| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield's Christian Center Seeks Community Input on Services, NameBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:57PM / Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | |
Worker Dionisio Kelly, left, board member Kenny Warren, Executive Director Jessica Jones, and Food and Services Director Karen Ryan. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's a new year, and The Christian Center is looking at how it can serve the area in 2026 and beyond.
This includes a possible new name fueled by community forums in late January and early February.
"We're hoping people will come in and talk about the name, talk about what programs, what services they would like to see from us. What would be most meaningful," Executive Director Jessica Jones said.
"Because the population in this area has changed quite a bit, and we no longer serve just
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Letter: I Do Not Apologize For Being Out of OrderLetter to the Editor,
05:00PM / Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | |
 To the Editor:
I do not apologize for being "out of order" at a recent Dalton Select Board meeting, as it is a right and a responsibility for citizens to criticize their government when it makes a bad decision. In this case, I and several other town residents objected to the lack of transparency by our Selectmen regarding the sale of a parcel of town land, deciding to accept a bid $20,000 lower than the highest bid. The public still deserves a satisfactory explanation.
At a subsequent Select Board meeting, Chairman Bishop added to the mistake by threatening to shut down any meeting in which the public is "out of order" and that police would be used for enforcement. Is
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Dalton Will Warn Commercial Vehicles Off Orchard Road By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Now the Orchard Road has been paved, the neighborhood is facing a new problem — commercial vehicles. The road, which is often used as a connector to Route 9, was plagued with potholes and flooding because of its undersized drainage pipes. This past summer, the Highway Department had it repaved and added sidewalks. Since then, the road has seen an increase in tractor trailers cutting through from Route 8 to Route 9, during which they have been using their Jake brake, resident Carrie Thomson wrote to the town. "This is happening all hours of the day and night. Prior to the road being done it was never a problem, I have 0 Comments
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North Adams, Pittsfield Mark King Day With Calls for ActivismBy Tammy Daniels & Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:01PM / Monday, January 19, 2026 | |
Alÿcia Bacon, community engagement officer for the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, speaks at the MLK service held Price Memorial AME Church in Pittsfield. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Wendy Penner can be found pretty much everywhere: leading local initiatives to address climate change and sustainability, championing public health approaches for substance abuse, and motivating citizens to defend their rights and the rights of others. That's all when she's not working her day job in public health, or being co-president of Congregation Beth Israel, or chairing the Williamstown COOL Committee, or volunteering on a local 0 Comments
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BCC to Offer Free Advanced Basic Computer Training Course| 07:34AM / Monday, January 19, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Workforce and Community Education Department at Berkshire Community College (BCC) will offer an Advanced Basic Computer Training course on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 23 – April 1, 2026. Designed for adults eager to advance their careers, this hands-on course is intended only for learners who already have basic computer knowledge. If you can comfortably use a computer and are ready to build on that foundation, this class will help students master essential digital office skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Committee Sees Budget Calendar, Chapter 70 ConcernsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Monday, January 19, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools kicked off its fiscal year 2027 budget calendar, and are again facing uncertainties with state Chapter 70 funding.
During the first meeting of the new term on Wednesday, the School Committee OK'd an FY27 budget calendar that plans the committee's vote in mid-April. Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips stressed the importance of equity in this process.
"It's really important for us through these next couple of months to look at our different schools, our different needs, different student demographics, and really understand, are we just assigning resources equally, or are we really assigning them based
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Ice Skating Destinations in the BerkshiresBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:51PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
Every year several towns and cities in the Berkshires create outdoor skating rinks or open their doors to the numerous indoor ice skating venues. So, dust off your ice skates, lace up, and glide the winter away at these ice skating destinations. All outdoor rinks and natural skating destinations are weather dependent and do not have skate rentals unless noted otherwise. Have a skating destination you want included on our list–email info@iberskhires.com. Outdoor Rinks Wahconah Park Rink Pittsfield The city will soon open a rink outside the historic baseball stadium. The 50-by-100-foot rink will be open to skaters of all 0 Comments
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Governor Appoints Secretary of Veterans Services | 04:20PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced the appointment of Eric Goralnick, MD, MS, as Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS). "We have made a strong commitment to fixing a broken system and delivering for our veterans," said Governor Maura Healey. "Dr. Goralnick understands that veterans deserve care that meets them where they are. He brings deep experience as a physician, a leader and a collaborator, and he has spent his career strengthening systems, improving access to care and bringing people together across institutions. He is the right person to build on this progress and continue delivering for veterans and their 0 Comments
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New Pittsfield City Council, School Committee MeetsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:25PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new City Council and School Committee met for the first time last week, and were met with some hope from the public.
The council is largely the same as the last term, with Cameron Cunningham now representing Ward 2 and Kathy Moody Ward 7. On the other hand, the School Committee is all new aside from longtime member Daniel Elias.
Resident Paul Gregory, a regular at public comment, told the council, "I stand here tonight, I'm excited. I'm not complaining." Gregory said that with challenges come opportunities, and he is confident that the elected officials are up for it.
"I'm really, really looking forward to
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Lenox Community Center Seeking volunteers| 12:30PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
LENOX, Mass. — The Lenox Community Center is seeking a volunteer (or group of volunteers) to support our Gameroom Aftercare K-5 Homework Room. This daily sign-up program provides students with a safe, quiet space to complete their homework with guidance from a caring volunteer. Volunteers are needed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 3:15–5:00 PM, during the Lenox School District school year at the Lenox Community Center. Depending on experience and program availability, there may be eligibility for a senior tax write-off program. 0 Comments
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Dalton Board of Health Nominates New MembersBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Health last week couldn't decide between two board candidates so flipped a coin to appoint Dr. Patrick Carsell. The board needed a fifth member, with the vote between Carsell and Rachel Branch. Branch was appointed as the alternate. Members couldn't decide which would be the best fit — a resident with some experience advocating on public health issues, or a dentist with a background in health care. Branch has deep roots in the Berkshires and ran for mayor in North Adams before moving to Dalton a few years ago. While living in Connecticut, she worked to stop an asphalt plant, and has attended zoning board 0 Comments
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Market 32, Price Chopper Donates to Disabled American Veterans| 07:11AM / Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper presented a $53,817 donation to DAV (Disabled American Veterans), reflecting the generosity of customers and teammates who supported the company's November fundraising campaign. Shoppers across all 129 stores contributed $43,817 by rounding up their totals at checkout. Market 32 and Price Chopper added a $10,000 corporate match. These funds will help DAV to provide no-cost, lifetime assistance to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. DAV assists more than one million veterans each year through benefits assistance, employment opportunities, transportation to VA medical appointments, and 0 Comments
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