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…
Tri-county area reports 70 cases, 3 additional deaths
From staff reports The state Department of Health on Thursday announced 70 new cases of COVID19 were reported from the tri-county area, as well as…
Weather-related crashes reported in area
From staff reports Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day several vehicles were involved in weather-related incidents in Venango and Clarion counties. A Venango County 911…
Downtown Nashville explosion knocks communications offline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning, causing widespread communications outages that took…
Pirates trade slugger Josh Bell to Nationals
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Bell embraced everything about being a Pittsburgh Pirate. He understood as the club retooled following the departure of stars Andrew McCutchen…
Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch sold to billionaire
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California has found a new owner in billionaire businessman Ron Burkle. Burkle views the 2,700-acre property…
Recent Deaths 12/26/20
Rhea Jean Knappenberger, 100, of Knox, died Dec. 24, 2020. Valjean Marie Gilbert Silvis, 91, of Tionesta, died Dec. 23, 2020. Joseph Michael Sires, 66,…
Pet of the Day 12/24/20
Cinnamon is as sweet as her name, with people. She doesn’t seem to like other female dogs. When you hear about her past you might…
Walnut Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake
(Family Features) For many families, spending special moments with loved ones feels more important than ever this year. Whether you’re spending the holidays with family…
OC man wanted in drug case taken into custody
From staff reports Sugarcreek Borough police took a man into custody Wednesday who was wanted for his alleged involvement in a drug ring that sold…
Green bulbs always a good sign on Cherrytree fire hall wreath
By DILLON PROVENZA Staff writer A Christmastime tradition at the Cherrytree Township Volunteer Fire Department station challenges residents to “keep it safe” during the holiday….
Wolf seeks $145M fund shift to help businesses with pandemic
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday proposed spending $145 million in reserves from a worker’s compensation fund to help the hardest-hit businesses cope…
Steelers Roethlisberger on slide: “I need to play better”
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger, the father of three young children, used a very father of three young children word to describe why he’s come…
Review: Pixar’s ‘Soul’ joins mid-life crisis, jazz fantasia
The Associated Press Pete Docter’s “Soul” features stairway-to-heaven visions of the afterlife, a pre-birth “before” realm where souls are glowing turquoise orbs and an in-between…
Recent Deaths 12/24/20
Richard L. “Rick” Burchfield, 79, died Dec. 21, 2020. Glenn Royal Cowles, 91, formerly of Seneca, died Dec. 22, 2020. Margaret “Midge” Eakin, 78, of…
Pet of the Day 12/23/20
Hello! I am Laurel! I used to be really shy when I first arrived here at the shelter. I started to really like the people…
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans and Toasted Marshmallows
(Family Features) Time is of the essence in many kitchens across the country, especially during this busy season when everything seems to happen at once….
Redevelopment in Action
We’ve been talking a fair bit about the theory of redevelopment – what it’s about and what sorts of activities it can entail. Today, though,…
Man accused of breaking into Pinegrove property
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer A Venus man is facing charges for breaking into a garage Monday morning in Pinegrove Township. Franklin state police said…
Cranberry budget approved; Red Express gets zoning OK
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Cranberry Township supervisors adopted a 2021 budget, a spending plan that maintains all services and does not include a…
Trump threatens to torpedo COVID relief with new demands
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has threatened to torpedo Congress’ massive COVID-19 relief package in the midst of a raging pandemic and deep economic…
Struggling Steelers in midst of historic collapse
The Associated Press The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone from dreams of matching the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins to searching for another win. After winning their…
Review: Tom Hanks is doggedly heroic in ‘News of the World’
The Associated Press Tom Hanks rides a horse and blasts a six-shooter in his new film, “News of the World.” Some of you might be thinking this…
Recent Deaths 12/23/20
Richard L. Burchfield, 79 of Oil City, died Dec. 21, 2020. Kay L. Allen, 71, of Franklin, died Dec. 21, 2020. Marian E. Amsler, 87,…
Pet of the Day 12/22/20
Asa is a nice hound boy with lots of energy. He loves to give attention, but on his terms. He came to us recently from…
Vegetarian Ramen Zoodle Bowls
(Family Features) A new year brings with it new opportunities to better yourself in all kinds of ways, including your health. Start by evaluating your…
Scrubgrass Twp. crash
Police searching for man wanted in OC drug raid
From staff reports Sugarcreek Borough police are searching for a man wanted in connection with a drug raid last week at a Bissell Avenue apartment…
Venango Democrats offering delivery for Christmas dinner
From staff reports The Venango County Democratic Committee has expanded its reach to provide free Christmas dinners to area residents as a result of a…
$900B COVID relief bill passed by Congress, sent to Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Monday night that would finally deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources…
Bell’s big hit sets tone as Bengals stun slumping Steelers
CINCINNATI (AP) — Bengals safety Vonn Bell made a beeline for JuJu Smith-Schuster and delivered a devastating hit, forcing a fumble while sending the Steelers’…
From his home, Attenborough shows viewers ‘A Perfect Planet’
LONDON (AP) — Sir David Attenborough is a globetrotter, discovering far-flung lands and exotic species for TV audiences since the 1950s. The pandemic may have…
Recent Deaths 12/22/20
Maxine Carlson, 92, died Dec. 16, 2020. Ruby M. Baker Cummings, 79, of Franklin, died Dec. 19, 2020. Michael C. Himes, 61, of Cooperstown, died…
Pet of the Day 12/21/20
Moses has been a fighter from the beginning. Our vet brought him in after finding him with a deep cut above his left eye. Unsure…
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Boats
(Family Features) Delicious, colorful and versatile, smoked salmon can make it easy to elevate your holiday festivities, which might look shockingly different this year. Whether…
Donations Needed at Erie VA Medical Center
The Corona Virus, has effected every one. Especially donations that are given to the Erie VA Medical Center that come from the various organizations around…
Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of Washington gridlock, Congress is set to act on a $900 billion pandemic relief package, finally delivering long-sought cash to…
‘Take a deep breath’: Roethlisberger says Steelers are fine
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger says all the hand-wringers just need to calm down. The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be fine. After two…
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ grabs $38.5 million overseas
The Associated Press The superhero sequel “Wonder Woman 1984” has earned an estimated $38.5 million in ticket sales from international theaters, Warner Bros. said Sunday….
Recent Deaths 12/21/20
Andy Chalot, of Cranberry, died Dec. 19, 2020. James L. Rhoades, 63, of Clarion, died Dec. 18, 2020. D. Pauline Shirley, 89, formerly of Cooperstown,…
UPMC Northwest welcomes ‘precious cargo’
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer UPMC Northwest received its first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine for the coronavirus at 9:50 a.m. Thursday. “It’s a…
First Night celebration is on
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The Oil City Arts Council, bedeviled by a string of public event cancellations in 2020 because of the COVID-19…
2nd COVID-19 vaccine authorized in US preparing to ship out
OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. (AP) — Workers on Sunday began packaging shipments of the second COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the U.S., a desperately needed boost to…