Cranberry students plan virtual school spirit week
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Cranberry High School students are inviting the community to join them this week as they celebrate a virtual school spirit…
Care homes adjust to help residents keep socializing
By DILLON PROVENZA Staff writer Socializing at long term care homes when safety is a concern because of cornoavirus can be a challenge, but local…
Pennsylvania to start curbside pickup at liquor stores
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania is starting curbside pickup at liquor stores around the state a month after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered them closed as part…
Sports leagues seek return to play but with no guarantees
The Associated Press With no games being played, recent sports headlines have centered around hopes and dreams — namely, the uncharted path leagues and teams…
Beyoncé, Gaga offer hope at all-star event fighting COVID-19
NEW YORK (AP) — Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, Shawn Mendes and others sang classic songs brimmed with messages of hope and change during a…
Pitt-Titusville students honored in Student Life Awards ceremony
From staff reports Several students from the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville were recognized during the 26th annual Student Life Awards ceremony Wednesday, which was…
Applications being accepted for Greenways program
From staff reports Applications are being accepted for the next funding round of the Northwest Commission’s Greenways Block Grant program for projects slated to advance…
Wolf offers ‘framework,’ no timeline for reopening state
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania has managed to avoid the worst of the pandemic and it’s now time to start talking about a gradual reopening of…
ESPN, NFL Network ready to tackle challenges of remote draft
The Associated Press The NFL draft is annually one of the most ambitious productions that ESPN does. Next week’s coverage might go down as THE…
Rolling Stones to join Gaga for TV event battling COVID-19
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rolling Stones will join Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Billie Eilish for the upcoming TV special aimed at…
Recent Deaths 4/18/20
Frederick N. “Bart” Bartholme, 86, of Mason, Ohio, died April 15, 2020. Craig L. Bell, 50, of Titusville, died April 16, 2020. Dawn D. Boyles,…
Spinach-Ham Dip
(Culinary.net) Perfect for afternoon snacking or as an appetizer, this Spinach-Ham Dip is warmed inside a bread bowl and can be served with bread cubes,…
Pet of the Day
Troy came to PAWS with his 2 sisters as a kitten. He was born in a local barn and was fostered along with his family….
Emlenton woman accused of child endangerment
From staff reports An Emlenton woman is facing child endangerment and other charges for striking a man holding an infant so hard he dropped the…
Townships change tax due dates
From staff reports Oakland Township supervisors have changed the due dates for 2020 real estate taxes for township residents. Discount payments will be accepted through…
Food pantry distribution set in Franklin
From staff reports Shepherd’s Green Community Food Pantry in Franklin will have its distribution from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The distribution…
Wolf resists calls to reopen economy, ease stay-home order
HARRISBURG (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday that he has not set any timetable for allowing nonessential businesses to reopen or people to leave…
QB of the future? RB of the present? Steelers weigh options
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft pick is already a home run, according to Kevin Colbert. The longtime general manager offers safety Minkah…
Brian Dennehy, Tony-winning stage, screen actor, dies at 81
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Dennehy, the burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for…
Recent Deaths 4/17/20
David V. Hovis, 51, of Oil City, died April 15, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this day…
Spanish Potato and Onion Omelet
(Family Features) A filling yet nutritious breakfast is a productive way to start any day, especially one loaded with flavor. Spanish Potato and Onion Omelets…
Pet of the Day 4/16/20
I am Zeus! Hear me bark. I am a little over a year old and found myself at a humane society after my owner didn’t…
PUC encourages awareness of Lifeline phone program
From staff reports The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is encouraging consumers across the state, especially those most vulnerable to social isolation, to understand the resources…
Food distributions scheduled at O.C. churches, agencies
From staff reports The Oil City Ministerium has compiled a calendar listing for local food sources provided by churches in the city. The schedule was…
Wolf mandates masks as GOP seeks to relax business shutdown
HARRISBURG (AP) — Going to a Pennsylvania supermarket, home improvement center, pharmacy or other business that remains open during the pandemic? Be prepared to wear…
Video chats to home workouts, draft prospects get it done
The Associated Press UCLA running back Joshua Kelley was looking forward to visiting various NFL teams, checking out their facilities and meeting coaches before the…
Tired of ‘Frozen’? Stream these less obvious kids movies
NEW YORK (AP) — Weeks of quarantine with kids have a way of burning through a movie collection. Even with the libraries of streaming services…
Recent Deaths 4/16/20
Ann L. Cratty, 83, of Oil City, died April 14, 2020. Janet Dittman, 59, of Greenville, formerly of Emlenton, died April 8, 2020. Joyce Dunlap,…
Mallards continue to impact waterfowl seasons
Pennsylvania waterfowl hunters have had it pretty good for a long, long time, at least in one sense. Whether that continues remains to be seen….
