Cherrytree home destroyed by blaze; no one injured
By HELEN FIELDING Staff writer No injuries resulted from a seven-and-a-half hour structure fire that broke out late Monday evening at 1285 Stone Springhouse Road…
Engineer will evaluate St. Stephen Church property
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer St. Stephen Church in Oil City will be evaluated by a structural engineer on Thursday in the wake of a…
Biden sets tighter standards for deadly soot pollution from tailpipes, smokestacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is setting tougher standards for deadly soot pollution, saying that reducing fine particle matter from tailpipes, smokestacks and other…
Jarry gets NHL-best 6th shutout as Penguins blank slumping Jets 3-0
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tristan Jarry stopped 24 shots in his NHL-leading sixth shutout this season and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the slumping Winnipeg Jets 3-0…
Review: A village in Bhutan learns about democracy and teaches us, too, in ‘Monk and the Gun’
The Associated Press “Why are you teaching us to be so rude?” the elderly village woman asks a Bhutanese election official in “The Monk and the…
Recent Deaths 2/7/24
Barbara A. Wigton, 56, of Lucinda, died Feb. 6, 2024. Bruce Adams, Jr., 75, of New Bethlehem, died Feb. 4, 2024. Barbara L. Sterner, 73,…
Pet of the Day 2/6/24
Chip, the chihuahua mix, came to us as a stray, so we don’t have any background for him. He is approximately 3 years old and…
Refrigerator Rolls
(Family Features) Even if Easter hosting duties fell on your plate this year and added one more thing to your holiday to-do list, that doesn’t…
Cole McMahon Heart of Gold recipient chosen
From staff reports Kamdyn Reagle, a junior at Oil City High School, has been chosen as the recipient of the annual Cole McMahon “Heart of…
Nominations open for FLEX Young Professional of the Year
From staff reports Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals organization of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced that nominations are…
Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubt
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a torrent of criticism from conservatives, Senate Republicans on Monday resisted advancing on a bipartisan proposal intended to clamp down on…
Trump’s fate and an obscure section of the Constitution collide at Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (AP) — From civil rights to privacy, the 14th Amendment has been a foundation for forging the norms of American law and democracy. But…
Toby Keith, country singer-songwriter, dies at 62 after batting stomach cancer
The Associated Press Toby Keith, a hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans, has…
Recent Deaths 2/6/24
Jason L. “Jake” Hoffman died Feb. 4, 2024. Jane S. Hayes, 74, of Titusville, died Feb. 3, 2024. Bruce Edward Adams, Jr., 77, of New…
House Hearing on Survivor Outreach
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held an oversight hearing on gaps in VA’s outreach to survivors for benefits and services. VFW Auxiliary member Gabriella…
Easter Roast
(Family Features) Even if Easter hosting duties fell on your plate this year and added one more thing to your holiday to-do list, that doesn’t…
Pet of the Day 2/5/24
Meet Lee, the friendly young hound mix who is full of love! Lee recently came to us as a stray, so we don’t have any…
Franklin man dies in rollover crash
From staff reports Venango County 911 said that Polk police, and Polk and Sandycreek fire departments responded to the scene of a fatal vehicle rollover…
Grammys are Taylor Swift’s world on a night when women like Cyrus, Mitchell and Chapman also shine
The Associated Press It’s Taylor Swift’s world, and she just allows us to live in it. After weeks where she attracted endless attention for her football star boyfriend and…
Governor to deliver budget while seeking money for higher education and public transit
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro is set to deliver a second budget proposal to Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday with a firmer grasp on how…
‘Argylle,’ with checkered reviews, flops with $18M for the big-budget Apple release
NEW YORK (AP) — Apple has had its first box office flop. “Argylle,” the $200-million star-studded spy thriller from Apple Studios, debuted with $18 million in…
Recent Deaths 2/5/24
Floyd N. Cotherman, 76, of Knox, died Feb. 3, 2024. Robert B. Seth, 87, of Oil City, died Feb. 2, 2024. Rose Marie “Rosie” Clark,…
Seneca man facing numerous charges related to child porn
From staff reports A Seneca man is facing numerous charges for possessing and creating child pornography over the past eight years. A criminal complaint filed…
Aqua continues to operate Venango Water
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer More than six months have passed since a Petro Erie wastewater spill contaminated Bellows Spring, which serves as the source…
House Republicans announce bill that provides more military aid to Israel but leaves out Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans will move forward with a $17.6 billion package that provides military aid to Israel and replenish U.S. weapons, but leaves…
