SASD Superintendent David London to Retire

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey After serving students in Pennsylvania’s public schools for 35 years as a teacher, coach, principal and chief school administrator, Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London will retire July 9. Following his graduation from The Pennsylvania State University in 1986, he began his teaching career as a mathematics instructor at Redbank Valley, where he also served as student government advisor, assistant football…

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Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London Delivers Commencement Address

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London spoke about leadership Friday evening when he delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2021 in the first outdoor graduation program in recent memory. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things,” said London, quoting President Ronald Reagan. “He is the one who gets the people to do the…

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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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Bucktail Post #138 Smethport American Legion Celebrates 100 Years

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Bucktail Post #138 Smethport American Legion being chartered. Considering that the national American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans’ organization, was chartered by Congress on Sept. 16, 1919, the Bucktail Post ranks among the earliest local posts. In McKean County, only Bradford Post #108 is older. As recorded in “Timeless Home,” the official publication of Smethport’s…

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Smethport Rotarians Honor Essential Workers

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey As a way of saying “thank you” to local essential employees who have spent countless hours on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and at the same time supporting local businesses, the Smethport Rotary Club presented 265 $10 gift cards to law enforcement and nursing home workers Friday morning. Gift cards were purchased at The Corner Bistro, Hubber Café, Fox’s Pizza, Valley…

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Burkhouse Highlights History at Smethport FD Appreciation Dinner

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Bradford Township Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse highlighted historical events at the Tri-County Fire School Saturday when he was the guest speaker at the Smethport Fire Department’s 137th annual Appreciation Dinner. Soon to begin its 55th year as a training center for volunteer fire departments and industrial brigades, the Tri-County Fire School in Smethport traces its origins back decades to a major fire…

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CAC of McKean County Earns National Accreditation

Bradford Era – CAC The Smethport-based Children’s Advocacy Center of McKean County has been awarded accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process. As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs…

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Causer Announces $250,000 for Hamlin Lake Project

Smethport Web Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) has announced that Smethport Borough has been awarded a $250,000 grant for improvements to Hamlin Lake Park. “Hamlin Lake offers so many recreational options to the residents of Smethport and surrounding areas,” Causer said. “The improvements made possible by this grant will create even more opportunities for people to enjoy the park. It is a great investment in this community.” The project involves…

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Sheriff Dan Woods Speaks at Smethport Fire Department Dinner

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey McKean County Sheriff Dan Woods was the guest speaker Saturday at the Smethport Fire Department’s annual appreciation dinner. A retired Pennsylvania state policeman, Woods, who spent 14 years of his career at the Kane barracks, said he was already familiar with many of the firemen and thanked them for making his trooper’s job easier as they handled traffic control at accident scenes…

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Brice Benson Begins Duties as Smethport High School Principal

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Brice Benson began his duties as Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School principal on Friday. He succeeds Robert Miller who retired Nov. 30. Benson comes to Smethport from the Ridgway Area School District where he had been the principal of the middle-high school since July 2015. During that time, that school was recognized as one of eight in Pennsylvania to be named a…

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