AP Investigation: Prison boss beat inmates, climbed ranks
The prison staff didn’t know much about the new acting warden. Then, they say, he made a bizarre and startling confession: Years ago, he beat…
Apple Wreath Salad
(Family Features) Whether your festivities include immediate family or bring together relatives from around the country, the holidays are about making memories with loved ones….
Pet of the Day 12/8/22
Bux recently came to us as a stray so we are still getting to know him. Our vet estimated him to be around 4 years…
SS Trea Turner, Phillies finalize $300M, 11-year contract
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Trea Turner’s $300 million, 11-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies was finalized on Thursday after the All-Star shortstop passed his physical. Turner…
Philly’s slain ‘Boy in Box’: 66 years later we know his name
His name was Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Nearly 66 years after the battered body of a young boy was found stuffed inside a cardboard box, Philadelphia…
Blinken confident in Finland, Sweden accession to NATO
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday the United States is confident that Finland and Sweden will be approved soon for membership…
Apple Custard Sponge Trifle
(Family Features) Whether your festivities include immediate family or bring together relatives from around the country, the holidays are about making memories with loved ones….
Pet of the Day 12/7/22
Taro was originally an Amish dog, then he wasn’t getting along with another dog in his new household. He was good with one but not…
Woman accused of stealing guns, other items from father
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Oakland Township woman has been charged with stealing multiple firearms as well as coins and tools from her father….
Oil City Arts Council offers free pictures with Santa
From staff reports The Oil City Arts Council will hold “Pictures with Santa,” a free event in the Great Room of the National Transit Building…
‘Next mass killer’: Dropped case foretold Colorado bloodbath
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Anderson Lee Aldrich loaded bullets into a Glock pistol and chugged vodka, ominously warning frightened grandparents not to stand in…
Jan. 6 committee to issue criminal referrals, chairman says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will make criminal referrals to the Justice Department as it…
Crosby scores twice as surging Penguins roll by Columbus 4-1
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A month ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins were a mess. Disorganized on special teams. Iffy in goal. Erratic in general. Now, not so…
Review: ‘Spoiler Alert’ — You’re gonna need those Kleenex
The Associated Press In one of the more effective moments of “Spoiler Alert,” the camera does something unexpected and wise: it leaves the room. At…
Recent Deaths 12/7/22
Sandra E. “Soni” Houser, 88, of Franklin, died Dec. 4, 2022. John K. “Big John” Mullen, 59, of Emlenton, died Dec. 5, 2022. For…
Pet of the Day 12/6/22
Honey came to us as a stray so we don’t have background information for her. She got her name because she is super sweet. Unfortunately,…
Cranberry Popcorn Balls
(Family Features) With countless ways to enjoy the holiday season from decorating and hosting parties to wintertime activities, it’s a perfect time to bring family…
Community Support Services, United Way to distribute food vouchers
From staff reports Venango County Community Support Services and the United Way of Venango County will distribute their annual Christmas food vouchers on Tuesday, Dec….
Zonta participating in 16 Days of Activism
From staff reports The Center Street Bridge is orange. The Franklin-Oil City Zonta Club is currently honoring 16 Days of Activism, which runs from Nov….
