| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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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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Pittsfield Holiday Shindy| 11:33AM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Saturday, Dec. 13 2025, the Shindy tradition continues in Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District. For 18 years the Holiday Shindy has been a shopping destination, showcasing artisans from across the region. The Shindy offers the chance to shop directly from local farms and makers, from soaps and tinctures to cookies and calendars. Long-time vendors and emerging talents are set aglow in the warm, inclusive, and accessible setting of The Masonic Temple (116 South St. Pittsfield, MA) Our limited offer ticketed pre-view hour makes it easy to come early for the best selection. The Shindy will be held Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 0 Comments
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Berkshire Green Drinks: A New Vision For Protecting The Environment | 08:11AM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) staff members will share updates from their work in 2025 at the December Berkshire Green Drinks event on Tuesday, Dec. 16. This free hybrid event will take place online via Zoom and in person at BEAT's Environmental Leadership and Education Center, 20 Chapel St, Pittsfield, MA. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM; the presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM. Executive Director Brittany Ebeling will share BEAT's new vision statement, developed collectively by BEAT staff, and will introduce new Deputy Director Melanie McCarthy. No Fracked 0 Comments
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Dalton Cultural Council Tentatively Approves Grant ApplicationsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:42AM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Cultural Council tentatively approved 15 partially funded and fully funded grant applications for local events and initiatives. The town received 41 applications from venues across the Berkshires, including organizations in Becket, Sheffield, Pittsfield, and, of course, Dalton. The state Cultural Council awarded the town council $8,000 for the 2026 fiscal year, however, the council also has a carryover of $1,000 from last year. The council tentatively approved requests from Grow Dalton Inc., the Community Recreation Association, Craneville Parent Teacher Organization, Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center, and 0 Comments
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