Habitat for Humanity Showcase Trees Available Oct. 1

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity will hold its annual Christmas Tree Showcase at the First Congregational Church on Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 6 p.m., as part of the annual Williamstown Holiday Walk.

Last year more than 100 trees were raffled off. Each year the creativity of participants grows. Some of the trees have themes, while others have a more traditional holiday flare. Previous theme trees have been: birds in paradise, snowflakes and lights, athletics, story time, skiing, apples, toy land, dogs & cats and more. Both children and adults alike had fun putting their raffle tickets in the box for the tree(s) they wanted. It is a fun family outing for all.
 
Members of the community, schools, churches, local businesses and community organizations are invited to purchase miniature artificial trees for $7 each to decorate and contribute to the showcase and raffle, or for personal use.

Trees may be purchased as of Oct. 1 in Williamstown at St. John’s Church (church school entrance), 35 Park St.; First Congregational Church, 906 Main St; Alton and Westall, 77 Water St; and Goodman’s Jewelers, 32 Spring St.; and in North Adams at DiLego Jewelry Store, 16 Ashland St.; I Got Goodies, 85 Main St.; and the First Baptist Church, 131 Main St.

Trees can also be picked up at the Habitat office at 61 Main St., Suite 244, in  North Adams on Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 413-664-4440.

 

 

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Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.

Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.

There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.

"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."

Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder. 

Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.

According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.

Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.

Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.

The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.

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