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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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New Peck's Road Bridge Coming SoonBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:35AM / Thursday, January 23, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new Peck's Road bridge will be installed in February after six months of closure.
On Wednesday, the city reported that progress is "well underway," with the bridge structure expected for delivery in early February and installation in the following 2-5 weeks.
"Several unexpected delays have occurred during this project due to the unplanned, sudden closure of the one lane crossing as required by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) due to observed structural failures. This necessitated significant changes to the project plans, specifications, and approach, transitioning from a phased, side-by-side installation to a single,
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Dalton February Election a Go Despite Date ErrorBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Thursday, January 23, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The only thing that can stop the February special election is a court order. The town has heard back from its legal counsel regarding the erroneous date left on the instruction sheet for the mail-in ballots. The town's attorney confirmed that there is no problem with the election going forward, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said. The mail-in ballots started going out last week, but 28 voters were surprised to find the printed instructions said to have them returned to the town clerk by Nov. 5, 2024 — information left behind from the general election in November. The special election to decide who will fill the vacant 0 Comments
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Dalton Fire District Anticipating February Arrival for AmbulanceBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:44PM / Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District is anticipating the arrival of its new ambulance in February. During a special fire district meeting in December, voters approved borrowing up to $350,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance and any related costs. The Fire Department has two ambulances: 2019 Ford 550 and a 2016 International. It had been demonstrated during several meetings that both vehicles need to be replaced because of their deteriorating condition. The district will be trading in both vehicles. The Ford has a trade-in value of $30,000 and the International $2,500. The new apparatus is an F450 series, a pickup-style, two-wheel 0 Comments
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State Officials Suspect HPAI Outbreak Impacting Geese, Other Wildlife| 10:38AM / Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | |
PLYMOUTH, Mass. — State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which very rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the cause of over 60 deceased Canada geese, swans, and other birds in Plymouth. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising the public to refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick. Reporting Wild Birds: The public should report observations of sick or deceased birds if 5 or more birds are found at a single 0 Comments
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Berkshire County Historical Society Genealogy Workshop | 08:08AM / Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society begins 2025 with a genealogy workshop led by Lisa Swigert. Swigert has more than 40 years of experience in genealogical research and has been an instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for four years. The six-session workshop begins on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Berkshire Athenaeum from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and continues via Zoom on five consecutive Saturdays. Cost for the workshop is $100 for BCHS members, $125 for non-members; registration can be made by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. Swigert will cover topics from getting started and organizing your research to 0 Comments
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Mass MoCA's Assets for Artists Program Awarded Grant| 07:29AM / Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mass MoCA's Assets for Artists and partners THECOLLAB, Katunemo Arts & Healing, WANDER, R.O.P.E. Berkshires, and Let it Shine were awarded a $125,000 Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Creative Catalyst Grant The organization will use grant funds to enact a range of projects aimed at supporting leadership development for youth and young adults, community gathering spaces, neighborhood beautification, and partnership development. MassDevelopment announced $915,000 in grants to 11 organizations for public-facing projects in Gateway Cities that support arts- and culture-based economic development and neighborhood revitalization, 0 Comments
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Wander Berkshires Cuts Ribbon on Inclusive, Sober SpaceBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | |
Mayor Marchetti, left with owners Jay Santangelo and Kate Payne and their daughter, Frances, and Rebecca Brien of Downtown Inc. pose after the ribbon cutting on the cafe and event space. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members Wander-ed downtown Tuesday morning to celebrate a new, inclusive cafe and event space.
Wander Berkshires is a queer and transgender-founded, recovery-focused cafe that has established itself as a community hub since opening in the fall. A ribbon cutting officially celebrated the Depot Street business.
While temperatures were below freezing outside, there was plenty of warmth inside.
"It's a community space, first and foremost,"
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Central Berkshire Eyes 4.13% Increase for FY26By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:01AM / Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District is anticipating a 4.13 percent increase to its gross initial budget for fiscal 2026, translating to an increase of $1,473,826. This year's gross budget was $35,679,791, and next year's is forecast at $37,153,617. Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis emphasized that these initial projections may change because there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding it, such as Chapter 70 funding and insurance rates. The budget was developed through a collaborative process involving principals, teachers, the union, and the Finance Subcommittee, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Firefighters Rescue Ice Fisherman From Onota Lake| 04:47PM / Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | |
A fisherman in an ice hut on Onota Lake on Saturday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A fisherman was hauled of the icy waters of Onota Lake on Tuesday morning. The Fire Department responded to the report of a fisherman falling through the ice about 7:45 a.m. At first, it was reported he was able to get out of the water but then fell through again trying to make it shore. The Berkshire County Dive Team was put on standby as firefighters and police arrived at the scene. Two fishermen were spotted about 100 yards off the boat launch at Burbank Park, with one in the water. Firefighters donned cold-water rescue suits and set out to rescue 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Firefighters Contain Structure Fire on Holmes Road| 10:14AM / Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters battled a structure fire on Holmes Road, facing challenges when a frozen hydrant temporarily delayed their efforts to extinguish the blaze in an occupied home. The Pittsfield Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 120 Holmes Road on Jan. 20 at 4:57 p.m. after multiple 911 calls reported smoke coming from the eaves of the building. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered moderate smoke coming from the second-floor windows of the two-story residential structure. Due to plywood covering several windows, it was initially unclear whether the building was occupied. Crews entered the home and found heavy smoke and high heat on the 0 Comments
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Burlington Store Coming to PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:11AM / Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A national retail clothing store will move into the recently shuttered Staples this summer.
Last week, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a sign exemption for Burlington Stores, formerly Burlington Coat Factory. This allows the company to place a sign larger than 100 square feet on the space in Berkshire Crossing at 555 Hubbard Ave.
Burlington plans to install a nearly 147-square-foot sign on the storefront that reads "Burlington" with "Deals. Brands. WOW!" underneath. The sign will be internally illuminated by LED lights.
According to its website, the Pittsfield store will open on Aug. 22. In the fall, signs appeared on Staples' front
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Marchetti Details Housing Efforts in State of City AddressBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:02AM / Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Upcoming housing projects aim to bring new life into underutilized properties and improve neighborhoods. Mayor Peter Marchetti's first State of the City address emphasized housing, one of the greatest struggles Pittsfield and the nation face. He outlined the administration's efforts to find opportunities for additional units in the city while addressing the growing unhoused population. Running parallel to this is the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force created upon Marchetti's inauguration.
"The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the housing challenges we face, not only in Pittsfield but across the state and nation. There's a
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