| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Hidden Struggle: Seniors at Risk in a Changing ClimateBy Deborah Leonczyk , Guest Column
11:56AM / Wednesday, September 03, 2025 | |
Too many older adults in Berkshire County, after a lifetime of work and contribution, now face the hidden struggle of poverty and the growing dangers of a changing climate. At the center of this struggle are the costs of basic utilities such as heat, electricity, and cooling, which determine whether a senior can live in safety or in constant risk. For many older adults, retirement means living on a fixed Social Security check and, in some cases, a small pension. Even combined, these benefits often do not stretch far enough to cover rent, utilities, food, and medicine. When utility bills rise, as they have in recent years, seniors must decide whether to keep the lights on, fill a 0 Comments
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Paradise or Plight? Melville and Berkshire Industry| 10:23AM / Wednesday, September 03, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Actor Marcus Kearns and historian John Dickson team up for a program discussing Herman Melville's influence on industry in Berkshire County during the nineteenth century. The program, presented by the Berkshire County Historical Society, begins with a dramatic reading of Melville's short story "The Paradise of Bachelors and the Tartarus of Maids." The Lecture will take place at Arrowhead on Sept. 9, at 5:30 pm First published in 1855, the story combines two sketches, one set in the center of London's legal industry and the other in a New England paper factory (possibly based on The Old Red Mill in Dalton, 0 Comments
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Senator Mark September Staff Office in Berkshire County | 08:18AM / Wednesday, September 03, 2025 | |
BOSTON — State Senator Paul W. Mark announced that his staff will host office hours at six locations in Berkshire County in September. Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in the Senator's Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire District are encouraged to share ideas on current or potential state legislation, or to ask for assistance with issues involving any state agency. Appointments are not required. Adams: Tuesday, Sept. 16 , from 9 a.m. to noon. Town Hall, 8 Park St., Adams. Dalton: Monday, Sept. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Senior Center, 40 Field St., Dalton. Great Barrington: Monday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Town Hall, 334 Main St., 0 Comments
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Commission Mapping out Pittsfield's Park Square Historical DistrictBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:07AM / Wednesday, September 03, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Creating a historic district around Park Square would take about a year through the work of a study committee.
The Historical Commission last week mapped out the first phases of establishing a district for the historically significant city center so its facade is preserved and protected. This includes petitioning the City Council for a study committee, which will eventually produce a final report, and weighing the cost of a consultant against a self-guided process.
"I think we could do it in-house," the City Planner Kevin Rayner said, pointing to resources available from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Park Square is seen as
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Berkshire Boxing Academy Brings Home First Win at Rumble in RevereCommunity submission,
11:48AM / Tuesday, September 02, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Boxing Academy, a small but spirited boxing gym housed inside Berkshire Nautilus at 42 Summer St., is celebrating its first competitive victory after an inspiring showing at the second annual Rumble in Revere on Aug. 30. Led by head coach Abby Allard, the academy continues to redefine what a community boxing gym can be. Since taking over the former Southpaw’s boxing program in July 2025, from 14-1 fighter Todd “The Punisher” Poulton, Allard has introduced a new name, a new direction, and a renewed focus on fundamentals while fostering a culture of belonging. The gym welcomes all ages, abilities, skills, and talents, proving that 0 Comments
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1Berkshire to Hold Open House at its New Location| 10:41AM / Tuesday, September 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire invites its members and the public to attend an Open House at its new Crawford Square location in downtown Pittsfield. The Open House will be held at 137 North Street, Suite 200, Pittsfield from 4-6 pm on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and tour the office space. 1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler will offer remarks at 4:30 pm. 1Berkshire relocated to Crawford Square in January 2025 from its former office on Allen Street. It was essential for the organization to maintain a central presence, allowing it to effectively serve and access the 30 towns and 2 cities of Berkshire 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Cultural Council Seeks Applications for Grants| 08:04AM / Tuesday, September 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Cultural Council will accept applications for 2026 Mass Cultural Council grants from Sept. 2 to Oct. 16, 2025. The PCC invites artists, musicians, performers, educators, community groups, non-profits, and others to apply for grants to support art shows, concerts, performances, workshops, lectures, short-term artist residencies in schools, and other community programs. Applications for 2026 must be submitted only through the MCC website (not by mail or email) beginning at 10 a.m. on Sept. 2. Deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 16. No late applications will be accepted. The PCC will discuss and vote on applications in open 0 Comments
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BRTA to Interview 4 for New AdministratorBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:45AM / Tuesday, September 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The board of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority last week ranked the top candidates for the administrator post using an anonymous system. The 16 applicants were narrowed down to four, who will be asked to interview. Earlier this month, the board was sent the candidates' resumes with their names disguised by unique identifiers and were told to rank them by whom they believe is most fit for the position. The successful candidate would replace Administrator Robert Malnati, who is retiring after 23 years with the BRTA. A job posting describes the administrator as being the "face of the agency," with strong leadership, 0 Comments
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Candlelit Signs in Park Square Mark 41 Overdose Deaths in 2024By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Tuesday, September 02, 2025 | |
Each sign had the name of one of the 41 people in Berkshire County who died of overdose in 2024. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pairs of community members walked from the Common to Park Square in silence on Sunday, honoring those who have died from overdose.
Living in Recovery held its fourth annual memorial service and candlelight vigil on Aug. 31, in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day. Forty-one purple, illuminated signs in Park Square represented every person lost to overdose in Berkshire County in 2024.
"I am kind of a little bit dismayed that we have to keep doing this, but certainly I'm glad that we're all able to come
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Pittsfield Licensing Board Continues Bei Tempi, Methuselah HearingsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:03PM / Monday, September 01, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Licensing Board has further continued two show-cause hearings for alleged improper alcohol service.
The hearings for Bei Tempi on Onota Street and Methuselah Bar and Lounge on North Street were pushed to September.
Bei Tempi is alleged to have served an 18-year-old who then returned home and became combative, resulting in an arrest. Methuselah was sent to the board for alleged over-serving in mid-June, on the night police responded to disturbances outside and made some arrests.
The hearing for Bei Tempi was continued in July, and was continued again due to an "unavoidable medical issue" with one of the involved
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White Pulls Out Narrow Win on Mount GreylockBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires.com Sports
06:55PM / Sunday, August 31, 2025 | |
 ADAMS, Mass. – Dalton’s Alex White is a familiar presence running – and winning – on the local road race circuit. On Sunday, he took the road less traveled by … at least by him. And that made the difference at the 50th running of the Mount Greylock Road Race, where White outkicked Jacob Barnett to claim first place with a time of 54 minutes, 49.74 seconds on the 8-mile course up the side of the state’s highest peak. It was the first time at Mount Greylock for the first three finishers as White, Barnett (54:50.18) Shelburne Falls’ Kayla Lampe (57:41.56) each medaled in their first time at the event. “I don’t 0 Comments
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The Bible Speaks 'Cult Survivor' Speaks at Ventfort Hall By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
08:03AM / Sunday, August 31, 2025 | |
Elita Galvin speaks at Ventfort Hall about her time as a child at The Bible Speaks and the podcast she does with her sister about the church. LENOX, Mass. — A dream made of pure intentions to follow in the word of God turned out to be, for many, served in a poisoned chalice. Despite the manipulation and exploitation wrapped in a shroud, light still shines through. Buried in the history of the "forgotten cult" is the path to healing. So say two women who had been wrapped up in its inner workings. Cult survivor Elita Galvin spoke before nearly 60 people at Ventfort Hall at its recent Tea and Talk series, outlining the evolution of the church and 0 Comments
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