Pet of the Day 11/01/25
Meet Wednesday Addams! Wednesday was born in April of 2025 and came to PAWS with her siblings, Enid, Barry, Ajax, and Pugsley. She is a…
2025
Franklin Area High School has ‘Haunted Hallways’
Franklin Area High School hosted its first-ever “Haunted Hallways” community trick-or-treat event Thursday evening, drawing between 100 and 200 attendees. Organized by the student council,…
It was Halloween Storytime at Oil City Library
Nearly 20 children arrived at the Oil City Library on Friday morning dressed in costumes for a special Halloween Storytime event. Parents and children enjoyed…
Elementary students celebrate Halloween
Students from all over the county participated in different ways for Halloween this year, from trunk-or-treating, to parades and classroom parties. Seventh Street and Smedley…
Election preparations in full swing in Venango County
The Venango County Elections Office conducted its public voting machine test Friday morning at the Courthouse Annex ahead of Tuesday’s municipal election. Elections Director Laura…
Down for the Count, Digging for Dreams
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation I’ve been down for the count this week – the second casualty in our house to whatever bug’s been making…
Recent Deaths 11/01/25
Amanda Michelle Barber, 35, of Franklin (Cranberry Township), passed away on Wednesday night, October 29, 2025. Nancy Ellen Landers Young, 76, of Foxburg, passed away…
Pet of the Day 10/31/25
Meet Ghost! This sweet boy is looking for a forever home to call his own that can provide time and patience while he settles in…
One dead in head-on crash on Route 66 in Forest County
A Pittsburgh man died in a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning in Forest County. The crash occurred at 7:09 a.m. when a vehicle, driven by Joseph…
Recent Deaths 10/31/25
Glenn Edward Cunningham, 77, of North Port, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Robert John “Bob” McCune, 86, of Franklin, passed away on…
Pet of the Day 10/30/25
Meet Lava! Lava would love a family of his own. He is very playful and wants to be near you all the time. You can…
Speaker series to wrap with WWII recollection
The Grove City Area Historical Society will conclude its Fall Speaker Series with a special Veterans Day program by Debbie Bell at 6:30 p.m. Nov….
Recent Deaths 10/30/25
Dorothy J. Jewell, 73, of Franklin, passed away on October 28, 2025. Aldean L. Dehner, 81, of Strattanville, passed away early Monday morning, October 27,…
Pet of the Day 10/29/25
Meet Pugsley Addams! Pugsley was born in April of 2025 and came to PAWS with his siblings, Enid, Wednesday, and Ajax. He is a sweet…
Oil City schools receive honor from Pennsylvania School Board Association
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association honored Oil City School District as a Great Pennsylvania School during Monday’s board meeting, presenting a ribbon to mark the…
Staff attendance up, student disciplinary referrals down: Franklin schools’ year in review
The Franklin Area School Board learned Monday that staff absenteeism and student disciplinary referrals declined in 2024-2025. Superintendent Eugene Thomas presented an AI-assisted year-in-review highlighting…
Oil City man and woman accused of kidnapping girl on their street
An Oil City couple, Jose Libreros, 27, and Kimberly Andino-Vazquez, 42, have been charged with kidnapping a young girl and holding her at their Jefferson…
Common Milkweed
Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, not only provides nectar for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators but is a larval host plant for butterflies and moths. Description…
Recent Deaths 10/29/25
Timothy “Spaz” Prelog, 54, of West Hickory, passed away on October 26, 2025. William J. “Bill” Hile Jr., 65, of East Brady, passed away late…
Pet of the Day 10/28/25
Meet Oreo! Oreo had puppies back in the spring. They all found homes and now it’s her turn! She can be a little slow to…
Good Hope to provide Thanksgiving meals
Good Hope Lutheran Church will deliver full Thanksgiving meals to the elderly, shut-in and homebound members of the community on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. The…
Recent Deaths 10/28/25
Timothy Eugene Ortz, 67, of New Bethlehem, passed away early Monday morning, October 27, 2025. Jane Marie Sandieson, 73, of Franklin, passed away on October…
Pet of the Day 10/27/25
Meet Nash! Nash is a rescue favorite. You cannot walk into her cage without being loved on. Nash is a lap kitty that loves attention….
