| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Marchetti Talks New Housing, New Approaches for 2026By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:27AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026 | |
The mayor, halfway through his four-year term, is applauded after giving his State of the City address at Monday's reorganization of government. PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Housing insecurity sparked passionate conversations at City Hall in 2025. In 2026, some of that insecurity may be alleviated as Mayor Peter Marchetti expects new housing units to come online, along with partnerships to reach people in need. By 2027, 255 new housing units are anticipated from various developers. Pittsfield has supported several projects through tax incentives, grant funding, and American Rescue Plan Act monies. This includes 41 affordable units at 0 Comments
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BCC Invites Community Input on Library Renaming| 07:35AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is inviting students, alumni, employees, and community members to take part in the College's ongoing library renaming process. As a community-centered institution, BCC values broad input and encourages the public to help shape the future identity of this important campus space. As part of the process, BCC will host a virtual feedback session to gather community perspectives on a short list of proposed library names. Virtual Community Feedback Session Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m. Location: Zoom (registration 0 Comments
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Community Feedback Essential During Ed CollaborativeBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026 | |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Ensuring everyone's voices are heard will be a constant during all stages of exploring secondary education collaborative efforts to achieve long-term sustainability in North Berkshire. Hoosac Valley Regional School District Superintendent Aaron Dean presented an update to at the Select Board last meeting of 2025 on the collaboration to pool resources and explore the possibility of regionalizing the three high schools and the elementary districts in the North Berkshire School Union. "I think it's something that we have to make sure we bring everybody's voice to the table and bring everybody's concerns to the table through 0 Comments
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Veterans for Peace Stand Out Against Venezuela StrikeBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:07AM / Tuesday, January 06, 2026 | |
Eric Wasileski and Rhonda Pastori say they fear that the nation and its young men and women will get caught up in another war. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new Berkshires chapter of Veterans for Peace held a stand-out Monday against the strike on Venezuela and the U.S. detention of its President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Veterans For Peace is a global network of military veterans and allies dedicated to creating a culture of peace through education, advocacy, and support services. The organization aims to end all wars, raise awareness about the true costs of conflict, and help veterans and war victims worldwide. Protest organizers 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Swears in City Council, School CommitteeBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:19PM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
Earl Persip III is sworn in as president, above; Peter White, right, takes the oath for vice president after beating out Dina Lampiasi for the post. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city welcomed both new and familiar leadership for the next two years during its inauguration ceremony on Monday.
There were contested races for School Committee chair and vice president of the City Council. Councilor at Large Earl Persip III, was elected president of the council, Councilor at Large Peter White vice president, and Mayor Peter Marchetti was elected to chair the School Committee, the first mayor to sit as chair in nearly 30 years. "As I think I have stated to most of
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Central Berkshire Regional Schools: 2025 Year in ReviewBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:53PM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School district saw a lot of success and change this year including new administrators, policies, and state recognition. District Improvement Plan The district kicked off its year with the goal to focus on equitable learning, social-emotional support, and family engagement. In an effort to support high-quality instruction, the district has implemented a new curriculum, leveraged instructional leadership, restrictions some of its Tier 2 supports, collaborated with families and local organizations, and established new programming. Administration Change The year also came with a major 0 Comments
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Massachusetts Fire Deaths Drop by 12 Percent in 2025| 10:50AM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
STOW, Mass. — Massachusetts fire deaths in 2025 declined from a seven-year high in 2024, with more than 90 percent taking place in the victims' homes, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. Excluding fatal motor vehicle collisions with an ensuing fire, Massachusetts recorded 44 fire deaths in 30 fires during 2025. That number is a decline from the 50 civilian fire deaths recorded in 2024 and on par with the five-year average of 44 per year from 2020-2024. One child – a 4-year-old North Adams girl – was lost to fire, down from three in 2024. Two dozen people aged 65 or older lost their lives in fires during 2025, making them nearly 55 percent of fatal fire 0 Comments
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Mazzeos Expands With Italian Market, Deli By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
 LENOX, Mass. — In a way, the Mazzeos have come full circle. The family business started as a small corner market in 1965, became a popular Italian eatery, and has now opened an Italian market. "It's been three, four years in the making that we were going to do this," said Tony Mazzeo recently of Mazzeo's Italian Market & Deli on Route 7. Mazzeo and his daughter, Mia Gabriella Ortega, had the idea to open the market but the pandemic delayed their plans. He and his brother, Michael Mazzeo had operated Mazcot's Sports Bar and Grill for seven years in the building at 490 Pittsfield Road. It was closed in 2020 because of staffing 0 Comments
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Dalton Board Continues Delay on Mobile Tiny Home BylawBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:15AM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — For nearly two years, Amy Turnbull has been trying to amend the current Accessory Dwelling Units bylaws to include mobile tiny homes. A movable tiny home is defined as a unit under 400 square feet that meets all of someone's daily needs, including sanitation, cooking, and other facilities, and which is also mobile. The item has been on the Planning Board's agenda for nearly every meeting. However, every time it comes up, the board tables it citing too many unanswered questions that need to be addressed first. "It's been two years. It's ridiculous how long you guys have sat on this. It's unacceptable in a housing 0 Comments
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BCC Begins Search for New PresidentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:52PM / Sunday, January 04, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College has begun its search for a new president as Ellen Kennedy prepares to retire at the end of the school year.
Led by a Presidential Search Committee and a search firm, candidates will be interviewed in early 2026, and the college’s new leader is set to begin work in July.
"The new President will strengthen and expand partnerships with regional businesses, industries, and community organizations that create pathways to student success and workforce development," the job profile reads.
"With a sincere commitment to fostering an environment of care for students, employees, and the broader
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2025 Year in Review: Pittsfield SchoolsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
08:10AM / Sunday, January 04, 2026 | |
Latifah Phillips was hired as interim superintendent and had her contracted extended through June 2027. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools began 2025 with a controversy over alleged staff misconduct, but were able to push forward with large projects that set the district up for the future.
The school system also saw new leadership in 2025, as interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips stepped into the position vacated by Joseph Curtis, who retired from the district after more than 30 years with the district. Additionally, the city has elected a new School Committee, which will be sworn in on Jan. 5.
"I want you to know that I understand the importance
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Pittsfield Inauguration Includes State of the City AddressBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Saturday, January 03, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, a largely similar City Council will be inaugurated, along with an almost completely new School Committee.
The ceremony kicks off elected officials' two-year terms. City Clerk Michele Benjamin, at-large and ward councilors, and School Committee members will be sworn in at 10 a.m. on Jan. 5 in the council chambers at City Hall. Many familiar faces will return to represent Pittsfield constituents, as only two councilors will be new.
Earl Persip III, Peter White, Alisa Costa, and Kathleen Amuso held their seats as councilors at large during the municipal election on Nov. 4. There were no races for Wards 1, 3, and 4. Patrick Kavey was
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