|
| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
|
Juneteenth Message: 'Let's Be We the People'iBerkshires.com Staff,
05:50AM / Monday, June 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County residents this weekend gathered to recognize the nation's shameful past, celebrate the accomplishments of present-day artists and scholars and commit to the struggle to build a better future. Juneteenth festivals were held in North Adams on Saturday and Pittsfield on Sunday, giving attendees an opportunity to think about the continuing legacy of slavery in America while marking June 19, 1865, when enslavement officially came to an end for Black residents of Texas, the last state to see emancipation take place. North Adams' inaugural Juneteenth event, "I Am Afro: A Street Fair for All the People," was organized 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield Council OKs TIF for Bousquet SportBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Sunday, June 18, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council last week approved a 10-year tax increment financing agreement for Bousquet Sport that will relieve about $215,000 in real estate taxes — but not without pushback.
"I think it's wrong that we are giving tax breaks to the rich and we are sitting there emptying the pockets— and as that gentleman that spoke at the open mic, he's a middle-class resident and it is hurting his family," Kalinowsky said in reference a homeowner that said his bills are making it hard to survive in the city.
"What is it doing to our low-income people? I'm sorry. I'm disgusted with this council, I'm disgusted with this budget,
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Mild Drought Conditions Declared in Berkshire County | 04:00PM / Sunday, June 18, 2023 | |
BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 1-Mild Drought in the Western and Cape Cod Regions of Massachusetts following more than two months of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures. A Level 1-Mild Drought, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, warrants detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities. All other regions of the state – Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, and Islands regions – remain in Level 0-Normal conditions. During 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Teacher of the Month: Breanna SumyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
01:24PM / Sunday, June 18, 2023 | |
Breanna Sumy, third from right, with her fourth-grade classroom. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Morningside Community School fourth-grade teacher Breanna Sumy was selected as the April's Teacher of the Month. The Teacher of the Month series runs for the next 11 months in partnership with Berkshire Community College. Sumy has always known that she wanted to work with children and was inspired by her own teachers. Their example influenced her to become an educator herself so that she could have a similar influence on the children in her classroom. Sumy has fond memories from her time at Morningside as a pupil and has returned to her alma mater to 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Governor Announces Creation of Community Climate Bank| 12:45PM / Sunday, June 18, 2023 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank, the nation's first green bank dedicated to affordable housing. This initiative, seeded with $50 million in state funds from the Department of Environmental Protection, is designed to maximize investment in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. "The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank will be our financial engine for moving forward on our climate goals, relieving the pressure of high housing costs, and creating good jobs and healthier communities," said Governor Maura Healey. "This first-of-its kind initiative 0 Comments
Read More >> |
MassRMV Announces Standard Driver's Licenses Regardless of Immigration Status| 04:12PM / Saturday, June 17, 2023 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announced plans to implement the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), effective on July 1. Under the new law, eligible Massachusetts residents can apply to obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status, as the WFMA removes the requirement that residents provide immigration status proof. "The Work and Family Mobility Act is a benefit for public safety, for our economy, and for our immigrant residents who should be able to drive to work, school, or the grocery store without fear. We are grateful to the advocates, legislators and public safety leaders who have
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Eversource Ready for 2023 Hurricane Season| 11:33AM / Saturday, June 17, 2023 | |
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — As the 2023 hurricane season begins, Eversource is reminding customers about the importance of preparing and planning for major storms. The changing climate is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather, and the energy company works year-round to strengthen the grid through upgrades, maintenance, and proactive vegetation management to enhance reliability for customers. Atlantic hurricane season lasts through November, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near-normal season with up to 17 storms having winds above 39 mph and possibly nine of those storms becoming hurricanes. "We 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Governor Re-Nominates Member of Massachusetts Parole Board | 08:15AM / Saturday, June 17, 2023 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that she is re-nominating Dr. Charlene Bonner to the Massachusetts Parole Board. Dr. Bonner has served on the board since 2011 and will be entering her fourth term. The Parole Board is an agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and is the decisional authority over parole granting and parole supervision. Members are appointed by the Governor to serve five-year terms with the advice and consent of the Governor's Council. "Dr. Bonner's background in psychology makes her uniquely attuned to many of the needs of individuals within our criminal justice system, including mental health and 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Fitch-Hoose House Museum Opens in DaltonBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:01AM / Saturday, June 17, 2023 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The historic Fitch-Hoose House Museum, on 6 Gulf Road, is open for the season every Saturday from 1 until 3 p.m. through September. Admission is free. The house was built in 1846 and is the last remaining home of Dalton's early Black residential neighborhood. The 177-year-old two-story house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed to have been active on the Underground Railroad. Items found during an archeological dig conducted by the University of Massachusetts are on display along with art made by George Hoose, who died in 1977 at age 80. Hoose also painted the "Indian Head" painting on Gulf 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton Historical Commission Finds Cheaper Fireproof Cabinet By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:31PM / Friday, June 16, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission voted to purchase a used four-drawer fireproof cabinet from BBE Office Interiors during its meeting last week. Commissioner Thomas Synder said BBE had two four-drawer fireproof cabinets for $800 a piece. The commission decided to only purchase one of the cabinets, which is projected to cost about $1,200 including delivery because of the weight of the cabinet and its location on the second floor. Snyder said Town Accountant Sandra Albano had informed him that the town ordinarily purchases its fireproof cabinets from Staples and quoted the cost for a two-drawer for about $2,000. It is the 0 Comments
Read More >> |
New Leadership at Berkshire County Arc Ready for New ChallengesBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires Staff
03:42PM / Friday, June 16, 2023 | |
Maryann Hyatt presides over her first Berkshire County Arc annual meeting since she was named president and CEO in March. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Coming off a year in which her agency cared for more than 1,000 individuals and their families, Berkshire Arc President Maryann Hyatt reminded supporters Friday that there are always more obstacles to overcome. "This work is not easy, and every year it gets more complex," Hyatt told attendees at BC Arc's annual meeting. "New regulations, new treatments, new technology, new medications … new challenges we can't even see coming, like COVID. That is why today is so important, to balance those 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Councilor Kalinowsky Joins Pittsfield Mayoral RaceBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:05PM / Friday, June 16, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield has a fourth mayoral candidate and it's another member of the City Council.
Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowksy has taken out papers for mayor. She joins the council's current president, Peter Marchetti, former councilor John Krol, and former marketing director of Krofta Engineering Craig Gaetani in taking out nomination papers. Marchetti is the only candidate to have their signatures certified.
Kalinowksy worked with the Pittsfield Police Department for more than 30 years and was a student resource officer at Reid Middle School for 13 of them.
After retiring, she ran in Pittsfield's 2019 mayoral race but lost in the four-way preliminary
0 Comments
Read More >> |
|
|
MEMBER SIGN IN
