■Robert J. Gustavis, a 20-year veteran as a state police officer, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lt. Gustavis was appointed a state police officer in 1952. He is a former Northampton City police officer.
■Plans are moving ahead to turn Northampton High School into an “open campus” by permitting students to use non-class time during the day as they wish. John Feeney, principal of the school, said last night in support of the program that the open campus is a means of extending education beyond the classroom.
■Calling up an image of the place he considers the “happiest in the planet,” namely, Disney World, Holyoke Mayor Daniel Szostkiewicz announced plans for re-election last week. “Like Disney,” he said, “I believe. I believe in hope, I believe in the human spirit, and I believe in the brotherhood of mankind.”
■Timothy P. Sicard of Northampton has been promoted to the rank of sergeant with the Massachusetts State Police. Sicard graduated from Northampton High School in 1974 and Westfield State College in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in criminal justice in 1984. He became a state police officer in 1982.
■The Northampton License Commission is considering a new policy that would allow businesses that hold liquor licenses to close later in order to serve food. The proposal would apply only to food service and not alcohol.
■The Yellow Sofa, a downtown Northampton coffee bar and card shop at 24 Main St. that also became known for its live music, has closed. The business closed Tuesday, according to Gabriel Moushabeck of Amherst, who opened it in May 2007 with his wife, Samar Moushabeck.