Beith tribute among highlights of Franklin concert schedule
From staff reports The sound of summer will return to downtown Franklin on Thursday, June 6, when the city will launch its summer outdoor concert…
House Republicans pass US debt bill, push Biden on spending
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans narrowly passed sweeping legislation Wednesday that would raise the government’s legal debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion in exchange for steep…
State aims to expand breast cancer screenings
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday sent a bill to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk that they say will save lives by helping patients afford…
Gun control measures advance in Pennsylvania state House
HARRISBURG (AP) — Democrats advanced four gun-control bills in Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives on Wednesday, after years of a virtual standstill on legislation amid…
After 13 years in the minors, Pirates’ Maggi makes MLB debut
PITTSBURGH (AP) — After 13 years in the minor leagues, Drew Maggi was greeted with a standing ovation when he made his major league debut…
Beavis and Butt-Head return as wonderfully moronic as ever
NEW YORK (AP) — The 1990s are making a comeback, with scrunchies acceptable again, “Night Court” back on TV and fanny packs and flannel all…
Recent Deaths 4/27/23
Mary Ann Kendrick, 91, of Franklin, died April 26, 2023. Rosalind Mae “Roz” Wagner, 78, of Clarion, died April 25, 2023. For complete obituaries,…
Pet of the Day 4/26/23
Patrick came to us as a beat up cat from a nearby neighborhood. He has been through a lot including a respiratory illness, a dental,…
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…
Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Rhubarb
What grows for 10 years or more, suffers from almost from no pests, and is refreshingly easy to care for? It’s rhubarb! This perennial vegetable…
Venango Conservation District looks to increase its visibility
By HELEN FIELDING Staff writer Pennsylvania has declared this week to be Conservation District Week in the state. The week, which is observed every year,…
Erie VA seeking volunteer drivers in Venango County
From staff reports The Erie VA Medical Center has announced a critical need for volunteer drivers to assist veterans in Venango County. The Erie VA…
Jury to deliberate in major Jan. 6 case against Proud Boys
WASHINGTON (AP) — The seditious conspiracy case against former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants went to the jury on Tuesday after dozens…
Taylor 3-run HR caps comeback, Dodgers top Pirates 8-7
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Taylor hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning to help the Los Angeles Dodgers overcome a five-run deficit…
First reactions to ‘The Flash,’ starring Ezra Miller
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The words “impressive” and “awesome” were common refrains from a group of entertainment reporters who were among the first to see…
Recent Deaths 4/26/23
Gary J. “Beetle Bailey” Bailey, 79, of Shippenville, died April 24, 2023. Arlene O. Croscutt Rigby, 80 of Pleasantville, died April 25, 2023. Michael H….
Pet of the Day 4/25/23
Meet Heidi the adorable corgi! Heidi came to us as a stray so we do not have any history for her. We estimated Heidi to…
Fizzy Orange Pineapple Punch
(Culinary.net) Hardly anything beats a cold, refreshing drink on a hot day. This Fizzy Orange Pineapple Punch provides a chilling moment of relaxation with the…
Man violates laws relating to sexual exploitation of children
From staff reports A 41-year-old Parker man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of…
Oil Creek State Park summer biathlon set Aug. 12
From staff reports Friends of Oil Creek State Park and the Pennsylvania Biathlon Club will sponsor the 18th anniversary summer biathlon at the park’s cross…
Rape lawsuit trial against Donald Trump set to get underway
NEW YORK (AP) — For decades, former President Donald Trump has seemed to shake off allegations, investigations and even impeachments. Now his “Teflon Don” reputation…
Biden announces 2024 reelection bid: ‘Let’s finish this job’
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time…
Famous Twitter users disavow Musk over verification return
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Celebrities, professional athletes and other high-profile Twitter users are once again being verified by the social media platform and they don’t…
Recent Deaths 4/25/23
James Leroy Miller died April 20, 2023. Daniel D. Brown, 69, of Rimersburg, died April 22, 2023. Kimberly P. Sines, 67, of Oil City, died…
Pet of the Day 4/24/23
Meet Baxter, a fun and loving boy looking for his forever home. Baxter is around 10 months old. He was surrendered to us after his…
Herbed Spanish Omelet
(Family Features) Gathering friends and family doesn’t need to be fancy. With its prime positioning between breakfast and lunch, brunch is a more casual and…
Health Subcommittee Oversight Hearing
