As death toll from Maui fire reaches 93, authorities say effort to count losses just starting
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — As the death toll from a wildfire that razed a historic Maui town reached 93, authorities warned Saturday that the effort…
4 dead, 1 missing after explosion destroys 3 structures in Plum
PLUM, Pa. (AP) — Four people were dead and a fifth was unaccounted for following a house explosion in western Pennsylvania that destroyed three structures…
Franklin to get nearly $315K for traffic signal upgrade
From staff reports Franklin is among 77 communities statewide that will benefit from $35.5 million in grant money to support traffic signal upgrades, according to…
Applications being accepted for Master Gardener training
From staff reports Penn State Extension is accepting applications for its Master Gardener basic training 2023 program in Venango and Clarion counties. The basic training…
Rising political threats take US into uncharted territory as 2024 election looms
DENVER (AP) — This week’s confrontation that ended with FBI agents fatally shooting a 74-year-old Utah man who threatened to assassinate President Joe Biden was…
Pentagon plans to shake up DC’s National Guard
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is developing plans to restructure the National Guard in Washington, D.C., in a move to address problems highlighted by the…
De La Cruz, Maile help the Reds rout Pirates 9-2
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Elly Da La Cruz hit a two-run triple in the first inning and drove in three runs, and Luke Maile belted a…
Recent Deaths 8/12/23
Shirley A. Stewart, 79, of Sandy Lake Township, died Aug. 9, 2023. Richard M. “Rick” Winger, 75, of Titusville, died Aug. 10, 2023. Thelma Stover…
Benefits of Vertical Farming
In our exploration of sustainable landscape practices, we looked at vertical gardens. Now, let’s go bigger and see how that concept has morphed into vertical…
Pet of the Day 8/11/23
Bonnie came to us with a few other cats when their owner could no longer care for them. Shy at first, Bonnie is a true…
Warm-Spiced Chickpeas and Couscous with Grapes and Arugula
(Family Features) When it comes to staying healthy, there is a natural emphasis on physical fitness. However, it’s important to know that nurturing and maintaining…
Oil City approves water sale plan to help out Reno pending DEP OK
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer In response to a letter from the Venango Water Company dated Thursday, Oil City Council members gladly voted Thursday to…
Prosecutors seek Jan. 2 trial date for Trump in 2020 election conspiracy case
The Associated Press Prosecutors with special counsel Jack Smith’s team asked a judge on Thursday to set a Jan. 2 trial date for former President…
Hayes drives in 3 runs as Pirates rally past Braves 7-5
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Coming off a pair of draining, tight losses and facing an early deficit against perhaps the best team in baseball, the Pittsburgh…
Review: Movie version of beach read arrives in Amazon’s ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’
The Associated Press “Red, White & Royal Blue” is a harmlessly enjoyable fantasy rom-com. It’s not Nora Ephron or Nancy Meyers, nor is it really…
Recent Deaths 8/11/23
Laird R. Stevenson, 91, of Marienville, died Aug. 7, 2023. Beatrice “Betty” E. McAlister, 94, of Oil City, died Aug. 3, 2023. John Charles Haubrich…
Pet of the Day 8/10/23
Wonderful Willy came to us as a stray, so we have no history for him. This gorgeous boy was estimated to be around 2 years…
Superfood Pecan Energy Bars
(Family Features) Back-to-school season means many families are busier than ever, leaving less time to plan weeknight meals. While a new school year brings plenty…
Work planned soon on Petroleum Center Road bridge
From staff reports PennDOT will be making repairs in the upcoming weeks to the historic bridge that carries Petroleum Center Road (Route 1004) over Oil…
Drum, bugle corps enjoys OC stop
From staff reports The Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps of Austin, Texas, spent Friday evening through Tuesday morning at Oil City High School as guests…
At least 36 killed on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Thousands of Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as blazes swept across the island, destroying parts of a centuries-old…
Harris scores winning run as Braves top Bucs 6-5
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. slugged three hits and Michael Harris II tagged on a popup to right field and scored on a close…
Disney to boost prices for Disney+, Hulu; vows crackdown on password sharing
The Associated Press Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger vowed to make its streaming services profitable via a planned October price hike on its ad-free…
Recent Deaths 8/10/23
Alberta Violet (Knapp) Bish, 92, of Kingsville, died Aug. 9, 2023. Robert McHenry, 74, of St. Petersburg, died Aug. 8, 2023. For complete obituaries,…
Pet of the Day 8/9/23
