■Black bears have been sighted in both Worthington and Cummington within a week. The latest report came from Bruce Rockcastle of Sam Hill Road, Worthington, who reported seeing a large black bear Thursday on Cole Street.
■A total of 337 Northampton High School seniors graduated last night in ceremonies at John M. Greene Hall. Graduates, their families, and guests filled the Smith College building to hear musical selections and other aspects of the program. Remarks were made by Superintendent of Schools John M. Buteau and Mayor Sean M. Dunphy.
■A cryptic message scrawled on a wall in a boy’s bathroom prompted authorities to search JFK Middle School late Wednesday afternoon and take extra security measures this morning. The pencil-written message, which was discovered and reported to school administrators by a student Tuesday afternoon, said “June 3rd is the day.”
■For the second time in a month, a high patient load has forced Cooley Dickinson Hospital to “divert” patients by ambulance to other area hospitals. Dianne M. Cutillo said that because the hospital had reached its peak capacity Sunday, two patients received emergency care at area hospitals other than Cooley Dickinson.
■Environmentalists are celebrating word that the Valley’s coal-fired power plant, a “dirty dozen” energy producer that received a $55 million upgrade just years ago, will close this October. But the news means the end of 28 jobs at the Mount Tom Power Plant, owned by GDF Suez Energy North America.
■Northampton aims to open a permanent swap shop where residents can leave or pick up items that might otherwise wind up in a landfill. The new enterprise will be located in part of an old transfer station at the city’s now-closed landfill off Glendale Road.