Pittsfield Police Arrest Man Allegedly Involved in Fatal Stabbing

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Update: Josiah Helmer, age 27, was arraigned for murder on Friday in Central Berkshire District Court and held without the right of bail. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 10. 
 
PITTSFILED, Mass. — A 27-year-old city man has been arrested in Tuesday's fatal stabbing. 
 
Multiple law enforcement officers arrested Josiah Helmer on Thursday at a residence on Dalton Avenue on an outstanding warrant charging him with murder. 
 
The charge stemmed from the stabbing that occurred on Melville Street on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 12. Police responded at about 10:45 p.m. to the report of a stabbing on Melville Street, near the intersection with First Street. A 42-year-old man, whose identity was not disclosed, was found at the scene. Officers, firefighters and Action Ambulance Personnel provided the victim with emergency medical care and he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where he later died. 
 
Helmer was booked and is expected to be arraigned in Pittsfield District Court later Friday.
 
The collaborative investigation after the homicide led to the suspect's apprehension less than 48 hours after his violent crime. The investigation and arrest were effectuated by the following agencies and departments: 
  • PPD Detective Bureau
  • PPD Drug Unit
  • PPD Anti-Crime Unit
  • PPD Patrol Division
  • Berkshire County Special Response Team
  • Berkshire County Sheriff's Department 
  • Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit Assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office
Anyone who wishes to provide information on this case is asked to contact Detective Neil Goodrich at 413-448-9700 x554. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to
TIP411 (847411).

Tags: homicide,   murder,   stabbing,   

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Dalton Select Board Reorganizes

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted Robert Bishop as chair and Dan Esko as vice chair during its meeting last week. 
 
The motion was made by Marc Strout and seconded by Bishop to nominate Esko as vice chair. 
 
Esko has been on the board for four years and has served as vice chair for one year thus far. 
 
He said later that he is feeling very positive about the future and is happy to continue serving as vice chair.
 
"Having served as chair of the Planning Board for several years previously, I am comfortable in a board leadership role and can run meetings competently and efficiently in the absence of the chair," he said in a follow-up.
 
"I am looking forward to continuing my work on the Select Board with my colleagues to address the town’s current and future needs in collaboration with the Town Manager, department heads, and other boards and committees." 
 
The motion was made by Strout and seconded by Joesph Diver to nominate Bishop for chair. The decision passed unanimously. 
 
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