| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield School Building Commission Welcomes New Superintendent By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Thursday, September 04, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The academic year has begun with a new superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools and the same focus on a couple of big projects.
Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips was appointed as co-chair of the School Building Needs Commission on Tuesday, and commissioners looked to the future of the Crosby/Conte proposal.
Phillips stepped into the position on July 1 and has since met with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to discuss enrollment numbers.
"That is ongoing work. We intend to finalize the enrollment numbers at the end of October," she reported.
"And it was shared with us that once that number is
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BRTA to Update Bylaws After ComplaintBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Thursday, September 04, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The BRTA board met last week to update its bylaws and resolve an Open Meeting Law complaint. Earlier this month the BRTA Advisory Board met to discuss an Open Meeting Law complaint expressed by board member Rene Wood who alleged that the search for a new authority administrator "was not properly noticed for the average person to understand." Her complaint stated that no agenda posted for a search committee meeting in July when potential candidates were moved forward, and insufficient information was provided for the June meeting during which members were appointed to the task. Last week, the meeting started with a board member Ray Killeen
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Sheriff Bowler to Hold Annual Picnic| 03:38PM / Wednesday, September 03, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 2025 Sheriff's picnic will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, from noon to 4 at Camp Russell in Richmond. The event will feature an afternoon barbeque including burgers, hot dogs, smoked ribs and wings. In addition, lifeguards will be on duty at the camp's pool from 1 – 3 for the children who typically attend this family picnic. "We always look forward to our annual picnic at Camp Russell," Sheriff Bowler said. "It gives me the opportunity to say hello to many families in our community and talk about programs that I believe are truly making a difference." Admission is $20 and kids under 12 are free. 0 Comments
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Companion Corner: Molly at the Berkshire Humane SocietyBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
01:38PM / Wednesday, September 03, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – There's a young lady looking for a nice place to run and play tug of war with at the Berkshire Humane Society. iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri said Molly is a little over a year old and is a Terrier and Pitbull mix. Molly was brought to the Humane Society back in March. "She was actually brought into a vet office by her previous owner," Olivieri said. "She was sick, just had stomach upsets, and unfortunately they were unable to pay for her vet care. So they did sign her over to Pittsfield Vet,
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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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