County looks to get multimodal, Cornplanter work back on track
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Two Venango County construction projects in downtown Oil City – Cornplanter Square and the multimodal transportation hub – came to…
Community Services donations have increased
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Financial donations to help purchase food pantry items have picked up at the Community Services of Venango County agency…
PA deaths associated with coronavirus reach 2,418
HARRISBURG (AP) — State health officials are announcing 64 new deaths associated with the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, bringing the total in the commonwealth to 2,418….
Secretariat wins virtual Kentucky Derby
The Associated Press Secretariat won a virtual Kentucky Derby against 12 fellow Triple Crown winners, 47 years after the chestnut colt won the real race…
Legal drama ‘All Rise’ adapts to pandemic for season finale
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The legal drama “All Rise” has become the first U.S. scripted television series to adapt the the pandemic by producing an…
OC employee Cook honored as he retires after 41 years
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer A motorcade of honking cars and cheering riders snaked past Rick Cook’s house on Oil City’s Englewood Avenue on…
Virus restrictions to be eased in 24 counties
HARRISBURG (AP) — About 1.5 million Pennsylvania residents will be able to freely leave their homes next week, and retail shops and other businesses will…
NASCAR to resume season May 17 with seven races in 10 days
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR plans to restart its engines with a flurry of races at two historic tracks. NASCAR said Thursday it is set…
Winfrey, Roberts appear in global virus relief livestream
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oprah Winfrey keeps updated with the coronavirus news, but she has often focused her attention more on the positive “acts of…
Recent Deaths 5/2/20
Mary Jane Hook, 88, of Franklin, died April 30, 2020. Don A. Clark, 92, died May 1, 2020 Lois K. Mays, 76, of Tionesta, died…
Caramelized Sweet Onion Hummus
(Family Features) Whether you’re hosting a houseful of guests or simply keeping your family’s hunger at bay before dinner, appetizers can be a home chef’s…
Pet of the Day
I was saying to myself just this morning, “Huey,” I said, “Huey, you know what you need? You need a person all your own.” So…
PUC approves plan for new ‘overlay’ in 814 area code
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted 4-0 Thursday to approve a year-long implementation plan leading to the start of a new “overlay”…
Route 8 work to start Monday
From staff reports All lanes of Route 8 southbound are expected to be closed from the intersection of Route 8 and the Polk Cutoff Road…
Governor prepares to relax mass restrictions in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf was preparing to announce Friday which parts of Pennsylvania will see some relief from his strictest orders for residents…
Little League World Series canceled for first time
WILLIAMSPORT (AP) — This year’s Little League World Series and the championship tournaments in six other Little League divisions have been canceled because of the…
‘Goonies’ cast, ‘Flintstones’ rescue TV viewers in pandemic
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josh Gad had a notion about what might soothe the kid in him during a scary time and maybe do the…
Recent Deaths 5/1/20
Janet Lynn Hudock, 52, of Cochranton, died April 28, 2020. Ethel M. Lechner, 98, of Marble, died April 30, 2020. Charles J. Wilson, 82, of…
Taco-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
(Family Features) Maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes a variety of commitments, from exercising to eating right. However, serving up healthy meals doesn’t have to be…
Pet of the Day 4/30/20
January, a domestic medium hair, is a young female. She has pale green eyes and a beautiful orange coat. January likes gentle pettings and prefers…
Sugarcreek crash
Cranberry’s Virtual Spirit Week: A Time of Reconnection
By HANNAH NIEDERRITER Student contributor With the national lockdown and minimal interaction between people due to COVID-19, Cranberry Junior Senior High School’s Student Council and…
OC middle school students advance in competition
From staff reports A group of seven students from Oil City Middle School competed in a regional contest in a program titled “What’s So Cool…
Stamp Out Hunger food drive postponed
From staff reports The annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been…
Nursing homes stricken as death toll tops 2,000
HARRISBURG (AP) — COVID-19 has killed hundreds more Pennsylvania nursing home residents than was previously known, state health officials reported Wednesday, underscoring the threat at…
Leading plan for NHL return includes empty rinks
The Associated Press Get used to the concept of pods and pucks if the NHL is going to have any chance of completing its season,…
Netflix’s ‘The Half of It’ wins Tribeca Film Festival honor
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alice Wu’s “The Half of It,” a teenage spin on Cyrano de Bergerac, has won the top award from the Tribeca…
Recent Deaths 4/30/20
Catherine M. Baker, 91, of Oil City, died April 29, 2020. Jean L. Best, 70, of Shippenville, died April 28, 2020. Michael Alexander Conner, 26,…
Remember the 10 essentials when day hiking
It’s the difference between going on a week-long vacation and going on an afternoon picnic at the local park. You put a lot of time…
Thai Coconut Lime Freezer Chicken
(Family Features) If spending additional time in the comfort of your home has you rethinking the family menu and looking for new ways to enjoy…
Pet of the Day 4/29/20
I’m a squishmallow of a cat who loves people and attention. So my name Little Girl came from when I was younger. I was slim,…
2 charged for breaking into Halyday Run home
From staff reports Two Oil City residents are facing charges for breaking into a residence Tuesday morning on Halyday Run Road. Franklin state police said…
Taste of Talent audition packets are due May 6
From staff reports The Franklin Fine Arts Council is accepting audition packets for its annual Taste of Talent competition. While the council isn’t sure yet…
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…