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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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@theMarket: Higher Inflation Signals No More Rate CutsBy Bill Schmick,
04:04PM / Friday, February 14, 2025 | |
For the fourth straight month, the Consumer Price Index registered higher inflation. That has dashed any hope that the U.S. central bank would loosen momentary policy further in the months ahead. And now the country faces even higher prices if tariffs go into effect. The most recent University of Michigan survey of consumers indicated that inflation expectations for the next year increased to 4.3 percent in February. That is one percentage point higher than January and the highest since November 2023. Wednesday's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for January increased 3 percent over the prior year and 0.5 percent over the previous month. That surprised markets but came in 0 Comments
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Weekend Outlook: Winterfest & the Big ChillBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:12PM / Friday, February 14, 2025 | |
 There are several events this weekend to help you recharge from your week, including festivals, live music, and more. Editor's Pick The Big Chill Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield Time: 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The village will have a range of activities, including walking tours, ice harvesting talks, maple tree tapping demonstrations, crafts, farm animals, and more. The event is part of the Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, during which several organizations and businesses will hold events from Feb. 13 through 23. All activities are included with the $15 admission ticket, 0 Comments
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Dalton Board Fires Executive Assistant for Sharing Anonymous LetterBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:37AM / Friday, February 14, 2025 | |
Some 40 people attended the hearing that Alyssa Maschino had asked to be open. DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board on Thursday voted to terminate the town manager's executive assistant, Alyssa Maschino. The board placed Maschino on administrative leave until Feb. 19, and authorized Chair Robert Bishop to work with the town counsel and the town manager to coordinate termination. The decision proved controversial, with many of her peers expressing frustration with the decision they described as a double standard. About 40 people attended the meeting. The board claimed that by sending an anonymous letter addressed to "Dalton Select Board" and to 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Schools: No 'Friending' StudentsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, February 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — While awaiting the findings of Pittsfield High School's staff investigation, district unions and administrators united to create a social media and cell phone directive.
Effective immediately, it bars staff members from connecting with students outside of their immediate family on social media and calling or messaging them from a personal phone. It will become a policy the Monday after February vacation and non-compliance will result in "progressive disciplinary action."
"It's become obvious during the travails that we're enduring here that this is not always observed and although I know that each of the presidents of the bargaining
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The Retired Investor: A Different View on Interest RatesBy Bill Schmick,
04:41PM / Thursday, February 13, 2025 | |
Scott Bessent, the nation's new Treasury secretary, is a product of the investment world. His private sector background brings to the government a different set of tools and ideas that may lessen the burden on the Federal Reserve Bank in its fight against inflation. For decades, politicians of both parties with few exceptions have left it up to the Federal Reserve Bank to curb inflation while maintaining employment. It has been a tough job, especially when fiscal policy is working at cross purposes with their mandate. The fly in the ointment over the last several decades has been that while the central bank has been largely insulated from political pressures and has functioned 0 Comments
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Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Photography Exhibition: Focus on Downtown| 03:27PM / Thursday, February 13, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework are presenting "Focus on Downtown," a new photography exhibition featuring local photographers Brian Beckett, Shaun Harmon, and Autumn Phoenix. The exhibit runs from February 3 through March 26 at Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (437 North Street) and showcases vibrant and artistic views of the city. As part of the 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, a reception with the photographers will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 10 AM to 12 PM in collaboration with Dottie’s Coffee Lounge’s Domingo Brunch, featuring live music by Amy Attias and Dave Christopolis. The exhibition is open Monday through Thursday,
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Joann Fabric in Pittsfield Targeted for ClosureStaff Reports, iBerkshires
12:52PM / Thursday, February 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Joann Fabric and Crafts store on Dalton Avenue is among some 500 set to close. Joann Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year to restructure and filed again last month. On Wednesday, the bankruptcy filings noted that liquidation should start immediately. Pittsfield was among the 19 Massachusetts stores identified for closure, as well as the store in the Hampshire Mall in Hadley. Two Vermont stores are closing along with several in New York's Capital District. Overall, 53 stores out of 800 are slated to be shuttered. Joann is the only large scale material retailer in the area. Walmart eliminated its bolt fabrics a few 0 Comments
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Fire Damages First Street Multifamily Home in Pittsfield| 10:47AM / Thursday, February 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A fire early Tuesday morning caused extensive damage to a multifamily home on First Street, displacing residents and prompting an investigation by local and state authorities. The blaze, which broke out around 1 a.m. at 233 First Street, is being investigated by the Pittsfield Fire Department, Pittsfield Police, and the State Fire Marshal's Office. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames on the back exterior of the 2 ½-story home. Crews quickly worked to contain the fire, extinguishing it outside before moving to the second floor, where the fire had spread. Additional teams searched the building and ventilated smoke from the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield to Host Second Annual Winter Festival at Clapp Park| 08:14AM / Thursday, February 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program has announced the second annual Winter Festival, set to take place on Monday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clapp Park. The event, designed to kick off the winter break, will feature a variety of activities for children, families, and community members of all ages. Among the scheduled activities are group-led outdoor experiences, including a Winter Senses Safari with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and snowshoeing with Mass Audubon. The festival will also feature a Snow Sculpture Contest, open to participants ranging from novices to professional 0 Comments
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Dalton Residents Demand Action on Concrete Company's DustBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:36AM / Thursday, February 13, 2025 | |
A bagged sample of dust taken from a back porch. DALTON, Mass. — Nearly 100 residents turned up at the Board of Health meeting on Wednesday night to complain of dust and particulates coating their neighborhood from Berkshire Concrete and allegedly causing health issues. The meeting was initially scheduled to be held in the Callahan Meeting Room at Town Hall, but it was relocated to the Senior Center because to the crowd overflow that extended down the hall. Several demanded that the Board of Health impose an injunction to stop operations at the worksite. Co-Chair Robert Kinzer emphasized the importance of ensuring that any abatement orders issued 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Superintendent Announces ResignationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
10:24PM / Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After 30 years with the district, Superintendent Joseph Curtis has decided to step down in June.
"Serving as your superintendent has been the honor of a lifetime," he said.
"Pittsfield Public Schools and the City of Pittsfield will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this remarkable journey. I will carry this time in my life very close to my heart." Curtis announced Wednesday he will step down from his position effective June 30. His comments came at the tail end of a three-hour School Committee meeting during the superintendent's report. He read an emotional message that explained his
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1Berkshire Introduces Newly Elected Board Members and Officers| 03:57PM / Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire announced its 2025 slate of newly reelected board members and officers, as well as the addition of new board members. These individuals will each help support the work of 1Berkshire as the marketing and economic development organization for the region. All these officers and board members were voted in and welcomed at 1Berkshire's Annual Meeting on Dec. 12, 2024. "I am delighted to welcome such a strong group of new and returning board members, and I'm also very pleased that Lori Gazzillo Kiely will continue to lead the board as our board chair for 2025," said Jonathan Butler, President and CEO of 1Berkshire. "The 0 Comments
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