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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Police Threaten Criminal Charges for Orbeez GunsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Thursday, May 30, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Police Department has doubled down on the school district's public warning about toy gel guns.
On Monday, Pittsfield Police issued a release about Orby or Orbeez toy guns, reporting that in recent weeks, there have been "numerous complaints" about juveniles playing with Orbeez and other similar air-powered toy guns that shoot gel pellets.
Earlier this month, Superintendent Joseph Curtis sent a memo to the school community about the "concerning trend" of gel pellet guns. The toy guns shoot gel or water beads and are said to pose a risk of physical harm and being mistaken for a real firearm.
The police promised "low
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Springside Pump Track Designers Scaling Back Over High CostsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:40PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 50 percent jump in construction costs has put a roadblock in the proposed pump track at Springside Park but the commitment remains.
Alison McGee, president of the Berkshire Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and other planners went before the Parks Commission last week asking for more time to re-evaluate the project and fundraise. They are expected to present a "goal for a new approach towards the same goal" next month and "concrete options" in July.
"You know we're supportive of this," Chair Paula Albro said. "We're on your side so we'll keep the conversation going."
McGee said
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Letter: Elect Deborah Maynard in LanesboroughLetter to the Editor,
05:00PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | |
 To the Editor: Why I'm voting for Deborah Maynard for the Lanesborough Select Board. I have known Debbie for over 50 years. She is a person of high standards, moral values, intellect and integrity. Having worked with her, I know she possesses a strong work ethic, is competent, committed to excellence and takes pride the quality of her work.
She is active in the community and will bring to public service not only a vast amount of experience in municipal government but from life. Her common sense, character, experience and leadership abilities will guide her in the decision making that is necessary for the Select Board. Debbie grew up here, and is committed to preserving all she loves
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LVBC Annual Virtual Fundraiser: 30 in 30| 04:00PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County (LVBC) will hold their 5th annual virtual fundraiser, "30 in 30," through the RunReg.com platform. Participants are encouraged to pledge to complete 30 miles of walking, running, hiking, or biking from June 1 to June 30. The event is open to individuals across the United States. To participate, individuals must register on the event's website, https://www.RunReg.com/30-in-30-2024, with a registration fee of $35. Upon completion of the event, all participants will receive a t-shirt. Additionally, participants can solicit support from friends and family through donation pledges linked to 0 Comments
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BRPC Invites Applications to the Home Modification Loan Program| 04:00PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) invites applications to the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP). HMLP is a state-funded no- interest loan program to provide modifications to those in need of accessibility improvements to their homes. Eligible applicants include homeowners and landlords (with fewer than 10 units) with necessary changes needed to their homes to keep disabled or elderly family members in their own homes. Possible modifications include bathroom and kitchen modifications, ramps, stair lifts, platform lifts, sensory/therapy spaces, hard-wired alarm systems, fences, accessory dwelling units, and more. Please note that 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Man Killed in Pedestrian Crash| 10:34AM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Pittsfield man operating a mobility scooter was killed when he was struck by a pickup truck Tuesday night on Second Street. David Frye, 72, was traveling north on Second Street at about 7 p.m. when the collision occurred. He was taken by Action Ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. According to the police report, a 2014 Dodge Ram operated by Dyvine Smythe, 24, of Adams, was eastbound on Wallace Place to take a right turn onto Second Street. The report continued that while entering onto Second, he collided with a Frye and his scooter. Second Street was closed to traffic from Lake Street to Silver 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Settles on $786K Reimbursement in Cannabis Dispensary LawsuitBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:45AM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city will refund a sum of more than $786,000 to three local cannabis dispensaries for allegedly "unreasonable" Host Community Agreement fees, a lawsuit that has popped up around the state.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved the transfer and appropriation of $786,625 from free cash for the legal settlement that is years in the making. Temescal Wellness will receive $360,375, Berkshire Roots $341,000, and Bloom Brothers $85,250 as legal settlements for the repayment of a portion of fees collected between the fiscal years 2019 and 2022.
Officials report that Pittsfield has so far gotten the "best deal" in the state,
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Dalton Planning Board Establishes Sidewalk SubcommitteeBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board established a sidewalk subcommittee during its meeting last week. The subcommittee will review the proposed sidewalk bylaw amendment that was not acted upon during the annual town meeting on May 7. The amendment proposes amending the town bylaw to make concrete sidewalks the standard. During the meeting, Todd Logan, the citizen petitioner for the sidewalk amendment, reiterated what he had previously said during several meetings — that concrete sidewalks should be the standard — and presented the steps he had already taken while developing this amendment. "The way the proper way to do this 0 Comments
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PHS Proteus Theatre Hosts Annual Talent Showcase| 04:00PM / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High School's Proteus Theatre will hold its Annual Talent Showcase on May 31 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by students Stephanie Martin, Aaliyah Johnson, and Kayla Hunter, the event will feature performances by PHS students. The showcase will take place in the PHS Theatre, with tickets priced at $5, available for purchase at the door (cash or check) or online. Attendees are advised to enter through the Appleton entrance, while those requiring handicap access should use the back doors and email kblocker@pittsfield.net for assistance. 0 Comments
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Two Large Scale Drug Traffickers Arrested and Arraigned| 10:56AM / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On May 23 and May 24, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office arraigned two individuals, Michael Caropreso and George Stewart, on drug trafficking charges. Both Defendants were arrested on warrants following prior investigations into drug trafficking. The investigations were conducted by the Pittsfield Police Department and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force. Michael Caropreso, age 50 of Becket, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on May 23. When the Defendant was arrested, he possessed approximately 56 grams of cocaine. Caropreso is charged with Trafficking in Cocaine, 36 grams or more, less than 100 grams. He is 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Public Schools Hold Unified Game DayBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:42AM / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | |
Kids get a kick out of the Pittsfield Fire Department's Sparky. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public School children united on Friday morning to take part in the district's third annual Unified Game Day. The event brought together not just the district's special needs children and mainstreaming students but also their families, administrators, and staff, all participating in a daylong Special Olympics event at Clapp Park. "That inclusivity is something that's so important. It's such an important part of the Pittsfield Public Schools. It's a chance to celebrate the diversity of our students and that each student and 0 Comments
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BRTA Approves $11.7M Budget for FY25By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:34AM / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority's budget has increased by $1.7 million for fiscal year 2025, totaling $11.7 million.
On Thursday, the BRTA Advisory Board approved an $11,739,227 spending plan that includes nearly $223,000 in direct expenses for grant requirements. Fixed route fares increased by 13.5 percent, totaling around $682,500, and paratransit fares saw a more modest increase of 5.4 percent, totaling about $80.500.
The budget includes state reimbursements for two fare-free events in July and December.
Reimbursement for maintenance costs was increased by $5,000 to $20,000 "because it costs more to repair things," Administrator
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