Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Jamie Pierotti, the guest speaker at the annual fall dinner meeting of the McKean County Historical Society Thursday, highlighted the history of The Backus Company in Smethport whose founder, John C. Backus, invented the automatic pinsetter for bowling in 1905. A prolific inventor, Backus contracted with another Smethport firm, Holmes and Gilfillen, to manufacture the pinsetter. “These original pinsetters were used by…

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Olean Times – by Jeff Uveino      With only three returning starters on each side of the ball, Adam Jack’s team will feature plenty of new faces this fall. Luckily for Jack and Smethport, however, his returners were some of the Hubbers’ most valuable players a season ago. Senior quarterback and reigning Big 30 Pennsylvania Player of the Year Noah Lent will lead a Hubbers team that hopes to…

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Bradford Era – by Nate Steis      Growing up just a few blocks away from a golf course has turned out to be a blessing for Connor Alfieri. The Smethport product will soon enter his second year golfing for the California University of Pennsylvania (CalU) Vulcans men’s golf team. His father, Tom, first introduced him to the game as a youth, as the duo would spend time at Smethport…

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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…

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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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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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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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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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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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