Haunted history tour gives insight into Franklin’s darker past
The inaugural Franklinstein Haunted History Tour, hosted by Franklin Preservation and the Barrow-Civic Theatre, drew a large crowd Saturday night for a spooky journey into…
Recent Deaths 10/27/25
James A. Westlake, 56, of Oil City, passed away on October 24, 2025. Elizabeth J. “Betty” Franklin, 80, of Duncansville, passed away on Thursday, October…
If You See Me Watching the Road Crew…
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation I was driving through Franklin the other day and passed a stretch of roadwork. There was a big excavator parked…
Pet of the Day 10/25/25
Meet Ajax! Ajax was born in April of 2025 and came to PAWS with his siblings, Enid, Wednesday, Barry, and Pugsley. He is a sweet…
Tentative schedule set for Franklin sewer project
The Franklin General Authority has announced next week’s tentative schedule for its A-108 sewer replacement project. Work in the Third Ward will include paving on…
Experienced Venango poll workers will greet voters
Venango County poll workers received refresher training this week in preparation for the Nov. 4 general election. Elections Director Laura Anna said the county’s poll…
Recent Deaths 10/25/25
Shane Carl Densmore, 63, formerly of Franklin, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. April L. Bain, 65, of Franklin, passed away on Friday, October…
Pet of the Day 10/24/25
Meet Mork! Are you ready to open your heart and home to a wonderful companion? Look no further than Mork, a loving and loyal male…
Police: Two Meadville-area vape, tobacco shops busted for sale of illegal drugs
Two Meadville-area vape and tobacco shops were raided Thursday after public complaints led to the discovery of illegal drugs being sold, according to the Meadville…
Recent Deaths 10/24/25
Rosario James Galletta, 71, of Kokomo, Indiana, formerly of Titusville, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025. James I. Stoops, 75, of Franklin, passed away on…
Pet of the Day 10/23/25
Meet Goat-Tee! Goat-Tee is named for his little black goatee. If you are looking for a playful, rambunctious boy, Goat-Tee is your boy. He loves…
Friends for Food contributions pass $14,000
An additional $3,380 has been raised for the annual Friends for Food campaign, bringing the total to $14,785. The effort, organized by Community Services of…
East Forest names Homecoming King and Queen
East Forest High School held its annual Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Oct. 18. The dance was sponsored by the East Forest Student Council. Jonah Glass,…
Recent Deaths 10/23/25
Calvin Cortez Ludy Jr., 15, of Oil City, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025. Hope S. Goodman, 55, of Rimersburg, passed away on Tuesday,…
Fall in Love with Pumpkins, Warts and All
Quirky pumpkins are in vogue for fall decorating, including those covered with warts. Find out the causes for these bumpy beauties in this article. There…
Pet of the Day 10/22/25
Meet Sarek! Sarek was born in June of 2023 and was brought to PAWs recently with all of his housemates when his owner was diagnosed…
Billy’s Has Karma concert series will return to Oil City
The Karma Concert Series, now called *Billy’s Has Karma*, is returning to Oil City for its ninth year, bringing live performances from local musicians every…
Oil City Arts Council’s Fall Luau to return next month
The Oil City Arts Council’s Fall Luau will return Nov. 15 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the MAC Center in downtown Oil City. The…
Cranberry High School Class of 1960 holds 65th reunion
Members of the Cranberry High School Class of 1960 gathered for their 65th class reunion on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House…
Grand Marshal named for Autumn Leaf Festival parade
The Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry has announced that Rimersburg native Evelyn Bliss, the reigning U.S. National Champion in the women’s javelin throw,…
Nifty at 90: Emlenton woman has fond memories of roller-skating at Hasson Heights
The Nifty at 90 series spotlights Joanne Mae (Burnside) Burke of Emlenton, who turns 90 this year. Born in 1935 in Endeavor, she grew up…
Recent Deaths 10/22/25
William L. Flickner, 90, of Franklin, formerly of Central City, died October 16, 2025. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick…
Pet of the Day 10/21/25
Meet Mindy! Meet Mindy, a loving and affectionate adult female pup who is eager to find her forever family. Mindy came to us a stray…
YWCA’s Week Without Violence launches; Oil City chapter prepares to offer self-defense classes
The Oil City YWCA kicked off the 30th annual National Week Without Violence on Monday, focusing on raising awareness about domestic abuse and offering resources…
One person seriously injured in Cranberry crash; STAT MedEvac called to scene
One person was flown from the scene by medical helicopter Monday morning after a two-vehicle crash with severe injuries shut down State Route 257 in…
Recent Deaths 10/21/25
Jeffrey A. Dean, 62, of Oil City, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025. Carolyn S. Grove, 71, of Franklin, passed away on Saturday, October 18,…
Pet of the Day 10/20/25
Meet Chester & Dippy! Meet the dynamic duo, Chester & Dippy! These two affectionate and friendly boys are a packaged deal, offering double the love,…