Recent Deaths 12/6/21
Judy L. Lesko, 59, of Titusville, died Dec. 3, 2021. Timothy Alan Bell, 65, of Shippenville, died Dec. 4, 2021. Donald “Doc” Lavely, 82, died…
People can take a walk through Bethlehem in Cooperstown
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The little town of Bethlehem will be coming to life again this year in Cooperstown with animals, bakers, blacksmiths, potters,…
Family’s annual Nick of Time gift drive underway
From staff reports The annual In the Nick of Time campaign, a community project designed to provide area teenagers with holiday gifts, is underway. The…
Michigan parents found in building; bond set at $500K apiece
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A judge imposed a combined $1 million bond Saturday for the parents of the Michigan teen charged with killing four students…
More omicron detected as hospitals strain under delta surge
The Associated Press New York announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the number of state cases linked to…
Guentzel scores 3 in 2nd period, Penguins beat Canucks 4-1
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Jake Guentzel scored three goals in the second period and added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vancouver…
Late musician Tom Petty receives posthumous Ph.D. for music
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Nearly two decades after earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more than four years after…
Mega Toy Give-Away planned for Dec. 8
From staff reports Hand In Hand and Galloway Church have partnered together to give away toys and clothes to friends and neighbors in Venango County….
Franklin sets leaf pick up
From staff reports Fallen leaves will be picked up by Franklin city workers next week in the following areas: Monday — Franklin Heights. Tuesday —…
Time is no ally as Dems strain to finish Biden’s $2T bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — If President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion social and environment package was a Broadway show, its seven months on Congress’ stage could qualify…
Chief: Michigan suspect’s parents found hiding in building
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The parents of a teen accused of killing four students in a shooting at Oxford High School were found hiding in…
Nearing 100, Betty White’s life is a page-turner in new book
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photo of Betty White, with dimpled smile and guileless gaze, fills the cover of a coffee table book arriving the…
Recent Deaths 12/4/21
Bonnie Lou Pfendler, 76, of Franklin, died Dec. 1, 2021. David Charles Heckathorne, 63, of Oil City, died Dec. 1, 2021. Clifford “Cliff” Spence, 76,…
Pet of the Day 12/3/21
Hi, I’m Casper, aren’t I so handsome? I am what you might call an escape artist. Fences won’t hold me, and I think that running…
Hummus Deviled Eggs
(Family Features) Gathering your team to plan for a truly memorable game day at home starts with almost everyone’s favorite part of the festivities: the…
It’s All About Perception
Last week we talked about differing realities, and how they can complicate the important work of relationship-building between redevelopment partners. This week we’re going to…
Franklin woman killed in Crawford County crash
From staff reports A Franklin woman was killed in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 79 in Vernon Township, Crawford County. Meadville state police…
Nick of Time event scheduled Dec. 12
From staff reports The annual In the Nick of Time campaign, a community project designed to provide area teenagers with holiday gifts, is underway. Gifts…
Senate passes stopgap funding bill, avoiding shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a stopgap spending bill that avoids a short-term shutdown and funds the federal government through Feb. 18 after…
Fading Steelers reeling as AFC North-leading Ravens visit
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger knew what was coming. Call it the byproduct of nearly two decades spent in the familiar rhythms of an NFL…
Review: Steven Spielberg’s rousing ‘West Side Story’ revival
The Associated Press We’re so rife with reboots and remakes today that it can take a moment to gauge just what Steven Spielberg’s “West Side…
Recent Deaths 12/3/21
Arlene L. Holzschuh, 79, of Titusville, died Dec. 2, 2021. Cindy Jo Seigworth, 58, of Shippenville, died Dec. 1, 2021. Matilda “Tillie” Sarah Nugent Beichner,…
Pet of the Day 12/2/21
Hi, I am Rory, they also call me a wiggle butt! I have a stub instead of a tail so I can’t help but wag…
Cast-Iron Smoked Queso Dip
(Family Features) Gathering your team to plan for a truly memorable game day at home starts with almost everyone’s favorite part of the festivities: the…
Backer elected Franklin School Board president
By STACEY GROSS Contributing writer Sabrina Backer was unanimously elected president of the Franklin School Board at the panel’s reorganization meeting Wednesday night. Backer was…
Local insurance agency holding Christmas food drive
From staff reports With so many challenges this year, staff members at TGIF Solutions — McMahan Brothers Insurance say they want to make sure hunger…
Justices signal they’ll OK new abortion limits, may toss Roe
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the biggest challenge to abortion rights in decades, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Wednesday signaled they would allow states to…
Michigan teen, 15, charged in Oxford High School shooting
OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The parents of a teenager accused of killing four students at a Michigan school were summoned to discuss his behavior…
McDavid, Hyman lead Oilers past Penguins 5-2
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid had a goal and three assists, Zach Hyman scored twice and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2…
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree: Rockefeller tree lit up
NEW YORK (AP) — The holly, jolly, best time of the year got a light-filled launch Wednesday when the towering Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center…
Recent Deaths 12/2/21
Mary R. Hardwick, 92, died Nov. 3, 2021. Douglas L. Yurkanin, 60, of Franklin, died Nov. 30, 2021. Florence L. Richburg died Nov. 26, 2021….
