| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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@theMarket: Santa Is on the RoofBy Bill Schmick,
02:57PM / Friday, December 26, 2025 | |
For those who have been wondering whether the Santa Claus Rally would occur this year, it appears that Santa is already on the roof. The stock market gained almost all of this holiday-shortened week on lighter volume. Can we expect the same next week? Normally, investors can expect gains of 1-2 percent between now and the end of the first week in January. Markets were closed early on Wednesday and reopened on Friday. Six straight days of gains were a good start with the S&P 500 Index hitting a new record high. I have advised readers not to put too much credence in these gains. The upward pressure on stocks stems more from global fund flows than from anything specific to 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans DispensaryBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:57PM / Friday, December 26, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.
The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.
"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board
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Pittsfield Christmas Tree Pickup Schedule| 11:15AM / Friday, December 26, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Sure, it's only the day after Christmas, but you do have to figure out how long to keep that tree up. If you have an artificial one, take your time. If you have a real one, you can have it hauled away in the New Year if you live in Pittsfield. Casella will be picking up Christmas trees until the week of Jan. 26. Residents are asked to place their tree at the curbside for their designated pickup day, and Casella will collect them based on the schedule below: • Week of Jan. 5: trees will be collected for Monday and Friday routes • Week of Jan. 12: trees will be collected for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday routes • 0 Comments
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Dalton Officials Work to Improve E-Bike SafetyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:59AM / Friday, December 26, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The warmer months have come to an end but town officials are exploring how to ensure safety with the rise of electric bikes for next season. According to an incident breakdown provided by the Police Department, between the beginning of July and the end of November, there were 33 complaints regarding e-bike usage; these included one accident, one motor vehicle stop, and nine conversations. Police Chief Deanna Strout explained that a majority of the incidents are with youth who do not have a driver's license, which makes enforcement difficult because citations have to be tied to a license. "We're just worried that there's going 0 Comments
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Westside Legends Detail Underway Housing ProjectsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:30AM / Friday, December 26, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Westside Legends has several housing projects underway through a home ownership program that aims to buy back the neighborhood.
The nonprofit's President Tony Jackson and Treasurer Marvin Purry detailed its attainable housing efforts that were partially funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The nonprofit has a mortgage program and buy-back program for refurbished West Side homes, as well as other initiatives in the pipeline.
"We intend to sell, with all our houses, under market so somebody can get in there and enjoy the perks of home ownership," Perry told the Affordable Housing Trust recently.
"Our little
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The Retired Investor: Auto IRAs Can Help Workers Save More Money for RetirementBy Bill Schmick,
04:12PM / Thursday, December 25, 2025 | |
In 2025, more than 1 million workers saved $2 billion-plus toward retirement through state-sponsored automated savings plans. Now, legislation introduced by a Massachusetts congressman would expand this program nationwide. Could this help solve the American savings crisis? It is well known that American workers are not saving enough for retirement. Almost half of Americans have no retirement savings at all, according to recent surveys by AARP and Gallup. Low-income and older households are most at risk. Dependence on a bankrupt Social Security system is not the answer. Congressman Richard Neal, a Democrat and a ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, reintroduced the 0 Comments
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan| 12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations. This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus. The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas. DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease 4 Comments
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BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty| 06:38AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County. The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington. They sold raffle tickets for a 4 Comments
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MassWildlife: Five Years of Bat House Monitoring| 03:50PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025 | |
December is a season of gratitude—and this year, we're shining a light on MassWildlife's volunteer bat house monitoring program. Thanks to the dedication of 23 volunteers across Massachusetts, all 34 bat houses at 30 sites were monitored regularly during the summer months in 2025 despite mosquitoes, summer storms, and busy schedules. Over the past five years, a total of 53 volunteers have contributed to the program. Seven volunteers have participated every year since the start of the program, providing consistency and invaluable expertise that guides and strengthen the project. Massachusetts is home to nine bat species. Several, including the little brown bat and 4 Comments
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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' ObjectionsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025 | |
Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.' DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact. "It's going to be an ongoing 4 Comments
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Pittsfield Police Chief Retiring in JanuaryBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:28PM / Monday, December 22, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police Chief Thomas Dawley will retire next month after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department, and the mayor will appoint his successor.
Dawley's last day will be on Jan. 9, and he told iBerkshires that it was "just time." He began his law enforcement career in 1995 at the Berkshire County House of Corrections and was appointed police chief in June 2024.
"Reasons for leaving are cumulative. I have been in law enforcement for almost 30 years. There is no particular reason for my retirement, I just feel that it is time," he wrote in an email.
"I love the profession and love this department. The duties,
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