50 Years Ago
- Motorists in Hampshire County, and throughout Massachusetts, beginning Monday, should worry about more than court fines if they are in an accident or get a traffic ticket. Nov. 1 marks the beginning of the state’s new merit automobile insurance program, which will take into account a resident’s driving record in determining how much he pays to insure his vehicle.
- The Critical Issues Forum ’76, sponsored by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters, originally scheduled for Friday, has been canceled because of the death of the city clerk, James Faulkner. Faulkner was to have been the introductory speaker at the forum, which was aimed at informing local voters on the importance of voting, as well as providing information on referendum questions.
25 Years Ago
- The first mass-produced toothbrush in America was made here 135 years ago. The last one here will be shipped out any day now. NutraMax Products Inc. will relocate its oral care division to its corporate base in Gloucester over the next 90 days. The division makes toothbrushes and dental floss and assembles and packages related products at a plant on Spring Street that is one of the descendants of the former Pro Brush Co.
- Despite recommendations this week from U.S. Postal Service officials, many local postal workers say they do not feel it’s necessary to wear rubber gloves or masks on the job. No anthrax had been found in Massachusetts as of Wednesday morning.
10 Years Ago
- Providing more state aid to local schools, promoting development of clean energy technology and renaming Columbus Day statewide are among legislative objectives for the 3rd Hampshire District’s next state representative. Not facing any competition on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, Solomon Goldstein-Rose, who is expected to succeed the retiring Ellen Story, said Tuesday that he feels fortunate to have two extra months to learn about the flow of business in the Legislature and its dynamics.
- Stopping or slowing down at a tollbooth on the Massachusetts Turnpike is about to become a thing of the past. A new tolling system goes into effect Friday along the highway that runs the length of the state from Boston to New York. Tolls will instead be charged as vehicles pass under 16 electronic gantries that have been spaced along the roadway, and demolition of the tollbooths will begin.