| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Lanesborough Winter Fest a Success By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:13AM / Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass.— The town's winter fest had a packed house at the Skyline Antique and Event Center early this month.
Town Administrator Gina Dario reported that the event met expectations — and probably even the capacity of the venue at 405 South Main St., the former Skyline Country Club.
"We had a great turnout. We had probably somewhere between 150 and 200 people," she told the Select Board on Monday.
The Feb. 2 event was sponsored by the Community Development Committee and supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. For a few hours beginning at noon, there was entertainment, food, and activities to gather townsfolk during the cold
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Black History Month Drag Story Hour at WANDER Berkshires| 06:10PM / Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — WANDER Berkshires will host a Black History Month Drag Story Hour on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 AM. The free event, presented in partnership with Drag Story Hour Berkshires and Seeing Rainbows, will feature storyteller Sativo Green. Families are invited to enjoy an interactive celebration of Black voices in literature, with books, music, and crafts. Every child in attendance will receive a free book, promoting literacy and the celebration of Black excellence, resilience, and joy. 0 Comments
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Guest Column: Romance Scams Are in the AirBy Berkshire Bank, Guest Column
02:25PM / Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | |
 BOSTON — She believed it when the man online proposed marriage after a short courtship and said they were going to move away together, even though she'd never met him in person. He said he could make the wedding and travel arrangements with her help. He would send her checks totaling $120,000 — and she could keep half — if she'd deposit them in the bank and then send him his half via a cash app like Venmo. It turned out the checks were counterfeit and, if a Berkshire Bank financial center manager hadn't recognized the signs of a romance scam and thwarted the plan, she could have been liable for the total amount he received. "If a new 0 Comments
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Dalton Finance Chipping Away at Department BudgetsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:15PM / Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee voted to decrease several budget lines during its meeting last week. The committee voted to decrease the Memorial Day Committee budget by $350. The initial request was for $3,550, which was a $1,300 increase from FY25. The main reason for the increase is the need for 40 grave markers, which, after some research, are "pretty expensive," Town Assistant Alyssa Maschino said at the board meeting. Additionally, 50 3-foot-5 street flags are needed. The flags are replaced yearly, and although the markers are not replaced as often, they are more prone to damage now because they are made of 0 Comments
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Berkshire County in Mild Drought | 10:45AM / Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | |
BOSTON — Following nearly six months of below-normal precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared that the Connecticut River Valley and Western regions still have their previous statuses: Level 2 – Significant and Level – 1 Mild Drought. The Central and Northeast regions have been raised to a Level – 3 Critical Drought. The Southeast, Cape and Islands regions have been elevated to a Level – 2 Significant Drought. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 3 – Critical Drought, Level – 2 Significant Drought, and a Level – 1 Mild Drought 0 Comments
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Winter Snowshoe Hike at Arrowhead| 08:06AM / Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass—Join the Berkshire County Historical Society and Berkshire Natural Resources Council for a guided snowshoe hike at Herman Melville's historic Arrowhead on Feb. 15 from 10-11 AM. This free event offers participants a chance to explore the grounds while learning about Melville's history, including his sleigh rides, and to view Mt. Greylock's winter scenery. Snowshoes will be available for lending, and participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible. Pre-registration is required at this link. 0 Comments
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Dalton Day In Need of SponsorshipsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
01:18PM / Monday, February 10, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Day event needs sponsorships to compensate for no longer having American Rescue Plan Act funds. The town partially subsidized the event, allocating $4,500 to the fiscal year 2025's budget. The remaining cost came from $3,249.50 of ARPA funds and $1,750 from sponsorships. This year, the town will not receive ARPA funds because it was a response to aid towns during the pandemic. There is a lot of pressure to get sponsorships for the event, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said during a recent Finance Committee meeting. How to budget for the event is still being worked out because of the lack of ARPA funds. 0 Comments
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Friday's Drug Raids Seized $200K Worth of Drugs; Arrest NineBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:21PM / Monday, February 10, 2025 | |
DA Timothy Shugrue says the complex months-long investigation is a warning to anyone seeking to sell drugs in the Berkshires. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A combined task force says it took down a major drug pipeline on Friday that extended out to Lowell. The raids carried out that day seized more than $200,000 worth of drugs and numerous weapons, and resulted in the arrests of nine people so far. District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, surrounded by local and state law enforcement officers, said it was a warning to drug dealers looking to set up in the Berkshires. "We will find you, we locate you and we will arrest you," he said at 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Basement Fire Displaces Residents, Claims Pet Birds| 10:28AM / Monday, February 10, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A basement fire on South Onota Street displaced two residents and caused extensive damage to their home Saturday night. While the residents and their dog escaped safely, several pet birds perished in the fire. The Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 70 South Onota Street around 9:30 p.m. after receiving a report of an active basement fire. Firefighters arrived to find thick smoke pouring from the front door and flames visible through a first-floor window. Crews quickly entered the basement through a rear entrance and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes, preventing further spread. The basement sustained significant fire and water damage, while 0 Comments
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Pittsfield's 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival Returns with Music, Art, and Outdoor Activities| 07:51AM / Monday, February 10, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 14th annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, presented by the City of Pittsfield and Barrington Stage Company in partnership with Mill Town Foundation, will take place February 13-23, 2025. The festival features a range of events including theater, music, visual arts, dance, outdoor activities, and fireworks. Highlights include the 10x10 New Play Festival at Barrington Stage Company, A Taste of Downtown coordinated by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., and beer releases at Hot Plate Brewing Company. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will showcase OFF the STREETS, a group exhibition of local mural artists, from February 5-28, with an opening reception on February
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Pittsfield Charter Panel Defers Pay for Elected OfficialsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:14AM / Monday, February 10, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — While recognizing it is a noble suggestion, the Charter Review Commission feels pay raises for elected officials are an ordinance or budgetary discussion.
The commission last week motioned to thank city councilors for bringing pay raises to their attention but communicate it is better suited for the city code and ordinary course — not the city charter.
Section 2.4 of the charter states that city councilors receive compensation set by an ordinance and an ordinance increasing to reducing pay is not effective unless adopted by a two-thirds vote.
"I really want to keep the charter pristine. And believe me, I have no opinion about the level of
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Governor Launches Increased Annuity for Veterans and Families through HERO Act| 04:13PM / Sunday, February 09, 2025 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is announcing that Massachusetts veterans and their families will begin receiving increased benefits in February 2025 as part of the historic HERO Act that Governor Healey signed into law last year. This is the first increase in 17 years to the annual annuity for 100 percent disabled veterans, Gold Star parents and Gold Star spouses. This increase raises the annuity from $2,000 to $2,500 annually, providing much-needed financial support to veterans and their loved ones. The increase will be phased in to ensure a smooth transition. In February 2025, recipients will receive an initial payment of $1,250. Beginning in
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