Hazardous waste and electronics recycling in Franklin
Venango County will be sponsoring an upcoming event for both household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1…
2025
Recent Deaths 10/20/25
Joann (Joan) E. Faltenovich, 73, of Leeper, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025. Linda J. Adams, 76, of Oil City, passed away Friday, October 17,…
Pet of the Day 10/18/25
Meet Spock! Spock was born in January of 2021 and was brought to PAWs recently with all of his housemates when his owner was diagnosed…
Library Town Hall meetings
The Oil Region Library Association (ORLA) has scheduled three town hall meetings to answer questions and address concerns on the upcoming Venango County ballot referendum….
Baked Goods From Heaven wins Venango sandwich contest
Baked Goods From Heaven, located in Oil City, won the Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry’s “Best Sandwich In The County” contest for 2025….
Halloween Bash at Central Elementary enjoys terrific turnout
The Central Elementary and Franklin Elks Lodge #110’s first-ever Halloween Bash on Friday night drew a much larger crowd than expected, with more than 400…
Set Back, Still Moving Forward
By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation With how much I’ve been going on about heavy equipment over the last several weeks, you’d be forgiven for thinking…
Recent Deaths 10/18/25
Joyce M. Hays, 86, of Franklin, passed away on October 16, 2025. Edward “Ed” Staab, 87, of Oil City, died Thursday, October 16, 2025. Lulu…
Pet of the Day 10/17/25
Meet Journey! Meet Journey, a truly special female dog who is friendly, gentle, and playful. She is a ray of sunshine, with a heart as…
Franklin boat launch to close for repairs
The boat launch at Third Street in Franklin will temporarily close starting Monday, Oct. 27, so repairs can be made. The boat launch is expected…
Family celebrates five generations
Five generations of the Stroup family are pictured. Seated is Helen Stroup, holding her great-great-granddaughter Madilyn Shuffstall. Standing, from left, are Helen’s daughter Karen Vandervort,…
Recent Deaths 10/17/25
Johnathan Michael Stover, 18, of Angelstein, Colorado, and Oil City, passed away on September 28, 2025. Michael A. Huff, 65, of Oil City, passed away…
Pet of the Day 10/16/25
Meet Wizard! Meet Wizard, a truly magical doggo who’s ready to cast a spell on your heart! This affectionate and gentle boy is a bundle…
ORAS unveils new outdoor classroom in time for annual star party
The Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center’s new outdoor classroom is nearly finished just in time for ASTROBLAST 2025, the Oil Region Astronomical Society’s annual star…
PennCyber warns of security risks as Windows 10 support ends
The Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania (PennCyber) is urging residents, businesses, and organizations to take precautions following Microsoft’s official end of support for Windows 10 on…
Recent Deaths 10/16/25
David J. Fleming, 60, of Simi Valley, CA, formerly of Rocky Grove, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Robert Wesley “Bob” Ritts, 75, of…
Pet of the Day 10/15/25
Meet Floyd! Floyd was born in February of 2024 and was brought to PAWs recently with all of his housemates when his owner was diagnosed…
Friends for Food contributions pass $11,000
An additional $1,015 has been raised for the annual Friends for Food campaign, bringing this year’s total to $11,405. The effort, a partnership between Community…
Nifty at 90: Grandmother known for love of citrus, work at Polk Center
This week’s Nifty at 90 feature spotlights Franklin resident Shirley Ann Renninger, who was born in 1935 and grew up in a modest home on…
Origin of Main Street Market fire in Polk remains uncertain
An investigation is ongoing into Monday’s fire at Main Street Market in Polk, which thankfully resulted in no injuries. Polk Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom…
Winter Gardening Activities for Children
Indoor gardening activities can help children learn basic plant science while having fun. When winter seems far from over and the days are still too…
Recent Deaths 10/15/25
Anthony Charles Carone, of Upper St. Clair, formerly of Oil City, passed away on October 11, 2025. John F. McCormick Jr., of Clarion, passed away…
Pet of the Day 10/14/25
Meet Suds! Meet Suds, the loyal and playful boy who is ready to be your best friend! This athletic fella is always up for a…
Lawmakers introduce bill to prohibit student cell phones
Three Pennsylvania state senators — Democrats Vince Hughes and Steve Santarsiero and Republican Devlin Robinson — have introduced a bipartisan bill that would require schools…
East Forest homecoming court
