Obama administration to phase out private prisons
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration announced Thursday it will phase out its use of some private prisons, affecting thousands of federal inmates and immediately…
Naked Donald Trump statues appear in U.S. cities
NEW YORK (AP) – It’s Donald Trump like he’s never been seen before. Life-size naked statues of the Republican presidential nominee greeted passers-by in New…
Steelers struggle again
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Landry Jones threw four interceptions and the Philadelphia Eagles capitalized. Nolan Carroll’s 38-yard interception return for a score was…
Recent Deaths 8/19/16
Byron Allen Enos, 82, of Pleasantville, died Aug. 18, 2016. Betty P. Fenstermaker, 93, of Sligo, formerly of Clarion and Kingsville, died Aug. 17, 2016. David…
Twitter suspends 360K accounts over ‘violent extremism’
NEW YORK (AP) — Twitter said Thursday it has suspended 360,000 accounts since mid-2015 for violating its policies banning the promotion of terrorism and violent…
Pet of the day 8/18/16
Name: Outlaw Breed: Retriever, Labrador Mix Age: 4 years Size: Medium Color: Brown Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Outlaw can be found at Venango County Humane…
Slippery Rock Burglary
Cranberry Walmart theft
CUP’s Whitney launches newest 500-day plan
By TOM DISTEFANO Staff writer CLARION – Clarion University President Karen Whitney has traditionally issued a list of goals and desired outcomes for 19 months…
Eroding Alaska island village votes to move to mainland
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Residents of a tiny island village in Alaska that has been ravaged by erosion blamed on climate change have voted to…
Pirates finish off sweep of Giants
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Andrew McCutcheon had two hits, including a two-run homer, pinch-hitter Matt Joyce had a key two-run single, and the Pittsburgh Pirates…
How violinist Lindsey Stirling learned to be brave
NEW YORK (AP) — Electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling’s emotional roller coaster of a year included the death of her best friend and keyboardist and learning…
Recent Deaths 8/18/16
Glenn O. Beck, 89, of Franklin, formerly of Oil City, died Aug. 17, 2016. Richard “Rick” Adam Schiffer, 68, formerly of Oil City, died Aug. 9, 2016….
OC School District relics could be learning tool
By SAXON DAUGHERTY Staff Writer A few plaques that were once placed on Oil City Area School District facilities might now be used to educate…
Pet of the day 8/17/16
Name: Cole Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 3 months Sex: Male Size: Small Color: Black Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Cole can be found at Venango…
Oil Creek Twp. DUI crash
Franklin assault
Cranberry questions practicality of money earmarked for cyber schools
By SALLY BELL Staff writer Cyber charter schools produce too little bang for too much buck. That was the consensus among Cranberry Area School District…
Vintage motorcycle club revved for run
By JON HAAG Staff Writer The Allegheny Mountain chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America will begin its annual motorcycle run in Oil City…
Staying ahead of the mold, residents salvage what they can
GONZALES, La. (AP) — The heartbreaking task of sorting through waterlogged belongings and ripping out carpets and drywall is kicking into high gear in flood-wracked…
Bell’s appeal, status still a mystery
PITTSBURGH (TNS) – Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell doesn’t know when his appeal of the four-game suspension the NFL handed down for a violation…
Kevin Smith slams online criticism of his daughter
The Associated Press Director Kevin Smith is taking on an online troll who called his daughter “ugly” and “talentless” and wished her dead on Instagram….
Recent Deaths 8/17/16
Evelyn L. Whitling, 95, formerly of Seneca, died Aug. 12, 2016. Dale F. Kirkpatrick, 84, of Strattanville, died Aug. 15, 2016. Theresa Nina Zollner Yost Mancini,…
The untold heart
I have known coach Tom Haynes for almost 20 years. Sounds funny saying that, but it’s true. I followed his Cochranton Cardinals from dismal seasons…
What do you publish, what is fair?
