Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • Two new foot patrolman beats have been created in the downtown, Chief James J. Whalen has announced. From 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven nights a week, a patrolman will cover the area from Gothic Street to 20 Bridge St., and north on King Street to Blyda Ford. Another patrolman will cover the area bounded by Pleasant Street, Pearl Street, and Hawley Street.
  • Staff members of Edward A. McColgan’s campaign for the Democratic nomination in the First Congressional District are worried that their candidate may lose next month’s primary as a result of an anticipated advertising “media blitz” by the opponent, Edward M. O’Brien. O’Brien said today that most of his campaign budget is going to pay for media but scoffed at the notion of a “media blitz.”

25 Years Ago

  • One week from today, people will be able to approach the betting windows at the Three-County Fairgrounds and place bets on horse races in Saratoga, Suffolk Downs, Rockingham, and those right here in Northampton. The City Council Thursday night took the final vote clearing the way for simulcasting at the fair.
  • An ordinance that allows an unlimited number of motorcycles to park in any spot in the city was unanimously approved by the City Council Thursday night, in the first of two required votes. The ordinance is “not making everybody happy,” in the words of City Council President Michael R. Bardsley but was the best solution available.

10 Years Ago

  • Senate President Stanley Rosenberg said while he thinks adults should be able to choose whether to use marijuana, he won’t campaign for the November ballot question on legalization, which he says has “big policy gaps.” In an interview with the Gazette, Rosenberg declined to endorse the ballot question, which aims to tax and regulate recreational marijuana, saying voters will decide whether or not cannabis should be legal.
  • Conditions were so hot and humid inside Pearl Street Nightclub during a show on Saturday that nearly 200 people complained on social media, as well as to state and local officials, about the Iron Horse Entertainment Group. Several showgoers said that between the large crowd, poor ventilation and non-functioning air conditioning, temperatures reached about 110 degrees.