| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Drinking on DeclineBy Bill Schmick,
04:55PM / Thursday, December 11, 2025 | |
Whether you know it or not, Americans are drinking less. This year, the percentage of Americans who say they drink alcohol has fallen to a record low. But don't kid yourself, 54 percent of Americans said they still do drink booze, according to a recent Gallup poll, which has been tracking U.S. drinking since 1939. I can hear Bill Wilson, the father of Alcoholics Anonymous, cheering from his grave. The trend of easing off the booze has been in place for several years among some segments of society. Health-care concerns are reportedly spooking the population. It used to be that "one or two drinks a day" was OK. I'm sure the liquor companies lobbied hard for that 0 Comments
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Fire Dept. Orders Berkshire Mall Owners to Secure PropertyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:56AM / Thursday, December 11, 2025 | |
 LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Fire Department has reinstated a 2022 order to secure the Berkshire Mall, giving owner JMJ Holdings 14 days to respond.
On Monday, Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine discussed current and past orders on the mall property with the Select Board. Failed fire-suppression systems triggered a court order to repair or secure the building years ago, but it was attached to the previous owner and didn't transfer over when JMJ purchased the mall in 2023, the chief said.
The property saw repairs after the sale, but is now seen as a liability, and the town wants it secured or demolished to prevent further break-ins and trespassing. Several videos have been posted
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Dalton Consultant to Assess Police StationBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Thursday, December 11, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Discussions over the proposed public safety facility continue to prove contentious as officials debate next steps. During several meetings, Police Chief Deanna Strout has emphasized how the condition of the station, located in Town Hall, has been deteriorating for the last 28 years. It was determined early on by the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee that the basement of Town Hall is not a viable long-term location after reviewing documentation and touring the facility and other local police stations. During its Tuesday meeting, the committee decided to have its consultant, Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC in 0 Comments
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Lanesborough Woman's Bravery Key to Solving 40-Year-Old MurderBy Tammy Daniels , iBerkshires Staff
02:59PM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
David A. Morrison BENNINGTON, Vt. — A former Lanesborough, Mass., woman's bravery was the key to solving a 40-year-old Vermont murder mystery. David A. Morrison, 65, pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court in Pittsfield, Mass., to the kidnapping of Laura Sheridan in 1981 and, in Bennington Criminal Division Court, to the murder of 32-year-old Sarah Hunter of Manchester in 1986. He was sentenced to up to four years on the kidnapping charge and life without parole on the murder charge, both to be served in Vermont and concurrent with a 20-to-life sentence he was serving in California. Morrison waived his right to appeal. Sheridan, who 0 Comments
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Pittsfied Councilors See Dalton Ave. 'Walk Audit' for Safety ImprovementsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:11PM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A walk audit done on Dalton Avenue over the summer has made recommendations for a safer corridor. The City Council's public works subcommittee will review the Pittsfield Community Design Center's report on an area where a fatal vehicle-pedestrian crash occurred over the summer. It makes five recommendations to deter speeding and improve pedestrian facilities on the well-traveled, quarter-mile stretch.
There have been more than 90 reported crashes on the lower section of Dalton Avenue since 2020, 19 causing injury, and the June 20 fatality at the corner of Dartmouth Street that is still under investigation.
"The crash that killed
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Reading and Tea at Arrowhead| 10:45AM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) welcomes author Kevin O'Hara to Herman Melville's historic home on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 pm for a special afternoon benefitting BCHS restoration, education, and preservation programs. The afternoon begins in Melville's study—where he wrote Moby-Dick inspired by his view of Mount Greylock—where O'Hara will read selections from his writing. Following the reading, guests can interact with the author while enjoying tea, hot toddies and an array of sweets. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org and selecting the events 0 Comments
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Berkshire Athenaeum Announces Family Search 101 Session| 08:20AM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Local History Department of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, announces Family Search 101 at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 Researcher David Heath will present an introduction to the basics of Family Search, a free genealogy database. The session is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. The Athenaeum's Local History Department offers resources, research tools, and staff guidance for those interested in exploring local history or genealogy. Offerings include specialized files and indices provided by the Berkshire Family History Association and historic maps, city directories, 0 Comments
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Berkshire County Partners to Celebrate Fall 2025 EforAll Cohort| 07:33AM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, in partnership with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Berkshire Office and EforAll, announced the final presentations and cohort celebration of the final Berkshire County EforAll cohort happening on Tuesday Dec.16 at 6pm at the Berkshire Innovation Center. Cohort participants have completed a 3-month accelerator program (including workshops, connections to local resource providers and mentorship relationship development) to help start, grow, or reinvent their small business in the Berkshires. This celebration event is the capstone of those 3 months, with ongoing support, navigation, and technical assistance from partner
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Dalton Town & Fire District Set Tax Rates for FY26By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:27AM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted to maintain a single tax rate, as it has done historically, during its meeting on Monday night. This means all types of properties within the town, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, will be taxed at the same rate. The town's tax rate for fiscal year 2026 is projected to be $16.87 per $1,000 property value, which is an increase of 40 cents from last year's rate of $16.47. The average tax bill for a single-family residence in Dalton would be about $6,010.54 for an average value of $356,286. Residential properties continue to represent most of the total value in town, at 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Recognizes Firefighters of the Year, Outgoing CouncilorsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | |
Pittsfield firefighters Matthew Mazzeo and Clarence Gunn with Gov. Maura Healey and state Fire Marshal Jon Davine at the annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester last month. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two members of the Pittsfield Fire Department were recognized as Firefighters of the Year for rescuing a man from the ice in early 2025.
At the end of November, Matthew Mazzeo and Clarence Gunn traveled to Worcester for the 36th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards held by the state Department of Fire Services. The two were honored for their Jan. 21 response to a fisherman who had fallen into the icy waters of Onota Lake.
The Fire Department responded to the
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Hancock Shaker Village's Visitor Center Under ReconstructionBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:48PM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hancock Shaker Village plans to have a new, expanded visitor center next summer. "It's a complete exterior and interior renovation of the visitor center and Center for Shaker studies," Village Director and CEO Carrie Holland said. The Shaker museum is demolishing the current center, which was built more than 20 years ago, last summer. The visitor center is the main entry point to the 64-year-old museum, serving as its welcome center, where tickets are purchased, exhibition rooms are accessed, the museum store, the cafe, and more are available. The ticketing will be held through the gift shop and come Baby Animals 0 Comments
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BHS Named WWCMA WorkWell Massachusetts Awards Honorable Mention| 02:26PM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) was named a 2025 WorkWell Massachusetts Awards program Honorable Mention recipient in the large group category for exemplary worksite health promotion by the Worksite Wellness Council of MA (WWCMA), powered by Healthiest Employers. This award recognizes BHS's achievements in providing best-in-class programs and supporting employees through a culture of well-being, stated a press release. "This statewide recognition of our Wellness at Work team is well deserved," said Darlene Rodowicz, BHS President & CEO. "These exceptional health professionals tailor wellness strategies, including assessments,
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