| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
|
Lisa Jacobs Memorial Scholarship Fund Accepting Applications| 07:44AM / Thursday, February 12, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — UCP of Western Massachusetts is now accepting applications for the Lisa Jacobs Memorial Scholarship Fund, a scholarship honoring the life of Lisa Jacobs and her belief in living a "Life without Limits." The fund was established by Lisa's mother, Maren Jacobs, a Board Member of UCP of Western Massachusetts for nearly 50 years. Lisa passed away in 2019, and this scholarship carries forward her legacy by supporting college-bound students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and the betterment of others. Scholarship will be awarded to two students and help recipients cover the cost of college tuition and books, easing financial 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Lanesborough Short-Term Rentals Moratorium Not AllowedBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Thursday, February 12, 2026 | |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tensions are still high over short-term rental regulations and a resolution appears to be months away. According to town counsel, the Select Board cannot impose a moratorium on short-term rental regulations, Select Board Chair Deborah Maynard said during its meeting on Monday. Maynard also read a segment from the town's website that explains the authority of the Select Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and building commissioner, in addition to procedural information surrounding short-term rental regulations. Under state law, the commissioner is the "primary interpreter of the town's zoning by-laws for the public, 0 Comments
Read More >> |
ArtSwitch Benefit to Raise Funds for Roots Rising| 03:54AM / Thursday, February 12, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The ArtSwitch is a live, collaborative art fundraiser benefiting Roots Rising, a Pittsfield-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and building community through food and farming. The event brings together 10 locally known artists who create artwork live, rotating through one another's pieces when the music stops. This shared process results in a series of one-of-a-kind works that reflect collaboration, adaptability, and community—values central to Roots Rising's mission. Community members are invited to observe the creative process, enjoy light refreshments, and participate in a silent auction featuring the
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Police Seeking Suspect in Fatal Hit-and-Run| 08:50PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are searching for a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run on Tuesday. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found nearly four miles away from where he was reportedly struck. The initial report was that someone was in the road, possibly struck by a motor vehicle, at the intersection of Linden Street and Francis Avenue at about 11:33 p.m. According to the report filed by Sgt. David Hallas, officers were unable to locate either a victim or a vehicle at the intersection. They spoke with witnesses and canvassed the area. They found him in the road in the 1350 block of West Housatonic Street near the Best 0 Comments
Read More >> |
House Passes AI/Election Legislation| 06:30PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation on Wednesday to address election-related deceptive media and safeguard election integrity, one of which was filed by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. H.5093, An Act to protect against election misinformation, filed by Farley-Bouvier, safeguards election integrity by prohibiting the distribution of AI-generated and materially deceptive election-related communications within 90 days of an election with the intent to disinform voters or defame candidates. These tactics have already been used to suppress voter turnout and damage candidates' reputations in elections across the 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield's 10x10 Festival Celebrates 15 YearsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:22PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's annual 10x10 Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, continuing its tradition of highlighting the city's vibrant atmosphere with events that have become iconic for many. Beginning Thursday and running through Sunday, Feb. 22, festivalgoers have the opportunity to choose from more than 50 events to celebrate the winter season. All events can be found here. Winter in the Berkshires is cold and this festival gives people an excuse to get out of the house in the dead of winter and experience the eclectic things the city has to offer from art, music, and an array of other adventures, said Jennifer Glockner, 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton Finance to Discuss Budget Freeze, CBRSD WednesdayBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
04:50PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee will be reviewing whether a budget freeze is necessary, considering ongoing financial concerns. At Monday's meeting, Select Board member Antonio Pagliarulo raised the possibility of freezing the town budget as a precautionary measure, given budget concerns presented during the last meeting. "I do think we're fine if we look at where we are in terms of budget to actuals. We seem to be tracking pretty well for [fiscal year 2026] so I have no concerns whatsoever over this year's budget," Town Manager Eric Anderson said. Last week, Anderson presented the "grim" budget to the Select 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton Considers Hiring Third-Party Accounting Services By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
02:08PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — With the increased complexity of managing accounting operations and mandated compliance tasks, town officials are mulling if hiring a third-party accounting service would be fruitful. Town Manager Eric Anderson informed the Select Board on Monday that the town is about two years behind on financial reconciliations and related reporting. Anderson will continue exploring third-party accounting services and will present cost estimates to the Select Board, which will then decide whether to proceed with hiring. He highlighted several of the steps in reconciling the town's accounts, including reconciling bank account activity with the tax 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield Scraps Camping Ordinance for Outreach ProgramBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:05PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has scrapped the controversial "Camping Ordinance" and sees hope in an outreach program that connects unhoused individuals with resources.
"It was a bad idea, please file it," Mayor Peter Marchetti said to the council on Tuesday about the ordinance that would have banned public camping and storing of personal items.
The ordinance was sent to the Board of Health last year, and after months of consideration and a visit to the Northampton Division of Community Care, health officials recommend piloting an alternative community response program with two new homeless service coordinators who would begin work in the
0 Comments
Read More >> |
The Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church Hosts Open House| 10:24AM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass — The Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church invites the community to an Open House celebrating its newly renovated spaces on February 24th from 5:30 to 7pm. Offering a first look at the refreshed Common Room and updated facilities now available for rentals, partnerships, and community use. With construction complete and the curtains finally down, the Open House will showcase flexible, welcoming spaces designed to support a wide range of activities, including meetings, classes, performances, rehearsals, nonprofit programming, and community gatherings. The event is open to the public, with special interest for artists, educators, 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield's DPW Czar Talks Snow PlowingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Staffing shortages continue to stretch Pittsfield’s public works employees thin during winter storm events.
On Monday, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales updated the Public Works Committee on snow operations. Last winter, snow maintenance and winter overtime were overspent by nearly $1.2 million, and Pittsfield saw a total of 4.77 feet of snow.
"We place safety over everything else when we do the work we do, and one of those main things is to ensure that we have safe access for emergency vehicles. Then we consider equity, efficiency, and cost control," Morales explained.
"… We have to do the
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Taconic High Closed Wednesday for Cleanup| 07:16PM / Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A sewer backup forced the closure of Taconic High School on Tuesday afternoon and canceled all afternoon activities and classes on Wednesday. According to a message sent to the school community by Principal Matthew Bishop, plumbers working at the school removed a drain cap at about 1:50 p.m., which allowed sewage to spill into the Career Technical Education hallway. Students were taken to the gym and auditorium, and then released from the building at about 2:25 p.m., a few minutes earlier than normal. The girls basketball team did meet at the school to take the bus to the game at Putnam Vocational in Springfield. Bishop had 0 Comments
Read More >> |
|
|
