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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Immigrants Getting Bad Rap on the Economic FrontBy Bill Schmick,
04:26PM / Thursday, March 28, 2024 | |
Immigration has become a dirty word among Americans. Illegal aliens take the brunt of the nation's animosity, for sure, and are vilified for a long list of crimes that few question. I am one of the few who see a positive side to migrants. Politicians on both sides of the aisles are competing to keep as many immigrants as possible from entering the country. Campaign speeches by many radicals warn that the situation has reached cataclysmic proportions. The media stokes these fires with shots of dark-skinned refugees fording rivers, shivering in lines surrounded by barbed wire, and headlining any crimes that involve an immigrant. This is nothing new. The country has a long 0 Comments
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Crosby/Conte Statement of Interest Gets OK From CouncilBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:02PM / Thursday, March 28, 2024 | |
Architect Carl Franceschi and Superintendent Joseph Curtis address the City Council on Tuesday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With the approval of all necessary bodies, the school district will submit a statement of interest for a combined build on the site of Crosby Elementary School.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously gave Superintendent Joseph Curtis the green light for the SOI to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by April 12.
"The statement I would make is we should have learned by our mistakes in the past," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.
"Twenty years ago, we could have built a wastewater treatment plant a lot cheaper than we could a couple of years
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BCC Wins Grant for New Automatic External Defibrillator | 10:42AM / Thursday, March 28, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $2,326 grant, funded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, for the purchase of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device. The grant specifically covers a device for use inside one of BCC's security vehicles for easy access when traversing the campus. In total, the Commonwealth awarded more than $165,000 in grant funding to 58 municipalities, 13 public colleges and universities, and nine nonprofits to purchase AEDs for emergency response vehicles. The program is designed to increase access to lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies, when every second 0 Comments
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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 RequestsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:11AM / Thursday, March 28, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget. The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.
"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.
The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.
Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500
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Berkshire Art Center's Dance Party Returns| 04:00PM / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | |
 STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center's annual benefit and dance party is back and happening on Saturday, April 6, at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. This year's theme is Rococo Raku Revelry. The event will include special performances with local drag queen, Bella Santarella, and DJ BFG spinning vinyl on the big stage. "Local artists have been busy at work crafting the elaborate decoration pieces for this immersive event," said Executive Director, Lucie Castaldo. "And our silent auction of ceramic works from artists across the region is one not to miss!" This spectacular event - sponsored by Berkshire Bank - 0 Comments
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Dalton Committee Seeks Funding for Invasive SpeciesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
02:37PM / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Open Space and Recreation Committee discussed addressing the invasive species at the Pines trailhead during its meeting last week. There will possibly be a money article on the annual town warrant requesting voters allocate $20,000 from free cash so that the committee can apply for a Community Forest Stewardship program grant. The Select Board placed it on the annual town meeting warrant on Monday. During a walkthrough of the Pines, Jess Toro, co-owner of Native Habitat Restoration, urged the committee to apply for the program. According to Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson, although the grant would be reimbursed, the town needs 0 Comments
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PHS Basketball Team Recognized at City CouncilBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
10:10AM / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti recognized the Pittsfield High School basketball team for its class and perseverance after a player was spit on during the state semi-finals. "I stand before you hoping I wouldn't have to make some remarks like this but feel the need to do so," he said in council chambers on Tuesday.
PHS player Malachi Perry was spat on by Old Rochester Regional School District player Rob Spenard during the Division 3 State Semi-Final game earlier this month. Perry scored 21 points with 10 rebounds for Pittsfield in the game — an 82-72 win for Old Rochester — nine points after the spitting incident, including seven points in a
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Governor Swears In Youth Advisory Council | 08:04AM / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey swore in the members of her Youth Advisory Council. Established through an executive order, Council members will advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the entire administration on critical issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, climate, housing, mental health and youth violence. The Council is made up of 60 young people, ranging ages 16-21, from every region in Massachusetts, who will serve a two-year appointment. From Berkshire County: Aleksei Chang, Williamstown Cameryn Wilk, Pittsfield Leslye 0 Comments
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Licensing Board OKs Extended Hours for Panchos Post SuspensionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:44PM / Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A North Street eatery was rewarded for its compliance after a liquor license suspension in December. The Licensing Board on Monday gave Pancho's Mexican Restaurant the OK to close one hour later — extending last call to 12:30 p.m. and closing at 1 a.m. There have been no reported incidents since the weeklong license suspension.
Attorney Loretta Mach reported that manager Gabriel Columna took it upon himself to hire a security company for contracted hours between 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., maintaining the crowd and herding people out of the establishment when needed.
"There has been now for approximately three months last call at 11:30, closing at
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'Rent a Backpack' Soon to Start at Dalton Library By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Hikers can soon rent a backpack full of beginner hiking material at the Dalton Free Public Library. Berkshire Family Hikes founder Taylor Staubach said the endeavor will be launched with a hike of the Pines with the town's Open Space and Recreation Committee. Staubach is still in the process of planning the event but hopes to have it on a weekend in mid-May. The organization's Uncommon Paths Program was approved for a $648 grant through the Cultural Council in November. The program includes a backpack-borrowing initiative. The endeavor will allow library card holders to rent a backpack at the Dalton Library at no 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Mayor Open to Level/Service Funded BudgetBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
08:46AM / Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti won't support the sacrifices a level-funded city budget would entail but is willing to compromise.
Early in the term, the City Council supported a divisive petition requesting a budget that is "close to level-funded" due to concerns about tax increases. This would come with cuts to employment and city services, the mayor warned, but the administration is working to create a proposal that is "between level funded and a level service funded."
"As all of you remember, only seven days into my term of office I was presented a petition looking for a level-funded budget," Marchetti said during his biweekly
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2024 Citizen Pittsfield Police Academy| 08:00AM / Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department announced the return of the Citizen Police Academy in 2024. The academy provides an opportunity for individuals to gain a better understanding of department operations and issues and topics effecting modern day policing. The department is seeking interested citizens, volunteers, community-policing partners, local business leaders, and educators. Class size will be capped at 20 participants. Classes will be held at the Pittsfield Police Department and the Berkshire Innovation Center on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 PM starting April 30, 2024 through June 4, 2024. Applicants must be at least 0 Comments
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