Officers to receive Congressional Gold Medals for Jan. 6
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top House and Senate leaders will present law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, with Congressional Gold…
Biden’s efforts to protect abortion access hit roadblocks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is still actively searching for ways to safeguard abortion access for millions of women, even as it bumps up…
Justices spar in latest clash of religion and gay rights
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ‘s conservative majority sounded sympathetic Monday to a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for gay…
Kirstie Alley, Emmy-winning ‘Cheers’ star, dies at 71
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kirstie Alley, a two-time Emmy winner whose roles on the TV megahit “Cheers” and in the “Look Who’s Talking” films made…
Recent Deaths 12/6/22
Betty F. Way, 92, of Oil City, died Dec. 5, 2022. Thomas Robert Criner, 79, of Rimersburg, died Dec. 4, 2022. Joyce A. Maitland, 80,…
White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark
(Family Features) With countless ways to enjoy the holiday season from decorating and hosting parties to wintertime activities, it’s a perfect time to bring family…
Pet of the Day 12/5/22
Sweet Pea’s name says it all! She is a very warm and loving kitty who likes being pet. She also likes to play with toys…
Remembering Our Fallen at Pear Harbor
On the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the VFW solemnly honors the men and women who died in the devastating attack on…
Old-Fashioned Christmas provides old-fashioned joy
By HELEN FIELDING Staff writer A real old-fashioned downpour threatened to wash out the Franklin Retail and Business Association’s Old-Fashioned Christmas on Saturday, but the…
Supreme Court weighs ‘most important case’ on democracy
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is about to confront a new elections case, a Republican-led challenge asking the justices for a novel ruling that…
Heyward brothers lead Steelers to 19-16 win over Falcons
ATLANTA (AP) — Ironhead would’ve been proud of his boys. After a morning trip to their father’s grave, Cameron and Connor Heyward played an inspired…
‘Wakanda Forever’ is No. 1 for 4th straight weekend
NEW YORK (AP) — “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” kept the box-office crown for the fourth straight weekend, and the comic holiday thriller “Violent Night” debuted…
Recent Deaths 12/5/22
Lorraine Harrah, 78, of Seneca, died Dec. 2, 2022. Arthur “Art” W. Frampton, 74, of Sligo, died Dec. 2, 2022. Joyce Smith Maitland, 80, of…
Bidders picking up their specs for East Second project
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Oil City Council members heard an update on the East Second Street project and approved a second reading of the…
Venango Co. in good financial shape as new year approaches
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Venango County chief financial officer Diona Brick says things in the county “are going very well from a fiscal perspective.”…
Antisemitic celebrities stoke fears of normalizing hate
The Associated Press A surge of anti-Jewish vitriol, spread by a world-famous rapper, an NBA star and other prominent people, is stoking fears that public…
Kapanen’s hat trick powers Penguins to 6-2 win over Blues
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The last two weeks were difficult for Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen, as he watched from the press box. The last two…
Downey Jr. on making one last film with his dad in ‘Sr.’
NEW YORK (AP) — Robert Downey Jr. set out to make an objective portrait, a tribute to his father, the underground filmmaking maverick Robert Downey…
Alliance announces winners of outdoor rec contest
From staff reports Winners of the Oil Region Alliance’s outdoor recreation business plan contest were announced during Friday’s Christmas Past celebration in Oil City. First…
Rail workers say deal won’t resolve quality-of-life concerns
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — When BNSF railroad conductor Justin Schaaf needed to take time off from work this summer, he had to make a choice:…
Flu season worsens as 44 states report high activity
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season keeps getting worse. Health officials said Friday that 7.5% of outpatient medical visits last week were due…
Review: Will Smith-led ‘Emancipation’ is an action thriller
The Associated Press It comes as some relief that Antoine Fuqua’s “Emancipation,” starring Will Smith as a runaway slave in Civil War-era Louisiana, is not,…
Recent Deaths 12/3/22
Donald L. Weidner, 84, of Shippenville, died Dec. 2, 2022. Philip O. Womer, 82, of Oil City, died Nov. 30, 2022. Roger Courson, 69, of…
Pet of the Day 12/2/22
If you are looking for an energetic kitty who loves to play then look no further! Lucky is a friendly boy that enjoys chasing after…
Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn
(Family Features) With countless ways to enjoy the holiday season from decorating and hosting parties to wintertime activities, it’s a perfect time to bring family…
OC woman charged for spitting on man who had been attacked
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer An Oil City woman is facing aggravated assault and endangerment charges in connection with an incident at a Hone Avenue…
OC Arts Council announces First Night plans
From staff reports The Oil City Arts Council has announced plans for the city’s annual First Night Oil City celebration on New Year’s Eve. Activities…
Trump probe: Court halts Mar-a-Lago special master review
WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous federal appeals court on Thursday ended an independent review of documents seized from former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate, removing…
Congress votes to avert rail strike amid dire warnings
WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation to avert what could have been an economically ruinous freight rail strike won final approval in Congress on Thursday as lawmakers…
Guentzel, Kapanen fuel rally as Penguins slip by Vegas 4-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins have no idea how long they’ll have to play without Kris Letang. They may have landed on a formula…
Harry and Meghan doc footage puts royal rift at forefront
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Footage of an upcoming documentary about Harry and Meghan released Thursday shows the couple is once again prepared to tackle the…