North Adams - HIV testing will be offered at North Adams Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 2, and Thursday, February 16 at 1 p.m. The service is offered on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
Those wishing to be tested should arrive at 1 p.m. and may have to wait briefly to be seen. The HIV testing clinic is conducted in Suite 210 of the Ambulatory Care Center (doctors' office building) on the campus of NARH. Testing is confidential and can be anonymous. No appointments are necessary. There is no charge for testing, although donations are accepted. Clients must return in person to receive the results of testing, as they cannot be given over the phone or by mail.
The program targets high-risk individuals including injection drug users and their sexual partners, men who are having unsafe sex with other men, heterosexual individuals who are having unsafe sex with multiple partners, the sex partners of bisexual men, and individuals who are having sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The program offers several other services as well. Testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea and chlamydia, is available free of charge although third-party payments are accepted, as are donations. Additional STD testing is available on a fee for service basis. Herpes serology testing to determine if an individual is infected with Herpes 2 is available at a cost of $21; most third party payors cover this testing.
Hepatitis C testing is available for $20; third party payors will usually cover this cost. Hepatitis A and B vaccine is available for at risk individuals at no cost. However, there is a limited supply of vaccine available, this service will not be available once the supply has been depleted.
Jacqueline Roy-Elliott, BSN, RN, Director of the State Clinics at Berkshire Medical Center, will provide services. For more information one may call the clinic office at (413) 447-2654.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
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