| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Blue-green Algae Bloom Reported in Pontoosuc Lake| 02:54PM / Monday, June 23, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Recent observations results have confirmed the presence of a blue-green algae bloom at Pontoosuc Lake that may present harmful health effects for users of the lake. Accordingly, and as recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, a public health advisory is being issued. Waterbody poses risk for people and pets. Do not swim. Do not swallow water. Keep animals away. Rinse off after contact with water. Warning signs are being posted around the lake. Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts. These microscopic organisms are components of the aquatic food 0 Comments
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BRTA Administrator Robert Malnati Retiring Next YearBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
12:32PM / Monday, June 23, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Robert Malnati's been getting people on the bus for more than two decades — and he's hoping to see ridership on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority hit a record before he retires next year. "We might be over 600,000 riders this year. That's huge. That is huge," said the BRTA administrator. "We probably haven't seen that number since probably the '70s." Malnati became the transportation agency's sixth director in its 50-year history in 2014, succeeding Gary Shepard. He started as deputy administrator in 2002; his contract will be expiring next year after 23 years. "It's 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Subcommittee Supports Crosby/Conte Feasibility StudyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:03AM / Monday, June 23, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The finance subcommittee unanimously supported borrowing up to $2 million for the Crosby feasibility study. It will go to the full council for final approval, and is expected to take up to a year. This would gauge the possibility of rebuilding Silvio O. Conte Community School and John C. Crosby Elementary on the West Street site with shared facilities. "It's a very involved process. We went to several meetings. The City Council went to several meetings, including we toured the facilities. This is the next step in the process. If I recall we haven't built a new elementary school since 1970-something," Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren
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Eversource Ready for An Active 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season | 06:31PM / Sunday, June 22, 2025 | |
BOSTON, Mass. — As the ocean waters churn along the east coast and another hurricane season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting above-normal activity for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Between June 1 and November 30, NOAA is forecasting a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season with 6-10 hurricanes having winds of 74 mph or higher and 3-5 major hurricanes with winds 111 mph or higher. With the changing climate increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather around the globe, including here in New England, Eversource is reminding customers to plan and always be prepared for severe weather. The energy company
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Berkshire Force 12Us Claim Tourney Title at HomeBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires.com Sports
05:44PM / Sunday, June 22, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. – A tournament that featured a number of dramatic finishes saw all the drama taken out of the 12-and-under finale in the top of the first inning. The Berkshire Force scored six times in its first at-bat en route to a 14-0 win over the Greylock Thunder in the title game of the Battle of the Berkshires on Sunday afternoon. Kaylana Altman went 3-for-3 with a triple, a pair of doubles and two RBIs, and Olivia Archambault struck out seven in a complete-game, five-inning shutout in the circle to claim the 12U crown. In the tournament’s 14U division, the Dutchess Divas of New York’s Hudson Valley beat the South Shore Chaos of Bridgewater, 0 Comments
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EPA Funding to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water at Schools, Child Care Facilities| 01:07PM / Sunday, June 22, 2025 | |
BOSTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a total of $2.9 million in funding for New England states to address lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. Since 2018, EPA has provided over $200 million across the country to help reduce exposure to lead in drinking water where children learn and play. "This funding reflects EPA's commitment to our core mission of protecting the environment and public health including protecting clean water, especially where it matters most—in the places where children learn and play," said EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "Through common-sense, voluntary 0 Comments
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Market 32 and Price Chopper Launch Drive to Support Local Food Pantries| 08:18AM / Sunday, June 22, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As schools break for summer and access to daily meal programs pause, many families can face a critical gap in reliable nutrition. To help meet these needs, Market 32 and Price Chopper are launching a summer food drive in all 129 stores across its six-state footprint. From June 15 to July 5, customers can purchase a $10 bag containing PICS brand items that will be donated to a local food pantry. Each bag includes items food banks and pantries need the most, including a 16-ounce package of elbow macaroni, 16-ounce jar of peanut butter, a 10.5-ounce can of chicken noodle soup, 5-ounce can of tuna, 15.5-ounce can of kidney beans, and a 5-ounce can 0 Comments
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New Business Offers Boat Tours in the Berkshires By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
07:53AM / Sunday, June 22, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass – A new boat tour business has emerged in Berkshire County. Berkshire Boat Tours started June 1 for the 2025 season. The business is owned by Captain Roger Gibboni and his wife, Linda Dulye, who want to provide a different opportunity to enjoy the Berkshires. "I want to give people an opportunity to experience the fun of being on the water. We have these beautiful lakes in the Berkshires, probably one of the best gems that there are… There are several lakes that we have access to, and a lot of people don't have the ability to enjoy them to the extent of going out on a boat and open that up so people can have fun," Gibboni said. He also noted that
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BCC State of Work Summit Brought Berkshire Employers Together By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:56PM / Saturday, June 21, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) hosted the 2025 Berkshire State of Work Summit, "From Hiring to Thriving: A New Era of Workplace Culture," on Wednesday. The event was presented by BCC, MassHire, Berkshire Innovation Center, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and 1Berkshire and was held on the college's main campus. The conference focused on the workforce challenges and opportunities facing Berkshire employers, from attracting the right talent to ensuring their employees flourish in a supportive and dynamic work environment. There were 15 sessions and about 40 speakers at this year's event bringing around 200 people. The 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Street Improvement Project: June 23 to June 27| 04:15PM / Saturday, June 21, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Be advised that the following street improvements are scheduled from June 23 to June 27: Monday 6/23 – Friday 6/27: Apron installation on Ridge Avenue and Backman Avenue On-street parking, for the above streets, is prohibited during this work between the hours of 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. In addition, MassDOT will be conducting the following work: Paving Work: No paving work scheduled for the week of June 23-27 Structure Adjustments: Structure work on South Street 0 Comments
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Rewind: June 14 through June 20By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:32PM / Saturday, June 21, 2025 | |
A lot has happened in the Berkshires this week. Here are some of the stories you may have missed. Berkshire Carousel Spins Again For the first time in years, community members of all ages rode the Berkshire Carousel. The carousel re-opened with a new patio and volunteer support. The efforts originally began in the late 2000s, and the ride hadn't operated since 2018. More information here. 'No Kings' Demonstrations Held Around County Less than 20 minutes away, hundreds of people filled the side streets near the Common to protest the actions of the Trump Administration. The effort was part of the nationwide 0 Comments
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U.S. Senator Warren: 'It's Bad In Washington'By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:02PM / Saturday, June 21, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren called President Donald Trump's proposed bill a "Big, Beautiful Betrayal of the American People." "Look, I'm not going to start out by trying to sugarcoat this. It's bad, and it's bad in Washington, it's bad all across this country," she said during a town hall event at the Colonial Theatre on Saturday. Warren cautioned about Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill's" impact on working families in Massachusetts and nationwide. Prompted by questions from the public, she also offered how Republican colleagues could be convinced to vote against
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