Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • After a year of making plans that have not borne fruit, Floyd Andrus, owner of the former McCallum’s Department Store on Main Street, has finally reached the point where he can look at his building’s future with some degree of optimism. There are still hurdles and possible setbacks ahead, but Andrus has begun major renovations that may make his investment in the century-old building pay off.
  • Vandalism in Northampton schools has decreased this year and a similar trend is reported in neighboring school districts. Nevertheless, isolated incidents of destruction still occur, such as last week’s damage to a toilet stall which caused one of two girls’ bathrooms at the John F. Kennedy Junior High School to be closed for part of a day.

25 Years Ago

  • Fifty-six years and four months later, John Kuzeja of Easthampton, World War II veteran, has received his just rewards for serving his nation. Kuzeja, 85, was notified by mail nine months ago that he would receive eight medals for his wartime actions through a government project to ensure that all soldiers get their awards.
  • An American flag donated to Northampton High School by the late Frederick MacInnis was stolen on prom night, and police are promising no questions asked if it is returned. In what is believed to be a prank, the ropes were cut and the flag removed on the eve of the school’s former senior dance May 11. ‘This has weighed heavily on Mrs. MacInnis,” said Police Officer Daniel Block.

10 Years Ago

  • The University of Massachusetts Foundation board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to end the university’s direct investment in fossil fuel companies, according to UMass officials. The decision makes UMass one of the first public universities in the country to divest from fossil fuels.
  • The Massachusetts Senate on Wednesday passed an amendment to the state budget to slow the plan to release timber rattlesnakes at the Quabbin Reservoir. State Sen. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, cited public safety concerns in calling for a one-year moratorium on the state’s plan to raise the endangered native snakes on an island in the reservoir.