Franklin man accused of breaking into residence, assaulting 2 women
From staff reports A Franklin man is facing charges for assaulting two women at a building in Oil City on Jan. 1. Oil City police…
January 2021
Longtime Rocky Grove fireman honored with drive-by parade
From staff reports The Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department honored one of its own on Friday with a 15-unit fire truck parade past his home….
Law enforcement: We’ll be ready for Joe Biden’s inauguration
WASHINGTON (AP) — This time, they’ll be ready. The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden will be held on the same risers in the same spot at…
Pennsylvania to begin vaccinating cops, teachers ‘soon’
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania will soon begin vaccinating people 75 years and older and “essential workers” like police officers, grocery store clerks and teachers, the…
‘Nomadland’ wins 4 National Society of Film Critics awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Nomadland” won four awards at this year’s National Society of Film Critics awards, including best picture, best cinematography, best director and…
Recent Deaths 1/12/21
Ellen Jane Kahle Hejna, 69, of Clarion, formerly of New Bethlehem and Butler, died Jan. 10, 2021. Thomas J. Freeman, 64, of Oil City, died…
Pet of the Day 1/11/21
Ferris is such a sweet little guy. He is the last of his siblings that is looking for a home, and he has so much…
Pigskin Potatoes
(Family Features) While you may not be able to enjoy game day with thousands of your closest friends at the stadium this year, that doesn’t…
NDAA Becomes Law and New Agent Orange Conditions Added
Last week, the House and Senate passed H.R. 6395, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), over a presidential veto. This law will…
208 cases, 3 deaths reported in tri-county over weekend
From staff reports The state Department of Health over the weekend announced 208 new cases of COVID-19 and three additional virus-related deaths were reported from…
Pelosi says House will impeach Trump, pushes VP to oust him
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump as she pushes the vice president…
End of an era? Steelers facing big questions after loss
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey sat on the bench, their 11th season together over. Their future uncertain. Their pain obvious. The end…
Recent Deaths 1/11/21
Francis C. “Cal” Bigley, 79, of Knox, died Jan. 8, 2021 June J. Zerbe, 93, of St. Petersburg, died Jan. 9, 2021. Johnathon A. “Johnny”…
Looking Ahead to New Year and Beyond
Last week, we explored how the ORA has adapted and evolved over the last decade and a half. To start off the new year, we’re…
CHS Searches For Some ‘Berry’ Talented Students
By DEVIN ZERBE Student contributor Everyone loves a good talent show, so Cranberry is ushering in a virtual talent competition. There is a wide range…
Chamber to honor ‘heroes’
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The COVID-19 pandemic, a siege that has disrupted families, businesses, schools, social services and more, has spurred the Venango…
Former Oil City man receives award for his work with Army
From staff reports A former Oil City man who has worked for the U.S. Army for about a dozen years has been honored for his…
More arrests in Capitol riot as more video reveals brutality
The Associated Press Police charged more Capitol rioters on Saturday, including a man who carried off the House speaker’s lectern, as more graphic details of…
Browns get back 3, not top corner Denzel Ward for Steelers
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns flew to Pittsburgh for the playoffs with some reinforcements — and missing some regulars. Top cornerback Denzel Ward stayed in…
‘Nomadland’ wins 4 National Society of Film Critics awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Nomadland” won four awards at this year’s National Society of Film Critics awards, including best picture, best cinematography, best director and…
Woman facing numerous charges for attacks on teens at skating rink
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer A Titusville woman is facing charges for attacking and threatening three teenagers at the Skate Capital skating rink on Salina…
OC school board sets special meeting Sunday to discuss COVID models
From staff reports The Oil City School Board has scheduled a special meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Oil City High School auditorium. Information…
State makes more people eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
The Associated Press Pennsylvania on Friday released an updated coronavirus vaccine plan that makes more people eligible for shots in the initial phases of the…
Browns finally practice, roster still unsettled for Steelers
CLEVELAND (AP) — They won’t have their coach. They’ve barely practiced, and when they make their first playoff appearance in nearly 20 years — at…
Sentimental video tribute closes Trebek’s final “Jeopardy!”