Early last week I heard that presidential candidate Donald J. Trump was planning a stop in Erie on Friday. I had planned on taking the…
Pennsylvania attorney general resigns
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Kathleen Kane, Pennsylvania’s first elected female attorney general, announced her resignation Tuesday, a day after being convicted of abusing the…
Pet of the day 8/16/16
Name: Lemon Drop Breed: Beagle mix Age: 3 years Sex: Male Size: Small Color: White/ Tan Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Lemon Drop can be found…
You’re yellow
While the statement “you’re yellow” is not a compliment, the color yellow seems to complement the summer season. It is evident in the blazing sun…
Knox Borough criminal mischief
Vehicle strikes deer in Oil Creek Twp.
Man charged with assaulting pregnant woman
By SAXON DAUGHERTY Staff writer An Oil City man has been charged with felony aggravated assault after being accused of injuring a pregnant woman last…
Program helps curb Franklin school’s disciplinary problems
By JON HAAG Staff writer When Christina Cohlhepp came on as principal at Franklin Area Middle School in the 2012-13 school year she saw a…
Attorney General Kane is found guilty in perjury case
NORRISTOWN (AP) – The state’s attorney general was convicted Monday of all nine charges against her in a perjury and obstruction case related to a…
NFL threatens to suspend 4 players
NEW YORK (AP) – The NFL is still seeking an audience with the four linebackers it’s investigating for an alleged link to performance-enhancing drugs. The…
Bieber axes Instagram amid war with Gomez fans
The Associated Press Justin Bieber has gone nuclear in his war with fans of ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez by deleting his Instagram account. Bieber posted several…
Recent Deaths 8/16/16
William Lee Tenney, 56, of Oil City, died Aug. 13, 2016. Dan Patrick McDonough Sr., 64, of Cooperstown, died Aug. 14, 2016. Mary L. Elder,…
Museum exhibit features local organizations
From staff reports The Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry is hosting an exhibit that celebrates many local organizations. The exhibit highlights the Belles…
Pet of the day 8/15/16
Name: Minee Breed: Domestic Shorthair mix Age: 3 months Sex: Male Size: Small Color: White/ black Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption price: $40.00 Minee can…
VFW and VA to hold Facebook chat
* VFW to Host Facebook Chat on Vet Centers: On Aug. 17, 2016, from 7-8 p.m., the VFW and VA will host a video tour…
Colwell Campground burglary
Limestone Twp. DUI
Madison Twp. bridge work to begin Aug. 22
From staff reports CLARION – Work to replace a bridge on Route 861 that spans Wildcat Run in Madison Township, Clarion County, is scheduled to…
Water everywhere, Louisiana residents struggle for dry land
WALKER, La. (AP) — Barbara Manuel saw a flicker of sun and that gave her hope that the worst of the horrific flooding to hit…
Pirates take rubber game from L.A.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Josh Harrison and Adam Frazier each had four hits, Sean Rodriguez homered and had four RBIs and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled…
Adele: I won’t sing at Super Bowl; show ‘not about music’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Adele says she turned down an offer to perform at the 2017 Super Bowl halftime show. The…
Recent Deaths 8/15/16
June E. Robinson, 84, of Franklin, died Aug. 12, 2016. Joshua J. Kuntz, 40, of West Hickory, died Aug. 12, 2016. Beverly A. Beach, 61,…
In Olympics, a first for Puerto Rico and 23rd for Phelps
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Michael Phelps claimed his 23rd gold medal. Puerto Rico won its first ever. And Jamaica got its first gold of…
Venango voter director says summer has been busy
By BETH PFOHL Staff writer Venango County’s voter registration director says her office has been busy this summer as more residents are seeking applications to…
Tour de Franklin
The Tour de Franklin will be held as part of the Rock in River Festival on Saturday, Aug. 20. The ride will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the…
Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in ‘Star Wars,’ dead at 81
LONDON (AP) — Kenny Baker played the lovable droid R2-D2 in the “Star Wars” films, achieving cult status and fans’ adulation without showing his face…