294-ton oversized load to travel through Franklin next week
By LAURA O’NEIL Staff writer An oversized load may disrupt travel this week on Interstate 80, Route 322 west, which includes Liberty Street in Franklin,…
Issues with school racism aired again before Franklin board
By SYDNEY HERDLE Contributing writer Racism issues within Franklin School District were once again brought to the attention of Franklin School Board members and district…
Headed to disaster? US, Russia harden stances in talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The failure of last week’s high-stakes diplomatic meetings to resolve escalating tensions over Ukraine has put Russia, the United States and its…
Guentzel’s OT goal lifts Penguins over Sharks 2-1
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Jake Guentzel scored 37 seconds into overtime, Luis Domingue had 40 saves in his season debut and the Pittsburgh Penguins…
Final valuation of Prince’s estate pegged at $156.4 million
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The six-year legal battle over pop superstar Prince’s estate has ended, meaning the process of distributing the artist’s wealth could begin next…
Chocolate-making workshop scheduled
From staff reports The Oil Region Alliance will hold a chocolate-making workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at the Tarbell House, 324…
Court puts hold on GOP inspection of county voting machines
McCONNELLSBURG (AP) — An inspection of voting machines in a heavily Republican county in Pennsylvania as part of a GOP “investigation” into the 2020 presidential…
Federal testing website launches next week, 4 tests per home
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal website where Americans can request free COVID-19 tests will begin accepting orders on Wednesday as the White House looks to…
Steelers visit Chiefs with nothing-to-lose playoff attitude
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger are brutally honest about the Steelers’ chances of advancing past the wild-card round of the…
Netflix upping US, Canada prices with competition growing
NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix is raising prices for its video streaming customers in the U.S. and Canada, less than a year and a half…
Recent Deaths 1/15/22
Donald C. “Capt’n” Elder, Sr., 86, of Fisher, died Jan. 13, 2022. Chelsea J. Licht, 86, of Ahrensville, died Jan. 14, 2022. Anna Mae Fisher,…
Mediterranean Rice Bowls with Zucchini Fritters
(Family Features) Before you completely overhaul the way you live, keep in mind making positive changes may just be a few simple steps away. Starting…
Pet of the Day 1/14/22
Grizzy recently came to us because his owner was no longer able to keep him. He can be shy, but he is super sweet. He…
Supreme Court halts COVID-19 vaccine rule for US businesses
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has stopped a major push by the Biden administration to boost the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, a requirement that…
The heat stays on: Earth hits 6th warmest year on record
The Associated Press Earth simmered to the sixth hottest year on record in 2021, according to several newly released temperature measurements. And scientists say the…
Kings use three-goal flurry in third to bury Penguins 6-2
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mikey Anderson, Viktor Arvidsson and Anze Kopitar scored in a span of 1:23 of the third period and the Los Angeles…
Ashes of Winter the movie star dolphin released into Gulf
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The ashes of Winter the dolphin were returned to the sea on Thursday, about two months after the beloved marine mammal…
Recent Deaths 1/14/22
Lucinda “Cindy” John Lerch Davis, 80, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died Jan. 4, 2022. Ruth L. Rogers, 96, died Jan. 12, 2022. Ella M. Butryn, 78,…
Cheesy Frittata with Veggies
(Family Features) Chef Nate Appleman knows how important it is to serve healthy meals to your family – ones they actually want to eat. Before…
Pet of the Day 1/13/22
Maui is the sweetest little guy. He loves to cuddle and is often pretty playful, especially with his siblings. He has lots of energy, but…
Fund for OCHS students honoring longtime editor raises about $10k
From staff reports Nearly $10,000 has been contributed so far to a fund that honors a longtime editor at The Derrick and will benefit Oil…
Venango Catholic to host Heritage Gala March 19
From staff reports Venango Catholic High School will host its annual Heritage Gala on Saturday, March 19, at the school. This year’s black-tie event will…
Biden highlighting federal ‘surge’ to help weather omicron
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is highlighting the federal government’s efforts to “surge” military medical personnel to help overwhelmed medical facilities weather the spike…
House votes for GOP-favored redistricting plan
HARRISBURG (AP) — A plan to redraw lines for Pennsylvania’s congressional districts to account for a decade of population shifts passed the state House on…
Deja vu? Roethlisberger hoping for Bettis-style send-off
PITTSBURGH (AP) — There was no speech. No galvanizing moment. There didn’t really need to be one. The Pittsburgh Steelers knew the 2005 playoffs would…
Fact checkers say YouTube lets its platform be ‘weaponized’
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – More than 80 fact checking organizations are calling on YouTube to address what they say is rampant misinformation on the platform….
