Luke Pentz, 13, of Emlenton was promoted on June 23 to the rank of cadet second lieutenant and was formally recognized by the Franklin squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for earning the Major General William “Billy” Mitchell Award. He is pictured with CAP special guest, U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Cresswell of the 311th Recruiting Squadron, in Franklin. To earn the award, cadets must pass a series of leadership and aerospace exams and physical fitness tests, attend character development classes and give oral presentations, and graduate from an intensive military-style basic encampment. Nationwide, only 15% of all cadets achieve this level. Mitchell cadets are looked on favorably when applying for the U.S. Air Force Academy and, if they enlist in the U.S. Air Force, are promoted to Airman First Class upon completion of Basic Military Training.
Local cadet earns Billy Mitchell award
Pet of the Day 07/17/25
Meet Mr. Pink! Mr. Pink is a sweetheart and had a good life until his owner was no longer able to care for him or…
Dairy Princess Promotion Team assists at food bank
The Venango County Dairy Princess Promotion Team assisted at a food bank for local qualifying veterans. The team of girls raised money through fundraising for…
Venango County Regional Planning Commission’s new director proposes changes to simplify SALDO
The Venango County Regional Planning Commission introduced its new executive director, Dennis Tobin, at Tuesday’s meeting. Tobin, originally from the New Kensington area near Pittsburgh,…
Recent Deaths 07/17/25
Tasia Tate, 39, of Meadville, originally from Franklin, passed away on July 12, 2025. Jeffrey Robert McCartney, 49, of Cochranton, passed away on Sunday, July…
Pet of the Day 07/16/25
Meet Tootie Fields! Tootie was born in May of 2024. She is a sweet little girl who loves to be petted and scratched under her…
Recent Deaths 07/16/25
Sherry D. Downes, 75, of Greer, SC, formerly of Grove City and Knox, passed away on July 13, 2025. Brenton Howard “Butch” Best, 80, of…
Pet of the Day 07/15/25
Meet Felix! Felix is a very adventuresome and friendly kitten who has been with other cats in his foster home. He loves to play and…
Color run supports student-athlete
Jayden Miller, a Franklin Area High School track team member and student at Rocky Grove High School, supports teammate Austin Wallace, who is battling cancer,…
DOH alerts residents about recall of children’s bikes due to lead levels
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has alerted parents and caregivers in a press release about the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall of SPPTTY…
Meadville police investigate officers’ struggle with suspect
Meadville police issued a statement over the weekend addressing a widely viewed video showing a struggle during the Friday arrest of Nathan Koman on Baldwin…
Recent Deaths 07/15/25
Juanita Jane Berlin, 71, of Oil City, formerly of Corry, passed away on June 25, 2025. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of…
Pet of the Day 07/14/25
Meet Snickers! You are not you when you are hungry. So grab a Snickers. If you ever wanted your own Grumpy cat, look no further….
Franklin’s Olive Vault under new ownership
After six years of business, The Olive Vault in Franklin has new owners — Kipp and Candi Walton — who recently purchased the specialty food…
Oil City Arts Council celebrates opening of new gallery space
The Oil City Arts Council officially opened its new gallery and event space — the MAC (Music, Arts and Culture) Event Center — with a…
Recent Deaths 07/14/25
Donald L. Newton, Jr., “Paco”, 71, of Franklin, died Friday, July 11, 2025. Timothy F. Doyle Sr., 72, of Clarks Mills, passed away on July…
Kwik Fill demolition begins
Demolition has begun on the Kwik Fill at the intersection of Routes 257 and 322 in Cranberry. Crews put up fencing around the property earlier…
Shapiro signs bill to fully repeal decades-old Sunday hunting ban in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s longstanding ban on Sunday hunting has been fully repealed with the signing of House Bill 1431 into law by Governor Josh Shapiro, marking a…
National advocate for shelter animals stops at Precious Paws Animal Rescue
A Florida man who undertook a national initiative more than four years ago to advocate for shelter animals made a stop at Precious Paws Animal…
Recent Deaths 07/10/25
Gregory Scott Exley, 56, of Polk, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for…
Pet of the Day 07/09/25
Meet Blair Warner! All cats have been spayed/neutered and received basic vaccinations, including a rabies vaccine, and have been dewormed, and microchipped. She has been…
Man fatally injured in Mercer County
The Mercer County Coroner’s Office and Mercer state police are investigating the death of 92-year-old Edward Wiszczor Sr., of Washington, Pennsylvania, as the result of…
‘America’s Best Restaurants’ will feature Bella Cucina
Bella Cucina in Franklin will be featured on the America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) Roadshow on July 22, spotlighting the upscale downtown eatery’s popular dishes and…
Recent Deaths 07/09/25
John James Dunkerley, 70, of Oil City, passed away July 7, 2025. Mary Margaret “Marge” Astorino, 80, of Franklin, passed away on Monday, July 7,…
Pet of the Day 07/08/25
Meet Stormi! This spunky girl is loud and proud, and she has a lot to say. She is very vocal, especially around meal times, and…
Precious Paws fundraiser to host animal advocate
Kris Rotonda, founder of Jordan’s Way LLC, will bring his national fundraising tour to Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin tonight from 6 to 9…
Shapiro honors area PennDOT workers
A team from PennDOT District 1 in northwestern Pennsylvania received the Governor’s Awards for Excellence for their outstanding response to a record-breaking snowstorm in Erie…
Recent Deaths 07/08/25
Judith Lee Hoover Porter Pastorius Davis, 70, of Oil City, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025. John Michael Frances, 70, of Limestone, passed away…
Pet of the Day 07/07/25
Meet Mary Jane! Mary Jane used to be someone’s pet. She used to be loved. Someone took the time to spay her and microchip her….
Recent Deaths 07/07/25
Molly D. Sanchez, 64, of Oil City, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Edward W. Anderson, 68, of Oil City, died Friday morning, July…
Pet of the Day 07/05/25
Meet Pookie Jack! Pookie Jack was born in November of 2013. Pookie Jack is a beautiful boy looking for a new home. He came to…
Clarion County gets its 2nd Sheetz
Kirtland Foundation awards scholarships to students
It was a homecoming of sorts for ‘I Love Clarion’
Recent Deaths 07/05/25
Where the Echo Still Lingers: Part Two
Pet of the Day 07/03/25
Boil advisory lifted for East Brady, Rimersburg, and Petrolia