The Associated Press More than two months after Alex Trebek’s death, fans of “Jeopardy!” finally got the chance to say goodbye. A video tribute to the host…
Recent Deaths 1/9/21
David C. Anderson died Jan. 5, 2021. Jeffrey Richard Frampton, 56, died Jan. 7, 2021. Robert E. Heller, 84, of Franklin, died Jan. 8, 2021….
Pet of the Day 1/8/21
Hope’s selfie game is strong. She ensures there isn’t a double chin and is svelte as possible. She knows her angles. But really, instead of…
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
(Family Features) Whether it’s a home-cooked meal, a tasty snack or a delicious dessert, sometimes the best recipes are the easiest. Take your sweets to…
Tri-county reports 52 virus cases, 2 deaths
From staff reports The state Department of Health on Thursday announced 52 new cases of COVID-19 were reported by the tri-county area, as well as…
Capitol siege by pro-Trump mob forces questions, ousters
WASHINGTON (AP) — The violent siege of the Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters forced painful new questions across government — about his fitness to…
Pennsylvania: Send elementary students back to school
The Associated Press Pennsylvania schools should consider a return to in-person instruction for elementary-age students, state health and education officials said Thursday, a change from…
PBS’ ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ aims to be timely tonic
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “All Creatures Great and Small,” a beloved TV series of yore, is back as a reboot because producer Colin Callender saw…
Recent Deaths 1/8/21
G. Michael Miller, Esq., 67, of Webster, New York, died Jan. 4, 2021. Thomas Richard Mix, 68, of Denton, Texas, died Jan. 3, 2021. Muriel…
Pet of the Day 1/7/21
Anikin was brought to us due to health issues his owner was having. He is a super sweetheart and just wants attention and belly rubs…
Chicken, Spinach and Grape Pita
(Family Features) Staying healthy is important year-round, but especially in the cooler months when temperatures drop, people spend more time inside and germs can spread…
Construction project spending topped $11M last year in OC
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Oil City saw more than $11.5 million in new construction in 2020 with most of the work focused on…
Forest commissioners OK sale of property, discuss broadband
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Forest County commissioners on Wednesday approved the sale of a repository property in Marienville and tabled the sale of another…
Biden win confirmed after pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress confirmed Democrat Joe Biden as the presidential election winner early Thursday after a violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed…
Ticking clock? Time running out for Steelers veterans
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The opportunities are dwindling. Ben Roethlisberger knows it. Cam Heyward and David DeCastro too. It’s been a decade since the Pittsburgh Steelers…
Neil Young becomes latest artist to sell stake in his songs
NEW YORK (AP) — Neil Young has become the latest musician to strike gold with his song catalogue, selling a 50 percent stake in his…
Recent Deaths 1/7/21
George A. Daum, 83, of Fryburg, died Jan. 5, 2021. Marvin L. “Hoot” “Putt” Gibson, 86, of Knox, died Jan. 5, 2021. Alfred W. “Butch”…
Pet of the Day 1/6/21
Jackson, or who we endearingly call “Thumbs,” is a polydactyl cat. He was born with more toes than a normal cat so that means he…
Gingerbread Cookies
(Family Features) A true holiday celebration calls for sharing moments with loved ones and creating memories that can last a lifetime. Crafting a sweet dessert…
Venango jail warden retiring
From staff reports Venango County jail warden Kelly McKenzie is retiring in February. McKenzie was appointed warden in December 2019 when the previous warden, Jeffrey…
Effort helps girl get ‘dream’ chair
Marvin Miller of Cranberry stands with Brooklyn Alderette, 13, of Pinegrove Township, who is using her new Trac chair to help her enjoy the outdoors….
Fight over close race mars first day for state Senate
HARRISBURG (AP) — A bitter dispute erupted on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday when majority Republicans blocked a Democratic incumbent from being…
New faces, same expectations for Crosby, Penguins
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The number of players who helped the Pittsburgh Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup titles is dwindling. Matt Murray is in Ottawa. Patric Hornqvist…
Grammy Awards shift to March due to pandemic conditions
NEW YORK (AP) — The 2021 Grammy Awards will no longer take place this month in Los Angeles and will broadcast in March due to…
Recent Deaths 1/6/21
Christine Joan Dykins, 58, of Franklin, formerly of Seneca, died Jan. 4, 2021. Bradley RuDell Harriger, 45, of Sligo, died Jan. 5, 2021. Joan “Hope”…
