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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Big Lots to Close Pittsfield Store| 05:05PM / Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two major chains are closing storefronts in the Berkshires in the coming year. Big Lots announced on Thursday it would liquidate its assets after a purchase agreement with a competitor fell through. "We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale," Bruce Thorn, Big Lots' president and CEO, said in the announcement. "While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB process." The closeout retailer moved into the former Price Rite 0 Comments
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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants Staff Reports ,
04:51PM / Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, 0 Comments
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The Retired Investor: Trump's 21st Century MercantilismBy Bill Schmick,
03:32PM / Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
Jan. 20 is just around the corner. It is Day One in the tariff wars that our next president is intent on launching. The corporate world is trying to dissuade him from that course of action, with no success. It is an economic fact that the cost of tariffs is passed on to the consumer. If tariffs are high enough, some imported products simply cease to be available, which can cause supply chain interruptions. At some point, buyers balk at paying higher prices. When that happens, tariff costs hit business profit margins directly. Everyone loses. In the last column, I explained why Donald Trump is adamant that tariffs are the only way to turn around the trade 0 Comments
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MSBA Greenlights Pittsfield's Crosby/Conte ProposalBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:06PM / Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.—The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has accepted a statement of interest for the proposed Crosby/Conte build.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Joseph Curtis reported that the MSBA met on Friday and accepted the project into its queue. The proposal involves rebuilding Conte Community School and Crosby Elementary on the West Street site with shared facilities, addressing outdated infrastructure, insufficient layouts, and significant repair needs.
Curtis said earlier that day, the district participated in module one of the work for possibly a new building on West Street. Part of that work is a feasibility study.
The Crosby/Conte plan has
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Third PHS Staff Member Put on LeaveBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:35PM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A third Pittsfield High School staff member has been put on administrative leave — the second one to be investigated by the Department of Children and Families.
In a Thursday communication to the Pittsfield Public Schools community, Superintendent Joseph Curtis said allegations related to the staff member's time at a previous employer, not at PHS. Former Principal Henry Duval has been called in to support the administrative staff during this time.
"The School Committee and I realize how difficult the past week has been for our community," the superintendent wrote.
Last week, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S.
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PEDA Accepts 100 Woodlawn Ave. From GEBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:20PM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
The now vacant lot on Kellogg Street where PEDA's office once stood. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The redevelopment of 100 Woodlawn Ave. is getting closer to fruition.
On Wednesday, the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority accepted a transfer agreement for the parcel from General Electric. It will eventually be transferred to Mill Town Capital, which is planning a mixed-use building on the site that includes housing.
Business Development Manager Michael Coakley reported that PEDA and the investment firm are working on a purchase-and-sale agreement for the parcel and Site 9, where Mill Town envisions a commercial building upwards of 20,000 square feet. PEDA's former
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Mass Humanities Application To Host a Douglass Reading in 2025| 04:13PM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
 NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Mass Humanities, the Commonwealth's leading funder of humanities programs, has opened the application window for its signature Reading Frederick Douglass Together (RFDT) program. Applications open on Dec. 16, and the first submission deadline is Jan. 3, 2025. Going into its 16th year, the RFDT program provides $2,000 grants to local communities to host a public reading of the orator's noted speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Applications are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. In 2024, a total of 60 communities throughout the commonwealth hosted readings. Nonprofits, cultural centers, 0 Comments
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Elizabeth Freeman Center Relocates | 02:06PM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) has moved its main office from 43 Francis Ave. to 66 Allen St. in the center of Pittsfield. Its satellite offices at 168 Main St. in Great Barrington and 61 Main St. in North Adams will continue to operate as normal. This move addresses challenges posed by the current office, which no longer has the capacity to address the growing needs of survivors and the community. After months of searching for solutions, Elizabeth Freeman center completed the purchase of the building, made possible by a mortgage from Lee Bank, on August 19th, 2024. "We are thrilled to take this step forward in our mission to serve 0 Comments
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'An Abomination': Parents, Residents React to PHS Staff ScandalBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:39AM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
Parent Jackie Ricci says she is furious that the school has 'been endangered by unqualified and improperly trained administrators.' PITTSFIELD, Mass.— "Disgusting," an "abomination," and warranting a "clean house."
This is what angry community members said after two Pittsfield High School staff were put on administrative leave in the last week, one for federal drug charges and the other for an investigation by the Department of Children and Families.
Superintendent Joseph Curtis addressed claims that the district was aware of illegal activity at the school, asserting "I am embarrassed and I am livid."
"When I started
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PHS Student Files Suit Against Teacher, School DistrictStaff Reports,
05:27AM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Adding to the Pittsfield High School's woes is a lawsuit filed in federal court accusing officials failing to intervene in a teacher's sexual harassment of a student. The school last week put two of its administrators on leave because of external investigations: Dean of Students Lavante Wiggins was arrested and arraigned by federal authorities on drug trafficking charges and the other is the subject of an investigation by the state Department of Children and Families. The lawsuit, first reported by The Berkshire Eagle, was filed in September in U.S. District Court in Springfield. A PHS student has accused retired English 0 Comments
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1Berkshire Announces USDA Funded Winter 2025 Technical Assistance Offerings| 04:00PM / Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, thanks in part to funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced its upcoming slate of technical assistance offerings through the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program (BERP). Through its series of cohorts spanning nearly four years, the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Technical Assistance series has been able to support more than 200 businesses through targeted training and focused convenings and quantified by over $2,500,000 in funding collectively accessed by businesses through their participation. Going into the Winter of 2025, the program will continue on with three upcoming cohorts. These cohorts 0 Comments
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BRTA Looking for 50-Year Customers to Celebrate their Loyalty| 11:08AM / Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is marking its 50th anniversary this year with an initiative to honor riders who have utilized the BRTA throughout its history. BRTA is inviting riders who have been using its services since the beginning to be featured in the organization's upcoming annual report. Selected riders will also receive a token of appreciation from the BRTA. Riders interested in sharing their stories or being considered for the feature are encouraged to contact Sarah Vallieres at sarah.vallieres@berkshirerta.com or 413-499-2782, Ext. 2862. 0 Comments
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