Scammers increasingly have their eyes on senior citizens
By MAKAYLA KEATING Staff writer As the COVID-19 pandemic has gained in intensity since early 2020, there also has been an escalation of another crisis…
2022
After the blizzard, the big chill as East Coast digs out
BOSTON (AP) — Gusty winds and falling temperatures plunged the East Coast into a deep freeze as people dig out after a powerful nor’easter dumped…
Investigators vow to put collapsed bridge under ‘microscope’
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Federal investigators on Saturday vowed to put a collapsed bridge in a Pittsburgh park “under a microscope” as they examine evidence, including…
Willow Biden joins long, varied line of White House pets
NEW YORK (AP) — Welcome, Willow, to a long line of presidential pets. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have added a green-eyed tabby…
Strangulation
Plans announced for Drake Well marathon
From staff reports The Drake Well Marathon will take place Sunday, Aug. 14. The race — a qualifier for the Boston Marathon — will feature…
Free COVID testing site to open in Franklin
From staff reports A free COVID walk-up testing site will be open the next two weeks in Venango County. The location at 737 Elk St….
Raymond helps Red Wings beat Penguins 3-2 in SO
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lucas Raymond scored the only goal of the shootout and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Friday night….
Winter storm churns up East Coast with deep snow, high winds
BOSTON (AP) — People from New York City to Maine awakened Saturday to half a foot (15 centimeters) of snow, and forecasters warned that could…
Netflix documentary ‘Procession’s’ life beyond the film
The Associated Press Filmmaker Robert Greene knows well the burden of responsibility in making a documentary. It’s not just to the film itself, the audience…
Recent Deaths 1/29/22
Alberta L. Neal, 81, of Oil City, died Jan. 27, 2022. Patricia A. Elder, 87, of Rimersburg, died Jan. 27, 2022. Cynthia Faye Emery, 69,…
Furikake Popcorn
(Family Features) The winter months provide many occasions to celebrate, and no celebration is complete without tasty treats. A perfect partner for a broad variety…
Pet of the Day 1/28/22
Phoenix is a very lovable high-energy girl. She loves to chase tennis balls and she seems to get along with other dogs. We would do…
Substance use training offered to first responders
From staff reports Training sessions have been planned for first responders to provide tools and resources designed to help them better respond to people with…
A key inflation gauge rose 5.8% in 2021, most in 39 years
WASHINGTON (AP) — A measure of prices that is closely tracked by the Federal Reserve rose 5.8% last year, the sharpest increase since 1982, as…
Larsson leads Kraken to first OT win, 2-1 over Penguins
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Seattle Kraken picked up a rare road win — and made team history along the way. Adam Larsson scored 1:17 in…
Human chain formed to help after Pittsburgh bridge collapse
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A two-lane bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh early Friday, prompting rescuers to rappel nearly 150 feet (46 meters) while others formed a human…
Review: ‘Ice Age’ franchise tries spin-off with possums bros
The Associated Press At one point in “The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild,” the twin heroes find themselves in a familiar place and voice what many…
Recent Deaths 1/28/22
Beverly Jean Gorman, 78, of Franklin, formerly of Oil City, died Jan. 26, 2022. Donald G. “Don” Hannah, 75, of Oil City, died Jan. 26,…
Pet of the Day 1/27/22
Cornelius is a very friendly guy who loves cuddles and affection. He is not too keen on being picked up, but he will lay with…
Pistachio Crisps with Sumac and Black Pepper
(Family Features) Helping members of your community can be easy when you donate plasma, which is the fluid component of human blood that supports essential…
Roethlisberger retires at 39: Time to ‘hang up my cleats’
PITTSBURGH (AP) — No more comebacks for Ben Roethlisberger. The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback announced his retirement on Thursday, saying it was “time to clean…
Emlenton man accused of repeated sexual assaults of girl
From staff reports An Emlenton man is facing dozens of charges that accuse him of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 16 for…
Hutchinson’s health care bill for National Guard gets OK
From staff reports Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Scott Hutchinson to increase the number of health care providers in the Pennsylvania National Guard was approved…
At least 3 judges eyed as Biden mulls Supreme Court pick
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is eyeing at least three judges for an expected vacancy on the Supreme Court as he prepares to quickly…
