| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Governor Signs Laws Lowering Health Care Costs, Strengthening Oversight| 08:59AM / Sunday, January 19, 2025 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today signed into law S.3012, An Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs, and transparency, and H.5159, An Act enhancing the market review process. The laws aim to lower health care costs, cap prescription drug copays at $25, improve primary care access, and strengthen oversight of the health care industry. "We know that one of the biggest strains on Massachusetts families' budgets is high health care costs. These new laws will lower out-of-pocket costs by capping copays at $25 for lifesaving prescription medications and increasing transparency in the industry," said Governor Healey. "They also close loopholes in our 0 Comments
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Progressives March for Human Rights in PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
08:55AM / Sunday, January 19, 2025 | |
Amelia Gilardi addresses the crowd at Park Square. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 100 people marched down North Street on Saturday in support of human rights. The Pittsfield People's March was designed to unite community members, raise awareness, and promote the fundamental rights of all people. It was one of numerous marches across the nation, including in Boston and the annual one (formerly the Women's March) in Washington, D.C. The marches started in 2017 in response to the first election of Donald Trump, who is set to sworn in for a second term on Monday. Saturday's marchers expressed their fears that the incoming administration will 0 Comments
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Dalton Mail-In Ballot Instructions Had Date ErrorBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:05PM / Saturday, January 18, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Town voters started receiving mail-in ballots yesterday for the upcoming special election but were surprised to find an error. The ballots had printed instructions to have them returned to the town by Nov. 5, 2024, information left behind from the general election in November. The special election to decide who will fill the vacant Select Board seat will occur on Feb. 3. In December, the board also approved mail-in ballots. Select Board member Marc Strout took to his Select Board Facebook page to inform constituents of the error and provide an update. He explained that Chair Robert Bishop, Town Manager Thomas 0 Comments
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Big Y Partners with Red Cross Relief Campaign in Response to California Wildfires| 03:44PM / Saturday, January 18, 2025 | |
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Big Y is partnering with the American Red Cross to raise donations for those affected by the California Wildfires. Now through Friday, Jan. 31st, Big Y customers and employees will have the opportunity to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief at all Big Y supermarket locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. Donation containers for cash donations will be available at all Big Y registers, with the ability to donate with credit or debit at the register, via the myExpress Checkout app or https://bit.ly/BigYCaliforniaWildfiresSupport. "The American Red Cross is focused on making sure everyone has a safe place to stay, and no 0 Comments
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Pittsfield FedEx to Close This YearBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:20AM / Saturday, January 18, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Federal Express Shipment Center on Federico Drive will close later this year.
This is attributed to the "evolving needs of the business."
David Westrick, of FedEx's Media Relations department, explained via email on Wednesday that the company regularly evaluates its network and makes adjustments to align with the evolving needs of the business.
Employees were recently notified that the FedEx facility will close later in the year and certain team members will be offered opportunities in other locations, he wrote.
The closing date was not identified but it appears the location will not close for months.
"Decisions of this nature are the
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MassWildlife: Why you shouldn't feed wildlife this winter| 08:01AM / Saturday, January 18, 2025 | |
Each winter, MassWildlife receives inquiries from the public regarding whether or not to feed wildlife. While people have good intentions, supplemental feeding of wildlife typically does more harm than good. Most wildlife seasonally change their behavior to adapt to cold temperatures and scarce food supplies. Supplemental feeding can alter that behavior and have detrimental, and sometimes fatal, effects. Wildlife in Massachusetts have adapted over thousands of years to cope with harsh winter weather, including deep snow, cold temperatures, and high winds. Supplemental feed sites congregate wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which can: Attract predators and increase 0 Comments
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Old Williamstown Road Opened for Pedestrian UseBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:06PM / Friday, January 17, 2025 | |
 LANESBOROUGH, Mass.— The state has removed hard barriers on Old Williamstown Road, allowing strictly pedestrian use.
"The limited use of that stretch with no motorized access is now allowed, according to the Department of Transportation," Town Administrator Gina Dario told the Select Board on Monday.
"With the strong stipulation that should there be any further movement by any community member of the blockades that are in place and motorized access on that stretch that they would resume the installation of the hard barriers that would prevent any public access whatsoever."
The road has been closed to vehicles for decades but used for pedestrians, horseback
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@theMarket: Markets Await the InaugurationBy Bill Schmick,
02:16PM / Friday, January 17, 2025 | |
"Day One" arrives on Monday and investors are waiting with bated breath to hear what and how the new administration will handle the myriad problems that beset the nation. No one knows how that day will go, and the stock market reflects that. Stocks are up since the beginning of the year but not by much. Granted the total gains for the first five days of January were positive and that is a good sign for those who take stock in those kinds of portents. Normally if the S&P 500 Index finishes with gains by the close of the fifth day of the year (and it did), the "rule of the first five days" says a gain for the entire year is likely. Over the last decade, 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter| 01:53PM / Friday, January 17, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, Jan. 17, Laquan M. Johnson, 29, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and seven charges connected to the April 4 killing of Stephan Curley. The Honorable Judge Agostini of Berkshire Superior Court sentenced Johnson to 12 to 15 years in state prison. The sentence exceeds sentencing guidelines, which recommend 9 to 13.5 years. The plea took place prior to the result of a jury verdict from a trial that began on Jan. 8. The Commonwealth requested a state prison sentence of 15 to 20 years, while the defense requested a sentence of 10 years to 10 years and one day. "My thoughts are with Mr. Curley's family during this 0 Comments
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Pittsfield First-Responders Recognized for Lifesaving Efforts on InfantBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:17PM / Friday, January 17, 2025 | |
Chief Thomas Sammons congratulates one of the EMTs who responded to the emergency involving an infant last fall. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Multiple first responders were recognized for performing lifesaving measures on an infant in November.
Tuesday's City Council meeting began with Lifesaving Awards to three paramedics, three firefighters, and four police officers. The first responders were recognized for their actions on Nov. 22 "where life-saving measures were performed on an infant."
While not much information can be released, Fire Chief Thomas Sammons said the incident was "one of those calls people will never forget." He described it as a
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Pittsfield Man Charged With Carjacking| 11:13AM / Friday, January 17, 2025 | |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — A Pittsfield man has been charged with carjacking following an incident Thursday in the Target parking lot at the Berkshire Mall. Police say Earl N. Kirchner, 64, was arrested at the scene and also faces charges of assault and battery and assault and battery on a police officer. The carjacking is a felony and the assaults are misdemeanors. Kirchner was being held at the Berkshire County House of Corrections pending his arraignment. According to police, the carjacking attempt was called in at about 1:30 p.m. The victim told authorities that the suspect had punched and kicked him in attempting to steal his motor vehicle. The 0 Comments
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Marchetti's First State of City Speech Points to Successes, ChallengesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:54AM / Friday, January 17, 2025 | |
This was Mayor Peter Marchetti's first State of the City address in his four-year term. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti invited residents to join "One Pittsfield" during his first State of the City address on Thursday. He used the slogan during his campaign and continue to as a term of collaboration and unity.
"The one thing that I know that Pittsfield is is that Pittsfield is resilient. Believe it or not, I love my job and the city of Pittsfield. Together, we can overcome the obstacles and change our challenges into opportunities," he said to a crowd of city staff, friends and family, and community members at Taconic High School. The
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