Area reports 39 additional virus cases
From staff reports The state Department of Health on Wednesday announced Venango County reported 25 new cases of COVID-19 (19 confirmed and six probable) and…
Casey, Toomey unveil nursing homes reform bill
From staff reports U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa., are introducing a bipartisan bill to enhance accountability among the nation’s poorest performing…
Acting Pentagon chief cites risks during troop reductions
WASHINGTON (AP) — The coming period of U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq is “fraught with risk,” but the military will not hesitate to…
Virus surge places strain on state’s contact tracers
The Associated Press Pennsylvania’s contact tracing system is under strain as the explosion of new COVID-19 cases overtakes health workers’ ability to keep up, hampering…
Review: In ‘Collective,’ the rot of government corruption
The Associated Press A politicized healthcare crisis, horrifyingly unnecessary death, a crucial election. “Collective,” a piercing documentary about corruption in Romania, may not directly concern…
Recent Deaths 11/19/20
Mary L. Blair died Nov. 17, 2020. John Hutchison, 71, of Claypool, Indiana, died Nov. 13, 2020. Andrew B. “Andy” Maitland, 81, of Cranberry, died…
The 2020 Crantopia President is…
By ALAINA OLSON Student contributor Overlapping the actual 2020 presidential election, four candidates have battled it out to be the next Crantopia president in a…
Mistletoe Mule
(Family Features) While holiday traditions and celebrations will likely look different this year, the season is still special. Set the scene for a celebratory occasion…
Pet of the Day 11/18/20
Genevieve came into our lives as a stray and she isn’t looking back – only forward. She is looking for the right kind of love…
Man accused of fleeing from police, punching officer
From staff reports A transient man is facing charges for fleeing from police and punching a police officer in the face. Franklin police said in…
PUC wants parties in OC electric lines dispute to work things out
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has directed parties involved in a dispute about what might be unsafe electric utility…
State sharpens mask mandate, orders virus testing
The Associated Press Pennsylvania is strengthening its mask mandate and will require out-of-state travelers to test negative for the coronavirus before arrival, health officials announced…
First-world problems: Unbeaten Steelers looking for run game
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin said minutes after the Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 9-0 after a victory over Cincinnati on Sunday that he wasn’t worried…
Mississippi road signs for Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash site
GILLSBURG, Miss. (AP) — Lynyrd Skynyrd, the rock band famous for “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” now has highway signs pointing to the site…
Recent Deaths 11/18/20
John L. Flickinger, 58, of State College, died Nov. 15, 2020. Andrew B. Maitland, 81, of Cranberry, died Nov. 17, 2020. Mary Koltonski Malys, 90,…
Orange Spiced Tea
(Family Features) It’s no secret that a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies can deliver important vitamins and nutrients for better health, but…
Cranberry puts winter sports on hold for now
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to upend educational norms, and that has required some shuffling of the sports schedule…
Leaf collections set for Oil City
From staff reports The Oil City leaf collection schedule this week is as follows: Today – East Second, East Third, East Fourth (Wilson to dead…
Trump campaign lawsuit over PA vote heads to court
The Associated Press A hearing on the Trump campaign’s federal lawsuit seeking to prevent Pennsylvania officials from certifying the vote results remains on track for…
Big Ben for MVP? Steelers star QB making a compelling case
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger’s resume is stacked. Two Super Bowl rings. Six Pro Bowls. Two passing titles. A spot likely awaiting in the Hall…
Donnie Wahlberg again leaves $2,020 tip to inspire giving
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Actor Donnie Wahlberg recently left a $2,020 tip at a Massachusetts restaurant, continuing his habit of leaving generous gratuities to brighten…
Recent Deaths 11/17/20
Richard T. “Duck” Carnahan, 69, of Clarion, died Nov. 15, 2020. Steven Lee Hollingsworth, 62, of Clarion, died Nov. 15, 2020. George P. Marshall, 74,…
Pet of the Day 11/16/20
Taz is a young pup who is full of energy. She wiggles with joy when someone gives her attention. She enjoys the company of both…
Cranberry Smash Moscow Mule
(Family Features) Despite a holiday season that’s practically guaranteed to feel different than any other, one constant will remain for many: enjoying the tastes of…
