Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • The stage has been set for a city-wide vote on the controversial Traffic Operations Plan to Increase Capacity and Safety (TOPICS) program in October or November in the wake of the City Council’s reaffirmation last night of its support for the plan. The matter will now go before the voters of Northampton in a referendum to be held at a special election this fall.
  • Congressional candidate Edward A. McColgan, former executive director of the Massachusetts Bicentennial Commission, said that he has sent a letter to the state’s commission of public safety urging him to take steps to allow out-of-state Bicentennial military groups taking part in local celebrations here to bring their firearms to Massachusetts without having to pay a fee for a temporary gun license.

25 Years Ago

  • With five days of glorious weather and a new midway on the grounds, organizers of the Three-County Fair were counting themselves lucky this weekend. “This was a very good year for us. We’re really happy with what transpired and we want to make it better next year,” said Frank J. Basile, president of the Three-County Fair Association.
  • The Christmas Box Angel Memorial, a remembrance to children who have died, will be officially dedicated Sunday in John Bator Park in Easthampton. The memorial was organized by the local chapter of Compassionate Friends, a group that aids families grieving after the death of a child and provides information to help others support those experiencing such a loss.

10 Years Ago

  • Addressing climate change and ensuring quality public education are priorities for Solomon Goldstein-Rose, who at 22 is the youngest candidate running for the 3rd Hampshire District seat. Goldstein-Rose grew up in Amherst and served on the Amherst School Committee in his senior year.
  • A new restaurant featuring traditional Lebanese cuisine, including beef and chicken shawarma sandwiches and fattoush and tabbouli salads, is open in downtown Amherst. With college students returning to town Labor Day weekend, owner Eliana Dabbous said Friday that she made sure to have Malek Shawarma Mediterranean Cafe ready for customers at 11 a.m.