Smethport Students Release Fingerlings into Marvin Creek

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,…

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Smethport Holds Parade, Follows Traditional Memorial Day Schedule

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,…

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Four Smethport Juniors Win Bonnie Scholar Awards

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…

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Dickerson New Principal of Smethport High

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…

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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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