■Northampton will be represented in the annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade by a Northampton High School senior who was chosen the 1971 Northampton Colleen. Miss Kathleen Mackey, 17, was crowned 1971 Colleen at the Colleen Beauty Pageant and Coronation Ball Saturday in the Coachlight Rom of Hotel Northampton.
■A powerful bomb ripped up an interior portion of the Senate wing of the Capitol in Washington early today but caused no injuries. Damage was extensive. Officials are seeking the identity of the male caller who warned the Capital switchboard: “The Capital building will blow up in 30 minutes.”
■In a show of support for the faculty’s desire to fundamentally change Northampton High School, the School Committee voted 5-4 last night to adopt “long-block” scheduling there, beginning in September. The new schedule will consist of two semesters, each having four 85-minute courses and no study halls.
■Rick Beach, previously manager of Community Enterprises’ employment and training services in Holyoke, has been promoted to vice president of the organization’s housing and supports services. Beach, who lives in Florence with his family, has worked at Community Enterprises since 1988.
■Attempts to bring high-speed Internet to the rural pockets of western Massachusetts cleared an important hurdle Monday, as state officials announced a deal with Axia NetMedia Co. to operate the 1,338-mile broadband network being built to town centers throughout the region.
■Mayors from around the state — including Easthampton’s — are rolling the dice on casinos, urging the governor and the Legislature to reach a deal on expanded gambling and the perceived jobs and revenues that would come with it. A dozen municipal leaders, including Easthampton’s Michael Tautznik, have signed a letter urging leaders to quickly reach a consensus on casino gambling.