PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Eagle's parent company revealed it may be looking to sell off all or parts of its newspaper business.

Digital First Media CEO John Paton announced on Friday that the company is using investment bank UBS to review "strategic alternatives."

"Strategic alternatives — what does that mean exactly?

"Well, it could mean we decide to sell the company. Or sell parts of it. Or expand it. Or stay the course," Paton posted on his blog.

It's been rumored the company has been trying to cut $100 million out of its overall operating budget this year.

DFM operates Digital First Ventures, 21st Century

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Digital First Media, owner of New England Newspapers, is shedding itself of more real estate.

On the market along with The Berkshire Eagle Clocktower building are the locations of its three Vermont papers: Bennington Banner, the Brattleboro Reformer ($850,000) and the weekly Manchester Journal ($275,00).

The company announced on Tuesday it was putting 51 properties more properties on the market, for a total of 70 with a value of about $85 million, according to reports in the Denver Post, DFM's flagship paper.

In a press release from Twenty Lakes Holdings, the company's real estate management firm, posted on Poynter, Steve Rossi, president

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Former "TalkBerkshires" host Sherman Baldwin has found a home in sunny Sarasota, Fla., on WTMY radio.

The longtime radio host made his debut on "TalkSarasota" last week in the 3 to 6 p.m. spot weekdays. Baldwin said he's trying to the do same type of show he did in the Berkshires, focusing on local issues — politics, business and culture — with call-in questions. He said it's the only show of its type in the Sarasota market, the 73rd largest in the nation.

Baldwin hosted shows in Connecticut and Boston; he's best known around here for his morning program on

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Allen Jezouit has big plans for Berkshire Direct Inc. Jezouit and a partner (who won't be revealed until next week, he says) purchased the 9-year-old direct-mail company from the Storey family last week.

"We plan on expanding our marketing services to better serve our existing clients and to help local and regional businesses, organizations and nonprofits with their marketing initiatives," said Jezouit.

Jezouit was brought on as vice president of business development last September after four years as marketing director for Redstone Properties and more than 18 years in sales and marketing with Praxair Inc. Since his arrival, he's been moving the company's direct-mail

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Sherman Baldwin is cutting ties with "TalkBerkshires" and leaving the area.

The embattled radio host announced his decision Friday afternoon to a handful of media and supporters at Chapters Bookstore on North Street, ending the short-lived radio show in its current form.

"I'm very disappointed. I really am ... but it's not to be," he said. WBRK pulled the plug on "TalkBerkshires" two weeks ago in a controversial move that had some Baldwin supporters crying censorship.

Baldwin, however, is hoping the independent program will be resurrected in some form with his producer of

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