Bradford Era – by Jeff Uveino His 5-5, 145-pound frame might not stand out on the street. But as Braedon Johnson has shown throughout his career, it’s tough to miss him on the football field. Johnson starred at Smethport in four varsity seasons, growing into the team’s top offensive weapon while anchoring the Hubber defense from the secondary. He got two more chances to showcase his defensive talent…
Bradford Era – by Kate Day Sager Lu Vandermark remembers March 19, 2020 as the date she was told the Old Jail Museum would have to close its doors due to the pandemic. After 16 months of closures and temporary openings, the museum, which showcases artifacts, documents and antiques owned by the McKean County Historical Society, expects to open its doors to the public Aug. 2 through October. The…
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…
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…
Bradford Era – Fran De Lancey As part of the newly established Wildlife and Fisheries Studies science elective at Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School, ninth graders participated in the PA Trout in the Classroom for two semesters this school year. The second semester class released approximately 110 rainbow trout fingerlings — two-four inches long — in Marvin Creek in Smethport Friday morning. Class members are Kellie Kinney, Brooke Mandley,…
Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Lenny Anderson, past-commander of McKean County Post #2497 Veterans of Foreign Wars in Smethport, spoke Monday at the Memorial Day exercises in Smethport, which saw the return of the traditional parade and schedule after being interrupted last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anderson reminded the audience not to forget the real meaning of this day. He said, “Memorial Day, to some,…
Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey In recognition of their academic achievement and service to the school and community, four juniors at Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School have earned the Bonnie Scholar Award, a scholarship that carries a $20,000 scholarship annually — $80,000 over four years of study at the St. Bonaventure University. In addition, the students, August Cox, Sabrina Tanner, Celeste Baker and Jenna Gregory, all National…
Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey The Smethport Area School Board on Wednesday appointed Douglas Dickerson as principal of the district’s junior-senior high school. His appointment is effective April 19, or upon release from his current employer, the Oswayo Valley School District, where he has been the elementary principal since February 2018. His prior administrative experience at Oswayo Valley includes middle school principal from February 2016 to 2018…
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….
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…
Olean Times – by Daniella Langianese A historic ceremony was held in a courtroom nearly full with visitors as…
Bradford Era – by Seneca Highlands CTC A group of enterprising students from the Networking and Engineering programs at…
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