The 2025 East Forest High School homecoming court members are Willa Heferle, Jayden Colvin, Aidan Faust and Jonah Glass. East Forest’s homecoming celebration — themed…
Rocky Grove homecoming royalty
Gauge Gierlach and Isabel Griffin were crowned king and queen during the Rocky Grove High School homecoming dance on Saturday. The dance capped several days…
West Forest homecoming royalty
Conner Summerville and Becca Wagner were crowned king and queen at the West Forest High School homecoming dance on Saturday. Summerville is the son of…
Trailblazers do well at horse show
Members of the Venango County 4-H Trailblazers club participated in the district horse show, and four girls placed in several categories. They are (from left)…
Truck crashes into Sandycreek Elementary; no one hurt
No one was injured when a work truck from Arbon Equipment Corp. veered off Pone Lane and struck the side of Sandycreek Elementary School on…
Recent Deaths 10/14/25
Barbara L. Toy, 76, of Masury, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Patricia Ann Willyoung, 87, of Franklin, passed away on Saturday, October…
Pet of the Day 10/13/25
Meet Lolly! Step right up, folks, and prepare to fall in love with little Lolly! This here pup is an affectionate bundle of joy, always…
Recent Deaths 10/13/25
Katherine A. “Katie” Hartzell Kerle, 88, of Knox, passed away Saturday morning, October 11, 2025. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The…
Pet of the Day 10/11/25
Meet Polly D! Polly D was born in February of 2024 and was brought to PAWs recently with all of her housemates when her owner…
Keystone crowns homecoming king and queen
Saydee Mays and Jacob Henry were recently crowned Keystone High School’s homecoming royalty. She is the daughter of Justin and Hope Mays, of Knox. He…
Cranberry crowns homecoming royalty
Zofia Earp was crowned Cranberry’s homecoming queen during halftime at Oil City’s homecoming football game on Friday night. Mariner Perry was crowned king.
Oil City crowns homecoming royalty
Isabella Vorse was crowned Oil City’s homecoming queen during halftime at Oil City’s homecoming football game against Warren on Friday night. She was escorted by…
Area nursing home workers delay strike
Nursing home workers at eight Valley West Health facilities — including those in Clarion, Oil City and Titusville — have postponed a planned three-day strike…
Recent Deaths 10/11/25
Yolanda Bickel, 47, of Oil City, passed away October 7, 2025. Richard “Magoo” McCreary, 61, of Emlenton, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Betty…
Pet of the Day 10/10/25
Meet Jet! This very handsome boy was so good for his photo shoot! He recently came to us as a stray so we don’t know…
Autumn Leaf Festival scholarship pageant winners announced
The 2025 Miss Junior Teen and Miss Teen ALF Scholarship Program crowned its winners Sunday, with Reginee Blanchard named Miss Teen ALF and Zoie Wolbert…
No one hurt in Titusville apartment fire
No one was injured in a fire Wednesday afternoon at an apartment building in Titusville. The blaze broke out shortly after noon Wednesday at 609…
McDonald’s sales to help pair of local high schools
McDonald’s owner/operators across Pennsylvania are teaming up to support local high school athletics during High School Sports Digital Fundraiser Day on Oct. 23. More than…
Recent Deaths 10/10/25
Judy Ann (Walter) Fitzgerald, 88, of Leeper, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Charles H. “Chuck” Watters, 92, of West Hickory, died Tuesday, October…
Pet of the Day 10/09/25
Meet Pow Pow! Pow Pow was born in January of 2018 and was brought to PAWs recently with all of her housemates when her owner…
Rocky Grove homecoming
Members of the Rocky Grove High School homecoming court are (front, from left) Kaidlynn Burger, Mikenzie Savada, Isabel Griffin, Natalee Haylett, Haven Moyer, (back, from…
Oil City homecoming
Oil City High School homecoming queen candidates are (from left) Lindsey Caralla, Ava-Lynn Vandeventer, Keira Fletcher, Isabella Vorse and Shayla Hanlon. The queen will be…
Clarion County man expanded glassblowing ability into an art
Clarion County native Dominick Labino transformed glassblowing from an industrial craft into an accessible art form. After starting as a mechanic and chemist for Owens-Illinois,…
Recent Deaths 10/09/25
Tammy Dalon Malone, 50, originally of Franklin, passed away October 2, 2025. Connie LeJean McCullough, 84, of Rimersburg, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025….
Pet of the Day 10/08/25
Meet Empress! Empress is a shy but very affectionate sweetheart looking for her forever home. She is quiet most of the time and very sweet,…
Nifty at 90: Former Oil City mayor celebrates birthday
Barb Crudo of Oil City, who celebrated her 90th birthday on Oct. 1, has led a remarkable life marked by service and accomplishment. A lifelong…