By Harold McNeil – It remains a wonder to me that I wound up with a more than 35-year career in local print journalism, because that isn’t what I initially set out to do at all. Despite that, it turns out I had so many unexpected benefactors in local print journalism that, in retrospect, my … Continue reading How Harold McNeil went from broadcast dreams to print career

After graduating from St. Bonaventure University, Barbara O’Brien worked at radio stations in Salamanca and Olean for four years before coming to The News in 1984. She did three stints in the Southtowns Bureau over the years, as well as being a general assignment reporter and working evenings for 11 years. Most recently, she covered … Continue reading Barb O’Brien recalls ‘shirtless’ story and other fond memories

By Scott Scanlon – There used to be a monastery in these parts where the monks were required to stay silent, except for two words every 10 years. A certain monk appeared in the abbot’s office after a decade and was granted permission to speak before the venerable leader. “Bed hard,” the monk said. Another … Continue reading Scott Scanlon on gratitude and ‘speaking truths’