| 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
05:31PM / Tuesday, January 27, 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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Lanesborough Receives Complaints Over ZBA MeetingBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:34PM / Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — An argumentative Zoning Board of Appeals meeting has prompted complaints to the town. The meeting resulted in the denial of Lanesborough Local Country Store's appeal over whether the signage on its vintage pickup truck is a zoning violation. The nearly 40-minute discussion navigated the intention of the sign bylaw and whether the display on the truck was a violation, with short bursts of yelling in between. The meeting was not recorded by the board or by LCATV and the town requested iBerkshires share its recording to provide the Select Board additional context surrounding the few complaints. It is not 0 Comments
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Lake Management Commission Proposed for Pittsfield By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:29PM / Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti has proposed a Lake Management Commission to handle issues with Pittsfield's waterbodies.
There are two sizable lakes in the city: Onota, which spans 617 acres, and Pontoosuc, which is more than 500 acres. Pontoosuc is shared with the town of Lanesborough, and both communities have residential and commercial properties around the lakes.
"The Pittsfield Lake Management Commission's mission is to support the preservation and protection of lakes and ponds [from] environmental harm on behalf of present and future generations of Pittsfield residents, while understanding the interests of property owners and the
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Pittsfield's Allendale Pines North Opening 6 Affordable Homes This SpringBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:46AM / Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | |
The homes will list between $189,900 and $204,900. PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Teton Management plans to cut the ribbon on Allendale Pines North in the early spring.
The first six of 22 affordable manufactured homes at 395 Cheshire Road will soon be finished, with listing prices between $189,900 and $204,900, plus a $550 a month lot rent.
All homes have three bedrooms and two bathrooms in more than 1,200 square feet; the property is set back and borders the Ashuwillticook Trail.
"We focus on what that monthly lot rent is, which is $550 a month, and then our customers typically will look to seek financing," Director of Sales Val Whaling said.
"We
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Much of Pittsfield at Home Monday During SnowstormBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:08PM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Department of Public Works has worked with contractors in shifts to clear more than a foot of snow that fell on Pittsfield and the wider region. Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales reported that most, if not all, of the main routes are plowed down to the blacktop, and the roads were pre-treated. "We have all of our main plowing routes that are essential for emergency services and getting people in and out and around Pittsfield," he explained. "… We have 30 neighborhood routes. They have all been plowed at least once, many of them 0 Comments
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REAL IDs or Passports Required Feb. 1 For Air Travel | 03:44PM / Monday, January 26, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding residents that they must present a federally approved form of identification, such as a REAL ID driver's license, a REAL ID identification card, or a valid U.S. passport, when proceeding through airport security for domestic flights. A full list of TSA acceptable documents is available here. Massachusetts currently has over 65 percent adoption statewide with over 3.67 million residents possessing a REAL ID. Residents do not need to wait until their current license or ID expires and may renew
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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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