Flora recently came to us when her owners could no longer care for her. Flora is an approximately 3-year-old mixed breed, with the cutest underbite!…
Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs
(Family Features) Back-to-school season means many families are busier than ever, leaving less time to plan weeknight meals. While a new school year brings plenty…
Extend the Harvest Season
Extending the harvesting season is the primary method I use to garden year-round. It involves using a variety of methods to harvest fresh food over…
2 charged with endangering 8 children in ‘deplorable’ home
From staff reports A Franklin couple are facing charges after eight young children in their care were found unsupervised and living in a house that…
Event to raise money for water fund scheduled
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer As Reno’s “do not consume” water advisory is set to hit the three-week mark on Friday, the community and Wanango…
European scientists make it official. July was the hottest month on record by far
The Associated Press Now that last month’s sizzling numbers are all in, the European climate monitoring organization made it official: July 2023 was Earth’s hottest month on…
Arcia’s ninth-inning double lifts Braves to 8-6 win over Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Orlando Arcia’s two-run double with two outs in the top of the ninth capped a three-run inning and rallied the MLB-best Atlanta…
Bollywood’s Alia Bhatt makes her Hollywood debut in Netflix’s ‘Heart of Stone’
The Associated Press Alia Bhatt had been weighing her Hollywood options for a few years. A popular star of Hindi films for over a decade with nearly 79…
Recent Deaths 8/9/23
Jacob Eaton Rhoades, 21, of Emlenton, died Aug. 5, 2023. Vern C. Allen, 72, formerly of Franklin, died Aug. 4, 2023. For complete obituaries,…
Pet of the Day 8/8/23
Meet the sweet and handsome Zuma! Zuma is an approximately 9-year-old German shorthaired pointer and Weimaraner mix. He was brought to us when his owner…
Southwest Quiche Muffins Bento Box
(Family Features) The hustle and bustle of back-to-school season can cause chaos in households. Class time, field trips and homework typically rule each day, which…
National Defense Authorization Act Concerns
In comments regarding the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci stated that housing for military families…
Jury selected for Wells trial; opening arguments are today
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Jurors were selected Monday for the murder trial of Oil City man Brandon Wells, and attorneys for both sides will…
Voting open through next week for ORA tourism awards
From staff reports Voting is open now through Friday, Aug. 18, for the 2023 Oil Region Tourism Awards, the third annual contest hosted by the…
US inflation has steadily cooled; Hitting Fed’s target rate will be toughest mile
WASHINGTON (AP) — Over the past year, inflation in the United States has tumbled from 9% all the way to 3%, softening most of the…
Powerful storm kills 2, leaves 1.1 million without power in eastern US
WASHINGTON (AP) — At least two people died, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost…
Pirates hold off the Braves 7-6 after rain delay
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie infielder Liover Peguero had two hits in a six-run third inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates chased Spencer Strider early before holding…
Recent Deaths 8/8/23
Thomas R. “Rich” Loomis, 84, of Oakland Township, died Aug. 5, 2023. Allan E. Wygant, 71, of Oil City, died Aug. 5, 2023. Marjorie J….
Emlenton burglary
Pet of the Day 8/7/23
Meet the handsome and sweet 2-year-old Clyde! Clyde was brought to us with a few other cats when their owner could no longer care for…
Mini Sweet Pepper Sheet Pan Nachos
(Family Features) The hustle and bustle of back-to-school season can cause chaos in households. Class time, field trips and homework typically rule each day, which…
Beith honored during Taste of Talent weekend
By HELEN FIELDING Staff writer During the Taste of Talent semi-finals and finals this weekend, Ronnie Beith, Franklin’s events and marketing coordinator and Taste of…
EPA’s plan to cut auto emissions to slow climate change runs into skepticism
DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government’s most ambitious plan ever to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles faces skepticism both about how realistic…
Rodriguez, Joe slug homers to power Pirates past Brewers 4-1
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Endy Rodriguez and Connor Joe homered to spoil the return of Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff after four months, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates…
‘Barbie’ joins $1 billion club, breaks another record for female directors
The Associated Press Greta Gerwig should be feeling closer to fine these days. In just three weeks in theaters, “Barbie” is set to sail past…
Recent Deaths 8/7/23
Arnold R. Fitzgerald, 90, of Titusville, died Aug. 4, 2023. Margaret J. “Peggy” Yonek, 84, formerly of Pleasantville, died Aug. 5, 2023. Janet C. Smith,…