| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Central Berkshire Approves Competency Evaluation PlanBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
02:46PM / Sunday, January 11, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The state is mandating that school districts develop a competency evaluation plan now that the 10th grade MCAS scores are no longer a graduation requirement. In November 2024, voters passed Question 2, which removed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores as a requirement to earn a high school diploma. The competency test has been in the schools for more than 30 years, a result of the state's 1993 Education Reform Act. With its passage, the question remains on how schools will prove graduates are meeting competency standards. "The state started to put out some new guidelines and expectations for high 0 Comments
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Market 32, Price Chopper Launch Fundraising Campaign for Special Olympics | 11:11AM / Sunday, January 11, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Through Jan. 30, Market 32 and Price Chopper customers will have the chance to help Special Olympics athletes score big by rounding up their change at checkout in all 129 stores. The campaign will raise funds for Special Olympics programs that provide year-round athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities—promoting inclusion, confidence, and a sense of belonging through sports. Every dollar raised will help provide the coaching, equipment, and opportunities needed for these athletes across Market 32 and Price Chopper's six-state footprint. Market 32 and Price Chopper will also match donations, up 0 Comments
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DPU Reaches Settlement Agreement with Competitive Supplier | 07:54AM / Sunday, January 11, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) recently entered into a settlement, also known as an Informal Remedial Plan, with Direct Energy Services, LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., for its noncompliance with the DPU's requirements for competitive suppliers. The Plan is a direct result of the DPU's investigation into the company's business practices, specifically for telemarketing activities. As part of the settlement, the company will donate $101,750 to Boston Medical Center's Clean Power Prescription program, a first-in-the nation program that allows the Center's providers to write their patients' 0 Comments
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Tina Packer, Founder of Shakespeare & Company, Dies at 87Staff Reports ,
06:51PM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
 LENOX, Mass. — The doyenne of Shakespeare's plays, Tina Packer, died Friday at the age of 87. Shakespeare & Company, which Packer co-founded in 1978, made the announcement Saturday on its Facebook page. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Packer, Shakespeare & Company's founding artistic director and acclaimed director, actor, writer, and teacher," the company said on its post and in a press release. Packer, who retired a the theater company's artistic director in 2009, had directed all of Shakespeare's plays, some several times, acted in eight of them, and taught the whole canon at more than 30 0 Comments
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Sledding Destinations in Berkshire County By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:06PM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
 The snow is perfectly packed for a day of sledding. Head for the hills before the winter season ends. Here is out list of sledding destinations: Have a sledding destination that we missed? Email info@iberkshires.com and we will add it. Clapp Park Pittsfield Every year Berkshire County residents can be seen flocking to Clapp Park, sleds in hand, to experience the thrill of sliding down the hill. It’s no surprise children drift to this park in the winter. Many can be seen sliding down the hill with cardboard during the other seasons. The packing snow adds the perfect amount of slippery to slide down the bumpy hill and the 0 Comments
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Governor Names 6 Judges for Department of Industrial Accidents| 03:46PM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey has nominated Maureen Counihan to serve as an administrative judge at the Department of Industrial Accidents and renominated Omar Hernández, Douglas A. Bean, Thomas P. Daniels, Matthew F. King and Michael Williams to serve an additional terms as administrative judges. These nominees will now be considered by the Governor's Council for confirmation. "All six of these nominees bring deep experience and expertise to the Department of Industrial Accidents," said Healey. "Their leadership helps ensure that injured workers and employers can navigate our workers' compensation system fairly 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Mayor Highlights 2025 Infrastructure ProjectsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Several infrastructure projects gained momentum in 2025, and miles of roads were paved or repaired.
Mayor Peter Marchetti highlighted these successes during his State of the City Address on Monday during the new City Council's inauguration.
The Healey-Driscoll administration has invested $4.4 million in road resurfacing along Route 7, including North Street from the Lanesborough town line to the new roundabout near Berkshire Medical Center, First Street, and South Street from Park Square to the Country Club of Pittsfield.
Pittsfield has paved 11.55 miles of road, done road treatments such as crack sealing along 2.5 miles of road, and
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MassDOT Annual Safe Routes to School Program Yard Sign Design Contest| 11:01AM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, announced the launch of the 2026 Yard Sign Design Contest. The annual contest raises awareness for transportation-related themes that help support school safety for walking and biking to school and is open to students in second through eighth grade who attend participating SRTS partner public schools. To become an SRTS partner, school administrators can connect with their Outreach Coordinator or fill out the online form. "Massachusetts schools are ranked # 1 in the nation and under Governor Healey, safety for all will 0 Comments
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Governor Declares January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month| 07:33AM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
STOW, Mass. — Governor Maura Healey has declared January to be Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in Massachusetts, joining the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, International Association of Fire Fighters, and fire service agencies around the world to promote cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection in the fire service all month long. "Firefighters face a higher risk of developing cancer, developing it earlier in life, receiving a later cancer diagnosis, and losing their lives to cancer," Governor Healey's proclamation reads. "Raising awareness of cancer risks and promoting best practices in cancer prevention can help protect our firefighters from 0 Comments
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Berkshire Amistad: American Waste to Aid in HondurasBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:31AM / Saturday, January 10, 2026 | |
Eddie O'Toole found that empty banana shipping containers could be used to bring medical equipment to Honduras. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than four decades ago, Eddie O'Toole returned from the Peace Corps with the realization that good things were being thrown away when they could be used elsewhere. The question was how to get those resources to where they needed to go in the most cost-effective way. The solution came from an unlikely item — bananas. O'Toole discovered that shipping containers carrying bananas and pineapples from Honduras to the United States return empty each week. He partnered with shipping 0 Comments
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Cozy House on the LakeBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:27PM / Friday, January 09, 2026 | |
 HINSDALE, Mass. — Are you looking for a peaceful house on the lake? Then this might be the perfect home for you. Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 30 Cove Lane The 1950 ranch is 1,001 square feet on 0.12 acres, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. It comes with major kitchen and laundry appliances. A sunroom on one end offers floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Ashmere Lake and access to a back deck. It also has a large private dock perfect for a boat or entertaining by the lake, and a firepit. The house is listed for $699,000. We spoke to Lisa Kelley with MacCarro Real
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Wendy Penner to Receive the 2026 Peacemaker Award| 02:24PM / Friday, January 09, 2026 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - This year, the MLK Jr. Day of Service Committee announced Wendy Penner as the selected recipient of the Peacemaker Award. The award will be presented at the annual Northern Berkshire MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan.19, during the celebratory luncheon. The Peacemaker Award is given annually to an individual or group in Northern Berkshire. The award, which originated as part of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, honors individuals or groups who have contributed substantially to peace in our region. In general, the Peacemaker Award recognizes those who have a history of working with people and/or neighborhoods and 0 Comments
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