Evaluating the Garden
Winter is the perfect time to reflect on the successes and disappointments of last year’s garden. In the lull after the holidays, stop and take…
Articles by VenangoExtra.com
Recent Deaths 01/21/26
Brenda L. Kapp, 65, of Miola, passed away on Monday evening, January 19, 2026. “Butch” Blaine A. Henry Jr., 68, of Leeper, passed away on…
Pet of the Day 01/20/26
Meet Frankie! Frankie came to us after 6 years of being a friendly barn cat. She is a sweet and affectionate girl and will thrive…
Regional cold front is dangerous, meteorologists say
A cold front bringing snow squalls and dangerous wind chills has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a cold weather advisory for the Oil…
Recent Deaths 01/20/26
Karen Elizabeth May, 80, passed away on January 10, 2026. Carolyn (Kelly) Nielsen, 84, passed away on the morning of January 17, 2026. William A….
Resolution-Adjacent
Well, here we are – a whole week into a whole new year. This time of year always comes with a strange kind of energy,…
Pet of the Day 01/19/26
Meet Poptart! Poptart was surrendered to Precious Paws when her Mom and Dad got a divorce and moved into apartments. She was loved but neither…
Farm Show scholarship goes to Titusville resident
Titusville resident Mark Snyder, seen with state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, holds his Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship. Snyder, a freshman at Penn State World Campus, is…
Vacant residence in Oil City catches fire
A vacant residence at 69 Grove Ave. that had been used by the Oil City Fire Department for training caught fire Saturday morning, prompting a…
Franklin man charged in child pornography case
A Franklin man, 66-year-old Larry Boocks II, has been charged with 50 felony counts of child sexual abuse material after investigators say two electronic devices…
Recent Deaths 01/19/26
Rose Marie Oertel Mong, 61, of Franklin, died on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Sarah W. Bills, 87, of Clarion, passed away Thursday, January 15, 2026….
Pet of the Day 01/17/26
Meet Mike Hannigan! Mike was born in January of 2025 and came to PAWS with eight other kitties after being found in a garage out…
Nifty at 90: Family matriarch enjoys games and family
Today’s Nifty at 90 feature highlights Franklin resident Anita Corbett, who is celebrating her 90th birthday on Sunday and remains active and full of life…
Judge Kirtland accepting letters of interest for Abramovic’s successor
Venango County President Judge Matthew Kirtland is accepting letters of interest from Venango County Democrats interested in filling the commissioner seat that will be vacated…
Recent Deaths 01/17/26
Michelle “Missie” Greenlee, 55, of Franklin, passed away the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026. Stanley Joseph “Joe” Szympruch, 79, of Center Conway, NH, passed…
Pet of the Day 01/16/26
Meet Bear! Bear has had a difficult start to life. He is afraid of everything. He would do best in a home without small children…
Recent Deaths 01/16/26
Mary Lou Huff, 74, of Oil City, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Gerald L. “Jerry” Faller, 84, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday,…
Pet of the Day 01/15/26
Meet Sandra Green! Sandra was born in 2020 and came to PAWS with kittens from various litters. Her babies are weaned, and she’s ready for…
Free smoke detectors available for Oil City residents
The Oil City Fire Department is offering free smoke detectors and installation to city residents on a first-come, first-served basis as part of its Free…
Oil City Council approves new lead truck, reviews paving costs
During its Monday meeting, Oil City Council addressed several routine matters alongside discussion of the recent river search, including approving the purchase of a $312,000…
Recent Deaths 01/15/26
Chase Jason Ruth, 18, of Emlenton, passed away Dora M. Nageli, 93, formerly of Oil City, passed away on December 29, 2025. Joyce M. Riddle,…
Pet of the Day 01/14/26
Meet Barrett! Meet Barrett, a loving and friendly boy who is sure to capture your heart! Barrett was brought to the rescue as a stray…
Keeping a Garden Journal
Keeping a garden journal can be a valuable tool to help both novice and experienced gardeners meet their goals. A garden journal provides a mechanism…
Oil City woman convicted of cruelty to animals
A jury has convicted an Oil City woman on charges of cruelty to animals following a trial in Erie County. The charges were first filed…
Weller to retire; OC schools go with new reading program
The Oil City Area School Board approved the retirement of Superintendent Lynda Weller at its Monday meeting and gave final approval to a new elementary…
