. This bill…
Venango Archaeology to hold program about Venango Path
From staff reports The Venango Archaeology Chapter will meet at 7 p.m. Friday at the Christ United Methodist Church, 1135 Buffalo St., Franklin. Chuck Williams…
Feds urge schools to provide COVID-19 shots, info for kids
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is encouraging local school districts to host clinics to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to kids — and information to parents…
Steelers, Tomlin embrace challenge of rebuilding on the fly
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Melvin Ingram needed a job. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed depth at outside linebacker, so they took a flyer on the nine-year veteran,…
‘Eternals’ opens with $71M but audience response is mixed
NEW YORK (AP) — “Eternals,” one of Marvel’s most ambitious efforts to expand its superhero universe, arrived in theaters with about $71 million in ticket…
Recent Deaths 11/8/21
Ronald Paul Schwabenbauer, 57, of Clarion, died Nov. 6, 2021. Robert E. George, 68, of Sigel, formerly of Leechburg, died Nov. 5, 2021. Patricia Ann…
New train mural on track for completion
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A new train mural is coming to Oil City. Since Thursday, the familiar mural “I See a Train a Comin’”…
United Way offers financial incentive to get vaccine
By STACEY GROSS Staff writer The United Way of Venango County now has 5,000 more ways to impact vaccine hesitancy in the county. The agency…
Appeals court stays vaccine mandate on larger businesses
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court on Saturday temporarily halted the Biden administration’s vaccine requirement for businesses with 100 or more workers. The…
Roads, transit, internet: What’s in the infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The $1 trillion infrastructure plan that now goes to President Joe Biden to sign into law has money for roads, bridges, ports,…
Bjugstad helps Wild complete comeback vs. Pens
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Minnesota Wild forward Nick Bjugstad capped a frenzied five-minute rally against his former team on Saturday night, scoring the deciding goal in…
Doctor: Misinformation adds to vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women
By STACEY GROSS Staff writer The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nationally about one-third of pregnant women have been vaccinated. That number regionally,…
Franklin VFW offers veterans free lunch
From staff reports Franklin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1835 will offer a free lunch to local veterans on Thursday, which is Veterans Day. Veterans…
Franklin leaf pick-ups will continue
From staff reports The City of Franklin street department will pick up leaves with its vacuum machines next week in the following areas: Monday — Gurney…
Dems end deadlock, House hands Biden infrastructure win
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a $1 trillion package of road and other infrastructure projects after Democrats resolved a months-long standoff between progressives and…