Pet of the Day 12/1/21
Hi, they call me Meatball, affectionately of course. I don’t like to be in crates, I would rather be with you. My front leg is…
Pulled Beef and Slaw Sliders
(Family Features) Gathering your team to plan for a truly memorable game day at home starts with almost everyone’s favorite part of the festivities: the…
Rent, utilities funding available to Venango Co. residents
From staff reports Venango County has funding available to help county residents catch up on past due balances for rent, mortgage, and private utilities. The…
Food drive planned Saturday at OC fire stations
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A holiday food drive to benefit Community Services of Venango County and the Oil City Salvation Army will be held…
Abortion rights at stake in historic Supreme Court arguments
WASHINGTON (AP) — Abortion rights are on the line at the Supreme Court in historic arguments over the landmark ruling nearly 50 years ago that…
Student shoots, kills 3, wounds 8 at Michigan high school
OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 15-year-old sophomore opened fire at his Michigan high school, killing three students, including a 16-year-old boy who died in…
Mask mandate for K-12 schools remains for now, justices rule
HARRISBURG (AP) — An order requiring masks inside Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools and child care facilities will remain in place while the state Supreme Court considers…
Tomlin: Time for Steelers to put up and shut up
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin believes it’s time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to put up and shut up. Emphasis on shut up. “Talking doesn’t get…
Families turn down Travis Scott offer to pay for funerals
HOUSTON (AP) — Several families of the 10 people who died from injuries in a massive crowd surge at the Astroworld festival have turned down…
Recent Deaths 12/1/21
Arthur Frank Hollabaugh, 73, of Franklin, died Nov. 29, 2021. Rosalita Rose (Rex) Kling, 77, of Clearfield, died Nov. 28, 2021. Robert R. Shaffer, 87,…
Pet of the Day 11/30/21
Hi, my name is Feta. I am a friendly and energetic girl who recently found myself here as a stray. I like to play but…
Thai Cashew Chicken Fried Rice
(Family Features) When tried-and-true family favorites turn stale and boring, digging through cookbooks and sorting through blogs for new recipes may seem far too time-consuming…
Pearl Harbor Remembrances
Dec. 7, 2021, marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. The United States declared war on Japan and, three days…
Conservation Hall inductions scheduled
From staff reports The 2021 Venango County Conservation Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Venango Campus’ Rhoades Center…
COVID-19 testing site hours updated
From staff reports The state Department of Health announced updated hours for two free, drive-up COVID-19 testing sites in Crawford and Jefferson counties. In Crawford…
New variant cause for concern, not panic, Biden tells US
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called the new coronavirus variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said…
Backlund lifts Flames past Penguins in 7-round shootout
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Mikael Backlund scored the deciding goal in the seventh round of a suspenseful shootout and the Calgary Flames beat the Pittsburgh…
NBC hopes the sun will come out with ‘Annie Live!’
NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a famous saying in showbiz: “Never work with children or animals.” NBC is wisely ignoring that as it mounts a…
Recent Deaths 11/30/21
William E. Kightlinger, Jr., 54, of Summit Township, Crawford County, died Nov. 24, 2021. Dana Edward Swab, Sr., 72, of Franklin, died Nov. 26, 2021….