State Expert to Talk About ID Theft

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Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will host a free presentation, "Investment Fraud and Identity Theft," by the commonwealth's foremost expert in the field, attorney Anthony M. Drenzek of the secretary of state's Securities Division. This educational seminar will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Fairview Commons, 151 Christian Hill Road. Registration begins at 2 p.m. Topics will include descriptions of several recent enforcement actions into investment fraud schemes and ways to be protected from several types of fraud and identity theft. "This is an important educational presentation that will arm you with information you need to avoid becoming a victim," said Fairview Commons Administrator Patricia Janchuk. "With new technology continuing to evolve and more and more of our information being handled electronically, we all need to be aware of what we can do to protect ourselves." Studies suggest that ID theft is on the rise and, according to recently released research by the Identity Theft Research Center, most ID theft is perpetrated by friend and relatives of the victim. Meanwhile, the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud reports that insurance fraud is responsible for $80 billion in annual waste, for abuse in the areas of workers compensation, home insurance, health care and more. Please reserve a seat by calling 413-528-7113 by Tuesday, Nov. 27. Food and refreshments will be served.
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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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