BEAT: Bringing Pollinators Home

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for an enlightening evening dedicated to exploring ways to promote sustainable biodiversity through intentional gardening and the cultivation of native plants that support native pollinators and wildlife.
 
This free and open-to-the-public event will be held on Wednesday, April 17, from 6 PM to 8 PM, on the lower floor of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, 1 Wendell Ave.
 
Starting with a social gathering and a chance to review the available prizes that will be given away at the end of the night, the event will feature a recorded presentation by Doug Tallamy, an entomologist, ecologist, and author, where he discusses his book "Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens." 
 
Following the viewing of Tallamy's talk, Jim McGrath, the Open Space and Natural Resource Program Manager of Pittsfield's Parks, will outline plans for native plantings in downtown Pittsfield.
 
Bruce Winn, a Berkshire Community College (BCC) Professor and BEAT board member, will discuss ongoing efforts to transform BCC into a "pollinator campus," while Terri Stiffler, also a BEAT board member, will lead a discussion on "No Mow May." The evening will conclude with a giveaway of prizes, which include gift certificates from local businesses.
 
RSVP for this event through Eventbrite; register here: www.tinyurl.com/Native-Plants-Pollinators
 
This event is sponsored and organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Pittsfield. Learn more at www.thebeatnews.org.

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Adams Man Convicted in Murder of Stephanie Olivieri

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man was found guilty in the 2019 murder of 32-year-old Stephanie Olivieri, a Pittsfield native and mother of two.
 
A jury found Tyler Sumner, 30, guilty on Friday of murder in the first degree and possession of ammunition without a Firearm Identification Card.
 
The trial was held in Berkshire Superior Court. Judge Francis Flannery will schedule sentencing.
 
"Today justice was served in the tragic death of an innocent bystander, Stephanie Olivieri; however, this guilty verdict will do nothing to bring her back," said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "Tyler Sumner murdered Ms. Olivieri while she sat in a car filled with gifts and decorations for her child's birthday. She was preparing to celebrate a wonderful event when her life was ruthlessly cut short."
 
Olivieri, who had been living in Yonkers, N.Y., was found sitting in her running car on Columbus Avenue when police responded to reports of masked men near South John Street and heard gunshots on the way.
 
The officers found Olivieri gasping for breath and blood running down the right side of her head. She was treated by emergency medical services and then transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. The Chief Medical Examiner found the cause of her death to be a homicide caused by wounds sustained from a bullet to her head.
 
Multiple individuals testified that they believed Sumner was targeting an individual living in the area of the shooting and that Olivieri was not the intended target.
 
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