The Derrick

09/08/2026

Hundreds of visitors converged on the Fertigs Community Center grounds on Monday for the annual Old Home Day celebration, enjoying a sunny, cool Labor Day filled with food, live music, games and other family activities.

While adults walked among the show cars, listened to music and enjoyed food, children ran around the playground and explored the grounds.

"It's always been a wonderful place to come bring family," said longtime Fertigs resident Mary Ellen Keverline. "It gets bigger every year."

Read more about the events and offerings that were at Old Home Day in Fertigs at the link below.

More than 200 show cars and hundreds of visitors converged on the Fertigs Community Center grounds on Monday for the annual Old Home Day celebration, enjoying a sunny, cool Labor

09/08/2026

Many Venango County residents traveled to the 158th Great Stoneboro Fair over Labor Day weekend despite severe weather.

Organizers faced significant challenges when heavy rain and a tornado warning swept through the fairgrounds on Thursday.

Excessive rain damaged tents and forced the closure of muddy parking areas, leading the fair board to shuttle visitors from the nearby Lakeview School District.

The fair eventually resumed its full schedule of agricultural events, live entertainment and traditions like the annual free ice cream giveaway as weather improved over the weekend.

Read the full report at the link: https://www.thederrick.com/news/front_page/the-great-stoneboro-fair-weathers-the-storm/article_e7dced17-5fe2-4f34-8f61-3f8266295fb1.html

(Photos by Jamie Hunt)

09/04/2026

Federal and state agencies met with local leaders in Oil City this week to discuss growing the regional outdoor recreation economy.

The Oil Region National Heritage Area, which includes Venango County, was recently selected for a federal rural recreation program.

Focus groups gathered at the Oil Region Venango Campus to develop strategies for connecting walkable downtowns with surrounding rural spaces.

Proposed initiatives include completing the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, adding downtown outfitters, and improving wayfinding signage.

Read the full report at the link below.

Local community members and leaders had a chance to showcase the Oil Region’s natural resources to federal and state agencies this week as they met with representatives from those agencies

09/04/2026

For nearly four decades, the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad has carried passengers through the historic Oil Creek valley.

The heritage line operates through the dedication of a small crew and dozens of volunteers who keep local history alive on the tracks between Titusville and Rynd Farm.

Among that crew is Ami Jackson, the youngest and only female conductor currently handling daily operations for the line.

As the nonprofit approaches its millionth passenger, it continues to offer unique experiences, including the only operating Railway Post Office car in the continental United States.

Learn more about the history and future of this local attraction at the link below.

For nearly four decades, the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad has carried passengers through the historic Oil Creek valley. This year, the nonprofit heritage line stands on the verge of

09/04/2026

Organizers have announced a last-minute venue change for the upcoming Cranberry Festival in Venango County.

Instead of the Cranberry Mall, the Sept. 19 event will now take place at Morrison Park.

The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce cited the condition of the mall's interior and recent parking upgrades at Morrison Park as the primary reasons for the relocation.

The festival will still feature a morning parade along Route 257, followed by vendors, a car show and afternoon activities at the park.

Read the full report at the link below.

Organizers made a last-minute venue change on Monday for the annual Cranberry Festival on Sept. 19.

09/03/2026

The Franklin High School swimming program dominated the 1990s with nine District 10 team championships and four PIAA gold medals.

Coach Eric Smith led the teams through a decade of record-breaking performances and state-level victories against tough regional competition.

Former swimmers credit much of their success to the strong foundation built by the local YMCA feeder program.

Read the full report below:

(This is the sixth and final part of a six-part series on some of the great athletes and teams at Franklin High School in the 1990s.)

09/03/2026

The Save A Lot grocery store on Grant Street in Franklin has officially reopened after being closed for almost a year.

A soft opening took place on Wednesday, with a formal grand opening scheduled for Sept. 16.

The location previously closed last October when the former franchise owner stepped down from the business.

Corporate leadership and the building's landlord eventually reached a new agreement to restore the grocery store to the neighborhood.

Many residents who rely on walking for their shopping can once again access everyday food and essentials in town.

After almost a year of closure, the Franklin Save A Lot at 317 Grant Street has reopened its doors.

09/03/2026

The Clarion Borough Council tabled a proposed agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a crowded public meeting on Monday evening.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding would authorize Clarion police officers to participate in federal immigration enforcement during routine patrols under the ICE 287(g) program.

Dozens of residents gathered at the Clarion Free Library to oppose the measure, prompting the council to postpone a decision until the public can review the documents.

Council leadership noted the agreement could provide federal funding for police equipment and vehicles while asserting it would not change current daily operations.

Read the full report at the link below.

Clarion Borough Council, during its public meeting on Monday evening, tabled any action on a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that would have allowed

09/02/2026

As of this week, central concourse of the Cranberry Mall in Venango County is closed and mall walking is suspended until further notice.

Signs posted recently by mall management alert visitors that the interior common area is temporarily closed off with rope barriers.

While businesses with exterior entrances like PA Pride and Maurices remain accessible, tarps and visible ceiling damage can be seen in the blocked-off interior sections.

The Venango County Commissioners recently spoke with the mall’s owner but have not been informed of any permanent plans or the reason for the sudden closure of the space to the public.

Read the full report at the link below.

Customers walking around much of the interior of the building is suspended until further notice at the Cranberry Mall, according to signs from building management.

09/02/2026

Students across Venango County returned to their classrooms on Tuesday to officially kick off the new school year.

Administrators in the Oil City, Franklin, Cranberry and Valley Grove school districts reported a smooth first day following a summer of building upgrades and policy changes.

In Oil City, middle and high school students must now keep backpacks in their lockers as a new safety measure following a state police risk assessment.

Franklin and Cranberry students returned to buildings with newly repaired facilities and safety upgrades, while Valley Grove elementary students were greeted by a brand-new playground.

Read the full report at the link: https://www.thederrick.com/news/front_page/tuesday-marks-first-day-of-new-school-year-for-students-in-oil-region/article_045b2cf4-defc-4c24-b181-286cf5db0c54.html

(Photo by Jamie Hunt)