A Look Back: Sept. 8

50 Years Ago

■The Tin Man, damaged by vandals a few weeks ago, is back in one piece again atop the Hampshire Engineering building on Route 9. With new arms and kneecaps, the Tin Man will now brace the elements from a lofty perch, strapped to the building by metal wires. He previously stood on the ground.

■The City Council last night went on record as opposing harness racing for Northampton but said that if the state chooses to allow the racing despite the council’s feeling, then city voters should decide the question this fall.

25 Years Ago

■Police are investigating what appears to be a drive-by shooting at a Main Street, Easthampton house with a semiautomatic gun early Sunday morning. Easthampton Police Detective Derrill Stoddard said the shooting appears to be an intentional firing into the home.

■Three County Fair organizers brought home a little prize of their own this year: an increase in attendance. This year, 36,745 people came through the gates as of Sunday. For the same period last year, there were 33,742 people.

10 Years Ago

■The Science Café, a program to explain technical topics to everyday people, returns for its third year of presentations at local coffee shops. “We all feel passionately about making science more accessible and connecting with our community,” said Sarah Goodwin, a University of Massachusetts doctoral student and one of the organizers of the series.

■Northampton took steps last week to uphold its longtime practice of prohibiting mobile food trucks from operating downtown. Still, several councilors indicated they’d like to consider rules that allow restaurant-on-wheels businesses to co-exist with brick-and-mortar establishments.

]]>