| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Emerging Markets Confront Trade DilemmaBy Bill Schmick,
04:40PM / Thursday, May 08, 2025 | |
The lifeblood of emerging markets has always been their exports within a framework of robust global trade. The advent of U.S. tariffs worldwide has placed these countries between a rock and a hard place. The rock is clearly the size and extent of U.S. tariffs. These new tariffs have dwarfed the imposition of levies during the first Trump presidency. Back then, the U.S.-China trade war benefited some emerging market (EM) countries by attracting increased foreign direct investment and manufacturing as alternatives to Chinese trade. It also meant increased exports in some cases, especially in agricultural products. In response to the U.S. tariffs on their goods, China hit back by 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Investigation Clears Wiggins of Student Improprieties By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:40PM / Thursday, May 08, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four of the five executive summaries on alleged staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School have been released, including for Pittsfield High's former dean of students, Lavante Wiggins. Wiggins is identified as "administrator 1" in the report. Three administrators and two teachers, past and present, were investigated by Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas LLP for a range of allegations that surfaced or re-surfaced at the end of 2024 after Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine in Western Massachusetts. BRG, commissioned by the School Committee,
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'Safe Haven' Facility Coming to PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:06PM / Thursday, May 08, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An upcoming supportive housing facility will be a "Safe Haven" for people struggling with mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness.
Christine Haley, Berkshires site director from the state Department of Mental Health, told the Homeless Advisory Committee on Wednesday that a Maplewood Avenue property will become a Safe Haven this summer. The facility will employ a "housing first" model to provide an alternative to shelter placement. "The model is based on engaging people and eventually trying to get them housed," she said.
"You don't have to be agreeing to have treatment. You don't have to take
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Letter: Please Elect Tony PagliaruloLetter to the Editor,
01:00PM / Thursday, May 08, 2025 | |
 To the Editor:
As we approach our town elections on Monday, I write to encourage residents to vote for Antonio "Tony" Pagliarulo for Select Board. My conclusion from attending both evening sessions of town meeting is that Dalton voters are looking for change — and that Tony will provide the change that they seek. Tony is aware of the financial stress that many Dalton homeowners currently experience and has proposed new town policies that will provide tax relief. As a volunteer and elected member of town committees over decades as a Dalton resident, Tony knows the town problems that have persisted for years — and will tackle those issues through innovative
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Berkshire Agricultural Groups Receive Over $124K in State Grants| 10:46AM / Thursday, May 08, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced significant grant funding to support agricultural initiatives across Massachusetts, with several organizations in Berkshire County receiving awards. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will manage these grants through three programs: the Agricultural Fairs Infrastructure Grant Program, Farmers Market Sustainability Grant Program, and Buy Local Grant Program. "Agricultural fairs are an important part of Massachusetts' farming history and traditions," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "These fairs, along with farmers markets, 0 Comments
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Second Round: Dalton Town Meeting Passes Recall, Capital Plan BylawsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Thursday, May 08, 2025 | |
It still took nearly 200 voters 2 1/2 hours to get through a dozen articles on Wednesday. DALTON, Mass. — After a contentious first meeting on Monday, the annual town meeting continued on Wednesday. Some 170 registered voters got through the remaining 19 of 31 articles on the warrant during a meeting that lasted a little more than 2 1/2 hours. Two of the remaining 12 articles were tabled, and one failed. Voters approved an amended version of the recall petition, Article 29, which creates a process for recalling elected officials before the end of their term. The citizens' petition originally proposed starting the process with an affidavit of intent 0 Comments
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BHS Appoints Two Community Leaders to Board of Trustees| 04:00PM / Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced the election of Ashley Benson, MSW, LICSW, and Matthew Lauro of Mountain One Bank to the BHS Board of Trustees. "We are excited to welcome Ashley and Matthew to the BHS Board of Trustees," said President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz. "They are recognized leaders in our community, and BHS will be lucky to benefit from their perspectives as we continue working to advance health and wellness for everyone in the region." Ashley P. Benson, MSW, LICSW: Ashley Benson is the founder and owner of Optimal Healing, LLC, and is a Psychotherapist, consultant and clinical supervisor. A Berkshire Mountain 0 Comments
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Berkshire Carousel Reopening June 14By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:43AM / Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Carousel will spin again this summer, powered by a nonprofit organization.
Last week, Berkshire Carousel Inc. announced the ride's grand opening on June 14th at noon. The carousel, located at 50 Center St., has not operated since 2018 was picked up by volunteers earlier this year. Aside from carousel rides, the grand opening will feature games, food, and the unveiling of some renovations.
"Operating hours for the 2025 season are 12-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays," Janet Crawford of Berkshire Carousel Inc. wrote in a press release.
"A newly renovated patio will be open featuring food vendors, picnic tables and yard games.
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Pittsfield Holds First Hearing on School RestructuringBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district's middle and elementary school restructuring aims to give every student equal opportunity regardless of their address.
On Monday, the Middle School Restructuring Committee held a public hearing for the proposal to create an upper elementary school for grades 5-6 and a junior high school for grades 7-8 by the 2026-2027 academic year. The model also groups prekindergarten and first grade in one school and grades 2-4 in another.
"We see the opportunities. We know there's going to be challenges, but we see those opportunities as outweighing those," Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Engagement Matthew
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Volunteers Pack Meal Kits for Berkshire PantriesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:46PM / Tuesday, May 06, 2025 | |
A volunteer fills a tub wit Spanish rice. The meal kits will go to 13 food pantries in Berkshire County. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unity can have significant impacts on a community. This was demonstrated during the Berkshire United Way's annual meal kit packing event on Saturday. More than 100 individuals filled the Boys and Girls Club to assemble 40,000 meal kits filled with apple cinnamon oatmeal, Spanish rice, tomato basil pasta, and minestrone. Each of the kits includes seasoning packets. The kits will be distributed to 13 food pantries across the county, including South Community Pantry, the Christian Center, and more. Berkshire Bounty, 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Interviewing 4 for Interim SuperintendentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:36PM / Tuesday, May 06, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four external candidates for Pittsfield's interim superintendent will be interviewed this week.
They are Roland Joyal Jr., Latifah Phillips, Robert Putnam, and Mary Jane Rickson. Outgoing Superintendent Joseph Curtis will step down on July 1 after 30 years with the district.
On Tuesday, School Committee Chair William Cameron reported via email that 11 applications were submitted to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for the one-year interim superintendent position.
"The School Committee's Personnel & Negotiations Subcommittee has reviewed all the materials submitted to MASC by applicants," he wrote. "There were
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Pittsfield Homeless Advisory Committee to Host Housing Resource Fair| 02:54PM / Tuesday, May 06, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield's Homeless Advisory Committee will host a Housing Resource Fair on Thursday, May 8, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Persip Park on North Street. In the event of inclement weather, the fair will be relocated to the main room of the Berkshire Athenaeum during the same hours. The purpose of the fair is to provide information and assistance to community members seeking stable and secure housing. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from local housing organizations and agencies, learn about affordable housing options, and obtain information regarding
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