Man accused of raping girl, 13, at camp during family reunion
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Ohio man has been charged with raping a 13-year-old girl at a camp in Victory Township on Sunday. Franklin…
2021
State officials warn tick prevalence high, offer tips to avoid bites
From staff reports Officials in Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration say the prevalence of ticks in Pennsylvania is high right now, and they are pointing out…
Infrastructure deal: Senate suddenly acts to take up bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to begin work on a nearly $1 trillion national infrastructure plan, acting with sudden speed after weeks of…
Houser, Cain, Urias lead Brewers to 7-3 win over Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lorenzo Cain and Luis Urias hit two-run doubles, Adrian Houser pitched five scoreless innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates…
Review: In ‘The Green Knight,’ an enchanting Arthurian dream
The Associated Press Why, for starters, is the Green Knight green? It’s a question that’s long vexed scholars of the 14th century chivalric romance “Sir Gawain…
Recent Deaths 7/29/21
Cindy Sue Elliott, 63, of Venus, died July 26, 2021. Dorothy Enie Monica (Wiles) Hottel, 98, of Parker, died July 27, 2021. Mary Jane Rapp…
ZZ Top: Bearded bassist Dusty Hill dies in his sleep at 72
HOUSTON (AP) — ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, one of the Texas blues trio’s bearded figures, died at his Houston home, the band announced Wednesday…
Pet of the Day 7/28/21
Jinx and Joker are the sweetest boys. Jinx is much more outgoing than his brother, but Joker is slowly coming around as he gets more…
Watermelon Donuts
(Family Features) Fresh fruit is a breakfast staple, and a nutritious option like watermelon is a sweet way to satisfy hunger (and thirst). As a refreshing…
Planting Pollinator-Friendly Gardens
One of the most important ways you can help pollinators is by provisioning your yard with plants that provide pollen and nectar. To attract butterflies,…
Venango, Forest jobless rates drop
From staff reports The tri-county area’s June seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, for the most part, was down from May, according to the state Department of…
Polk resident completes 104-mile mountain race
From staff reports Polk resident Tami Walbourn Sari completed the Tahoe Rim Trail Run, a 104-mile race in Nevada that spanned two days earlier this…
‘This is how I’m going to die’: Officers tell Jan. 6 stories
WASHINGTON (AP) — “This is how I’m going to die, defending this entrance,” Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell recalled thinking, testifying Tuesday at the emotional…
No mask mandate, but Pennsylvania urged to follow guidance
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday that he is not considering a statewide mask mandate as coronavirus cases surge in Pennsylvania and across…
Narvaez, Anderson lead Brewers to 9-0 rout of Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Omar Narvaez homered and had four RBIs, Brett Anderson pitched six strong innings and the Milwaukee Brewers scored eight runs in the…
Review: Blunt transcends overstuffed ‘Jungle Cruise’
The Associated Press Remember lighthearted throwback adventure movies? “The Mummy”? “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”? “Pirates of the Caribbean”? The first one, at least?…
Recent Deaths 7/28/21
Mary C. Slusser, 78, of Grove City, formerly of Lake Latonka and Oil City, died July 26th, 2021. Ruth Beichner, 71 of Lucama, N.C., died…
Roasted Red Pepper and Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
(Family Features) As kids and parents return to busy schedules full of sports, homework, and weeknight activities, building a plan for nutritious and easy meals…
Pet of the Day 7/27/21
Chop says, “Look deeply into my eyes.” He knows that one look at those beautiful peepers will melt your heart, and you won’t be able…
Vaccine Confidence
The COVID-19 vaccine has become such a political and controversial lightning rod that many are reticent to write about it or express their opinion in…
Festival art show winners announced
From staff reports “Day Off” by D.P. Warner won the Best in Show award at this year’s Oil Heritage Festival Art Show. The People’s Choice…
Waste-electronics collection scheduled
From staff reports Venango County will sponsor a collection of household hazardous waste and electronics from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at…
At first Jan. 6 hearing, police to detail violence, injuries
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are launching their investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection Tuesday with a focus on the law enforcement officers who were…
Smith-Schuster returns to Steelers seeking strong season
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a voluntary pay cut during the offseason. Roethlisberger’s restructured deal helped the Steelers free up enough…
Reid Miller brings Jadin Bell’s story to the big screen
The Associated Press Actor Reid Miller was around 13 years old when he first heard about the death of Jadin Bell. The Oregon teenager who…
Recent Deaths 7/27/21
Bruce B. “Pops” “Hitch” Hitchcock Sr., 62, of Kennerdell, died July 23, 2021. Ricky Lee Cherry, 61, of Utica, died July 24, 2021. For…
Pet of the Day 7/26/21
Smokey Ben was brought to us because his owner was moving and couldn’t take him with her. It takes him some time to trust new…
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
(Family Features) As kids and parents return to busy schedules full of sports, homework, and weeknight activities, building a plan for nutritious and easy meals…
Beware of VA Claim Sharks
Last week, Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) sent a letter to VA Secretary McDonough highlighting…
Senators race to seal infrastructure deal as pressure mounts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators are racing to seal a bipartisan infrastructure deal as soon as Monday, as pressure is mounting on all sides to show…
Fauci says US headed in ‘wrong direction’ on coronavirus
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant,…
Wade homers twice, Giants bounce back to beat Pirates 6-1
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — LaMonte Wade Jr. homered twice and the San Francisco Giants avoided a three-game sweep, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Sunday….