Counterfeit money
Congress Passes Mental HealthCare and Services Bill
Last week, the Senate passed VFW-supported H.R. 8247, the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act, which passed the House in September…
SpaceX launches 2nd crew, regular station crew flights begin
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station on Sunday on the first full-fledged taxi flight for NASA by…
2nd coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests
The Associated Press For the second time this month, there’s promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate: Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection,…
Week of isolation works for Big Ben; Steelers rip Bengals
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger spent the week stuck at home, equal parts pre-Kindergarten teacher to his young children and overzealous student to the Pittsburgh…
Recent Deaths 11/16/20
Thomas “TC” Richard Caldwell, 81, of Parker, died Nov. 13, 2020. JoAnn McClain Spence, 91, of Oil City, died Nov. 13, 2020. Jum “Earl Edward”…
Tri-county area reports more virus cases
From staff reports The state Department of Health for the third consecutive day announced more than 5,000 additional cases of COVID-19-including a combined 33 from…
Downtown OC art gallery gearing up for holidays
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The Transit Art Gallery and gift shop on Oil City’s North Side is ramping it up for the holidays….
Thousands rally behind Trump, insisting he won race he lost
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fervent supporters of President Donald Trump rallied in Washington on Saturday behind his spurious claim of a stolen election and swarmed his…
Steelers’ Roethlisberger, others removed from COVID-19 list
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger’s unexpected week off won’t stop him from starting against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pittsburgh Steelers activated their longtime quarterback and…
Rudolph, Santa figures soar to sale of $368,000 at auction
LOS ANGELES (AP) — And how the bidders loved him! A buyer shouted out with glee that they would pay $368,000 for the Rudolph and…
Statewide virus cases top 5,000 again
From staff reports The state Department of Health for the second consecutive day announced more than 5,000 additional cases of COVID-19 – including a combined…
OC ministerium holding clothing drive
From staff reports The Oil City Ministerium is conducting a clothing drive to assist the Salvation Army. Congregations within the ministerium are asked to contribute…
Leaf pick-ups scheduled
From staff reports The City of Franklin street department will pick up leaves with its vacuum machines next week in the following areas: Monday –…
Republicans face court setbacks, Trump law firm steps down
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Republicans suffered setbacks to court challenges over the presidential election in three battleground states on Friday while a law firm that came…
Federal fugitive captured after nearly 50 years on the run
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man who was serving a life sentence for murder when he escaped custody while attending his grandmother’s funeral nearly 50 years…
Review: Bromance ‘The Climb’ a triumph of quirky filmmaking
The Associated Press Three-quarters through “The Climb” comes a scene we’ve all come to expect in a romantic comedy: A wedding is interrupted by the…
Recent Deaths 11/14/20
Ethel L. Parson, 91, formerly of Cherry Run Road, Rouseville, died Nov. 13, 2020. Lois J. Prichard, 87, of Dempseytown, died Nov. 13, 2020. Louise…
Pet of the Day 11/13/20
So, how I came about this name. It’s honestly very embarrassing so don’t tell anyone! Somehow I was found with a stick in my tail,…
Cheeseball
(Family Features) If you need a last-minute appetizer or want to impress your friends, but don’t have the time to spend hours making something, consider…
The Power of Communication
As I’m sure is abundantly clear by now, redevelopment is all about people. Sure, we work on the places and things around us, but the…
Criminal mischief
Machine shop expanding at North Seneca Street site
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer A longtime Oil City business has purchased a property just across the street from its current location and plans…
Episcopal churches suspend in-person services
From staff reports All in-person services and gatherings have been suspended in Episcopal churches within the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. The…
States ramp up for biggest vaccination effort in US history
The Associated Press With a COVID-19 vaccine drawing closer, public health officials across the country are gearing up for the biggest vaccination effort in U.S….