| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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@theMarket: Markets Choppy on Good NewsBy Bill Schmick,
04:27PM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
It was a classic case of "buy the rumor, sell the news." Even though the Fed did cut interest rates again and a deal between China and the U.S. was announced, investors failed to celebrate. Markets were bid up in anticipation of these events long before they happened. A Fed cut has been in the works for approximately a month. Expectations that the two largest economies in the world would reach a satisfactory arrangement were also well telegraphed as early as last week. On Sunday, Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, all but said the deal is in the bag. However, investors did not get all they wanted in either case. Markets had already priced in another rate cut 0 Comments
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Letter: I Chose Pittsfield, and I Chose Cam CunninghamLetter to the Editor,
04:00PM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
 To the Editor:
I could spend hours telling you about Cam Cunningham and why he is exactly what this city needs for a Ward 2 councilor. But by now, you likely came to the same conclusion.
If not, I'm not here to persuade you, because I am confident that if you and the residents of ward 2 truly want to make an educated and responsible decision at the voting polls on November 4th, you will reach out to him, have a conversation, or at minimum, you will read his platform, and listen to his interviews and debates:
Website: cam4council.org Email: camcunninghamward2@gmail.com
Cameron and I live in this city because we chose Pittsfield to be our home. We don't have any family here, and
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Ready to "Fall Back?" When You Change Your Clocks, Check Your Alarms| 03:58PM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
STOW, Mass. — With the end of Daylight Savings Time just around the corner, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts are reminding residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms when they change their clocks. "Working smoke and CO alarms are your family’s first line of defense against an emergency at home," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "As we 'fall back' this weekend, please take a few minutes to be sure you and your loved ones are protected." Modern smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years,
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating HalloweenBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
 The streets are alive with ghosts, zombies, skeletons, and more. Many houses throughout the county are showing their Halloween spirit by decorating their homes. We asked for submissions so trick-or-treaters can check out these spooky home when they're out on Halloween.
A skeleton creeps out of the ground on Kittredge Road in Pittsfield. Starting off in Pittsfield, hop on your broom and sail toward McArthur Street to find James Eubanks' haunted house, located at 81 McArthur. All the decorations were homemade — from the menacing bird flying over tombstones to the tall detailed Jack o' Lantern looming over the doorway into the mini haunt. For those not
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Column: What the Shutdown Means for Berkshire County ResidentsBy Deborah Leonczyk, Guest Column
10:37AM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
 Across Berkshire County, the federal government shutdown is creating growing concern among residents who depend on essential programs for food, heat, and stability. While the impact may seem distant to some, it is being felt acutely by low-income families, seniors, and individuals who are already struggling with high costs of living. This is not a political issue. It is a human one. When federal funding stops, the programs that keep households fed, warm, and stable are thrown into uncertainty. Energy assistance is one of the most urgent concerns. In a rural county with long, cold winters and an aging housing stock, fuel assistance through the Low Income Home 0 Comments
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Co-op Bank Announces Leadership Promotions| 10:02AM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) announced the promotions of Dana Robb and Ray E. Smith to Senior Vice President positions. Dana Robb has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Banking & Operations, bringing more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. He is a graduate of the 2016 Berkshire Leadership Program. He is also a 2024 graduate of the New England School of Banking. He also is involved with the Dalton Community Recreation Center and serves on the board for Girls Inc. Ray Smith has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications. A lifelong Berkshire resident, Smith 0 Comments
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BHS Announces Final Traffic Plans for Medical Arts Complex| 07:39AM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has announced that the final plans are in place for opening of a new entry and exit for its Medical Arts Complex (MAC) and the city's plans for reopening North Street in front of Berkshire Medical Center. The new MAC lot entry and exit, which provides access from the new city rotary and the main BMC driveway, will open to traffic on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. This will allow patients to access the MAC parking lot from the rotary through the BMC driveway. Entry and exit will continue from Charles Street, as well. The city has announced that on the same date, Monday, Nov. 3, the section of North Street in front of BMC will be reopened
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Pittsfield Licensing Board Puts Heat on Chili'sBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:07AM / Friday, October 31, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In January, the Licensing Board will decide if it should start the six-month timer for Chili's to sell its liquor license before it is revoked.
The restaurant closed abruptly in August 2024 and has been looking for a buyer for over a year. Representatives have come before the board a few times with reports that there are interested parties, but no sale.
"The reason that we keep asking you the same old questions, and now it's well over a year after the place closed, is that under state law, if a licensee is not operating, then we have to turn up the heat to see if either the license can be transferred to somebody that will operate,
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Flying Cloud STEAM Challenge Night Brings Science to SchoolchildrenBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
06:11PM / Thursday, October 30, 2025 | |
Boyd BioMedical shows how different materials appear at 100x magnification. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Children and their families were able to learn from a range of science experiments last week night from Flying Clouds annual STEAM Challenge Night. Flying Cloud, an organization that offers programs in the arts and science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) to schools and children in the area, brought together about 20 organizations at the Berkshire Innovation Center to demonstrate science-based projects. "We believe in creative expression, as well as being an integral piece of learning science. And so we call it our STEAM Challenge. And then all the people that we get
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The Retired Investor: The Never-Ending Story of Rising Beef PricesBy Bill Schmick,
04:45PM / Thursday, October 30, 2025 | |
Beef is no longer a grocery staple. It is becoming a luxury commodity, priced out of most consumers' everyday budgets. The average price of ground beef is now $6.30 per pound. Steaks are averaging $12.22 per pound. Ranchers want to keep it that way, but the president begs to differ. In total, beef prices are hitting record highs as the U.S. cattle herd falls to its smallest size since 1951. From around 140 million head of cattle in the U.S. back in the '70s, the herd has dropped to 94 million head. Recently, even Donald Trump had to admit that beef prices are out of control. "The only price we have that's high is beef — we'll get that down," the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Community Mourns Death of Taconic StudentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:03AM / Thursday, October 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The school district and city are mourning the loss of a 17-year-old Taconic High School student who was found fatally shot on Sunday.
It has been widely reported that the victim was Brodie Slonski, 17, who was in Taconic's metal fabrication program. The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office has not identified the victim, saying it was because he was a juvenile.
Crisis counselors were available in the school to provide support for students and staff.
"We are heartbroken by the recent loss of one of our students and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all who are grieving. We know this loss deeply affects many
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Berkshire County Regional Employment Board Awarded State Grant| 10:38AM / Thursday, October 30, 2025 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $8.5 million in career-connected learning grants to support school districts and workforce partners in expanding high-quality career pathways and work-based learning opportunities for students across Massachusetts. In Berkshire County, the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board was awarded a $334,438 Connected Activities Grant. Funding will expand work-based learning immersion experiences, strengthen partnerships with local employers, and build a regional system of support for high schools to connect students with career experiences. "Every student deserves the 0 Comments
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