A Look Back: Jan. 10

50 Years Ago

■McCallum’s department store on Main Street is drawing hundreds of bargain shoppers to its going-out-of-business sale, which began yesterday. Ironically, it was the lack of customers which is forcing the 102-year-old store to close its doors for good at the end of the month.

■Some 55 firefighters from Northampton and Easthampton responded to a general alarm fire at 9:02 last night which gutted the third floor of The Norwood Annex Apartments on Hawley Street. Approximately 12 people are homeless as a result of the blaze.

25 Years Ago

■A Wilbraham car dealer is poised to buy the Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep franchise in Northampton from Cahillane Motors and set up shop at 244-246 King St. — the former home of the Hampshire Group car dealership. Cahillane Motors will continue to operate its new and used Dodge dealership on South Street – the site where the late James Cahillane Sr. started the business selling Hudsons in 1946 and Dodges in 1969.

■The City Council Thursday night gave initial approval to a law that would fine truck drivers up to $500 for hitting railroad bridges that bear decorative art and require them to help pay to fix the damage done. As it stands, when truck drivers hit one such bridge on Main Street, which is 12 feet high, they are fined $20.

10 Years Ago

■Less than a week after his last day as Easthampton’s mayor, Michael A. Tautznik has accepted a job as director of business operations at the Pittsfield-based Center for Eco-Technology. The 38-year-old nonprofit helps residents, businesses and municipalities improve energy efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment.

■An economic impact study finds that Northampton businesses stand to lose between $4.4 million and $8.8 million a year in sales should MGM Resorts International move ahead with a casino in Springfield, a significant blow that prompted the city Thursday to ask the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for financial relief by designating it as a surrounding community.