Recent Deaths 1/13/22
Patricia K. Klingler, 57, of Knox, died Jan. 11, 2022. Homer Dean Merwin, 89, of Parker, died Jan. 12, 2022. Blanche E. Kemmer, 93, of…
Pet of the Day 1/12/22
Aurora recently came to us as a stray found on the highway. She is super friendly and playful. Aurora is a nice size, she isn’t…
Lemon Chicken with Roasted Red Onions and Potatoes
(Family Features) Chef Nate Appleman knows how important it is to serve healthy meals to your family – ones they actually want to eat. Before…
Franklin woman facing forgery, theft charges
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A Franklin woman already charged with altering a check is facing additional charges of forgery and theft. Sugarcreek Borough police…
Venango Co. starting process to ramp up for election season
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Venango County commissioners heard some updates and took care of routine matters at their monthly meeting Tuesday. Sabrina Backer, the…
US shoppers find some groceries scarce due to virus, weather
The Associated Press Benjamin Whitely headed to a Safeway supermarket in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to grab some items for dinner. But he was disappointed…
US consumer prices soared 7% in past year, most since 1982
WASHINGTON (AP) — Prices paid by U.S. consumers jumped 7% in December from a year earlier, the highest inflation rate since 1982 and the latest…
Malkin scores twice in return, Penguins defeat Ducks 4-1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Evgeni Malkin couldn’t have dreamed up a better return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup. The four-time All-Star and 2012 Hart Trophy…
Review: Time to bid goodbye to ‘Hotel Transylvania’
The Associated Press Here are some good things about the fourth Hotel Transylvania movie: Kathryn Hahn, who is as evocative a voice actor as she…
Recent Deaths 1/12/22
Rebecca J. Beach, 81, of Franklin, died Jan. 10, 2022. Joan G. Strawbridge, 89, of Sugarcreek, died Jan. 9, 2022. Gary McFadden, 65, of Oil…
Pet of the Day 1/11/22
Fern is very shy, but once she gets comfortable with you look out! She is a great cuddlebug once she is settled. She does love…
Marinated Skirt Steak
(Family Features) Chef Nate Appleman knows how important it is to serve healthy meals to your family – ones they actually want to eat. Before…
Man facing many charges after domestic altercation in OC home
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A Titusville man is facing numerous charges following an incident Sunday evening in Oil City in which he is accused…
Clarion, Titusville to receive housing funds
From staff reports Clarion County and Titusville will receive substantial funds through the state’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program to support affordable housing programs. The federally…
Home COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday
WASHINGTON (AP) — Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their…
Blue Streak roller coaster gone, but not due to fire
CONNEAUT LAKE (AP) — A wooden roller coaster built more than eight decades ago that was the centerpiece of a northwestern Pennsylvania amusement park is…
Wolf: Vaccine is strategy to fight COVID-19, not shutdowns
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday brushed aside questions about whether he will issue more orders for shutdowns as cases of the omicron…
Love bites in ‘Wolf Like Me’ with Isla Fisher and Josh Gad
NEW YORK (AP) — Isla Fisher’s character in the new genre-bending series “Wolf Like Me” is a romantic catch. Kind of. She speaks four languages,…
Recent Deaths 1/11/22
Audine Mae “Dean” Ehrhart, 83, of Venus, died Jan. 9, 2022. Arthur E. Yingling, Sr., died Jan. 10, 2022. Mary Diane Chambers, 67, of Emlenton,…
Theft by unlawful taking
Hindering apprehension
Domestic dispute
Pet of the Day 1/10/22
Forest is a shy boy who needs a little extra time to warm up. But once he does, look out! He is very affectionate and…