■Northampton Mayor Sean M. Dunphy called for changes in all levels of government in his inaugural address delivered before a large crowd of friends, relatives, city officials and well-wishers at Northampton High School this morning. The mayor took the oath of office from City Clerk James E. Faulkner. At age 28, Mayor Dunphy was the city’s youngest chief executive when he was inaugurated in 1970.
■Martin J. Dunphy of Main Street, Haydenville, selectman for the town of Williamsburg, died early this morning at his home. He had served the town as selectman for the past nine years, three of which he had been chairman of the board.
■The city’s sprawling year-end festival found new fans Tuesday by spreading its elbows and arranging early for encore performances, a tinkering that seemed to smooth out First Night. With double sets of performances scheduled by First Night organizers for most acts, listeners this year weren’t as driven to leave venues early to beat crowds, shaping a night that rung out the year without a lot of wringing of hands.
■The frequently swollen Connecticut River, the water-filled fields, the deluges throughout the summer and fall — it doesn’t take a scientist to pronounce 1996 a very wet year. In fact, according to measurements taken at the Amherst College weather observatory, 1996 was the area’s wettest year of the century.
■More than three years after the subprime loan bubble burst, foreclosures and homeowners struggling to pay the mortgage may continue to stifle the real estate market in 2012. But there’s a silver lining. The year 2012 may also be the year when local home values finally bottom out.
■The mood was happy and festive and the weather good as thousands traveled downtown streets Saturday to celebrate First Night Northampton 2012. Because of strong turnout, some people were turned away from the most sought-after shows.