| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Hunger in the Berkshires Does Not Take a HolidayBy Deborah Leonczyk, Guest Column
11:04AM / Saturday, January 03, 2026 | |
 When the holidays end and life settles back into its familiar routines, the surge of generosity that defines November and December inevitably begins to fade. The food drives quiet down, the festive meals are over, and the community's attention shifts to the next challenge. Yet for thousands of our Berkshire neighbors, hunger remains exactly where it was before the holidays began. It does not ease with the passing of a season. It does not follow the calendar. It lingers quietly at kitchen tables long after the decorations have been packed away. Hunger in the Berkshires affects working parents stretching every paycheck, older adults deciding between groceries and 0 Comments
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EPA Releases Yearly Report| 07:30AM / Saturday, January 03, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration released the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key milestones and accomplishments from its agencies. Over the past year, EEA's organizations have engaged residents and partners across the state through intentional environmental initiatives. These efforts include legislation to lower energy costs for families, investments in extreme weather preparation, and strategies to protect nature. Together, this work has contributed to creating more resilient and sustainable communities in Massachusetts. "Our agencies are at the forefront of protecting our natural resources,
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Home with Comfort and FunctionalityBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:56PM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a nice colonial home with room to enjoy life? Then this might be the home for you. Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 17 Kittredge Road. The house was built in 1949 and includes four bedrooms and three baths. It is 2,430 square feet with 3.32 acres. It is on the market for $525,000. The house also includes a sunroom and seasonal porch, along with a fireplace, as well as a garage. The house also features a fully finished basement with a game room, laundry room, and extra living space. We spoke to Maggie Gavin with William Pitt Sotheby's
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Co-op Supports Berkshire Nonprofits with Cash Cube Events| 02:49PM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) successfully concluded its year-end community giving initiative, combining direct donations with interactive "Where's the Action Cash Cube" events to benefit local nonprofits across Berkshire County this holiday season. Each participating not-for-profit organization received a $500 contribution from Co-op Bank, along with an on-site Cash Cube visit that gave them the opportunity to catch up to an additional $500. All events were held at the nonprofits' locations and shared on Co-op Bank's social media channels to spotlight the essential services they provide throughout the 0 Comments
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Lanesborough EMS Soon Moving Next to PoliceBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:19PM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
 LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board approved the EMS department's lease at the Lanesborough Plaza, effective January. The town's emergency medical services and police departments will be located adjacent to each other at the rental site on South Main Street. EMS Director Jen Weber reported that they hit some roadblocks with power in the garage and are at the mercy of the electric company to get it running, as Lanesborough EMS has been on Eversource's schedule for eight weeks.
"What we do have right now is the inside is complete, barring a couple more little things that need to be done," she told the Select Board last week.
"What we would
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Public Comments Sought On Human Service Needs In Pittsfield| 10:45AM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield, through its Human Service Advisory Council (HSAC), is asking the public to comment on the human service needs in Pittsfield. The Human Services Advisory Council is an 11-member advisory committee that provides funding recommendations to the mayor on how the city should allocate its human services funding. One of the considerations that the council uses to make those recommendations is to consider the input of Pittsfield residents and others. Public comments will be accepted beginning Jan. 1, 2026 through 4:00 p.m. Jan. 31, 2026. Comments may be submitted several ways: email at njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org; phone at (413) 0 Comments
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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
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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 race 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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