CET will present a free solar energy workshop

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The Center for Ecological Technology (CETsm) will present a free solar energy workshop on Tuesday, April 4th from 7-9 p.m. in the Fisher Science Center at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington. The featured speaker will be Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer. This informational workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged. Skyrocketing energy costs and concern about our dependence on fossils fuels are leading many people to seek local, clean sources of energy. Recently, dozens of solar electric systems have been installed on homes, schools and public buildings in the Berkshires, and solar hot water systems are once again attracting attention. Grants and tax incentives now help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies. CET’s solar energy workshop is a good way to discover if a renewable energy system is a good fit. Those who attend will learn the basics of using energy from the sun to create electricity or heat water. Participants will learn how solar panels work, the system components, how to determine whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements. The workshop will also address average prices for solar electric and solar hot water systems and how to find local installers. The workshop will showcase systems in installed in the Berkshires. A highlight of the workshop will be information about financial incentives available from Massachusetts and the federal government. Mr. Vreeland will give an overview of tax incentives and will summarize a rebate program currently offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help homeowners and small businesses pay for renewable energy systems. Please pre-register if you are interested in attending. To find out more or to pre-register, contact Cynthia Grippaldi, at 413-445-4556 ext. 25 or email Nancy at: nancyn@cetonline.org. CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served western Massachusetts since 1976. CET receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. CET is an equal opportunity service provider. This workshop is made possible through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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