Franklin state police investigate another phone scam
By JIM MEYER – Staff writer Franklin state police investigated yet another phone scam targeting area residents this week, this time by a caller impersonating…
‘Insidious: The Last Key’ review: Horror franchise ups its game
Four films in, the horror franchise “Insidious” deserves recognition for its unusual star, Lin Shaye. It isn’t the character she plays that’s noteworthy — a…
Crosby, Jarry lead Penguins to 4-0 win over Islanders
NEW YORK (AP) — Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins bounced back quickly from a disappointing defeat at home. Crosby had a goal and three…
Recent Deaths 1/6/18
Julie Marie Walentoski, 51, of Oil City, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 Kathryn B. Jackson, 94, a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community, died Wednesday, Jan….
It’s so cold in Florida, iguanas are falling from trees
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It’s so cold in Florida that iguanas are falling from their perches in suburban trees. Temperatures dipped below 40 degrees…
Pet of the day 1/5/18
Violet is a kitten that purrs like a motorboat. She has tested negative for FIV and leukemia and is current on vaccines. She is scheduled…
Escarole and spinach soup
Servings: 8 to 10 Start to finish: 40 minutes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped 3 garlic…
Questionable pasts and bright futures
Local animal rescues and shelters have many animals waiting for homes. Two rabies clinics have also been scheduled for this month, along with spay and…
Titusville Senior Center sets schedule
From staff reports The Titusville Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon for a suggested donation of…
Cold for a Cause polar plunge rescheduled
From staff reports The Cold for a Cause polar plunge scheduled Saturday at Two Mile Run County Park has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24,…
Numerous crashes reported throughout area
By WILLIAM STEVENS Staff writer Numerous weather-related crashes, and even some abandoned vehicles, were reported by both Venango and Clarion County 911 dispatchers Thursday afternoon….
Fundraiser to benefit church restoration
From staff reports Franklin Preservation will hold a Divine Intervention Party from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 Park Way in the…
Hard-line cleric says social media fed Iran protests, unrest
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A hard-line cleric leading Friday prayers in Iran’s capital called on the Islamic Republic to build its own social…
Hurricanes beat struggling Penguins, 4-0
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes helped Cam Ward have a fairly comfortable night in goal against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion…
Sheeran helps music industry hit a high note in 2017
NEW YORK (AP) — Ed Sheeran’s album “Divide” was the most popular album of 2017, helping the music industry enjoy a growth spurt during the…
Recent Deaths 1/5/18
Sheila Brady Nair, 74, died Jan. 2, 2018. Barbara A. Lowrie, 75, of Corsica, died Jan. 3, 2018. Patricia “Trish” A. Keeley, 81, died Jan. 2, 2018….
Local schools closed Friday
Schools closed: Allegheny Clarion Valley Brookville Clarion Area Clarion-Limestone Cranberry Crawford Central Forest Area Franklin Grove City Karns City Keystone Lakeview Moniteau North Clarion Oil…
The benefits to joining a local gym
Resolving to get healthy is a worthy goal. A healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and routine exercise can improve quality of life and…
Pet of the day 1/4/18
Bernie is a male, Husky mix that came to the rescue center as a stray. He appears already neutered, and will be vet checked prior…
Thai chicken coconut curry
Servings: 6 Start to finish: 20 minutes 6 chicken breast cutlets, about 4 ounces each 2 tablespoons red Thai curry paste 1 teaspoon neutral oil…
Man accused of pointing firearms waives hearing
By MARISSA DECHANT Staff writer A Franklin man accused of pointing firearms at people who had parked in front of his Ninth Street residence waived…
Artists may enter items for nature art showcase
From staff reports The third annual Nature Art Showcase will be held Feb. 2-3 in the lobby of the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin during the…
US to end policy that let legal pot flourish
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across…
Review: Bale, landscapes, boost grim ‘Hostiles’
