| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Part I: Berkshire Vocational Schools Prepare Students for Challenging CareersBy John Townes, Special to iBerkshires
12:31PM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
 As the job market and economy have become increasingly complex and challenging, the role of vocational education — also known today as Career and Technical Education (CTE) — has become more prominent. In Massachusetts, the administration of Gov. Maura Healey has made improving and expanding CTE one of its priorities in wider integrated education reforms that encompass all facets of secondary education, including CTE and academic studies. Modern CTE is based on the traditional role of vocational education, which is to prepare students to graduate directly into well-paid jobs that do not require a college degree. In addition to the core academic 0 Comments
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Ski for Scholarship: Bartels Community Ski Race 2026Community submission,
11:56AM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The 19th Mathias Jessup Bartels benefit cross-country ski race and tour will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 11:30 a.m. at Mount Greylock Regional School. The event will feature a 3-kilometer kids’/beginner’s race, a lollipop race for young children, and a 6K classic race. Races are suitable for all ages and abilities. Prizes will be awarded to overall and age category winners. A $15 donation is requested at day of race registration. All proceeds benefit the Mathias Jessup Bartels Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Mt. Greylock Nordic Ski Team. Checks can be made out to: Mount Greylock Regional High School, M.J. Bartels 0 Comments
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BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Nursing Graduates| 11:24AM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for 32 graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program on Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Robert Boland Theatre on the main campus. The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of nursing and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words "To travel hopefully." Four graduates received awards: Rachel 0 Comments
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Berkshire Concrete Special Permit Continued; Other Updates By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Frustrations continue to fester with the Planning Board's decision last week to continue the public hearing for Berkshire Concrete's special permit for a third time. Confusion stemming from a labyrinthine history, questions surrounding the board's legal authority, and illegible documents described as "garbage" by board member Don Davis has delayed the town's yearlong odyssey in mitigating sand from leaving Berkshire Concrete's property. During the prior two meetings, the board asked Petricca Industries, the parent company of Berkshire Concrete, to provide updated, accurate, and clear plans. However, the documents 0 Comments
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The Tap Room in Lanesborough Offers Food, Music & Themed EventsBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:32AM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
 LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Adam Steele and Tyler Purdy opened The Tap Room on Nov. 25, a new space designed for community members and visitors to gather. Purdy, whose wife Ana Bradbury owns the Lanesborough Local Country Store, took over the original storefront after Bradbury moved her business to a larger location across the parking lot. "When we moved over to the bigger location, I did a lot of work in this space initially and didn't really want to give it away to someone else. Me and him have always talked about just, like, opening a bar, a brewery, or doing something," Purdy said. Lifelong friends, the duo always wanted to start some sort of business 0 Comments
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Hearthway Acquires Former Polish Club for Affordable HousingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:05PM / Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Plans are coming into focus for housing at 55 Linden Street, better known as the former Polish Community Club.
Hearthway, in partnership with Causeway Development, has acquired the property for a 47-unit complex that maintains the historic building. The former club will have six apartments, and the remaining units will be in new townhouse and apartment buildings.
Matt Kropke, Hearthway's director of real estate development, assured the Affordable Housing Trust that the lone existing building's facade will remain intact.
"For historic purposes, we want to keep the exterior of the existing building exactly the way it is, and
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State Provisions Protects Federal Workers During Government Shutdowns| 03:48PM / Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The Fiscal Year 2025 closeout supplemental budget includes a provision that protects federal workers in Massachusetts from evictions and foreclosures during a government shutdown. This provision protects federal employees for at least 30 days after the end of a shutdown, unless the governor chooses to extend the pause to 75 days after the end of the shutdown. Gov. Maura Healey used this executive authority last fall to extend support for federal workers during the shutdown. This provision, advocated for by state Sen. Lydia Edwards, was signed Nov. 25, 2025,
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Pittsfield Boards OK Permanent Mural Honoring 54th RegimentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:35PM / Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City boards and commissions have approved a permanent mural in Durant Park honoring the Black residents who fought in the Civil War.
During its Jan. 20 meeting, the Community Development Board approved a floodplain site review for "Pride of the Westside," an approximately 25 x 12-foot mural of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. The project was brought forward by the Westside Legends and unveiled during the 2025 Juneteenth celebrations.
Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath has been working closely with the neighborhood revitalization nonprofit to permanently mount the mural in Durant Park, located at 30
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Dalton Historical Launches Hometown Heroes ProjectBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
10:47AM / Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The town's Historical Commission is honoring those who served with its Hometown Heroes project. "The Historical Commission takes on many roles to preserve the town's historical assets but there is another side of the mission which is honoring those who have contributed historically to our community, " said Chair Dennis Croughwell. "We need to have people involved as well, rather than just properties and things which most historical commissions focus on, but we honor our heroes as well." The initiative honors current or former Dalton residents who have served in the armed forces or local first-responders with past 0 Comments
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Greylock Federal earns 5-Star Superior Rating| 07:48AM / Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union was awarded another 5-Star Superior rating from BauerFinancial, the nation's premier credit union and bank rating firm. A 5-Star Superior rating indicates that Greylock Federal is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation, excelling in areas of capital, loan quality, stability and more, stated a press release. This marks the 35th consecutive quarter that Greylock Federal has earned this top rating. "Because credit unions put their focus squarely on their membership, they are perfectly positioned to provide the specialized support that is unique to their niche," said Karen L. Dorway, 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Creates a Parks & Rec. Marketing PlanBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:21AM / Sunday, January 25, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— An "abbreviated roadmap" for the future of Pittsfield parks stresses the importance of community engagement and programming that well serves residents.
On Tuesday, the Parks Commission was presented with a 2026 Parks and Recreation plan for programming, community engagement, and marketing. It was created by Jennifer VanBramer, Pittsfield's recreation and special events coordinator.
"It really is sort of an abbreviated roadmap for how we intend to really enhance and bolster what we do," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said.
He explained that when VanBramer stepped into the role, she
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Pittsfield Parks Commission OKs Outdoor February EventsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:09PM / Saturday, January 24, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Locals can experience the snow-covered Berkshire landscape during outdoor February events in Pittsfield.
The Parks Commission on Tuesday approved a winter festival, fireworks at The Common, and a fishing festival at Onota Lake for the upcoming month.
The winter festival and fireworks are part of the 15th annual 10x10 Upstreet Winter Arts Festival, which runs from Feb. 12 to Feb. 22. More than a dozen organizations collaborate to offer ten days of events that bring the community downtown during the winter.
The third annual Winter Festival will bring people of all ages to Clapp Park on Presidents' Day, Feb. 10. It will kick off at 10 a.m. and run
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