50 Years Ago
- Pastors of most of the Roman Catholic parishes served by St. Michael’s schools in Northampton yesterday rejected charges that they had failed to support the city’s last parochial school. Several priests said that the decision to close the school was inevitable because of the financial burden its operation placed on area parishes.
- The Northampton Police Department has asked for 20 more police officers and a budget increase of more than 25 percent. Chief James J. Whalen said he would use some of the new patrolmen to increase foot beats during the nighttime in Florence and in the downtown, an idea which has the support of many merchants.
25 Years Ago
- The CBS news program “60 Minutes” is scheduled to lead its broadcast Sunday with an interview with departing Smith College President Ruth Simmons. “It’s very exciting,” Smith College spokeswoman Laurie Fenlason said. “We’re very pleased to have something that will begin to do justice to the great changes she’s made at Smith and to show to the people who may not know her what a wonderful president we’ve had.”
- A city historical panel gave a preliminary thumbs-up for a 58,000-square-foot Smith College student center on Elm Street, despite concerns about how its contemporary architecture would affect the street’s historical character.
10 Years Ago
- Two people have announced their candidacy for Hampshire County sheriff. Patrick J. Cahillane, who for 14 years has been in charge of day-to-day operations at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, and former corrections officer and current substitute teacher Kavern Lewis hope to succeed retiring Sheriff Robert J. Garvey.
- Christina Williams is the new pastor of the First Congregational Church in Hadley. Her grandmother, a native of Hadley, was a member of the church. Williams’ varied career led her through human resources, publishing and freelance magazine work.