| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
|
2nd Street Awarded Re-Entry Workforce Development Grant| 07:41AM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Second Street Second Chances (2nd Street) has received an $89,000 Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The grant is part of a total of $2.2 million funded by the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) to train formerly incarcerated individuals. This latest round of funding is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency within EOLWD. "We all benefit when individuals re-entering our communities have the relevant skills and experiences they need to succeed in today’s workforce," Governor Maura Healey said. "These 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton: Year in Review 2025By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:26AM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
The Dalton Fire District started the year by firing its fire chief. DALTON, Mass. — Dalton had several staffing changes and controversial situations this year from heated debates over the proposed public safety facility, Berkshire Concrete's mining operation, and more. Here is the Dalton news you may have missed in 2025. Change in Government The year began with several twists and turns starting off with a close raise for the vacant Select Board member seat when Joseph Diver left his position. A citizens' petition forced the board to call for an election that Robert Collins won by about a dozen votes. He 0 Comments
Read More >> |
The Retired Investor: Social Security Recipients Get a Raise and a Tax DeductionBy Bill Schmick,
03:49PM / Thursday, January 01, 2026 | |
For elderly Americans suffering through this affordability crisis, every little bit helps. Inflation and tariffs have made everything more expensive, so a boost to your Social Security monthly checks is welcome, but it's no cure for what ails us. Given that inflation is "officially" hovering around 3 percent per year, a 2.8 percent boost in cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is good news. This follows a 2.5 percent increase in 2025. The Social Security Administration estimates that the average retirement benefit will jump by $56 a month, from $2,015 to $2,071, starting this month. From my point of view (and I am sure yours), this raise will in no way cover 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Weekend Outlook: Fresh StartBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
12:04PM / Thursday, January 01, 2026 | |
Check out the events happening this weekend, including hiking, volunteering, fundraisers, and more. Editor's Pick First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. The new year is here so kick it off with music, art, and games that will fill downtown North Adams for its First Friday event, themed "Fresh Start." Participating businesses will have extended hours and many galleries will host openings, closings, and other special events. More information and event line-up here. Friday Discover Greylock Hike
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m. Celebrate the great outdoors with a walk in the woods to explore seasonal changes the signs of
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Housatonic Valley Association Awards Local Environmental Heroes | 08:12AM / Thursday, January 01, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — At the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) Annual Meeting and Holiday Party on Dec. 12, 2025, the nonprofit organization presented the Louis and Elaine Hecht Follow the Forest Award to Kathy Orlando of the Sheffield Land Trust and Grant Bogle of Tom's Hill and Miles Mountain at The Silo in New Milford, Conn. The award celebrates the legacy of longtime conservation leaders, HVA board member Lou Hecht and his wife Elaine. It recognizes individuals who embrace and advance a collaborative vision of protected, connected wildlife habitat in the spirit of HVA's model, which brings together diverse partners to accomplish a shared goal. A collaborative 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Licensing Board OKs Pittsfield Businesses AlterationsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:22PM / Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Licensing Board OK'd alterations for several local businesses during its last meeting of the year on Monday.
This includes an amendment to the Berkshire Museum's entertainment license in advance of its reopening after capital improvements, a change of license category for Hot Plate Brewing Co., and a change of catering company for Berkshire Hills Country Club.
It's been a good year for Hot Plate, as they were nominated No. 3 in USA Today's list of "Best New Brewery," and can now serve all alcoholic beverages. Because of a new state law, businesses can trade an existing beer and wine license for an all-alcohol
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Berkshire Mall Owners Make New Offer to Dissolve Road DistrictBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:58PM / Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Berkshire Mall owners are now offering the town a $1.1 million payment to dissolve the Baker Hill Road District.
This was reported during last week's Select Board meeting, and a draft agreement is in the works that requires the board's approval to move forward. Chair Deborah Maynard explained that negotiations with JMJ Holdings have resulted in a revised proposal that drops the ask for a 10-year tax increment rebate.
"The town has engaged KP Law to draft a proposed settlement agreement that would require Select Board approval, but in order to protect the town, the Select Board would be looking for a certainty of a development
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield Teachers Get Bereavement Leave for Pregnancy LossBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public Schools educators can now use bereavement pay for a loss of pregnancy or a stillborn child.
On Dec. 10, the School Committee approved a memorandum of agreement with the United Educators of Pittsfield that allows the use of paid bereavement time for staff who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Teacher Emily Pink said educators had been denied the use of bereavement leave for pregnancy loss as a "qualifying loss," although the contract states that they are entitled to five days for the loss of an immediate family member, including children.
"I asked the School Committee to reconsider its interpretation
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield Man Facing Charges in Hit-and-RunStaff Reports ,
07:57PM / Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man is facing charges in Vermont related to a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian. The Bennington (Vt.) Banner reports that Nelsin Martin, 21, is facing a felony charge in the May 8 incident. He could face up to 15 years behind bars if found guilty. The crash occurred on Route 7 near the intersection with Route 346 at about 6:38 a.m. A witness and video from a Pownal school bus indicated that two vehicles were driving south down the highway nearly side by side at an excessive speed. The witness said they appeared to be racing, according to the Banner. A third vehicle was mentioned by it was not clear if it was 0 Comments
Read More >> |
New Year's Eve Celebrations to Welcome 2026By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
06:23PM / Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | |
 Welcome the New Year by celebrating with others at events marking the beginning of 2026, including live music, skiing, fireworks, and numerous parties. North Adams New Year's Eve Ball Drop
Center Street Parking Lot
Time: 8 p.m. North Adams rings in the New Year with its third annual ball drop, held earlier in the evening for the whole family to enjoy. Grab some of the swag and count down for the New Year at 8, then stay for refreshments. The ball is the creation of North Adams Sheet Metal. More information here. Steeple City Social New Year Party
5 Eagle St., North Adams
Time: 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Head over to Eagle Street after the ball drop in North Adams for cocktails,
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Down to 3By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:53PM / Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee is down to three members. The five-member committee was established last June to examine all the options for a new police station or combined public safety facility, with the goal to have a recommendation to the Select Board by this December. The committee was established after Police Chief Deanna Strout demonstrated to the board the dire condition of the facility that is unable to meet state requirements. The condition of the facility has been worsening as the town explores its options. During a recent Select Board meeting, the deadline was pushed to April, following recent confusion on next 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Local Experts to Host Forum on Artificial Intelligence at BCC| 08:50AM / Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape how we live, work, and learn, many are left wondering what these changes actually mean for their daily lives. To address these questions, Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host "AI: Benefits, Challenges, and Possibilities" on Jan. 21, 2026, at 6:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. This in-person event, held on campus in the Koussevitzky Arts Center in room K-111, brings together two distinct voices in the field of AI and communication for an open, informative discussion designed for the "curious and the 0 Comments
Read More >> |
|
|