Kids Watermelon Sandwich Cookies
(Family Features) While so many families spend more time at home than normal, many may be seeking ways to increase fun and activity, especially for…
Pet of the Day 4/15/20
Clarence is a big boy who was recently rescued from a feral colony. He is incredibly gentle but slightly nervous since he arrived at Clarion…
Judge dismisses homicide charge in Kulling death
From staff reports A criminal homicide charge against a Franklin man accused of killing an Oil City man in December 2017 was dismissed Tuesday in…
Franklin panel wants to keep projects moving
By SARAH TITLEY Staff writer With the backing of the federal government, the Franklin General Authority will enter the fight over who and what exactly…
Mail-in, absentee ballot applications surge for June primary
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania counties have processed about 283,000 absentee and mail-in ballots for the June primary, and requests from Democrats are three times more…
30 NFL draft hopefuls showed off skills at a virtual pro day
The Associated Press Hours before New Jersey closed all gyms indefinitely last month because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, 30 NFL draft hopefuls had a…
NBC’s Peacock launching in July with ‘handful’ of originals
The Associated Press NBCUniversal says its video-streaming service Peacock will launch nationally in July as planned, even though just a handful of its original series…
Recent Deaths 4/15/20
Chloe Jean Anastasia Acklin died April 11, 2020. Helen Best Bell, 97, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, formerly of Franklin, died April 14, 2020. James…
Mystic Mini Turkey Loaves
(Family Features) Leading a busy lifestyle doesn’t always leave time for spending hours in the kitchen, and these Mystic Mini Turkey Loaves can be made…
Pet of the Day 4/14/20
Artemis, a domestic medium hair, is a 9-month-old neutered male. He’s a white and grey tiger with hazel eyes. Artemis explored every level in the…
Casey co-leads effort to help victims of domestic violence
From staff reports U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., is co-leading a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership and appropriators requesting additional funding and provisions to support…
Tips offered for ‘using stimulus check wisely’
From staff reports Community Services of Venango County offers a variety of services and programs, and that roster includes budgeting assistance. “We do life skills…
Pennsylvania counties press governor for all-mail election
HARRISBURG (AP) — Some of Pennsylvania’s most populous counties are starting to press Gov. Tom Wolf to allow them to conduct the June 2 primary…
Glass plant to shut down 1 of 2 lines, lay off 108 people
ATLANTIC (AP) — A northwestern Pennsylvania glass plant has announced plans to shut down one of its two glass-making production lines, resulting in layoffs to…
ESPN and NFL Network will combine for NFL draft telecast
NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN and NFL Network will join forces for this year’s NFL draft. They will produce a broadcast that will air on…
Coming to device near you: H.E.R., vampires, ‘Roar’ and Elmo
The Associated Press If social distancing is getting old, consider how it would feel to do it for hundreds of years — and stay out…
Recent Deaths 4/14/20
Dale A. Sloss, 70, of Franklin, died April 13, 2020. Betty J. Snyder, 98, of Butler, formerly of Oil City, died April 13, 2020. Emery…
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata
Starting the morning on the right foot can help set a path toward a successful day, and for many, that strong start begins with breakfast….
Pet of the Day 4/13/20
Hi gang, Loki here! I’m a big ol’ dawg, a classic doggo, a scrapper but all around everyone’s favorite cool pal. I won’t lie though,…
State Flags Fly At Half-Staff
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s order for state flags at half-staff in all state institutions, buildings, and public parks is still in effect until further notice….