OVERDOSE DEATHS-STATES — Map. For the first time in U.S. history, more than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in a single year. Experts blame the increase on the growing prevalence of deadly fentanyl and also point to the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many drug users socially isolated and unable to get treatment or support. The following digital embed of a map shows the change in overdose deaths by state from April 2020 through April 2021. This map is current as of Nov. 17, 2021 and will not update. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Widespread rise in drug overdose deaths during pandemic
Pet of the Day 02/06/26
Meet Gia Rose! Gia Rose is a sweet and sassy lady. She loves attention until she decides she doesn’t. She has an opinion about everything…
Rimersburg woman sentenced for man’s overdose death
A Rimersburg woman, Rhonda Steele, was sentenced in Clarion County court to 60 months of probation, including 12 months of house arrest and 50 hours…
Man sentenced in connection with elderly mother-in-law’s death
A Rimersburg man, Michael Leroy Shaffer, was sentenced in Clarion County court to six months of probation, including four months of house arrest and 75…
Recent Deaths 02/06/26
Donald Albert Levy, 69, of New Bethlehem, passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Rita M. Schaffer, 79, of Tionesta, died on Wednesday afternoon, February…
Pet of the Day 02/05/26
Meet Honey Bunches of Oats! Honey was born in August of 2025 with Cheerio, Raisin, Pebbles, and AJ. She is a sweet girl who loves…
Catholic Rural Ministry sisters leaving in June for new assignments
Sister Marian Wehler and Sister Tina Geiger, longtime leaders of the Catholic Rural Ministry in the Erie Diocese’s Oil City Deanery, will leave the area…
Recent Deaths 02/05/26
Kenneth “Norm” Scott, 84, of Champion, Ohio, passed away on January 22, 2026. Fae L. Thompson, 86, of Fairmount City, passed away on Tuesday evening,…
Pet of the Day 02/04/26
Meet Lenny! Lenny, a 55lb adult male, possibly Boxer mix was found running as a stray with his pal Squiggy and brought to the rescue….
Franklin students participate in district chorus
Seven Franklin High School students competed in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 3 Chorus Festival at Brockway High School. The students were (from left)…
Rare ‘light pillars’ in Franklin
Light pillars, a unique weather phenomenon that occur on cold, calm nights in the dead of winter, were spotted by Sandra Deligiannis from her front…
North Clarion board hears good news on student PSSA scores
North Clarion School Board members heard positive news at their workshop meeting as PSSA results showed seventh-grade students leading all 17 IU 6 schools in…
Recent Deaths 02/04/26
Eugene William Near, 61, of Tionesta, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026. Catherine F. “Cathy” Roithner, 84, of Emlenton, formerly of Library, passed away Tuesday…
Pet of the Day 02/03/26
Meet Pickles! Pickles was a “leftover pup” from the Amish. Instead of euthanizing the pup, they gave him to a child and the mother got…
Nifty at 90: OC woman still active in her church, community
Florence “Flo” Stricek of Oil City is celebrating her 90th birthday today, marking a life filled with family, fashion, faith and community involvement. A Curwensville…
Recent Deaths 02/03/26
Keith E. Siverling, 65, of Seneca, passed away on Monday morning, February 2, 2026. Eloise Adele Blake, 80, passed away January 29, 2026. Violet “Isabell”…
FLEX accepting nominations for Young Professional of Year
The Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals group of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, is accepting public nominations for the 2026…
Several scholarships available through Clarion Hospital Foundation
The Clarion Hospital Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2026–27 academic year to support local high school graduates and future graduates pursuing healthcare careers….
Recent Deaths 01/30/26
Samantha D. Attleberger, 28, of Oil City, passed away January 24, 2026. Jack E. Loughrey, 82, of Tionesta, formerly of Kittanning, died on Wednesday morning,…
Pet of the Day 01/29/26
Meet Shadow! Shadow is a food motivated, 5-6 year old, standard poodle. He needs a home with an experienced dog owner. If you allow him…
Oil City sets kindergarten registration dates
Registration for kindergarten classes for the 2026-27 year in the Oil City School District will be held March 23-25. Children who will reach their fifth…
Jefferson County kicks off America 250 celebrations
Jefferson County leaders and state officials gathered Tuesday to kick off the America 250 celebration, highlighting the county’s deep historical ties dating back to its…
Recent Deaths 01/29/26
Wendy L. Comiske, 53, of Oil City, passed away January 21, 2026. Charlie E. Dean, 68, of Grand Valley, died on Monday, January 26, 2026….
Pet of the Day 01/28/26
Meet Cheerio! Cheerio was born in August of 2025 and brought to the shelter in January. He is a sweet boy who is still a…
Cranberry winter formal court
Members of the Cranberry High School winter formal court are (from left) Alex McLaughlin, Kaylee Hartzell, Noah Stokes, Payten Scott, Colby Dulaney, Emma Sisco, Caleb…
Venango tech center students do well at Skills USA event
Venango Technology Center was represented by 46 students at this year’s SkillsUSA District 10 competitions, where students competed against peers from 12 technical schools across…
Recent Deaths 01/28/26
Betty Lou Glass, 84, of Oil City, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026. Robert E. Weeter, 85, of Knox, passed away Thursday evening, January 22,…
Pet of the Day 01/27/26
Meet Ford! Ford came to us after being found under the hood of someone’s truck. He is roughly 8 months old, as of November 2025,…
PennWest Clarion ETS sponsors hands-on culinary experience
Middle and high school students in PennWest Clarion’s Educational Talent Search program recently took part in Souper Chef II, a hands-on culinary career exploration and…
Franklin distributes food boxes
The city of Franklin distributed 504 food boxes to households in early January through a one-time community food distribution program funded by its Community Development…
Clarion Troop 51 scouts finish second at local Klondike Derby
Nine scouts from Scouting America Clarion Troop 51 earned second place at this year’s “Westward Expansion: Forging the Nation” Klondike Derby at Custaloga Town Scout…
Oil City man accused of animal cruelty
Recent Deaths 01/27/26
Pet of the Day 01/26/26
Recent Deaths 01/26/26
Pet of the Day 01/24/26
Connected Along the Way
2 charged for trafficking cocaine in region
