■The independence and freedom symbolized by the American flag has enabled people to discuss and work to better the lot of all mankind, a decorated Vietnam War veteran said at Flag Day ceremonies held Monday in Williamsburg. Nels Christenson, a Williamsburg resident, said, hopefully, wars of violence soon may become a thing of the past and men will focus energies on wars of poverty, hunger, sickness and pollution.
■A large number of pre-Olympic age youngsters participated in the Northampton Jaycees Junior Champ Track and Field meet at the Northampton High School Track on Saturday. Diane Walsh, 13, led the large group of participants by picking up three first-place trophies in as many events.
■Complaints from teachers at JFK Middle School about poor air quality in the school’s addition have tapered off this week, since workers got three rooftop air-exchange units working properly. The discovery late last week that three units were malfunctioning, infuriated both Principal Richard Carnes and Assistant Superintendent Joseph Misterka, who had received assurances there was no problem with the units.
■Two years after it was established, a controversial task force at the Hampshire Regional High School has won the 1996 Award for Excellence in Social Justice Actions from the United Methodist Church. Task force members Chairwoman Barbara Allen and Sarah Tunstall, a recent Hampshire Regional graduate, will accept the award at the annual conference of the United Methodist Church tonight at the Mullins Center.
■Two new administrators will walk through the doors at Hampshire Regional High School on July 1. In addition to the April hiring of Laurie Hodgdon of Vermont as the high school’s new principal, this week Springfield educator Kristen Bouley was tapped to serve as the school’s new assistant principal for middle level programming and academic affairs.
■Owen J. Logue, 55, is the new director of Northampton School Programs at the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. He has succeeded co-principals Julia Sheldon and Michael O’Connell, both of whom retired at the end of the school year.