White House, Congress agree on $2 trillion virus rescue bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced agreement early Wednesday on an unprecedented $2 trillion emergency bill to rush…
March 2020
Wolf reopens gun shops, orders more residents to stay home
HARRISBURG (AP) — Even as he ordered residents of another county to stay at home, Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday quietly allowed gun shops to…
Once booming concert industry goes quiet after coronavirus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Inside a warehouse for MooTV, a live video production company in Nashville, Tennessee, the floor-to-ceiling shelves are lined with row after…
Recent Deaths 3/25/20
Harvey H. McDonough, 77, of Oil City, died March 24, 2020. For complete obituaries, pick up a copy of The Derrick for this day…
Pet of the Day 3/24/20
LInden is a young male tabby available for adoption at Clarion PAWS. He is super affectionate and loves to be petted. He is very friendly…
Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole
5 pounds red potatoes, cubed 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 pound cheddar cheese, cubed 16 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 yellow onion, chopped…
OC crews dealing with several clogged sanitary sewer lines
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The scarcity of toilet paper supplies, a dilemma revved up by fears of the coronavirus spread, has eased somewhat….
Blood drive scheduled Thursday at Franklin VFW
From staff reports The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to…
Congress closing in on nearly $2 trillion virus aid package
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top congressional and White House officials say they expect to reach a deal Tuesday on a nearly $2 trillion measure aimed at…
Tokyo Olympics officially postponed until 2021
TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Olympics were postponed until 2021 on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation that the games could not go ahead as scheduled…
Netflix’s ‘Self Made’ tells of first female millionaire
NEW YORK (AP) — Madam C.J. Walker may be one of America’s most successful “pull yourself up by your own bootstrap” stories, but many have…
Recent Deaths 3/24/20
Glenn Robert Foster, 70, of Oil City, died Feb. 15, 2020. Gerald “Jerry” Evan Hughes, 78, of Whiteville, North Carolina, formerly of Franklin, died March…
Legislation Introduced to add New Presumptive Diseases for Agent Orange Exposure
Last week, Sen. Tester (D-MT) introduced VFW-supported S. 3444, the Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2020. This important legislation would expand the list…
Now’s the Time to Teach At-Home Nutrition
(Family Features) With a lot of parents facing the challenge of keeping housebound kids happy and healthy, this is the perfect time to teach kids…
Pet of the Day 03-23-20
Meet Blakely, a black, domestic short hair. She’s rather shy, but loves to be affectionate. We make it easy for you to do the right…
Area school districts’ SAT scores run nearly parallel
By ROSEMARY FIELDING Staff writer The 2019 Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) show Venango County’s four school districts with relatively closely-aligned scores, while scores from Clarion…
Water line split closes OC street
East First Street in Oil City between Central Avenue and State Street was closed for almost seven hours Saturday while crews worked to fix a…
Hunt for medical gear to fight virus becomes all-consuming
PARIS (AP) — The hunt for masks, ventilators and other medical supplies consumed the U.S. and Europe on Monday, as new coronavirus infections soared and…
As coronavirus cases grow, PA eyes later primary
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania saw another big increase in confirmed coronavirus cases Sunday, as well as another death, as lawmakers speed legislation to delay the…
Michelle Obama, Oprah, more joined an epic (virtual) party
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The hottest party in town Saturday night was on DJ D-Nice’s Instagram, where over 100,000 accounts tuned in during his epic…
Recent Deaths 3/23/20
Sherry Lou Ann Sliker, 55, of Clarion, died March 20, 2020. Calvin Clark “Mick” Ross, 75, of Franklin, died March 21, 2020. For complete…
Missing person
Butler Health System confirms presumed positive case of coronavirus
From staff reports Officials at Butler Health System on Saturday confirmed it has treated a patient with presumed positive results for the novel coronavirus that…
Chambers reach out
By KARA O’NEIL Staff writer Area chambers of commerce are stepping up to help local businesses that have been forced to temporarily close or drastically…
Campaign results ‘amaze’ foundation director
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer The timing for a major area fundraising campaign to aid non-profit organizations couldn’t have been worse. The fourth annual…
McConnell: ‘Very close’ on rescue package topping $1T
