State preps reopening without mass testing capacity
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration plans to announce Friday which parts of Pennsylvania will begin seeing a step-by-step relaxation of coronavirus-related shutdown directives,…
Steelers exercise 2021 option on All-Pro LB T.J. Watt
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have picked up the fifth-year option on All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Watt, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in the 2017…
Review: Horror flick ‘The Wretched’ wastes some good ideas
The Associated Press You can thank “The Wretched” if you suddenly want to add another item to stock up with during this pandemic: salt. That’s…
Recent Deaths 4/29/20
Salome “Sally” M. Krasowski, 87, formerly of Jefferson Street, Oil City, died April 27, 2020. Wesly J. Dine, 87, of Knox, died April 28, 2020….
Maple Breakfast Braid
(Culinary.net) It’s hard to beat a fresh, oven-baked breakfast to start the day, especially one loaded with sausage and eggs complemented by the sweetness of…
Pet of the Day 4/28/20
Helloooooo nice person! I’m Acadia; who are you? You say you’re looking for a cat??? That’s amazing! Because I am a cat! You knew I…
Franklin PD phone number used in scam
OC police looking for suspects in shooting during home invasion
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer Oil City police are still looking for suspects in connection with an armed home invasion that happened at about 2…
Franklin OKs some capital fund projects
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer Franklin School Board members approved a number of financial matters during their virtual meeting Monday. In preparation for discussions on…
Pennsylvanians get governor’s OK to resume golfing, boating
HARRISBURG (AP) — Golfers, boaters, anglers and campers got some good news Monday when Gov. Tom Wolf announced some restrictions on those outdoor activities will…
AFC North has new look, though Ravens still the team to beat
The Associated Press Following a season in which Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens ran away with the AFC North title, the rest of the…
New this week: Netflix teen romances, Chesney, JoJo albums
The Associated Press It’s good to see familiar faces and hear familiar voices, and several are returning this week in ways retro and new. JoJo,…
Recent Deaths 4/28/20
Ida L. (Early) Deitz, 81, of East Brady, died April 26, 2020. Carolyn June Hartley, 89, of Brookville, died April 26, 2020. Mary C. Heintz,…
Spinach-Ham Dip
(Culinary.net) Perfect for afternoon snacking or as an appetizer, this Spinach-Ham Dip is warmed inside a bread bowl and can be served with bread cubes,…
Pet of the Day 4/27/20
Hi, I’m ready. Ready to have kittens? No way! I’m spayed and beyond kitten bearing age, so no little fluffballs for me! I mean I’m…
Sugarcreek crash
VFW National Convention in Reno is Cancelled
On Monday, the VFW announced that the 121st VFW National Convention scheduled to be held in July in Reno, Nevada, has been officially canceled. The…
State elaborates on reopening criteria
From staff reports The Wolf administration on Saturday elaborated on the state’s plan to reopen portions of Pennsylvania based on Department of Health metrics. According…
State’s black fly control includes area counties
From staff reports The state Department of Environmental Protection began its 2020 black fly suppression program last week. The program involves aerial and backpack spraying…
State: Deaths associated with coronavirus now stand at 1,550
HARRISBURG (AP) — State health officials say more than 1,500 deaths in Pennsylvania are now associated with the coronavirus pandemic. The state health department on…
NFL draft averages record 8.4M viewers across 3 days
The Associated Press Seth Markman was just as nervous as NFL coaches and general managers about the unknown factors involved with a virtual draft. But…
Brad Pitt portrays Fauci in SNL’s 2nd at-home edition
NEW YORK (AP) — Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci in the second at-home episode of “Saturday Night Live,” that featured musical guest Miley Cyrus,…
Recent Deaths 4/27/20
Karen Ann Bartling, 61, of Clarion, died April 25, 2020. Nancy Ruth Boyles Sowers, 87, of Oil City, died April 26, 2020. Janice M. Swartz,…
Cranberry Twp. burglary
Venango swamped with requests for mail-in ballots
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Venango County has been inundated with requests for mail-in ballots in recent weeks. The county had received about 1,800 to…
Celebration parades
