A Look Back, Oct. 22

50 Years Ago

■The Northampton School Committee last night voted to support a school building program that will change the structure of education in the city by converting the high school to a four-year school and add middle schools in place of present junior high schools.

■Mayor Sean M. Dunphy announced today the formation of an advisory committee on cable television. The committee will study the question of whether the city should adopt cable television, and if it does, how the city should plan for it.

25 Years Ago

■Interstate Route 91 signs listing attractions in Northampton will soon include the Academy of Music. Duane Robinson, director of the Academy, told the Board of Public Works last week that the state Department of Highways has approved the signs on the condition that there be another sign near the intersection of Main and King streets directing motorists over to the Academy.

■The City Council tonight will be asked to open a special bank account to accept money to pay for Forbes Library to open on Sundays. The account will be bankrolled by a $15,000 contribution from the Friends of Forbes Library, which is donating the money for the express purpose of paying for Forbes Library to open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

10 Years Ago

■A tiny insect the size of a fleck of pepper is wreaking havoc on red pine trees in Northampton’s watershed lands. Known as red pine scale, the non-native insect has been present in the state for some time but was only recently detected in the city’s water supply property located in six communities, including highly visible spots off major roads.

■Northampton police out on party patrol broke up an underage party Friday night as part of a new grant-funded effort to combat underage drinking. The $4,979 state grant the city received is paying for overtime so officers can work extra shifts when they will target underage drinking through methods including party patrol, which involve checking spots where youths often hold parties.