The Associated Press Enemies are thrown together for a perilous journey in “Hostiles ,” an unforgivingly violent and sparse revisionist Western set in 1892 that explores…
Recent Deaths 1/4/18
Esther E. “Tip” O’Brien, 81, of Oil City, died Jan. 3, 2018. Janet “Nanny” L. Eakin, 86, died Jan. 1, 2018. For complete obituaries,…
Oakland Twp. burglary
Cranberry Twp. retail theft
Pet of the day 1/3/18
Squishy is an adorable male older kitten. He tested negative for leukemia and fiv. He gets along with other cats/kittens. He is neutered. Squishy can…
Cauliflower mashed potatoes
Start to finish: 55 minutes (25 minutes hands-on) Servings: 6 1 small head cauliflower (about 2 1/4 pounds), core removed and cut into 1 1/2-inch…
Tax-aide program to be offered in Venango County
Venango County SVP in conjunction with the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be offering free tax preparation services. IRS trained and certified volunteer tax counselors help…
Trump roots on Iran’s protesters, declares ‘time for change’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has thrown the weight of the U.S. government behind the protesters taking to the streets of Iran. President Donald…
Pens surge past Flyers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Phil Kessel and Conor Sheary scored in a four-goal second period to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-1 win over the…
Jessica Chastain: ‘Major change is coming’ to Hollywood
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Hollywood’s first awards show of the new year included a visit from Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot and a promise from…
Recent Deaths 1/3/18
Roberta Mae Asel, 84, of Marienville, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. Donna J. Swacha, 82, of 209 Park Ave., Oil City, died at 2:29 a.m….
Cranberry Twp. hit and run
Oil Creek Twp. accident
History and facts of the signing of the Vietnam Peace Award
The Signing of The Vietnam Peace Award was done on January 27th 1973. Here is some history and hard facts. The United States, South Vietnam,…
Pet of the day 1/2/18
Aries is a 3 year old, female, Pit Bull/Lab mix surrendered to the rescue center when her family was losing their home and she had…
Shrimp and pineapple skewers
Servings: 4 Start to finish: 10 minutes 1 pound large cooked shrimp, cleaned, thawed if frozen 1 cup pineapple cubes, about 1/2-inch each, drained and…
The creative cold
Extreme cold weather has gripped the region and will remain for the foreseeable future or at least as long as the extended forecasts hold. The…
Bone-chilling cold grips wide swath of US, at least 2 deaths
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bone-chilling cold has gripped much of the central U.S. as 2018 opens, breaking century-old records and leading to at least two deaths…
Steelers enter playoffs with depth and momentum
PITTSBURGH (AP) – JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t catch a snap of the 2017 AFC championship game. Life out in Los Angeles was just a little too…
Guy Fieri’s Times Square restaurant closes for good
NEW YORK (AP) — A restaurant run by television star and celebrity chef Guy Fieri in the heart of New York City’s Times Square has…
Recent Deaths 1/2/18
Francis Paul “Frank” Johnson, 84, of 118 E. Walnut St., Titusville, passed away at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. Pearl Lucy Snyder, 84,…
Winter artistry
By Sydney Herdle – Staff writer Josh Rowe’s attention to detail has him spending hours in the freezing cold focusing on the intricacy of snowflakes…
Police seeking man wanted for PFA violation
Franklin Industries is celebrating success
By MARISSA DECHANT – Staff writer In the wake of some recent local business closures, one Franklin company is forging a new identity while maintaining…
Extreme cold to test New Year’s revelers; some events iced
Dress in layers, lay off the booze and bring some hand warmers. Those are some of the tips offered for the huge crowd of revelers…
No. 9 Penn State tops No. 12 Washington 35-28 in Fiesta Bowl
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Converting on third downs had been a sore spot at Penn State, so coach James Franklin made it a point of…
‘Phantom Thread’ spins a rich showcase for Day-Lewis
With echoes of “Rebecca” and lavish Max Ophuls productions, writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson spins the tale of an obsessive fashion designer and his…