On a quiet weekend, ‘Old’ tops, ‘Snake Eyes’ sinks
The Associated Press M. Night Shyamalan’s “Old” easily won a slower weekend at the North American box office, while the G.I. Joe pic “Snake Eyes”…
Recent Deaths 7/26/21
John D. “Jack” Snyder, 69, of Parker, died July 24, 2021. Lida M. Schwabenbauer, 86, of Marble, died July 24, 2021. Norma “Toots” Lucille (Rea)…
Chamber: Impact of fraudulent jobless claims ‘significant’
By STACEY GROSS Staff writer In an effort to understand the impact of a spate of fraudulent unemployment compensation claims in the Oil Region, the…
Precious Paws welcomes 22 dogs from Texas
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer Fourteen puppies and eight adult dogs – all aboard an air-conditioned truck – completed a four-day journey from Texas to…
Wildfires blasting through West draw states to lend support
BLY, Ore. (AP) — Out-of-state crews headed to Montana Saturday to battle a blaze that injured five firefighters as the U.S. West struggled with a…
Polanco, Newman lead Pirates to 10-2 romp over Giants
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gregory Polanco homered, drove in three runs and scored twice, and Kevin Newman matched his career high with four hits for…
LeVar Burton: ‘Jeopardy!’ host gig began ‘scary,’ ended fun
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeVar Burton’s quest to become the new host of “Jeopardy!” has been a confident, upbeat effort by the actor and those…
Ex hospital nurse accused of stealing pain medication 44 times
From staff reports A nurse formerly employed at UPMC Northwest is facing charges for stealing pain medications while she worked at the hospital. The Pennsylvania…
Days Inn still closed, more work needed
From staff reports The Days Inn hotel in Oil City remains closed, though the hotel manager had hoped to have it open by the Oil…
Search for bodies concludes at Florida condo collapse site
MIAMI (AP) — Firefighters on Friday declared the end of their search for bodies at the site of a collapsed Florida condo building, concluding a…
With workers in high demand, teenagers are filling the void
PITTSBURGH (AP) — As businesses have taken “closed indefinitely” signs out of their windows and reopened their doors, the landscape of a post-pandemic workforce is…
Reynolds HR, Pirates stop 4-game skid, beat Giants 6-4
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bryan Reynolds homered, Adam Frazier drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning when Pittsburgh…
Odd couple: Mayfield, rocker Alice Cooper team for TV spot
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield never dreamed of being on a team with Alice Cooper. The Browns quarterback also had no idea the legendary rocker,…
Recent Deaths 7/24/21
Jeannine E. Abel, of Sewickley, died July 8, 2021. Wilda N. Huber, 88, of New Bethlehem, died July 22, 2021. Katharyn “Kate” Dee Rivers, 41,…
Possession with intent to deliver
Cranberry Twp. burglary
Sustainable Frittata
(Family Features) As kids and parents return to busy schedules full of sports, homework, and weeknight activities, building a plan for nutritious and easy meals…
Pet of the Day 7/23/21
Java is a sweet little man who loves attention and photographs! He also loves his crate with a bed. He may need some work and…