| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Central Berkshire Regional Schools: 2025 Year in ReviewBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:53PM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School district saw a lot of success and change this year including new administrators, policies, and state recognition. District Improvement Plan The district kicked off its year with the goal to focus on equitable learning, social-emotional support, and family engagement. In an effort to support high-quality instruction, the district has implemented a new curriculum, leveraged instructional leadership, restrictions some of its Tier 2 supports, collaborated with families and local organizations, and established new programming. Administration Change The year also came with a major 0 Comments
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Massachusetts Fire Deaths Drop by 12 Percent in 2025| 10:50AM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
STOW, Mass. — Massachusetts fire deaths in 2025 declined from a seven-year high in 2024, with more than 90 percent taking place in the victims' homes, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. Excluding fatal motor vehicle collisions with an ensuing fire, Massachusetts recorded 44 fire deaths in 30 fires during 2025. That number is a decline from the 50 civilian fire deaths recorded in 2024 and on par with the five-year average of 44 per year from 2020-2024. One child – a 4-year-old North Adams girl – was lost to fire, down from three in 2024. Two dozen people aged 65 or older lost their lives in fires during 2025, making them nearly 55 percent of fatal fire 0 Comments
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Mazzeos Expands With Italian Market, Deli By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
 LENOX, Mass. — In a way, the Mazzeos have come full circle. The family business started as a small corner market in 1965, became a popular Italian eatery, and has now opened an Italian market. "It's been three, four years in the making that we were going to do this," said Tony Mazzeo recently of Mazzeo's Italian Market & Deli on Route 7. Mazzeo and his daughter, Mia Gabriella Ortega, had the idea to open the market but the pandemic delayed their plans. He and his brother, Michael Mazzeo had operated Mazcot's Sports Bar and Grill for seven years in the building at 490 Pittsfield Road. It was closed in 2020 because of staffing 0 Comments
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Dalton Board Continues Delay on Mobile Tiny Home BylawBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:15AM / Monday, January 05, 2026 | |
DALTON, Mass. — For nearly two years, Amy Turnbull has been trying to amend the current Accessory Dwelling Units bylaws to include mobile tiny homes. A movable tiny home is defined as a unit under 400 square feet that meets all of someone's daily needs, including sanitation, cooking, and other facilities, and which is also mobile. The item has been on the Planning Board's agenda for nearly every meeting. However, every time it comes up, the board tables it citing too many unanswered questions that need to be addressed first. "It's been two years. It's ridiculous how long you guys have sat on this. It's unacceptable in a housing 0 Comments
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BCC Begins Search for New PresidentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:52PM / Sunday, January 04, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College has begun its search for a new president as Ellen Kennedy prepares to retire at the end of the school year.
Led by a Presidential Search Committee and a search firm, candidates will be interviewed in early 2026, and the college’s new leader is set to begin work in July.
"The new President will strengthen and expand partnerships with regional businesses, industries, and community organizations that create pathways to student success and workforce development," the job profile reads.
"With a sincere commitment to fostering an environment of care for students, employees, and the broader
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2025 Year in Review: Pittsfield SchoolsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
08:10AM / Sunday, January 04, 2026 | |
Latifah Phillips was hired as interim superintendent and had her contracted extended through June 2027. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools began 2025 with a controversy over alleged staff misconduct, but were able to push forward with large projects that set the district up for the future.
The school system also saw new leadership in 2025, as interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips stepped into the position vacated by Joseph Curtis, who retired from the district after more than 30 years with the district. Additionally, the city has elected a new School Committee, which will be sworn in on Jan. 5.
"I want you to know that I understand the importance
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Pittsfield Inauguration Includes State of the City AddressBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Saturday, January 03, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, a largely similar City Council will be inaugurated, along with an almost completely new School Committee.
The ceremony kicks off elected officials' two-year terms. City Clerk Michele Benjamin, at-large and ward councilors, and School Committee members will be sworn in at 10 a.m. on Jan. 5 in the council chambers at City Hall. Many familiar faces will return to represent Pittsfield constituents, as only two councilors will be new.
Earl Persip III, Peter White, Alisa Costa, and Kathleen Amuso held their seats as councilors at large during the municipal election on Nov. 4. There were no races for Wards 1, 3, and 4. Patrick Kavey was
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Hunger in the Berkshires Does Not Take a HolidayBy Deborah Leonczyk, Guest Column
11:04AM / Saturday, January 03, 2026 | |
 When the holidays end and life settles back into its familiar routines, the surge of generosity that defines November and December inevitably begins to fade. The food drives quiet down, the festive meals are over, and the community's attention shifts to the next challenge. Yet for thousands of our Berkshire neighbors, hunger remains exactly where it was before the holidays began. It does not ease with the passing of a season. It does not follow the calendar. It lingers quietly at kitchen tables long after the decorations have been packed away. Hunger in the Berkshires affects working parents stretching every paycheck, older adults deciding between groceries and 0 Comments
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EPA Releases Yearly Report| 07:30AM / Saturday, January 03, 2026 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration released the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key milestones and accomplishments from its agencies. Over the past year, EEA's organizations have engaged residents and partners across the state through intentional environmental initiatives. These efforts include legislation to lower energy costs for families, investments in extreme weather preparation, and strategies to protect nature. Together, this work has contributed to creating more resilient and sustainable communities in Massachusetts. "Our agencies are at the forefront of protecting our natural resources,
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Home with Comfort and FunctionalityBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:56PM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a nice colonial home with room to enjoy life? Then this might be the home for you. Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 17 Kittredge Road. The house was built in 1949 and includes four bedrooms and three baths. It is 2,430 square feet with 0.5 acres. It is on the market for $450,000. The house also includes a sunroom and seasonal porch, along with a fireplace, as well as a garage. The house also features a fully finished basement with a game room, laundry room, and extra living space. We spoke to Maggie Gavin with William Pitt Sotheby's
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Co-op Supports Berkshire Nonprofits with Cash Cube Events| 02:49PM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) successfully concluded its year-end community giving initiative, combining direct donations with interactive "Where's the Action Cash Cube" events to benefit local nonprofits across Berkshire County this holiday season. Each participating not-for-profit organization received a $500 contribution from Co-op Bank, along with an on-site Cash Cube visit that gave them the opportunity to catch up to an additional $500. All events were held at the nonprofits' locations and shared on Co-op Bank's social media channels to spotlight the essential services they provide throughout the 0 Comments
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Lanesborough EMS Soon Moving Next to PoliceBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:19PM / Friday, January 02, 2026 | |
 LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board approved the EMS department's lease at the Lanesborough Plaza, effective January. The town's emergency medical services and police departments will be located adjacent to each other at the rental site on South Main Street. EMS Director Jen Weber reported that they hit some roadblocks with power in the garage and are at the mercy of the electric company to get it running, as Lanesborough EMS has been on Eversource's schedule for eight weeks.
"What we do have right now is the inside is complete, barring a couple more little things that need to be done," she told the Select Board last week.
"What we would
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