| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Part II: Matching Vocational Programs to Workforce NeedsBy John Townes, Special to iBerkshires
02:36PM / Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | |
 In Massachusetts, Career Technical Education Chapter 74 programs are based on a framework of employment preparation. In addition to the core academic curricula required of all high school graduates, Chapter 74 programs include specific skills and career training in a variety of industries and specific jobs, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing to computer graphics to health care, among others. The guidelines for Chapter 74 programs include immersive learning time, co-operative education in partnership with local employers, and opportunities to earn high-value industry credentials, such as professional certifications and adjacent 0 Comments
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Berkshire County High School Bowling Hall of Fame foundedCommunity submission,
12:30PM / Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | |
 The Berkshire County high school bowling community is proud to announce the inaugural class of the Berkshire County High School Bowling Hall of Fame, honoring former student-athletes whose achievements and contributions have had a lasting impact on high school bowling throughout the county. The first Hall of Fame class represents multiple schools and more than a decade of excellence in Berkshire County high school bowling. Inductees, listed in order of their graduating class, are: Mat Bak (Class of 2009) – McCann High School Jason Duryea (Class of 2010) – Monument Mountain High School Brianna Amidon (Class of 2011) – Pittsfield High School Jasmine Kern (Class 0 Comments
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Berkshire United Way Welcomes New Director of Development | 11:07AM / Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way (BUW) welcomes Jennifer Baril as the new Director of Development. "This opportunity feels like a natural and meaningful next step. I've always been drawn to work that centers people, partnerships, and real-world solutions, and this has been BUW's way of being for the past century," said Baril. "I'm energized to help strengthen partnerships, grow community investment, and advance this important work, and I'm looking forward to learning, listening, and building alongside an incredible community." Baril has over 25 years of fundraising experience designing and implementing 0 Comments
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Dalton Pushes for Capital Funding in Charter ContractBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:32AM / Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Cable Advisory Commission presented its pressing needs for local cable access to a Charter Communications representative, with hopes they will be included in the cable company's draft license. The town's attorney on the issue, William Solomon, advocated for negotiating on the biggest issues first, specifically capital funding, but noted that there has been an impasse for other towns for which he has negotiated contracts. "Nowadays, I think they're telling people they don't give any capital," Solomon said before the presentation portion of the meeting. The commission presented its 13-page cable ascertainment to Nancy 0 Comments
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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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