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer As informal parades become more and more part of daily life under social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, one local…
Official: Quick return to ‘normal’ unlikely amid reopening
HARRISBURG (AP) — The health secretary of Pennsylvania says people shouldn’t be expecting a quick return to their regular way of life even after pandemic…
Old school: Steelers focus on seniors in draft
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers love to pick younger players. A little more raw material. A little less tread on the tires. In this…
‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Doctor Strange,’ ‘Thor’ shift release dates
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood studios are shuffling more release dates as a result of the coronavirus, including sequels to “Doctor Strange,” “Spider-Man: Far From…
More area liquor stores to offer pickup
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board on Friday announced an additional 11 area Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores will begin offering curbside…
Cranberry board will hold virtual meeting
From staff reports Cranberry School Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Monday via a virtual platform. The meeting will be conducted…
Garden centers, growers struggle in planting-season shutdown
HARRISBURG (AP) — With outdoor planting season in full swing for much of Pennsylvania, many garden centers and the farms that supply their vegetable seedlings…
Pick-Six: Most intriguing players left after Day 2 of draft
The Associated Press The quarterbacks are waiting. After four quarterbacks went off the board in the first round of the NFL Draft, Jalen Hurts of…
Kids’ Choice Awards bringing stars, slime from isolation
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Kids’ Choice Awards will be bringing the slime home. Nickelodeon’s annual show and the signature green slime it pours on…
Recent Deaths 4/25/20
Robert “Ted” Brown died April 21, 2020. Richard G. Fagley, 79, of New Bethlehem, died April 24, 2020. Kevin T. Ross, 66, of Franklin, died…
Assault by prisoner
Attempted homicide in Tidioute
Enchilada Casserole
(Culinary.net) If your family is looking for a simple way to serve up a south-of-the-border classic, this Enchilada Casserole can be your ticket to a…
Pet of the Day 4/24/20
Chop says “Look deeply into my eyes…” He knows that one look at those beautiful peepers will melt your heart, and you won’t be able…
Applicants coming forward for help from virus relief fund
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer A network designed to help Venango County residents obtain assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic is in place and…
People who need social services can dial 2-1-1
From staff reports What is called the 2-1-1 service was launched by the United Way of Venango County in May 2017. It is available 24/7…
State slashes virus death toll; reopening explained
HARRISBURG (AP) — The administration of Gov. Tom Wolf cautioned Thursday that a declining case count is just one factor that officials will consider in…
Pick-Six: Intriguing players available on Day 2 of NFL draft
The Associated Press Six wide receivers were taken in the first round of the NFL draft and another half dozen could go on Day 2,…
Review: In ‘Bad Education,’ a gripping suburban crime saga
The Associated Press “A town is only as good as its school system.” That phrase, uttered by Hugh Jackman’s beloved school superintendent Frank Tassone, has…
Recent Deaths 4/24/20
Frederick N. “Bart” Bartholme, 86, of Mason, Ohio, died April 15, 2020. Barbara J. McCullough, 77, of Rimersburg, died April 22, 2020. William Rulison Pixley,…
Cheesy Baked Mushroom Chicken
(Culinary.net) A quick and easy way to get comfort food on your dinner table is this recipe for Cheesy Baked Mushroom Chicken. Add some green…
Pet of the Day 4/23/20
Tulip, a Domestic Medium Hair, is a 2 year old female. She’s a cream tabby point with an angular head and dark eyes. Tulip is…
Some county employees take voluntary furlough
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Venango County gave its employees the option of a voluntary furlough, and earlier this month about 10% of the workers…
Distribution set Monday at Cranberry Food Pantry
From staff reports The Cranberry Food Pantry will have a food distribution from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday at the former Cranberry High School. People…
Gov. Wolf lays out coronavirus reopening plan
HARRISBURG (AP) — Residents of northcentral and northwestern Pennsylvania are projected to be the first in the state to be released from Gov. Tom Wolf’s…