Changing of the guard: It was an emotional few moments on the police scanner Thursday as area police departments and emergency management officials marked the retirement of Bradford City Police Chief Chris Lucco.

At 2 p.m., a brief message was read over the scanner about Lucco’s retirement from the department, followed by officers from local departments wishing their congratulations. Lucco gave some brief remarks, thanking the officers for helping him get home safely each day of his years of service.

Today, Assistant Chief Mike Ward will be sworn in as interim chief until Monday’s reorganizational meeting of Bradford City Council, at which time new Mayor James McDonald will take office. He intends to appoint Hiel “Butch” Bartlett as chief.

Also today, Lucco will begin training in the city administrator’s office, where he will take over upon the retirement of Teri Cannon later this month.

With all the changes coming, we want to offer our congratulations and best wishes for a smooth transition and successful future for all.

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Regarding the Luncheon Check coin: Molly Lindahl from The Bradford Landmark Society emailed us about the “Bradford High School Luncheon Check,” explaining that Nathan Kline brought the piece to the Landmark Society on Dec. 27.

She explained that an article in The Bradford Era, dated March 23, 1936, addressed the luncheon checks. The article explains,

“They do away with making change in the cafeteria.”

Lindahl also noted that “In the 1936 and 1937 time period the High School was experiencing a shortage of classrooms. I believe part of the cafeteria was turned into a makeshift classroom. Perhaps the lack of space somehow prompted the luncheon checks.”

A day late: Jan. 2 was National Science Fiction Day. Jan. 2 is recognized as this day because it is famed author Isaac Asimov’s birthday. Asimov, an American author, is considered one of the most celebrated science fiction writers of all time.

For those who weren’t aware of the holiday, it’s not too late to pick up a science fiction novel or turn on a favorite show or movie.