DA Sponsors Anti-Bullying Workshop

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PITTSFIELD - The Berkshire District attorney’s office is continuing its efforts to address bullying with a conference in Pittsfield on Monday, Oct. 15. District Attorney David F. Capeless says 160 area educators, representing 47 Berkshire County Schools, will attend a half-day training at the Berkshire Hills Country Club on Monday from 11 to 3. Elizabeth Englander will be the keynote speaker. Englander, the director of the Massachusetts Aggression Center at Bridgewater State College, is a clinical psychologist and nationally-recognized bullying expert. She will speak about cyber-bullying and the effects violent media and video games have on our youth. Capeless says, "Bullying and the resulting school violence have devastating consequences for schools and families across our nation. Law enforcement, educators and parents must work together to recognize and respond appropriately to the potential risks facing our students today." For more information please contact Carol Mulcahy, director of Community Outreach Education, at the district attorney’s Office at (413) 443-5951.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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