| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Berkshire Leadership Program Releases Youth Guide| 03:22PM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire's 2025 cohort of the Berkshire Leadership Program has curated a bilingual guide to summer activities and year-round programming. This guide will promote access to free, low-cost, and inclusive attractions and activities, as well as provide a directory connecting Berkshire youth with essential resources, services, and opportunities in their local communities. "Our goal is to serve youth and families in Berkshire County, with a special focus on low-income, marginalized, and Spanish-speaking communities," said Hari Kumar, project representative and 2025 cohort member. "We are prioritizing those who may face economic, 0 Comments
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'Good Trouble' Rallies Planned in Berkshires| 02:02PM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Rallies honoring the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be held on Thursday in several Berkshire communities. The "Good Trouble" rallies are being held on the anniversary of the Georgian congressman's passing at age 80 in 2020. The name refers to Lewis' oft-repeated phrase to disrupt through nonviolent means. Indivisible Mass Coalition, Mass Indivisible Groups, Massachusetts 50501, and allies will join with groups across the country to honor the legacy of Civil Rights icon. Some 50 rallies are being planned across the state, including in Great Barrington, Pittsfield and Williamstown to protest any attacks on the Constitution 0 Comments
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CATA Exhibits More Accessible than EverBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
CATA is also using an app, Bloomberg Connects, to offer a digital guide to the 200 artworks on display. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community Access to the Arts kicked off its annual art show last week, and this year it is more accessible than ever before. For more than three decades, CATA has been providing artistic opportunities for people with disabilities to tell their stories and perspectives through a wide range of media and performance. This year's art show, themed "I Am a Part of Art," features 150 works created by CATA artists at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts and 50 more in the Clark Art Institute's Lunder Center at 0 Comments
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St. Joseph's Polish Picnic Returns| 11:54AM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The St. Joseph's Polish Picnic returns to the grounds of St. Joseph's Church at 414 North Street on Sunday, July 20, continuing a 60-year tradition. The Polish Picnic is one of the last ethnic festivals in the Berkshires, and the event is expected to draw several thousand people. The picnic has free admission and is open to the public. A highlight of the Polish Picnic is the homemade Polish food prepared by St. Joseph's parishioners. The food includes Pierogi, Kapusta, Golumbki, and Kielbasa. American food and adult beverages will also be available for purchase. Entertainment, consisting of Polish music, will once again be 0 Comments
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Roots Rising Receives Grant for Farm & Education CenterBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
The existing house at the farm can be seen in this provided photo. It will eventually be renovated and expanded. The nonprofit hopes to provide housing for farming apprentices. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Roots Rising recently received a $200,000 Cultural Facilities Fund grant to help build a new farm and education center. "To have MCC and MassDevelopment believe in our vision and make a tangible commitment to our young people, our local food system, and our community is so meaningful to us. It validates the work we have done and the future we are building together!" Executive Director and co-founder Jessica Vecchia, said in an email. In February 0 Comments
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Pittsfield OKs Flag OrdinanceBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:26AM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has a new flag policy that stays true to its values and mission.
Flags such as the LGBTQ+ Pride, Juneteenth, and the Disability Pride Flag can still fly on municipal flag poles.
Last week, the City Council established a flag display policy allowing Pittsfield's flag, the United States and commonwealth flags, flags of other nations recognized by the U.S. government, and flags commemorating significant events or causes consistent with the city's values and mission.
The ordinance states that "Municipal flagpoles are not intended to serve as forums for free expression by the public," and that "All flag displays on
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Pittsfield Woman Victim of Colorado Homicide| 09:12PM / Monday, July 14, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former city woman was the victim of a homicide in Colorado last week. Jordan Elizabeth Labarre, 32, of Breckenridge, Colo., was found deceased on Monday, July 7, at a residence in Blue River, Colo. Labarre, a graduate of the former St. Joseph's High School, was the daughter and stepdaughter of Joann Shugrue and Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, police were called to the Blue River residence at 6:20 p.m. over reports of gunshots, and more were heard when they arrived at the scene. CBI said the home's occupant, Daniel Joseph DeVito, 46, 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Passes Open Container LawBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:28PM / Monday, July 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has approved a "more enforceable" open container law with amendments to protect civil liberties.
Last week, councilors voted to replace City Code Section 14-7.1, "Same-Drinking alcoholic beverages upon public ways, etc." with Section 14-7.1, "Same-Possession of open container or consumption of alcohol on public property."
It passed with amendments to define an "open container" and some tweaked language proposed by Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto.
"All I can think of is the stated purpose of this ordinance is to increase enforcement authority. Anytime I hear that my ears go up, and I
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Pittsfield Issues Update on Public Restrooms| 01:56PM / Monday, July 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has issued an update on the public bathroom facilities it owns and/or provides and which are available to use by the public during the designated hours indicated below: Pittsfield Police Department, 39 Allen St. • Available 24/7 City Hall, 70 Allen St. (Second Floor) • Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave. • Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Friday, 9 to 5 • Saturday, 10 to 5 Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, 330 North Stt • Monday through Friday, 8 to 4 City parks, daily from 7 to 8 (Not available during the winter.) • The Common • 0 Comments
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BUW Board Interim President & CEO | 01:49PM / Monday, July 14, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire United Way's Board of Directors has appointed Katherine von Haefen, the organization's director of community impact, as interim president and CEO. Von Haefen, who assumes this position following the departure of Thomas Bernard, will retain her current responsibilities. The appointment is effective immediately and will continue to be interim while the board assesses the ongoing needs of the organization. "Our community impact work is at the heart of our mission to build a community where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive, and Katherine's work in this area has been exemplary," said board Chair 0 Comments
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County Ambulance Receives Service Award| 08:26AM / Monday, July 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— County Ambulance Service has received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital. Mission: Lifeline EMS is the American Heart 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Marks 35 Years of the ADA ActBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Monday, July 14, 2025 | |
The Common on Disabilities members and advocates walked North Street toward St. Joseph's Church, pointing to areas that could be improved for residents with dsabilities. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield marked the Americans with Disabilities Act's 35th anniversary with a flag raising and a look at accessibility conditions downtown.
"We need to work together as a team," community advocate Brian Fitzpatrick said. "We're not fighting against anybody, we're just trying to make everything better."
The event last week was hosted by Fitzpatrick, the city, and the Commission on Disabilities. At the commission's regular meeting a few
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