Vaccine mandate to kick in for first wave of health workers
The Associated Press Health care workers in about half the states face a Thursday deadline to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine under…
Review: Strangers on a train in ‘Compartment No. 6’
The Associated Press A train ride from Moscow to the arctic port city of Murmansk would not seem like the most likely setting for anything…
Recent Deaths 1/27/22
Kathy Savage, 64, of Kennerdell, died Jan. 25, 2022. Alice M. Butler, 87, of Franklin, died Jan. 24, 2022. Shirley A. Dolby, 83, of Strattanville,…
Pet of the Day 1/26/22
Mocha came to us because her owner could no longer care for her. She can be shy at first, but once she knows you she…
Salmon and Shrimp Coconut Curry
(Family Features) Adding salmon to your weekly menu can take dinnertime from drab to delicious. Combining it with bright, fresh veggies heightens the savory experience…
French Creek named state’s river of year
From staff reports French Creek has been selected as Pennsylvania’s 2022 River of the Year. The creek is one of the most biologically diverse waterways…
OC police producing safety booklets, flyers
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The Oil City Police Department is partnering with L.A.W. Publications to produce various awareness and safety booklets and flyers. A…
COVID-19 vaccine booster drive is faltering in the US
NEW YORK (AP) — The COVID-19 booster drive in the U.S. is losing steam, worrying health experts who have pleaded with Americans to get an…
State fast-tracks $225M in pandemic aid to hospitals
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state Senate fast-tracked legislation Tuesday to spend $225 million to help hospitals struggling to keep staff on board as the omicron…
Third-period surge helps Penguins past Coyotes, 6-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins fell behind on three separate occasions against the Arizona Coyotes, but each time they had a quick answer. The…
Rihanna’s foundation donates $15 million to climate justice
The Associated Press Rihanna is backing her belief that climate change is a social-justice issue by pledging $15 million to the movement through her Clara…
Recent Deaths 1/26/22
Charles Lewis Latchaw, 91, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., formerly of Franklin, died Jan. 22, 2022. Esther “Grace” Corbett died Jan. 24, 2022. George C. Coulter,…
Salmon and Shrimp Coconut Curry
(Family Features) Whether you’re celebrating a weekend meal with loved ones or simply looking for a way to bring your family to the table at…
Pet of the Day 1/25/22
Zeus was recently brought to us because his owner could no longer care for him. He is a very sweet wiggly boy who loves everyone….
Organizer of local March for Life trip says mood was celebratory
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A number of local residents braved the cold to attend the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday….
Oil City woman wins award in state photo contest
From staff reports An Oil City photographer has gained acclaim with one of her entries in the 2021 Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation’s photo contest….
US orders 8,500 troops on heightened alert amid Russia worry
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert to potentially deploy to Europe as part of a NATO “response force” amid growing…
PA rolls out ‘strike team’ to ease hospital crunch
SELLERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania has deployed its first pandemic “strike team” of out-of-state health care workers to a suburban Philadelphia hospital under severe strain…
State prisons to halt in-person visitation through February
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state prisons announced Monday they will not allow in-person visits for the coming month because their staff has been thinned by…
At Sundance, documentaries resurrect lost eras of music
NEW YORK (AP) — Can a music scene still develop the way grunge did in 1990’s Seattle or hip-hop did in the Bronx in the…
Recent Deaths 1/25/22
Michael Catanzaro, 59, died Jan. 23, 2022. Gary A. Wilson, 80, of Seneca, died Jan. 23, 2022. Steven Allan “Cub” Culbertson, 70, of Franklin, died…
Pet of the Day 1/24/22
Kodiak recently came to us as a stray so we don’t know much about him. He is a friendly, playful boy who seems to do…
Royal Salmon with Romesco Sauce and Aioli
(Family Features) Whether you’re celebrating a weekend meal with loved ones or simply looking for a way to bring your family to the table at…
Sugarcreek burglary
Berry Botics Takes on Demo Daze Challenge
By ALYSSA WRIGHT Student contributor A few months ago, Cranberry High School’s Berry Botics was given the opportunity to compete at the BEST Robotics Regional…