Review: Steven Spielberg’s rousing ‘West Side Story’ revival
The Associated Press We’re so rife with reboots and remakes today that it can take a moment to gauge just what Steven Spielberg’s “West Side…
2021
Recent Deaths 12/3/21
Arlene L. Holzschuh, 79, of Titusville, died Dec. 2, 2021. Cindy Jo Seigworth, 58, of Shippenville, died Dec. 1, 2021. Matilda “Tillie” Sarah Nugent Beichner,…
Pet of the Day 12/2/21
Hi, I am Rory, they also call me a wiggle butt! I have a stub instead of a tail so I can’t help but wag…
Cast-Iron Smoked Queso Dip
(Family Features) Gathering your team to plan for a truly memorable game day at home starts with almost everyone’s favorite part of the festivities: the…
Backer elected Franklin School Board president
By STACEY GROSS Contributing writer Sabrina Backer was unanimously elected president of the Franklin School Board at the panel’s reorganization meeting Wednesday night. Backer was…
Local insurance agency holding Christmas food drive
From staff reports With so many challenges this year, staff members at TGIF Solutions — McMahan Brothers Insurance say they want to make sure hunger…
Justices signal they’ll OK new abortion limits, may toss Roe
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the biggest challenge to abortion rights in decades, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Wednesday signaled they would allow states to…
Michigan teen, 15, charged in Oxford High School shooting
OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The parents of a teenager accused of killing four students at a Michigan school were summoned to discuss his behavior…
McDavid, Hyman lead Oilers past Penguins 5-2
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid had a goal and three assists, Zach Hyman scored twice and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2…
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree: Rockefeller tree lit up
NEW YORK (AP) — The holly, jolly, best time of the year got a light-filled launch Wednesday when the towering Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center…
Recent Deaths 12/2/21
Mary R. Hardwick, 92, died Nov. 3, 2021. Douglas L. Yurkanin, 60, of Franklin, died Nov. 30, 2021. Florence L. Richburg died Nov. 26, 2021….
Pet of the Day 12/1/21
Hi, they call me Meatball, affectionately of course. I don’t like to be in crates, I would rather be with you. My front leg is…
Pulled Beef and Slaw Sliders
(Family Features) Gathering your team to plan for a truly memorable game day at home starts with almost everyone’s favorite part of the festivities: the…
Rent, utilities funding available to Venango Co. residents
From staff reports Venango County has funding available to help county residents catch up on past due balances for rent, mortgage, and private utilities. The…
Food drive planned Saturday at OC fire stations
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A holiday food drive to benefit Community Services of Venango County and the Oil City Salvation Army will be held…
Abortion rights at stake in historic Supreme Court arguments
WASHINGTON (AP) — Abortion rights are on the line at the Supreme Court in historic arguments over the landmark ruling nearly 50 years ago that…
Student shoots, kills 3, wounds 8 at Michigan high school
OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 15-year-old sophomore opened fire at his Michigan high school, killing three students, including a 16-year-old boy who died in…
Mask mandate for K-12 schools remains for now, justices rule
HARRISBURG (AP) — An order requiring masks inside Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools and child care facilities will remain in place while the state Supreme Court considers…
Tomlin: Time for Steelers to put up and shut up
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin believes it’s time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to put up and shut up. Emphasis on shut up. “Talking doesn’t get…
Families turn down Travis Scott offer to pay for funerals
HOUSTON (AP) — Several families of the 10 people who died from injuries in a massive crowd surge at the Astroworld festival have turned down…
Recent Deaths 12/1/21
Arthur Frank Hollabaugh, 73, of Franklin, died Nov. 29, 2021. Rosalita Rose (Rex) Kling, 77, of Clearfield, died Nov. 28, 2021. Robert R. Shaffer, 87,…
Pet of the Day 11/30/21
Hi, my name is Feta. I am a friendly and energetic girl who recently found myself here as a stray. I like to play but…
Thai Cashew Chicken Fried Rice
(Family Features) When tried-and-true family favorites turn stale and boring, digging through cookbooks and sorting through blogs for new recipes may seem far too time-consuming…
Pearl Harbor Remembrances
Dec. 7, 2021, marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. The United States declared war on Japan and, three days…
Conservation Hall inductions scheduled
From staff reports The 2021 Venango County Conservation Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Venango Campus’ Rhoades Center…
COVID-19 testing site hours updated
From staff reports The state Department of Health announced updated hours for two free, drive-up COVID-19 testing sites in Crawford and Jefferson counties. In Crawford…
New variant cause for concern, not panic, Biden tells US
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called the new coronavirus variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic” Monday and said…
Backlund lifts Flames past Penguins in 7-round shootout
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Mikael Backlund scored the deciding goal in the seventh round of a suspenseful shootout and the Calgary Flames beat the Pittsburgh…
NBC hopes the sun will come out with ‘Annie Live!’
NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a famous saying in showbiz: “Never work with children or animals.” NBC is wisely ignoring that as it mounts a…
Recent Deaths 11/30/21
William E. Kightlinger, Jr., 54, of Summit Township, Crawford County, died Nov. 24, 2021. Dana Edward Swab, Sr., 72, of Franklin, died Nov. 26, 2021….
Pet of the Day 11/29/21
Cherub is a young male under a year old. He is extremely shy but is slowly getting better. Cherub would like to be adopted with…
Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl with Fried Egg
(Family Features) When tried-and-true family favorites turn stale and boring, digging through cookbooks and sorting through blogs for new recipes may seem far too time-consuming…
Rare coin minted in Colonial New England sells for $350,000
BOSTON (AP) — One of the first coins minted in Colonial New England, which was recently found among other coins in a candy tin, has…
Lock in: Dozens stuck in England’s highest pub after storm
LONDON (AP) — Dozens of customers who stopped for a drink at Britain’s highest altitude pub got a longer stay than they bargained for, after…
Red Sox owners reach agreement to buy Pittsburgh Penguins
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Fenway Sports Group has reached an agreement with the Pittsburgh Penguins that would give the conglomerate controlling interest in one of the…
Temple fires football coach Carey after 3 lackluster seasons
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Temple fired coach Rod Carey on Monday after three seasons with the school, ending a tenure that started with a bowl game…
Finding Common Ground Despite Differing Realities
Over the last few weeks we’ve been talking a lot about big, regional-scale redevelopment partnerships and programs. Such partnerships come with their own set of…
Pathways receives statewide residential program award
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer Pathways Adolescent Center of Oil City was chosen out of more than 100 facilities statewide to receive the Residential Program…
Lots of youth activities continuing at area libraries
By STACEY GROSS Staff writer In-person programming is still going on at local libraries, with both ongoing programs and changing offerings for school-aged youth. Annie…
Shippers prepare for another pandemic crush of holiday gifts
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The last holiday season was far from the most wonderful time of the year for the U.S. Postal Service: Sick and…
Supreme Court set to take up all-or-nothing abortion fight
WASHINGTON (AP) — Both sides are telling the Supreme Court there’s no middle ground in Wednesday’s showdown over abortion. The justices can either reaffirm the…
Montreal scores 5 times in third for 6-3 win over Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens scored five third-period goals, and the most important one came shortly after Pittsburgh tied the game. Christian Dvorak scored…
Oil City native recalls broadcasting career in new book
By RANDY BARTLEY Staff writer A former Oil City resident who now lives in Brookville has published a book that asks the simple question, “Was…
Christmas voucher distribution scheduled
From staff reports Venango County Human Services’ Community Support Services, along with the United Way of Venango County, will hold their annual Christmas voucher distribution…
Leaf pick-up schedules
From staff reports Here are the leaf pick-up schedules next week for Oil City and Franklin: Oil City Monday — Innis, Orange, Division (West Front to…
Biden sets out oil, gas leasing reform, stops short of ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday recommended an overhaul of the nation’s oil and gas leasing program to limit areas available for energy…
High alert: World scurries to contain new COVID variant
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — With each passing hour, new restrictions were being slapped on travel from countries in southern Africa as the world scurried…
Jarry, Pens keep Isles winless in new arena, 1-0
NEW YORK (AP) — Tristan Jarry made 25 saves, Kasperi Kapanen scored in the second period and the Pittsburgh Penguins kept the depleted New York…
Towering musical theater master Stephen Sondheim dies at 91
NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century with his intelligent,…
Recent Deaths 11/27/21
Mary Louise Plyler, 93, of Oil City, died Nov. 22, 2021. Kathleen “Kathie” Ann Brown, 75, of Vienna, West Virginia, died Nov. 18, 2021. Sherry…