| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield's Middle School Restructuring Panel Preparing RecommendationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:09AM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Middle School Restructuring Committee will form a proposal in the next couple of weeks.
On Monday, members divided into groups to prepare for a consensus that is expected on Feb. 10. The two-year effort to rework Pittsfield's middle school model will conclude with a recommendation to the School Committee on February 12.
A grade configuration that retains sixth grade in elementary school has risen to the top as the most popular option. However, the committee could also recommend spending more time on the proposal.
"This really did not begin as a middle school conversation," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said.
He reminded the group
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Marchetti Touts Economic Development SuccessesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:45PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city saw 12 new businesses in 2024 and the long-anticipated development at the William Stanley Business Park.
Mayor Peter Marchetti outlined his administration's economic development efforts during his first State of the City address earlier this month, including some $13.5 million that was received in grants and gifts.
"Our municipal budget not only depends on how much we can trim in each department, but how much we can generate in revenue, especially with new growth," he said.
"The city must be an active participant in recruiting new businesses to Pittsfield and helping existing businesses expand their operations."
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Freedom Fund Awards Speakers Highlight Importance of Unity By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:37PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
Keith Beauchamp, producer of a documentary on Emmet Till, speaks at the Berkshire NAACP Freedom Fund Awards at Berkshire Hills Country Club. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not a coincidence that unity is at the end of the word community. This was especially made evident at the Berkshire NAACP Freedom Fund Awards on Saturday. More than 200 people turned out at the Berkshire Hills Country Club for the presentation of awards and to hear speakers, many of whom showcased the importance of unification and continuing the fight to maintain the freedom and opportunities their predecessors strived to obtain. "Tonight, I want to speak candidly about a 0 Comments
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Youth Sign Connect Returns to Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires| 03:51PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires is bringing back Youth Sign Connect, a program offering members the chance to learn and engage with American Sign Language (ASL). Weekly sessions begin Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. The interactive program is free for Club members, but advance registration is required due to limited spots. Open to both beginners and returning participants, Youth Sign Connect aims to enhance communication skills and promote inclusivity. Parents and guardians can register online at bgcberkshires.org. 0 Comments
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Future of Joann Fabric and Crafts UnknownBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
10:32AM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The future is uncertain for Joann Fabric and Crafts and the store that's been in the Dalton Avenue Shopping Center for more than 30 years. The well-known national retailer that has served sewers, quilters, crocheters, and crafters for more than 80 years filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week for a second time. The approximately 800 stores across the United States and online businesses are still operational, including one on Dalton Avenue and in Hadley. There are also several in New York State's Capital District and it also had a store in North Adams in the 1990s. The chain was better known as Jo-Ann's for 0 Comments
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Berkshire Money Management Hosts Second Annual Money Date for Couples| 08:12AM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Money Management will host its second annual "Money Date" event on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. at Mazzeo's Ristorante in Pittsfield. The event aims to help couples strengthen their relationships and align their financial goals over a 3-course dinner and guided discussions. The evening will include presentations and exercises designed to improve communication about money, define shared goals, and plan for retirement. The program targets couples planning to retire within the next decade or who are recently retired, though all couples are welcome. Tickets are $50 per couple, which includes dinner and a follow-up 0 Comments
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BMC Plans Demolition of Century-Old BuildingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:19AM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Roadwork put the nail in the coffin for a Berkshire Medical Center property that was approved for demolition 10 years ago.
On Monday, the Historical Commission approved leveling 769 North St., a 1920 building on the BMC campus. Work is being done on both sides, as the hospital is undergoing renovations and the state Department of Transportation is overhauling the intersection of North Street and First Street.
The commission approved the demolition in 2015. The first floor has been in limited use since, but it is now unoccupied because it is "inhabitable." Coupled with surrounding changes, BMC decided it had no use for the structure.
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Pittsfield's Panchos Plans Rebrand, Wander Secures Entertainment LicenseBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:37PM / Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | |
Wander Berkshires was approved for an entertainment license. It will host sober evening events in expanded space adjacent its cafe. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A longtime North Street restaurant will change its name, its branding and its menu.
On Monday, the Licensing Board approved the name change of Pancho's Mexican Restaurant to Iztac. The eatery will still operate under Columnna LLC.
Attorney Loretta Mach explained that owner Gabriel Columna is rebranding, including renovations to the restaurant and some new offerings.
Columna said he would like everything fresh, "and I want to make a little different food, all different." He purchased the business in
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Woodlands Partnership Hosts Survey, Listening Sessions on Emergency Response| 03:14PM / Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | |
WINDSOR, Mass. — The Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts is embarking on a public safety services study of the 21-town region with the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Collins Center will focus on municipal services in the Woodlands Partnership region as they relate to increasing tourism, use and accessibility of public forests, diminished tax base, and the ability of first responders to provide emergency services. Funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the study is intended to provide towns with direction and support in receiving additional funds and 0 Comments
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Striking Out Cancer Event Holding Kickoff Event in FebruaryiBerkshires.com Sports,
11:15AM / Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The fifth annual Striking out Cancer in the Berkshires fund-raiser will kick off with a night of music, entertainment and dancing on Feb. 22. The event will be held at the Polish Falcon Club at 32 Bel Air Ave. at 6 p.m. Joe Adee and the Lug Nuts, who performed at the Eastern States Exposition last summer, will be featured at the event, which is tied to a full day of baseball and softball in the summer at Clapp Park to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. Tickets to the Feb. 22 event are $10. For information, contact Joe DiCicco at 518-390-2512 or jdicicco7@aol.com. 0 Comments
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BCC to Hold Open House for Workforce & Community Education Programs | 10:22AM / Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Workforce & Community Education department will hold an open house for prospective students on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 5-7 p.m. in The Connector, located on BCC's main campus at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. Participants will not only get in-depth information about programs to develop new skills, advance in their current field and explore new career opportunities, but they can also apply to BCC on the spot. A demonstration table for the phlebotomy program will be available, along with informational materials for all the programs offered by the Workforce and Community Education 0 Comments
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Overwhelmed by debt? It may be time to consolidate| 09:36AM / Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | |
 The start of the New Year is a great time to evaluate your financial status and set goals for savings and more. If multiple debts are hurting your ability to meet monthly expenses and save at the rate you want, debt consolidation can help. Debt consolidation works by transferring your debt from multiple—and often high-interest—sources into a single loan or line of credit. Not only is it easier to pay a single bill to one source, but consolidated debt options have lower interest rates that allow you to pay off your debt faster, which, in turn, frees up cash for savings. However, when choosing a consolidation tool, there’s more to consider than just the interest 0 Comments
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