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top-level negotiations between Congress and the White House are pushing toward resolution on a ballooning $1 trillion-plus economic rescue package, as President…
The drive-in, relic of yesterday, finds itself suited to now
NEW YORK (AP) — The drive-in theater, long a dwindling nostalgia act in a multiplex world, is experiencing a momentary return to prominence. With nearly all…
Hitting the limit before last light
By HUNTER REDFIELD – Student Contributor After an exciting morning of watching and shooting snow geese, a nap was extremely desirable. However, we had work…
Cranberry employees sent home; township declares emergency
By JUDITH O. ETZEL Contributing writer Cranberry Township employees were sent home Friday morning and will not be returning to work at the township building…
Franklin will begin street sweeping
From staff reports The City of Franklin street department will sweep streets in the following areas next week: Monday through Wednesday – Third shift, business…
Election limbo as coronavirus outbreak upends US primaries
ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. elections have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. At least 13 states have postponed voting and more delays are possible as…
Steelers reach agreements with TE Ebron, OG Wisniewski
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger is getting a little help. The defensive line is getting a little depth. The offensive line a little veteran experience,…
Singer, actor, ‘The Gambler’: Kenny Rogers dies at 81
The Associated Press Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands…
Recent Deaths 3/21/20
Alfred “Buck” Mong died March 19, 2020. James G. Peoples, 78, of Marienville, died March 15, 2020. Mary G. Rupp, 74, of Oil City, died…
Simple Kid-Friendly Sliders
(Family Features) For those busy nights plan, on this simple yet savory sliders recipe. Kids are almost certain to love the taste and you will…
Pet of the Day 03-20-20
Meet Daisy Lu, a Coonhound Mix with black, brown, and white coloring. She’s extremely sweet and has no problem voicing her opinion. She’s been spayed…
Crisis prompts help for small businesses
From staff reports Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday announced the availability of low-interest loans for small businesses and eligible nonprofits in all 67 counties in…
Kennerdell native promoted to captain in the U.S. Navy
From staff reports Paul J. Kaylor, a native of Kennerdell, has been promoted to captain in the U.S. Navy. He is the son of the…
40 million Californians ordered to stay home to halt virus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s 40 million residents should stay home indefinitely and venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, Gov. Gavin…
Horse racing to resume at West Virginia track without fans
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Live horse racing is back on without the fans at a West Virginia track a few days after the facility…
Selma Online offers free civil rights lessons amid virus
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — The first attempt of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, led to police violence against peaceful…
Recent Deaths 3/20/20
Earl E. Zerfoss, 83, of Clarion, died March 19, 2020. Helen L. Martin, 92, of Grove City, died March 18, 2020. David C. “Cliff” Thomas,…
A Flavorful Family Meal
(Family Features) If your family struggles to make meal time happen, try creating kid-friendly recipes that bring everyone together at the table. For example, these…
Pet of the Day 03-19-20
Meet Angel, a beautiful, all white, domestic short hair. She has the most beautiful green eyes and cute pink nose. She’s very loving and playful….
OC man accused of choking woman
From staff reports An Oil City man is facing strangulation and terroristic threats charges for lashing out at a woman at their East Seventh Street…
2 food pantries have changed distribution procedures
From staff reports Two area food pantries have changed how they will distribute food items. — The Cranberry Food Pantry will have its regular food…
Pennsylvania reports state’s 1st coronavirus death
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania reported its first death from the new coronavirus on Wednesday as state officials announced a nearly 40% jump in the number…
Family ties: FB Derek Watt joins brother TJ with Steelers
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers turned the opening day of free agency into a family reunion for the Watt family. The team agreed to…
Country singers to perform from home for ACM special
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Academy of Country Music had to postpone their upcoming awards show because of the spreading coronavirus, but CBS will air…
Recent Deaths 3/19/20
Betty I. Swarner, 87, of Stoneboro, died March 16, 2020. Susan Elaine (Tidd) Lowrey, 76, of Fort Worth, Texas, died March 12, 2020. Mary Siebert,…