After new US strikes hitting Yemen, Iran issues a warning about suspected spy ships in the Mideast
JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran issued a warning Sunday to the U.S. over potentially targeting two cargo ships in the Mideast long suspected of serving as…
Cancer Society Daffodil Days orders due by Feb. 13
From staff reports Orders and payments for the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days in Venango County are due by Tuesday, Feb. 13. Items available for…
Several programs on tap at Tionesta library
From staff reports The Sarah Stewart Bovard Memorial Library in Tionesta is expanding its programs and offering more opportunities for the public. Here is a…
Iranian-backed militia official downplays the US strikes in Iraq, hints at deescalation
BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi militia official on Saturday hinted at a desire to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East following retaliatory strikes launched by…
Carl Weathers, who starred in ‘Rocky’ movies and ‘The Mandalorian,’ dies
NEW YORK (AP) — Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the…
Recent Deaths 2/3/24
Nancy Louise Cochran, 74, of Oil City, died Feb. 2, 2024. Dennis Luttenauer, 72, of Marienville, died Jan. 29, 2024. Mary Jane Lockett, 92, of…
Pet of the Day 2/2/24
Ruby Tuesday is a very friendly and affectionate two-year-old short hair looking for a new address! This lovely girl is missing some hair due to…
Tart Cherry Brownie Bites
(Family Features) For many, enjoying a small indulgence can serve as a reward for a job well done or a mood-boosting pick-me-up. In fact, mindful…
Public and Private Sectors Join to Benefit Redevelopment
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are collaborative endeavors between government or public entities and private-sector entities. Over the past few decades, PPPs have gained considerable traction as…
Franklin man accused of inappropriate contact with minor
From staff reports A Franklin man is facing charges for inappropriately touching a juvenile girl as well as exposing himself in front of her. Franklin…
Senate is headed for a crucial test vote on new border policies and Ukraine aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will hold a crucial test vote next week on legislation that would pair new policies at the southern border with…
Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring at Groundhog Day festivities
PUNXSUTAWNEY (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring Friday at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania, the scene of the largest and best-known Groundhog Day celebration…
Recent Deaths 2/2/24
Twila Maxine (George) Walters died Feb. 1, 2024. Frank E. Carlson, 94, died Jan. 23, 2024. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of…
Pet of the Day 2/1/24
Meet Pebbles, the gorgeous 2-year-old dilute tortie! Pebbles recently came to us as a stray and we are still getting to know her. One thing…
Tart Cherry Superfood Banana Splits
(Family Features) For many, enjoying a small indulgence can serve as a reward for a job well done or a mood-boosting pick-me-up. In fact, mindful…
Lyric Theatre goal closer
From staff reports A lot of headway was made in 2023 to secure funding needed for rehabilitation of the historic Lyric Theatre in Oil City….
OC Meals on Wheels still serving community, asks for volunteers
From staff reports The Oil City Meals on Wheels program has undergone some recent changes but is still serving the community. The organization has also…
Deal on wartime aid and border security stalls in Congress as time runs short to bolster Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — With time slipping to bolster Ukraine’s defenses, Senate negotiators struggled Wednesday to finalize a bipartisan deal that would pair policy changes at…
Meta, TikTok, other social media CEOs testify in Senate hearing on child exploitation
The Associated Press Sexual predators. Addictive features. Suicide and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards. Bullying. These are just some of the issues young people are…
Review: ‘Argylle’ won’t blow your socks off
The Associated Press A checkered mesh of mysteries have accompanied the release of Matthew Vaughn’s “Argylle.” There is the promoted one: Who is the “real” Agent Argylle?…
Recent Deaths 2/1/24
William Dale “Bill” Kriebel, Sr., 76, of New Bethlehem, died Jan. 30, 2024. Irma Jean Wolfe, 90, of Banks, AR, died Jan. 28, 2024. David…
Pruning Apples and Pears
Generally, fruit trees are pruned to develop a desired tree shape, to improve fruit quality, and to improve air circulation within the tree, which will…
Pet of the Day 1/31/24
Tomato came to us with her mom and two of her siblings. She has spent her time at the shelter growing and playing, and she…
Lemon Garlic Tuna-Stuffed Roasted Mini Sweet Peppers
(Family Features) Achieving your goals each day starts with your own health and well-being, both physically and mentally. To ensure you’ve got the energy needed…
Oil City pair facing forgery, identity theft charges
By AUSTIN GRAY Staff writer An Oil City man and woman are facing charges that include forgery and identity theft for having credit cards and…