■It was an uncanny, tragic coincidence. That is the explanation offered by administrators, doctors and attendants at Belchertown State School, where three residents died last week and another was injured falling from a window. Employees of the institution say that the four accidents, which occurred in four different areas, were in no way related.
■The new number for emergency calls goes into effect today. 911 will supplement the existing 584-0205 number for the police station, but police emphasize that 911 is for serious emergencies. The other number should still be used for routine calls.
■The 8th annual Florence Holiday Parade will kick off tomorrow at 10. Among those marching in the parade will be Look Park’s Santa Claus workshop float, local Boy and Girl Scouts troops, the Alegro kazoo band, a team of baby animals from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and much more.
■A Thanksgiving Day feast offered by Bill Nagle’s Honor Court filled Edward’s Church yesterday with the bounty of turkey, smiles and all the trimmings. Honor Court members and dozens of volunteers provided a steady stream of food and comfort for many who might have gone without.
■Northampton has begun a series of safety improvements at a dangerous crosswalk on New South Street behind the Academy of Music, a month after a 35-year-old physician was struck while crossing the busy street and later died.
■When officials decided last year to move all University of Massachusetts football games from the longtime home on campus to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, area restaurants, bars and hotels braced themselves for the blow. And it came. During the season that ended last Friday, Amherst businesses noted quiet Saturdays on weekends that once buzzed with activity when 10,000 or more spectators descended on Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium.