| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: IRS Incentive Boosts for Savers Not Nearly EnoughBy Bill Schmick,
04:25PM / Thursday, January 02, 2025 | |
Saving for retirement will get a little more attractive next year. Given the dire state of savings in this country, anything that convinces workers they need to save more will be beneficial. The Secure Act 2.0, enacted in 2022, ushered in several additional improvements in retirement savings, including even higher 401(k) plan catch-up contributions. The object was to make it easier for older American workers facing a retirement savings shortfall to set aside more money quickly. The facts are that there is a widespread retirement savings shortfall in the U.S. that spans generations. Sixty-five percent of Baby Boomers (age 55-64) have less than $25,000 to $100,000 saved 0 Comments
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Berkshire Art Association Invites Submissions for 2025 College Fellowship Show| 12:34PM / Thursday, January 02, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Art Association (BAA) is accepting submissions for its 2025 College Fellowship Show, offering $5,000 in grants to undergraduate art majors. The show will be held in April 2025 at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The fellowship is open to Berkshire County residents enrolled as art majors at colleges nationwide and non-residents studying art at Berkshire colleges, including Berkshire Community College, MCLA, Williams College, and Simon's Rock. Applications can be submitted online at baafellowshipshow2025.artcall.org from Dec. 20, 2024, to Feb. 23, 2025. There is no registration fee. The show will culminate in an
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Public Comments Sought on Human Service Needs in Pittsfield| 10:24AM / Thursday, January 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield, through its Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC), is asking the public to comment on the human service needs in Pittsfield. The Human Services Advisory Council is an 11-member advisory committee that provides funding recommendations to the mayor on how the city should allocate its human services funding. One of the considerations that the council uses to make those recommendations is the input of Pittsfield residents and others. Public comments will be accepted now through 4:00 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025. Comments may be submitted several ways: by email to Nate Joyner at njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org; by phone at (413) 0 Comments
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Wander to Host Sober Sweaty Dance Parties in January| 08:30AM / Thursday, January 02, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wander, a sober-friendly community space, is kicking off 2024 with its Sober Sweaty Dance Party series. The event features two nights of music and dance, designed to celebrate Sober January in an inclusive atmosphere. The series includes performances by two experienced DJs: Saturday, Jan. 4 (8 to 11 p.m.): DJ Bengey, a Brooklyn-born DJ with more than 20 years of experience, will bring his signature genre-defying mixes to energize the crowd. Saturday, Jan 11 (8 to 11 p.m.): DJ BFG (Gabby Squailia) will deliver eclectic, upbeat sets that celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Both events will be held at WANDER, located at 34 Depot St., Suite 0 Comments
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Central Berkshire Habitat Honors President Carter| 02:08PM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Former President Jimmy Carter never visited Berkshire County but the impact of his post-presidential efforts can be seen every day here. Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are easily the most famous volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, which has chapters in both Central and North Berkshire. For more than 35 years, they helped to build affordable housing with the organization. "I had the opportunity to meet President Carter and Rosalynn a few times in Atlanta over the years. I believe they are truly the most caring and thoughtful people in the world and represent the best of humanity," said Central Berkshire Habitat's CEO Carolyn 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Committee OKs Firm for PHS Staff InvestigationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:54AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Officials approved a third-party investigation on alleged staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School that's expected to wrap up by March.
On Monday, the School Committee authorized Chair William Cameron to negotiate and execute a retainer agreement with law firm Bulkley Richardson Gelinas of Springfield for "independent and impartial investigations of certain Pittsfield Public School employees."
"We need to have a credible investigation with the public so that the public can have confidence there is not something being covered up here," Cameron said during the special virtual meeting, citing public suspicion that the administration knew
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Berkshire Communities Awarded Recycling, Waste Reduction Grants| 10:40AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $4 million in Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) grants to 285 municipalities and regional solid waste districts, that will help communities maximize their recycling, composting and waste reduction programs. "Every day, communities across Massachusetts are taking important steps towards environmental protection and sustainability through waste reduction," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "This funding will further empower municipalities to implement innovative programs and policies that are proven to maximize reuse, recycling, and composting." In 0 Comments
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Wander Hosts 'Write Your Own Obituary' Writing Workshop | 08:13AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wander, a cafe and event venue, will host an evening with author Eden Robins on Monday, Jan. 8, featuring a "Write Your Own Obituary" workshop, a reading from Robins' novel "Remember You Will Die," and a book signing. The event begins with a reflective writing workshop from 6 to 7 p.m., offering attendees a chance to craft their own obituaries as a creative approach to self-reflection and goal setting. Tickets for the workshop are $15 and can be reserved online. Following the workshop, Robins will read from their novel and sign books from 7:30 to 8. The reading and signing are free and open to the public, with books 0 Comments
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2024 in Sports: Hoosac Valley Girls Basketball Was Top StoryBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires Staff
05:06AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
 The year that is ending came in with a bang as Berkshire County wrapped up three team state titles before 2024 was three months old. As the year went on, state crowns were harder to come by, but there still were a number of Western Mass titles and individual accomplishments to thrill local high school sports fans. Here is a look back at some of the stories that caught our eye in the year gone by: 1. County dynasty continues The story of the year was the story of the century as the Hoosac Valley girls basketball program reached its eighth state title game since 2014. And the Hurricanes won their third state championship in that run with a 71-53 win over West 0 Comments
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Updates to the Massachusetts Endangered Species List| 04:49AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
BOSTON — MassWildlife works to conserve biodiversity in the Commonwealth and updated the list of plants and animals officially protected by the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) this year following an extensive review of population data and threats. Following this update, there are now 453 native animals and plants listed under MESA. All listed species receive the same protection, but they are categorized as endangered, threatened, or of special concern—depending on their status and the threats they face. After analysis of scientific data and review of public comments on the proposed changes, 22 plants and animals were added to the MESA list, 1 plant was 0 Comments
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Public Meeting to Review Woods Pond Remediation Plans| 02:18PM / Monday, December 30, 2024 | |
BOSTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled a virtual public meeting on the Reach 6 (Woods Pond area) Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA) at the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM on Zoom. The meeting will be completely virtual out of an abundance of caution for weather and any residual illnesses continuing from the holidays, and it will be recorded and posted to the website. The link to the meeting is here and on the GE website: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1613982552?pwd=zlTgzqk0PpViqu6iHNHaEP9dSgPp0i.1 Meeting ID: 161 398 2552 Passcode: 30052177 GE will be presenting its remedial design
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Bousquet Offers Adult Ski Race LeagueCommunity submission,
12:52PM / Monday, December 30, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Bousquet Mountain will offer an adult racing league on Tuesday nights from Jan. 7 to Feb. 11. No racing experience is required to participate in the 18-and-over league. Teams of five will compete in races that begin at 6:30 p.m., following a 6 p.m. course inspection. The cost for the season is $119 for Bousquet season passholders or $159 for non-passholders and includes skiing from 5 p.m. to closing on the night of races. To sign up, visit bousquetmountain.com. 0 Comments
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