Articles by VenangoExtra.com
Boy’s Christmas gift
By DILLON PROVENZA Staff writer A Franklin boy’s festive Christmas display has netted him about $1,000 in donations that he plans to pass on to…
Congress opening new session as virus, Biden’s win dominate
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is preparing to convene for the start of a new session, swearing in lawmakers during a tumultuous period as a growing…
Steelers put starters Haden, Ebron on reserve/COVID-19 list
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed cornerback Joe Haden, tight end Eric Ebron and reserve linebacker Cassius Marsh on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting…
Report: Talk show host Larry King in hospital with COVID-19
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former CNN talk show host Larry King has been hospitalized with COVID-19 for more than a week, the news channel reported…
Tri-county has 124 new virus cases
From staff reports The state Department of Health over Thursday and Friday announced the tri-county area reported an increase of 124 cases of COVID-19. The…
St. Patrick Masses canceled until Jan. 9
From staff reports The Erie Catholic Diocese announced Friday that three clergy who helped celebrate Masses at St. Patrick Parish in Franklin over the Christmas…
Congress overrides Trump veto of defense bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress on Friday overrode President Donald Trump’s veto of a defense policy bill, a first by lawmakers since he took office nearly…
Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increases go into effect Sunday
HARRISBURG (AP) — Toll increases go into effect on the Pennsylvania Turnpike this weekend, along with a hefty surcharge on drivers who don’t use EZ-Pass,…
Browns get to practice as ‘weight’ of Steelers game sinks in
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns rang in the new year by practicing. With everything else that transpired over the past week, that was a…
Recent Deaths 1/2/21
James L. “Jim” Foy, Sr., 74, of Franklin, died Dec. 30, 2020. David W. Graham, 82, of Polk, died Dec. 31, 2020. Phyllis R. Himes,…
Pet of the Day 1/1/21
Russet is a super sweet boy who loves attention and cuddles. He does like to hide sometimes to find some peace, but he is super…
Sherry, Ham and Cheese Brunch Bake
(Family Features) In what’s certain to be a holiday season unlike any other, you can transform your seasonal menu in 20 minutes of prep time…
Pet of the Day 12/31/20
Delaney is a girl with a bit of sass. She loves to play and can sometimes be vocal, but she can have a bit of…
Tuscan White Bean Soup
(Family Features) In what’s certain to be a holiday season unlike any other, you can transform your seasonal menu in 20 minutes of prep time…
The Evolution of ORA
The ORA looked very different fifteen years ago than it does today. I sat down recently with current CEO John Phillips to talk about the…
Tri-county area adds 56 virus cases
From staff reports The state Department of Health on Wednesday announced 56 new cases of COVID-19 were reported from the tri-county area, as well as…
Man waives hearing in rape, sex assault case involving minor
From staff reports A former Venango County man facing more than 30 charges that accuse him of raping and sexually assaulting a now 16-year-old girl…
Wolf to let some COVID-19 lockdown measures expire on Monday
HARRISBURG (AP) — Additional restrictions that were imposed in Pennsylvania almost three weeks ago to combat the COVID-19 pandemic will expire as expected early next…
Steelers WR Claypool taking breakout rookie season in stride
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The initial splash Chase Claypool made quickly turned into a tidal wave, one opposing defenses could no longer ignore. Scoring four touchdowns…
Trebek’s last new ‘Jeopardy!’ episodes airing with a tribute
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The final new “Jeopardy!” episodes hosted by Alex Trebek will air next week, with highlights that promise to be memorable. The…
Recent Deaths 12/31/20
Carmen Patrick Caccavo, 94, of Franklin, died Dec. 29, 2020. Brian E. “Boo” Snyder, 61, of Titusville, died Dec. 29, 2020. Allen Taube, 80, of…
Pet of the Day 12/30/20
Fable came to us when her owner passed away. Her and the other dogs at the home were kept outside most of the time. She…
Chicken and Rice Casserole with Spinach and Mushrooms
(Family Features) Just the thought of comfort foods is often enough to warm the soul, especially as cool winds blow and temperatures drop. When cooler…
Tri-county area adds 48 virus cases
From staff reports The state Department of Health on Tuesday announced 48 new cases of COVID-19 and two new virus-related deaths were reported from the…
St. Patrick Masses canceled
