| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Turning Around Finances of Vatican's Holy See a Difficult TaskBy Bill Schmick,
03:55PM / Thursday, May 15, 2025 | |
As America's Pope Leo XIV begins his reign at the head of the world's smallest country, this Catholic sovereign city-state's financial and economic challenges wait to be addressed. It may take more than American ingenuity to accomplish that. Located in Rome, the Vatican encompasses 110 acres with a population of under 1,000 souls. However, despite its size, the Vatican has had an outsized impact and influence on the financial world thanks to its investments in real estate, banking, and private enterprises. Those new to the inner workings of the Catholic Church should know there is a difference between the Vatican and the Holy See. The Vatican is the 0 Comments
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Latifah Phillips Selected as Pittsfield's Interim SuperintendentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:16PM / Thursday, May 15, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members and officials overwhelmingly favored Latifah Phillips for interim superintendent, citing her vision, vibe, and experience as tools that can make positive change.
"The mayor wanted to express that all three candidates shared some great answers during the interview process. However, one candidate stood out with her vision, and that is [Phillips]," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine Van Bramer read on behalf of Mayor Peter Marchetti, who was unable to attend Wednesday's meeting.
"[Phillips] provided well-rounded responses and highlighted an understanding of what our district and
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Steel Rail Races Return SundayCommunity submission,
10:31AM / Thursday, May 15, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The MountainOne Steel Rail Races will be held on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with a Boston Qualifying Marathon followed by a Half Marathon at 8:30 and an 8K race at 9. The events will start and finish at the Crane Avenue entrance to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Route 8 access to the Route 8 Connector Rd will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The runners begin in Pittsfield following the rail trail north, then will cross Route 8 in Cheshire as they continue to Adams and back. Race directors ask the community to expect delays in traffic. More than 650 registered runners from 23 states including runners traveling over 2,600 miles 0 Comments
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Berkshire County Historic Buildings Receive Preservation Grant Funding| 07:42AM / Thursday, May 15, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two historic preservation projects in Berkshire County have been awarded matching grants through a program administered by Preservation Massachusetts in partnership with The 1772 Foundation. The grants, totaling a portion of the $125,000 awarded statewide, will support exterior work on significant historic buildings in the region. The Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield will receive funding for work on the Old Central Fire Station. Additionally, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington has also been selected as a grant recipient. 15 grants have been awarded in total throughout the state. Jessica Rudden-Dube, 0 Comments
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Dalton Fire District Voters OK All Articles at Annual MeetingBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
07:20PM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District's annual meeting passed quickly, with nearly 50 voters approving all articles on the warrant, including one to expand the Board of Water Commissioners from three to five seats. During the meeting that lasted nearly 40 minutes, 49 voters approved all 23 warrant articles on the warrant, several unanimously and with little discussion. Several of the articles make up the district's $3,569,222.44, comprising the budgets for the commissioner, treasurer, Water Department, and Fire and Ambulance services. This is an increase of $44,542.44 Article 23, a citizen petition to increase the number of Board of Water Commissioners 0 Comments
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Letter Carriers' Hunger Campaign Brings in Thousands of Pounds of FoodBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:49PM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
Berkshire United Way and other volunteer groups aided postal workers in unloading the bags of food and sending them off to local food pantries. See more photos here. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For a second weekend in a row, volunteers aided Berkshire United Way in its effort to gather food for local pantries. This year saw the effort more than double the amount of food collected. This past Saturday, volunteers throughout the county participated in the Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, which is sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Berkshire United Way has been supporting this effort since 2003. "I am proud of the 0 Comments
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Shots Cafe in Lenox Celebrating 15 Years By Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
12:04PM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
The Diego Rivera panini, with roasted chicken and avocado, is a customer favorite. LENOX, Mass. — Shots Cafe on Housatonic Street is celebrating 15 years of business by giving back to its customers. On Thursday, May 15, customers will get 15 percent off their orders all day. Owner Liliana Arteaga-Tucker, opened the eatery in 2010. She said she wanted to create a European-style cafe in the Berkshires as she loved them during her time living in Europe. "After living for a few years in Europe, I moved to the Berkshires, where I was looking for those little cute European cafes around here. Unfortunately, I didn't see a lot of them around here. So I 0 Comments
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Author David Guenette to Discuss Climate Change in Berkshire County| 11:28AM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mass. — Author David Guenette, writer of "The Steep Climes Quartet," a literary climate fiction series, will discuss the impact of climate change on daily life in Berkshire County at three upcoming events. The presentations will explore the costs of climate change at the household level and the challenges of transitioning to clean energy. Guenette will use excerpts from his novels, "Kill Well" (2026 setting) and "Dear Josephine" (2029 setting), to illustrate key points. He will also reference his forthcoming Book Three, "Over Brooklyn Hills" (2035 setting, expected December 2025 publication), and the final book in 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Receives Over $1.2 Million for Water Resources Management Plan| 10:32AM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. As part of its May 7, 2025 meeting, the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees approved funding for water infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth, including a low-interest loan of $1,299,759 for the city of Pittsfield. This loan, identified as CW-25-06, will support Pittsfield's Integrated Water Resources Management Plan. The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), facilitates the development of resilient communities by assisting municipalities in upgrading their water infrastructure. This is achieved through low-interest loans and grants, such as the one awarded
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Pittsfield Accepting Applications for Senior Tax Work-Off Program| 07:52AM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield is now accepting applications for its Senior Tax Work-Off Program for Fiscal Year 2026. To be eligible, applicants must be owners of residential property in Pittsfield and 60 years of age or older at the time of application. Completed program applications must be postmarked or received by the Assessors' Office by May 30, 2025. Current municipal employees are not eligible to participate. The program allows for a maximum of two participants per eligible property, with a total tax abatement limit of $2,000 per property. The tax work-off abatement, whether used alone or in combination with other exemptions, cannot exceed the annual taxes owed
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Pittsfield Interviews Prospective Interim SuperintendentsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:10PM / Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | |
The School Committee is expected to make a decision on Wednesday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee is set to appoint an interim superintendent at Wednesday's regular meeting.
They have a choice between three candidates: Roland Joyal Jr., Latifah Phillips, and Robert Putnam. Outgoing Superintendent Joseph Curtis will step down from his position on July 1 after 30 years with the district. Mary Jane Rickson, superintendent of the Granby Public Schools, withdrew from consideration shortly after her name was announced. During 70-minute interviews on Wednesday and Thursday at Reid Middle School, the three finalists were asked to detail how they would approach the
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Berkshire County Historical Opens Arrowhead on May 17| 04:29PM / Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS)will open Herman Melville's historic home, Arrowhead, for guided tours beginning May 17. Melville lived at Arrowhead from 1850-1863 and there wrote his masterpiece "Moby-Dick" inspired by the view of Mount Greylock outside his study window. Tours are offered Thursday through Monday on the hour with the first tour beginning at 10 am and the last at 3 pm. Rates for guided tours are: adults $20, students $10, children 12 and under free. Reservations are not required but can be made by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. Group tours are available by appointment for 0 Comments
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