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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Letter: Constitutional Crisis Letter to the Editor,
04:00PM / Friday, February 21, 2025 | |
 To the Editor:
In his inaugural speech, the president invoked America in the late 19th century when political corruption was rampant, Jim Crow laws were enacted, and disparities in income and wealth soared. Since then, the daily barrage of presidential edicts have ranged from absurdity, recklessness, vindictiveness and most concerning lawlessness. His words and actions have sown seeds of uncertainty, anxiety and fear. Presidential governance has become the politics of chaos in an attempt to grab power. MAGA/Republican legislators in the House and Senate feign their responsibilities. Blind loyalty to the president is their number one priority.
The Constitution is the law of the land, the
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@theMarket: Inflation and Tariff Fears Drive MarketsBy Bill Schmick,
02:52PM / Friday, February 21, 2025 | |
Gold continues to make new highs. Soft commodities and materials climb a wall of worry and foreign equities rise from the dead. It is all part of a market mindset that a tariff war is right around the corner. As April draws near, President Trump continues to reiterate that he is planning to levy tariffs on America's trading partners. Investors are worried. Given Trump's predilection toward hyperbole, the markets are unsure whether to take his statements at face value. He has used threats to get what he wants on so many occasions that April could come and go without any tariffs at all. What to do? The move higher in some commodities is largely a tariff hedge that the 0 Comments
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ZBA OKs Signage for Pittsfield's New HotelBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:43PM / Friday, February 21, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With approved signage, the Holiday Inn Express on South Street is one step closer to opening.
On Wednesday, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted the exemptions that adjust area calculation methods and increase the overall signage. Owned by the Desai family, the $13 million facility will have a 20-foot tall sign by the road and a graphic on the building.
The nearly 2-acre property is set back about 250 feet from South Street and elevated about 30 feet. A newly constructed 77-room hotel was built in a similar location to its predecessor, which was demolished.
"I can see the need for a bigger sign, given how far setback the building is and that people are
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KB Accounting Names Timothy Brelsford as Director of Operations| 11:36AM / Friday, February 21, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mass. — KB Accounting has appointed Timothy (Tim) Brelsford as its new Director of Operations, the company announced on February 3, 2025. Brelsford brings over 30 years of experience in human services and operations, with expertise in streamlining processes and implementing strategic solutions. "As we continue to expand our services and enhance operational efficiency, the addition of Tim to our leadership team is a significant milestone," said CEO Katie Brelsford. "His proven track record in operational excellence and strategic planning will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional value to our clients." In his new role,
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Volunteers Say Springside Park Has Gotten CleanerBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Friday, February 21, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Volunteers say Springside Park has generally gotten cleaner over the years.
On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved the Springside Park Conservancy and the Friends of Springside Park's annual cleanups on April 19 and Sept. 20. Longtime members Bernard Mack and Esther Anderson gave a positive report about the park's upkeep.
"The park has been getting cleaner and cleaner every year, which is very exciting to see that people are taking more interest in keeping it that way," Mack said.
"And a lot of other things have been happening at the park, which we're happy about as well, improvements and such."
He reported that 25 years ago,
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Hancock Shaker Village 'The Big Chill' Celebrated Berkshire WinterBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:22PM / Thursday, February 20, 2025 | |
Children have fun in the snow at Hancock Shaker Village. More photos. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hancock Shaker Village's "The Big Chill" event turned out to be chillier and snowier than expected. The event is to celebrate all things New England in the winter, said Caroline Holland, the Village's executive director and CEO. Photos from the event here. It featured maple tree tapping, blacksmithing and woodworking demonstrations, live music, a fire pit, sledding and snow activities, live music, and more. However, the two-day event was cut short as snow and sleet covered the region. Although it became a one-day event, the 0 Comments
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The Retired Investor: Are Federal Asset Sales a Solution to Debt Problem?By Bill Schmick,
04:16PM / Thursday, February 20, 2025 | |
At last count, the federal government owns 28 percent of the total land in the U.S., and under the surface of that real estate lies a wealth of oil, gas, and coal. Does selling off federal assets make sense in this era of downsizing government? President Donald Trump plans to shrink the federal government through firing, hiring freezes, and layoffs. The only personnel spared are those in military enforcement, national security, and public safety. Everything else is fair game. Earlier this month, regional managers at the General Services Administration (GSA) received memos from headquarters directing them to terminate the leases on approximately 7,500 federal offices across the 0 Comments
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Weekend Outlook: Fireworks and Mindful WalksBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:32PM / Thursday, February 20, 2025 | |
 There are several events this weekend to help you recharge from your week, including festivals, fireworks, winter activities, and more. Editor's Pick Fireworks The Common, Pittsfield Time: Saturday 6 p.m. Fireworks will mark the end of the annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival. The viewing area is in the parking lot on First Street between Eagle and Fenn Street. No spectators will be permitted inside the Common during the show. More information here. Multiple Days The 14th Annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival Throughout Pittsfield Feb. 13 through 23 The 10x10 Festival will conclude this weekend. The festival 0 Comments
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Greylock Federal Promotes Kellogg Street Branch Manager| 11:33AM / Thursday, February 20, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Shirley Crandall Petithory to branch manager of its Kellogg Street branch in Pittsfield. "I am very excited about Shirley's promotion to manager of the Kellogg Street branch," said Senior Vice President, Retail Services Robert Sims. "She's been the branch manager at our location in Lanesborough for a few years and is now moving to one of our largest branches. Under her leadership, Lanesborough and the team there have flourished. They have exceptional member satisfaction scores and have grown significantly. Shirley is well regarded by both her colleagues and our 0 Comments
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Pittsfield to Consider Speeding Cameras By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:37AM / Thursday, February 20, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Will Pittsfield have speeding cameras in 2026? That is to be decided. Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren would like the city to consider traffic cameras for speeding enforcement. The City Council referred his petition to Mayor Peter Marchetti last week. "Obviously, the mayor's got to consider it, consider whether it's something we are willing to do, something that we are willing to pay for," he said. Warren suggested the use of speed safety cameras to deal with the city's almost "epidemic" speeding problems.
"Safety dictates that we expand our arsenal in the fight for speed mitigation in order to foster safe streets,"
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Berkshire County Historical: 'In The Service of America' Lecture| 03:25PM / Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society will present the lecture In the Service of America: Berkshire's Black Soldiers and Veterans of the Revolution, by historian Cynthia Farr Brown. The free event takes place on Feb. 26. The lecture will look at some of the stories of the Black men from the Berkshires who served in the Continental Army and as minutemen and militia during the American Revolution, as well as what happened to veterans living in the Berkshires after the war was over. Historical records reveal the stories of lesser-known Revolutionary War veterans from Berkshire County, including Frank Duncan, Bacchus Boardman, and 0 Comments
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Residents Oppose Battery Energy Storage in Southeast PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:40PM / Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen community members attended last week's Conservation Commission meeting to speak against a proposed battery energy storage system on Williams Street.
A Stonehenge Road resident called it an "accident waiting to happen" and said, "None of us want 60 Teslas parked in that goddamn spot." Fires, flooding, and noise interruptions are collective concerns. More than 170 people in the southeast Pittsfield neighborhood signed a petition against it.
On Thursday, the commission continued a notice of intent application from Brattle Brook LLC to construct a storage system, or BESS, at 734 Williams St., behind the Pittsfield Cooperative
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