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GOVERNMENT
Lanesborough Select Board OKs Resources For Storm Damage
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town recognizes the need for additional resources to clear damage from last week's storm. On Monday, the Select Board voted to allocate additional funds for the highway department to come in on a Friday for brush collection. The Town Hall and offices normally operate on a four-day week Monday through Thursday.
Pittsfield expecting visit from VP Kamala Harris this weekend
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to be in Pittsfield this weekend. The event was scheduled before President Joe Biden made the announcement he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Harris. It was intended to serve as a fundraiser for the Biden reelection campaign. The sold-out event...
Afternoon Arrival Estimated for Harris on Saturday
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to arrive in Pittsfield early Saturday afternoon, according to emerging information about the campaign event. Gov. Maura Healey will greet her at Westfield-Barnes Airport around 12:30 p.m. The Pittsfield event is expected to start around 1:30 p.m. "Please be advised...
Former Gov. Deval Patrick ready for VP Harris' trip to Berkshire County Saturday
Kamala Harris already made history four years ago when she was elected with President Joe Biden as vice president. Now, she's hoping to keep Democrats in control of the White House in an accelerated campaign against former President Donald Trump. It's anyone's guess right now November will play out now that the Trump-Biden rematch is off the table, but one person who is watching closely is former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick — who is raising money for Harris' effort in the Bay State, where he served two terms as its first Black governor.
Pittsfield Advises Against Contact with Housatonic for 48 Hours after Accidental Discharge
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield is advising people to avoid contact with the Housatonic River until late Friday night after an accidental discharge of untreated wastewater near 901 Holmes Road. The Department of Public Services and Utilities sent the notification by email to local media at 11:06...
Cheshire Gears Up for 2nd Annual Summer Festival
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) is set to host the 2nd annual Cheshire Summer Festival this coming July 27. "With this being our 10th year of block parties / festivals, we've seen how impactful bringing folks together for a good time can be," CCA President John Tremblay said in an email exchange. "Witnessing lots of smiling, happy people is always a testament to the value."
Pecks Road bridge closed after MassDOT inspection
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Pecks Road bridge has been closed until further notice. The bridge had been a one-lane road since 2019 after an inspection found weakened support beam structures. Now, following an inspection and report Monday, MassDOT asked the city to shut it down completely due to more deterioration found.
MA Residents: Catch A Concert In The Heart Of Lenox!
Bay State residents: We bring you Sounds of Summer at The Great Barrington VFW every Tuesday evening as crowds are dancing the night away. Did you know that on the day later in downtown Lenox, the popular weekly Concerts in the Park series is celebrating it's 15th anniversary by offering Wednesday night performances showcasing local and regional bands and you STILL have time to check out a FREE show.
3 Massachusetts College Towns Are Among the Best in the Northeast
Any New Englander will tell you that there are many factors contributing to the region's excellent reputation, including the schools and higher education opportunities. New England is home to over 250+ colleges and universities, according to The New England Board of Higher Education and CollegeSimply. But it's not just these institutions which hold appeal to prospective students; it's the towns they're located in. After all, when you're not in the classroom or studying, these communities are where you go to shop, eat, and have fun with friends.
Williamstown Fire District Developing Policy on Members Who Hit Retirement Age
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday discussed the need for a policy for all call-volunteer firefighters who reach the state's mandatory retirement age. And the panel talked about how the Fire Department can continue to utilize the experience of members who have reached the age of 65.
West Stockbridge’s Card Pond continues to be closed due to high bacteria levels in water
West Stockbridge — Although the town’s annual Card Pond Party is iconic in the area, this year, that tradition won’t be followed. The event was canceled June 14 and swimming at the popular recreation spot continues to be prohibited due to high levels of Escherichia coli (E. Coli) or harmful bacteria in the water. Pursuant to the town’s website, the local Board of Health will keep the pond closed until test results show safe levels of bacteria due to the risk of illness from coming into contact with water at the site. Notices were given June 25 and updated July 9.
Board of Health’s decision on tobacco sales at Dollar General tabled until future meeting
Great Barrington — The company that operates Dollar General wants to sell tobacco products at its store at 197 Main Street. The store, which is the seventh in Berkshire County, opened earlier this year in the former Walgreens location. According to its website, the company, based out of Goodlettsville,...
Williamstown Dog Owners to Select Board: 'Let Us Deal with It'
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday was told that it should let the people who walk their dogs in the Spruces Park decide how the 114-acre town-owned park is managed. A resident who self-described as a representative of "dog park parents and their little friends" told the...
Pittsfield Housing Trust Digs into ARPA Proposals
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Affordable Housing Trust has stepped toward allocating its $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding. Last week, the trust reviewed five letters of intent for housing projects in the city and will ask the parties to submit a full application. ARPA funds must be allocated by December 2026 and applications will be handled on a rolling basis as they come in.
Lee officials mull adding electric vehicle charging stations to downtown
Lee — Following a July 16 presentation by East Coast Renewable Energy (East Coast) President Nicholas Valorie, the Select Board is considering adding electric vehicle charging stations to the downtown area, with those locations yet to be determined. Valorie advocated that the program would create Level 3 charging stations within the town’s borders at no cost to the municipality for its first year of operation, the product of National Grid and Eversource incentives covering 97 percent of equipment and installation costs. East Coast would donate the remainder of the fees, including five years of software needed to run the stations.
Leigh Davis has demonstrated all the necessary attributes to serve as state representative
An ideal representative legislates, advocates, communicates, is accountable, and has been in our shoes, showing empathy that leads. After 11 positively impactful terms, Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli is passing the torch for the 3rd Berkshire District, showing what a true representative does: putting the constituency above personal ego.
Berkshires Gets $4.3M in CDBG Grants
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires is getting $4.3 million Community Development Block Grants for housing, road and social services programs. Gov. Maura Healey announced some $39 million in CDBG grant awards to 65 communities at Chelsea City Hall on Thursday. Among the awardees: Becket and Dalton: $999,810 for...
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