Oil City Elks #344 recently presented a $2,000 grant to the Autism Stands organization for the Blue Box food program. The Blue Box program works with the food pantry of the St. Elizabeth Center to provide special food required by a specific child with autism. Bridge Builders Community Foundations helped facilitate the grant. Pictured are (from left) Judy Matthews, Elks district deputy; Trish Baker, the Oil City Elks grant coordinator; Brandy Hinojosa, the Autism Stands founder; Mishelle Beith with Bridge Builders Community Foundations; and John Clark, the Oil City Elks grand exalted ruler. (Submitted photo)
OC Elks presents program grant to Autism Stands
Pet of the Day 01/21/26
Meet Simba! Simba was born in 2020 and is such a sweet boy. He is very affectionate and wouldn’t be a good option for someone…
Cranberry woman accused of arson
A Cranberry Township woman is facing multiple charges after a home on Tippery Road burned down Saturday, with state police alleging the fire was intentionally…
Venango economic development approves rec center contracts, expands maker space plans
At its first meeting of 2026, the Venango County Economic Development Authority approved several contracts, including two tied to the proposed Venango Sports and Recreation…
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…
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…
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
Oil City responders search for individual reported to have fallen from Wye Bridge Wednesday evening
Clarion Borough swears in new council during reorganization