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on providing veterans access to life-saving substance abuse disorder treatment. Witnesses from VA answered questions…
FLEX top young professional
Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals organization of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, awarded its top young professional of the year…
Velasquez helps Pirates beat Reds 2-0 for 7th straight win
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Vince Velasquez struck out 10 in seven innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Hunter Greene and the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 on Sunday…
Trial to begin in 2018 killing of 11 at Pittsburgh synagogue
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jury selection will begin Monday in the federal death penalty trial of a truck driver accused of shooting to death 11 Jewish…
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is No. 1 for third week
NEW YORK (AP) — “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continued to rack up coins at the box office, leading ticket sales for the third straight…
Recent Deaths 4/24/23
Paul E. Sloss, 81, of Franklin, died April 20, 2023. Danny B. Shields, 71, of Franklin, died April 21, 2023. Gerald J. “Jerry” Sleigher, Sr.,…
Woman sentenced on murder charge for son’s overdose death
From staff reports A Cooperstown woman was sentenced Friday to up to 15 years in prison on a third degree murder charge in connection with…
V.E.T.S. Honor Guard to mark 20 years with ‘special’ banquet
By AUSTIN GRAY Contributing writer In 2003, there were 18 local military veterans who wanted to make a difference in their community. Twenty later, the…
Struggling Bed Bath & Beyond files for bankruptcy protection
UNION, N.J. (AP) — Bed Bath & Beyond has filed for bankruptcy protection, but its stores and websites will remain open and continue serving customers,…
Ken Potts, one of last 2 USS Arizona survivors, dies at 102
HONOLULU (AP) — Ken Potts, one of the last two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona battleship, which sank during the 1941 Japanese attack on…
Pirates run winning streak to 6 with 2-1 victory over Reds
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a key triple and Rich Hill got through five innings for the win as the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates extended…
Venango home rehab program seeks more contractors
From staff reports The Venango County housing rehabilitation program is seeking more local general contractors to include in its growing pool to conduct whole-home rehabilitation…
OC, Franklin announce street sweeping next week
From staff reports Oil City and Franklin have announced their street sweeping schedules next week. Here is a rundown: Oil City Monday — West First…
Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill for now
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday preserved women’s access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion, rejecting lower-court restrictions…
Joe, Keller lead Pirates over Reds 4-2 for 5th straight win
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Connor Joe had three hits and reached base four times to back a strong start by Mitch Keller and lead the Pittsburgh…
Women are monsters, victims and heroes in ‘Evil Dead Rise’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When director Lee Cronin set out to make the latest installment of the “Evil Dead” franchise, he knew he wanted to…
Recent Deaths 4/22/23
Calvin E. Noal, 70, of Seneca, died April 21, 2023. Debra J. Andres, 67, of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, formerly of Franklin, died Feb. 10,…
Pet of the Day 4/21/23
Meet Tazzie! Tazzie came in as a stray so we have no history for her. We think she is around 2 years of age. She…
Frozen Yogurt Bark
(Family Features) Healthy eating doesn’t have to be difficult or require you to take favorite meals off your family’s menu. In fact, making smart choices…
Several honored at Venango County Human Services dinner
From staff reports Several people were honored Wednesday night at the annual Venango County Human Services awards dinner at Wanango Country Club in Reno. Martin…
Oil City artist accepted into prestigious Chicago show
From staff reports Oil City artist Rachel Stine, owner of textile and fiber art business Querida Designs, has been accepted into Chicago’s annual One of…
Once-a-week nightmare: US mass killings on a record pace
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. is setting a record pace for mass killings in 2023, replaying the horror on a loop roughly once a…
Russia’s air force accidentally bombs own city of Belgorod
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s military acknowledged that a bomb accidentally dropped by one of its warplanes caused a powerful blast in a Russian city not…
Joe, Suwinski hit back-to-back HRs in Pirates’ win over Reds
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Connor Joe and Jack Suwinski hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, Roansy Contreras took a shutout into the seventh and…