From staff reports Masses at St. Patrick Parish in Franklin have been canceled until further notice while Msgr. John Herbein, the parish pastor, awaits the…
Trump’s $2,000 checks stall in Senate as GOP blocks vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out in the Senate as Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed…
Steelers to sit Roethlisberger for finale against Browns
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Ben Roethlisberger rest up for the playoffs. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Roethlisberger will…
Joe and Jill Biden to appear on ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’
NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration on…
Recent Deaths 12/30/20
Bessie Belle (Callander) Maihle, 89, died Dec. 28, 2020. Linda Stull Masterson, 68, of Franklin, died Dec. 26, 2020. Carolyn McFadden, 77, of Franklin, died…
Pet of the Day 12/29/20
Spirit came to us due to landlord issues and with very little socialization. She is on a daily medication to help and she has come…
Veggie Sammies with Peanut Butter Satay Sauce
(Family Features) Starting fresh with a new year is a chance to hit the reset button for many people, and your family can use this…
Tri-county reports 15 new virus cases
From staff reports The state Department of Health on Monday announced 15 new cases of COVID-19 and three new virus-related deaths were reported from the…
Pointe warming center open to anyone on cold nights
By DILLON PROVENZA Staff writer The Pointe in Oil City is experiencing low usage of its warming center. “Our numbers seem to be down this…
Fate of Trump’s $2,000 checks now rests with GOP-led Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks now rests with the Senate after the House voted overwhelmingly to meet the…
Steelers can exhale after a wearying run to AFC North title
PITTSBURGH (AP) — This time, JuJu Smith-Schuster saved his dancing for the locker room. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver who drew the ire of opponents…
Netflix reworks leftovers with food-based reality game show
NEW YORK (AP) — Just in time for anyone facing a heaving, post-holiday refrigerator comes a TV show about what to do with all those…
Recent Deaths 12/29/20
Margaret A. “Peggy” Barnett, 78, of East Hickory, died Dec. 27, 2020. Bonnie J. Roddy, 92, of East Palestine, Ohio, formerly of Oil City, died…
Pet of the Day 12/28/20
Louise is a young, high-energy girl who loves to play. She can be a bit mouthy in her play but that is a characteristic of…
Peanut Butter Chicken
(Family Features) Starting fresh with a new year is a chance to hit the reset button for many people, and your family can use this…
Warm Wishes for Holiday Season
With 2020 drawing to a close, I would like to extend the warmest wishes for a peaceful holiday season to all of our nation’s veterans,…
Tri-county adds 240 cases over holiday weekend
From staff reports The state Department of Health over Friday, Saturday and Sunday announced the tri-county area reported an increase of 240 cases of COVID-19….
Trump signs COVID relief, averts federal shutdown
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package, ending days of drama over his refusal to…
Steelers rally past Colts to end skid, lock up AFC North
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Their once-promising season on the brink of a full-out collapse, the Pittsburgh Steelers headed to the locker room for halftime at Heinz…
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ debuts with pandemic-best $16.7M
NEW YORK (AP) — Despite premiering simultaneously by streaming service, “Wonder Woman 1984” managed the best box office debut of the pandemic, opening with $16.7…
Recent Deaths 12/28/20
Bill Lawson, formerly of Corsica, died Dec. 25, 2020. Orville Harford Lerch, 85, of Clarion, died Dec. 24, 2020. Joseph W. Lowrie, Sr., 78, of…
Singing Hills property up for sale
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer The timber company that owns the former Singing Hills Girl Scout camp between Oil City and Dempseytown has put the…
FBI at home of possible person of interest in Nashville bomb
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal agents converged Saturday on the home of a possible person of interest in the explosion that rocked downtown Nashville as…
Gingerbread monolith delights San Francisco on Christmas Day
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In true pop-up art fashion, a nearly 7-foot-tall monolith made of gingerbread mysteriously appeared on a San Francisco hilltop on Christmas…
Pirates’ Polanco breaks wrist in winter ball, OK for spring
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco broke a bone in his right wrist playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. The Pirates said…