Courthouse Fire – Solemn Anniversary

Bradford Landmark Society – by Sally Ryan Costik At precisely 2:51 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 12, 1940, every electric clock in the McKean County Courthouse stopped, victims to a silently advancing fire in the basement of the building. It would be nearly an hour before Smethport Police Chief James McCabe, on a routine patrol down West Main Street, discovered the flames. By then it was too late….

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Brice Benson Named New School District Superintendent

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Brice Benson, principal of the Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School, will become superintendent of the school district this summer when David London retires. School board directors approved a five-year contract for Benson from July 10, 2021, through June 30, 2026. Benson was appointed principal at the high school in December 2018. Prior to that, he served three years as principal of the…

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American Legion Bucktail Post #138 Presents Awards

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Smethport American Legion Bucktail Post #138 honored two local first responders during a brief ceremony Wednesday evening at the post home. Honorees were James Neely (center) of the Smethport Fire Department, who is Firefighter of the Year, and Kevin Seipp (right) of the Smethport Police Department, who is Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Post Commander Pat Miesowitz (left) presented the Certificates…

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Scanlan Announces Retirement from Smethport Family Practice

Bradford Era – by Ruth Bogdan A local health care provider will be retiring this month from the Smethport Family Practice. Bonnie Scanlan, certified registered nurse practitioner, has served the McKean County community since 1986. “My last day of patient visits will be January 21,” said Scanlan. “I am leaving my patients in the capable hands of Dr. Cory Mathias and my fellow nurse practitioner, Filane Crumrine.” She described…

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Smethport Company to Treat Trees at Flight 93 Memorial

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey A Smethport area company will play a key role in eradicating invasive insect hemlock woolly adelgid at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset. Heather McKean, owner of the four-year old Marvindale-based McKean Environmental Solutions LLC, that specializes in forest health services, invasive species identification and treatment, mosquito control and pest control services, told The Era, “There are about 14 forested acres…

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Football All-Stars: Noah Lent Stands Out on this Year’s Offense

Bradford Era – by Joel Whetzel Explosive, high-octane offensive performances became a bit of a norm on the Pennsylvania side of the Big 30 border during the 2020 football season, and that came in large part through talented quarterback play. Three signal-callers highlight this year’s OTH-Era All-Star Football Team for the Keystone State, led by Offensive Player of the Year, Smethport’s Noah Lent. He was joined on the team…

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Jim McGuire Reflects on Nearly 40 Years as Smethport Assistant Coach

Olean Times Herald – by Joel Whetzel As seasons have gone by and coaching regimes changed over the years at Smethport Area High School, one thing has remained constant within the Hubbers’ program: the presence of assistant coach Jim McGuire. McGuire has served as an aide at Smethport since 1981, having recently completed his 39th season within the program. But his time at Smethport began even before that, as…

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Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London to Retire

Bradford Era – Fran De Lancey Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London plans to retire next summer. The school board accepted his letter of resignation for retirement purposes at its reorganizational meeting on Dec. 2. By law, all Pennsylvania school boards must reorganize the first week in December. Prior to accepting the chief school administrator’s position in Smethport in May 2016, London, a former mathematics teacher, was principal…

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Smethport’s Darion Gregory Hopeful for Return to Competition in 2021

Bradford Era – by Nate Steis Smethport Area High School graduate Darion Gregory is a runner used to competing at the highest level. In cross country, he was a four-time state qualifier and a two-time state medalist. He also competed at the state meet in high school track and field. So with that type of high school career, it was no surprise that he continued his running career at…

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Smethport’s Emily Treat Excelling in Collegiate Volleyball

Bradford Era – by Nate Steis University of Pittsburgh at Bradford junior Emily Treat (right) is one of the more notable athletes to emerge from Smethport Area High School in the past few years. The 2018 graduate was a four-sport athlete who excelled in basketball, cheer, softball and volleyball. In a competitive North Tier League that has featured a collection of talent at all member schools, Treat stacks up…

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