| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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BCC Seeks Support for New Athletic Lockers | 08:36AM / Monday, March 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — The lockers in Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Paterson Field House are in need of support and repair — and, recognizing the immediate need to replace them, BCC Athletics has created a $10,000 fund drive. The men's baseball and women's volleyball teams were recently accepted into NJCAA Division III Region 21, marking a milestone in bringing varsity sports back to the College. "Our immediate goal is to raise $10,000 to replace the failing lockers and create a functional, supportive environment for our athletes. Every dollar gets us closer, and every contribution — big or small — will make an 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Committee Accepts MS Restructuring TimelineBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:31AM / Monday, March 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee has accepted a middle school restructuring plan that runs through September 2026, triggering the first public hearing next month.
Planning begins in April and includes action items for curriculum and instructional models, scheduling, staffing, transportation, physical plant needs, and community engagement. By the 2026-2027 school year, it aims to have an intermediate school serving Grades 5-6 and a middle school for seventh and eighth graders.
"We didn't ask for approval because it could change at a moment's notice," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said about the timeline at Wednesday's School Committee meeting.
Public
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State Opens Applications for Massachusetts' First Poet Laureate | 04:00PM / Sunday, March 30, 2025 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Mass Cultural Council and Mass Humanities announced that Massachusetts is now accepting applications to fill the role of Poet Laureate of Massachusetts. In February, the Governor – surrounded by poets and cultural leaders – signed an executive order establishing the position of Poet Laureate of Massachusetts. This new, honorary position is intended to promote poetry and creative expression across the state, serve as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's ambassador of the arts, and inspire the next generation of writers. "I was proud to sign an Executive 0 Comments
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BRTA Extending Free Rides to Non-ADA CommunitiesBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
03:24PM / Sunday, March 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is extending fare-free rides to non-ADA communities. BRTA Advisory Board on Thursday voted to let non-ADA communities participate in fare-free rides through June. "The advantage of fare-free is to introduce more citizens to the services," said member Douglas McNally. The request was brought up earlier this month to the finance committee, which recommended the extension. Last year, BRTA was awarded $699,733 from the state for fare-free service from Jan 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025. The funding was provided in the fiscal year 2025 budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey in July and builds off two years of
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Eagles Community Band Hosting a Free Stage Band Concert By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
01:09PM / Sunday, March 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Eagles Community Band's stage band is bringing a concert to the community on Saturday, April 5, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street. The event will feature local musician and trumpeter Jeff Stevens. "This is something new for us. We typically have our concerts on Sunday at three o'clock," said stage band director James Stakenas. The band was encouraged to bring something to Pittsfield at a time of year when it's not usually playing, hoping it gives the community something to come and enjoy that's free. Stakenas said, "Stage band just sort of roundly describes the fact that we're a 16-piece
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Fundraiser For Local Family Awaiting Heart Transplant | 10:53AM / Sunday, March 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Running Foundation will be hosting a fundraiser on Friday, April 4th from 4pm-10pm to help support the family of AJ Riello, son of Tony and Heidi Riello of Pittsfield. AJ is currently at Boston Children's Hospital undergoing treatment for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that had only recently shown symptoms. AJ is now awaiting a heart transplant. The fundraiser will be open to the public in the Tavern at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, Benedict Rd in Pittsfield, MA from 4pm -10pm. The event will have raffles with prizes from local businesses, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction; in 0 Comments
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Leah Penniman to Speak at BCC Earthseed Series.| 08:00AM / Sunday, March 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host Leah Penniman as part of its Earthseed Speaker Series & Skillshare on Thursday, April 10, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event, which is open to the public, will take place in the Koussevitzky Arts Center, Room K111. Registration is available at www.berkshirecc.edu/earthseed. Penniman, co-founder and co-executive director of Soul Fire Farm in Petersburg, NY, will speak about her work in food justice and sustainable agriculture. Soul Fire Farm, established in 2010, focuses on addressing racial disparities within the food system and promoting land access for Black and Brown communities. 0 Comments
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BCC Celebrates This Year's 40 Under Forty RecipientsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:36PM / Saturday, March 29, 2025 | |
The awards were presented by Barbara Hochberg, right, vice president of the Berkshire Community College Foundation. See more photos here. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 300 community members attended the 40 Under Forty Awards celebration on Thursday, recognizing individuals who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in the Berkshires. Berkshire Community College received several hundred nominations this year and narrowed it down to 40 unsung heroes who have achieved many accomplishments, college President Ellen Kennedy said. Kennedy said it was wonderful to see previous winners nominating the next 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Partners With BMC for Generator GrantBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:50PM / Saturday, March 29, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has partnered with Berkshire Medical Center on a hazard mitigation grant for backup power sources.
On Tuesday, the City Council accepted $1,951,089.30 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for a new 1250 kilowatt generator and a 12,000-gallon above-grade fuel tank connecting the new generator to the hospital's east wing electrical room.
"This is emergency power generation if we were to lose normal operating power," said Joseph LaRoche, BMC's vice president of facilities planning and construction.
Pittsfield will act as the administrator of the grant and is only responsible for reporting. BMC must contribute a $216,787
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Market 32 Red Kettle Campaign Raises Money for Salvation Army| 11:24AM / Saturday, March 29, 2025 | |
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Market 32/Price Chopper stores announced that $618,000 was raised during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign, which took place over six weeks in November and December 2024. Bell ringers were stationed at store locations across New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The funds collected are designated to support Salvation Army programs that provide food assistance, shelter, and emergency relief services. Pam Cerrone, Director of Community Relations for Market 32/Price Chopper, stated: "Every donation made at our stores has a direct impact, allowing The Salvation Army to provide 0 Comments
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Greylock Federal Offers Assistance to Homebuyers Through FHLBank Boston| 08:46AM / Saturday, March 29, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union has been approved to participate in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston's homeownership assistance programs, Equity Builder Program and Housing Our Workforce. Both programs help income-eligible homebuyers who are purchasing one- to four-family homes that will serve as their primary residence. Equity Builder Program (EBP) provides grants to financial institutions to help local first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs as well as homebuyer counseling and rehabilitation assistance. Borrowers earning up to 80 percent of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in assistance on a 0 Comments
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Cello in Lenox Wants Customers to Find Hospitality, FunBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Saturday, March 29, 2025 | |
Ryan and Kim Boya love the sense of community in the Berkshires and want to make the restaurant a destination that both visitors and residents will return to time and again. LENOX, Mass. — Cello is looking to be the place for hospitality and fun for Lenox. Partners Ryan and Kim Boya reopened the restaurant in July last year at 37 Church St. They say becoming partners at Cello happened really fast. "So Bjorn Somlo, who was the chef owner of Nudel, was a good friend of mine, and he had reached out to me to let me know that there was an opportunity for a partnership to happen at Cello," said Kim Boyo. "It was a really great opportunity for 0 Comments
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