Local Law Enforcement Raises $53,000 for Special Olympics

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North Adams Police posted photos of their participation in the event on their Facebook page. See more here.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 65 law enforcement officers spent two days atop Berkshire Crossing earlier this month to raise some $53,000 for Special Olympics Massachusetts. 

They took turns camping out Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, on top of the Walmart in Pittsfield for the second annual "Cop-On-Top," a Law Enforcement Torch Run program fundraiser.

The event featured music, food, raffles, and plenty of holiday generosity. It was televised on Pittsfield Community Television and broadcast live on WTBR 89.7FM (Taconic High School's radio station led by Larry Kratka).

Officers from Pittsfield, North Adams, Clarksburg, Hinsdale, Cheshire, state police, Boston College and the Berkshire County sheriff's office volunteered their time for the event.

They were assisted by family members, spouses and Civitan, an international service organization in which each club supports local needs. Several local businesses contributed goods, services or funds to the event.

Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programming for nearly 12,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. SOMA offers more than 130-year-round sporting competitions.

Through the power of sport, the movement helps to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It also helps unite by fostering a sense of community and building a civil society. For more information, visit www.SpecialOlympicsMA.org


Tags: fundraiser,   Special Olympics,   

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Pittsfield Resident Victim of Alleged Murder in Greenfield

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man found dismembered in a barrel in Greenfield on Monday has been identified as Pittsfield resident.
 
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office identified victim as Christopher Hairston, 35, and subsequently arrested a suspect, Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, at Albany (N.Y.) International Airport on Tuesday.
 
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported that Herberger-Brown told investigators he planned on visiting his mother outside the country. 
 
Herberger-Brown was detained overnight, and the State Police obtained an arrest warrant on a single count of murder on Tuesday morning, the Greenfield Police Department said in a press release.
 
According to a report written by State Police Trooper Blakeley Pottinger, the body was discovered after Greenfield police received reports of a foul odor emitting from the apartment along with a black hatchet to the left of the barrel, the Greenfield Recorder reported. 
 
Investigators discovered Hairston's hand and part of a human torso at Herberger-Brown’s former apartment, located at 92 Chapman St, the news outlet said. 
 
According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Herberger-Brown originally told investigators that he had not been to the apartment in months because he had been in and out of hospitals. 
 
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