A Look Back, Oct. 2

50 Years Ago

■Dukakis Campaign Headquarters announced today the appointment of Mary T. McColgan of 218 South St. as the Hampshire County Coordinator for Michael Dukakis. Mrs. McColgan has been active in many past political campaigns and is presently serving as the vice chairman of the Northampton Council on Aging.

■Higher room rates at The Cooley Dickinson Hospital went into effect today, raising total patient charges by 13 percent. The cost of a two-bed semi-private room will now be $74 per day. A four-bed room costs $70. The rate for a private room remains at $90.

25 Years Ago

■A second virus is now suspected in the outbreak that has killed six pediatric residents of the Northampton Nursing Home and sickened dozens, state Department of Public Health investigators say. Epidemiologists revealed Thursday they found parainfluenza virus in samples taken from four nursing home residents who were hospitalized at the Baystate Medical Center after showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

■Northampton High School principal Diane Stone is soliciting comments from school groups on changes designed to make graduation a more reflective, thoughtful and respectful event. The proposed changes are in reaction to last year’s graduation when the senior class speaker wore only a tight-fitting bathing suit under his robes. When he left the stage to return to his seat, he opened his robes to reveal the bathing suit.

10 Years Ago

■Responding to a charge from the Human Rights Commission at its meeting two weeks ago that it did not publicly condemn vandalism of an Israeli flag at a city synagogue, the Northampton City Council Thursday expects to take up a measure doing just that. The council will consider a resolution that vehemently condemns the burning of an Israeli flag in front of the Congregation B’nai Israel in August.

■The state chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored Amherst police Tuesday as its department of the month. Amherst police officers Scott Soverino, Richard MacLean, Rita Contardo, Andrew Hulse, Benton Carr and Nicholas Chandler were recognized for their efforts to enforce impaired driving laws and prevent drunken driving.