WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Police are seeking information about an armed assault that occurred Sunday at about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of South and Main streets.

The victim reported being approached from behind by the assailant, who assaulted and held a knife on the victim while looking for money.

The victim was able to get free and call for help. The invidual was treated at North Adams Regional Hospital for minor facial injuries sustained in the altercation.

The suspect is described a white male, about 6-foot-tall, wearing a dark jacket with a hooded sweat shirt underneath and a beanie hat, or tocque. The victim was not identified.

Williamstown Police are asking that residents report any suspicious behavior or motor vehicles immediately by dialing the department 413-458-5733 or the emergency 911 number. Anyone with information about this specific incident is asked to contact Sgt. Scott McGowan at the department number.
 

ADAMS, Mass. — An early morning blaze damaged a home on Old Columbia Street on Sunday morning.

According to a release from the Fire Department, Richard R. Speed was awakened by smoke in his 399 Old Columbia St. home and called 911 at 3:28 a.m. to report a possible chimney fire.

Responding crews from the Adams Alert Hose Company found smoke showing from the gable vents of the attic and an active fire in the wall and ceiling adjacent to a woodstove chimney.

Firefighters were able to knock down the fire and damage was contained to the first-floor wall and ceiling. All units were clear of the scene by 6:09 a.m. Assistant Chief Edward Capeless stated that there were no injuries at the scene and the home is habitable.

The Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department responded via mutual aid to cover the Adams station for the duration of the call.

Cases heard before Judge Daniel Ford on Wednesday, April 3.

Craig Hill, 47, of Pittsfield pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

He was sentenced to three to five years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction. The charges stem from a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield on Jan. 12.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are ask residents to safeguard their homes after several house break ins.

Police are investigation several breaks including two during the day on Monday. Residents are reporting that doors were forces open and valuable were stolen. At one home a Nintendo Wii with accessories were stolen, at another a St. Joseph Class of 1977 ring was stolen.

Other residents have reported similar incidents. A resident in the southeast section of the city found her front window broken and a 14K gold necklace with diamond pendant and a blue birthstone ring with two diamonds were stolen. Another resident reported that an iPad and Canon camera was stolen but there was no forced entry. At another home a window was broken on the side of the house from a screen porch and a silver and black iPod was stolen.

Police are advising residents to lock doors and first floor windows, invest in solid core doors with sturdy frames and good lock, keep shrubs trimmed back from windows, lock car doors and don't leave valuable in the car, keep an eye out for your neighbors, report suspicious activity or persons, consider an alarm or wireless home security system and call police if you discover your home has been broke into.

If anyone has any information regarding the break-ins are asked to call the detective bureau at 413-448-9705.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — William Enser Jr., the president of Berkshire Enviro-Labs, was back in Superior Court on Tuesday facing new charges.

Enser previously pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of knowingly falsifying reports submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection and 15 counts of willfully making false reports to MassDEP. He allegedly backdated drinking-water sample analysis to cover up misconduct and feign compliance with environmental laws.

He now faces an additional 14 counts of willfully making false reports to the MassDEP and another 14 counts of knowingly falsifying submitted reports, all of which he pleaded not guilty to in Berkshire Superior Court on Monday. The additional charges brings the total counts up to 58.

According to Attorney General Martha Coakley, Enser, 63, of Lee, continued to work at the lab through February 2013 and failed to submit required sampling that showed bacterial contamination in drinking water samples.

Enser allegedly hid samples that revealed contamination and instead took multiple samples and sent only passing results to the state. Authorities say that in one instance in October 2012, Enser directed an employee to report a drinking water sample which had come from the tap in the Enviro-Labs’ office instead of the public water source.

The lab's certification for testing samples has been revoked by the state.

"These additional charges allege that this defendant failed to submit water sample analysis that showed bacterial contamination to the MassDEP," Coakley said in a press release issued on Tuesday. "He is now prohibited from being involved in the operation of the company and is no longer able to tamper with water testing reports and potentially put people at risk."

After the first arraignment, Enser was prohibited by the court to act as the drinking water system operator, take drinking water samples, conducting water testing or reporting water data. But, he remained active with the company and Judge Daniel Ford ordered receivership of Enviro-Labs. Enser is prohibited from being involved in the company in any way.

"The Environmental Strike Force's continued investigation into the activities of Mr. Enser, who has already been indicted for falsifying drinking water reports, has now revealed evidence of additional fraud," said Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell of MassDEP. "MassDEP is committed to upholding the integrity and the safety of drinking water programs across the Commonwealth."

The investigation began in September 2012. Enser is due back in court in June.