Recent Deaths 01/14/26
Patricia (Patti) Ann McCauley, 59, of Saint Petersburg, passed away on January 11, 2026. Donald B. “Bruce” Ritts, 73, of Shippenville, formerly of Strattanville, passed…
Pet of the Day 01/13/26
Meet Silver! Silver is a 1 year old male who came to us with 6 other cats. Silver is so sweet and docile and loves…
Kate Newman Day marks 15 years as woman’s legacy stays in focus
Today marks the 15th anniversary of Kate Newman Day in Oil City, honoring the life and legacy of the late Oil City native who returned…
Recent Deaths 01/13/26
Joan Anne Hartle (nee Peitz), lovingly known as Mimi, 72, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Phillip E. McNellie, 70, of Cherrytree, died Sunday,…
Pet of the Day 01/12/26
Meet Zeus! Zeus is a 9-10 year old, male, Lab/Shepherd mix surrendered to the rescue when his owner became homeless. Owner reports he lived in…
Search of Allegheny River for missing person suspended in Oil City due to hazardous conditions
The river search that began Wednesday night following a report that an individual had fallen from Oil City’s Wye Bridge into Allegheny River has been…
Hiking clubs enjoy trek from Foxburg to Emlenton in winter tradition
With rain holding off, about two dozen hikers from the Clarion County Chapter of the North Country Trail Association and the Butler Outdoor Club took…
Franklin boy makes annual donation to Precious Paws
Will Cisek, the Franklin boy known for his “Will’s Christmas Blow-up Extravaganza,” has made yet another annual donation to Precious Paws Animal Rescue with money…
Recent Deaths 01/12/26
Mark T. King, 62, of Oil City, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026. Christopher A. Collett, 72, of Clarion, passed away on January 10, 2026….
Pet of the Day 01/10/26
Meet Kaylee! Kaylee and her sister Jo came to us after their owner passed away. They are both 7 years old, sisters, and have been…
Bath and Body Works to close at Cranberry Mall
Another store is planning to depart from the Cranberry Mall, as mall management confirmed Bath and Body Works will be closing its location at the…
Oil City responders search for individual reported to have fallen from Wye Bridge Wednesday evening
Officials are asking Oil City residents to avoid the Allegheny River area between the Wye Bridge and the sewage treatment plant as multiple agencies continue…
Clarion Borough swears in new council during reorganization
Clarion Borough Council welcomed newly elected members Kaitlyn Whitling, Helen Hampikian and Andrew Harbaugh during its recent reorganizational meeting, while Christy Logue had previously taken…
Recent Deaths 01/10/26
Mary B. Conner, 63, of Oil City, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Rickey E. Coburn, 73, of Reno, passed away on Thursday, January…
Pet of the Day 01/09/26
Meet Cooper! Cooper, a young , male Retriever mix was brought to the rescue as a stray. Cooper waited & waited for his family to…
Recent Deaths 01/09/26
Nathan Durell, 32, of Franklin, passed away on January 5, 2026. Paul LeVern Bell, 77, of Oil City, passed away on January 6, 2026. Larry…
Pet of the Day 01/08/26
Meet Clyde! Clyde was brought to us as a stray. His owner passed away and he found himself outside fending for himself. One of our…
Recent Deaths 01/08/26
Adam J. Lander, 25, of Knox, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026. Leslie R. Lepley Jr., 50, of Franklin, died on Tuesday, January 6,…
Starting Seeds in Winter
Many annual and perennial seeds require a cold period to germinate. You can provide a controlled cold environment for seedlings with these instructions. What…
Pet of the Day 01/07/26
Meet Avett! Avett is a 3 year old, male, Border Collie/Heeler mix surrendered to rescue when owner was “unable to support his needs”. Owner reports…
Self-defense classes to start Thursday at OC YWCA
Freedom NWPA and the Oil City YWCA will offer a monthly self-defense class this year at the Oil City YW starting this Thursday. The class…
Clarion County auditor sworn in to fill vacancy
Eric Krouse of Clarion was sworn in Monday as a Clarion County auditor, filling a position that had effectively been vacant for nearly two years….
Recent Deaths 01/07/26
Thomas E. Heath passed away December 31, 2025. Clifford L. Lobaugh, 81, of Tionesta, formerly of Lower Burrell, died on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Stanley…
Pet of the Day 01/06/25
Meet Campbell! Campbell is probably the most docile black cat we have ever had at the rescue. Campbell came to us with 3 other barn…
100th Birthday: Betty Frank Sollinger
Betty Frank Sollinger Betty Frank Sollinger of the Caring Place, formerly of Halyday Run Road, will be turning 100 on Sunday. She was born to…