Flood Chute Repairs in Federal Spending Bill

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A half-million in funds to fix a deteriorating section of the Hoosic River flood control chute made it into a federal spending bill passed late Wednesday night.

"The Army Corps of Engineers said it had to be fixed," said Mayor John Barrett III on Thursday about a segment of concrete wall that failed in the North Branch of the Hoosic River along River Street. Another section behind Best-Way Car Wash on River Street had been a concern, as well, but was considered stabilized, he said.

The city is responsible for operation and maintenance of the nearly 70-year-old flood control project, built by the government after a series of damaging floods. The Army Corps of Engineers inspects the miles of enclosed waterways.

Two weeks ago, the Army engineers surveyed a section of the flood control chute along River Street and found an area that required repairs, said the mayor. The city was given 60 days to come up with a plan to fix it.

U.S. Rep. John Olver, D-Amherst, a ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, placed funding for the repairs in the $554 billion omnibus spending bill. The city will receive $492,000; the project will go out for public bid.

"This repair is key to protecting the property and safety of businesses and residents who live along the Hoosic River," said Olver in a statement. "The improved flood control chute will help shield North Adams the next time strong rains cause floods."

The deadline meant a last-minute scramble for funding as the appropriations bill was heading to a vote. "Rep. Olver did a great job getting this in," said Barrett.

Olver's chief of staff, Hunter Ridgway, said Thursday they had been told the president was preparing to sign the bill.

However, President Bush in a press conference late Thursday afternoon charged the Democratic Congress with "wasteful spending" and said his budget director would be looking for ways to deal with some of the 9,800 earmarks in the bill, according to the Washington Post.

Billions for Iraq The bill also contains $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan the president requested, along with $5 million in earmarks for Berkshire County, including $1.4 million for the downtown Pittsfield streetscape, $246,000 for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, $750,000 for the rehabilitation of Dalton's Windsor Dam and $882,000 for the nonprofit veterans' organization Soldier On, which operates a residential home in Pittsfield.

Berkshire Rides will receive $588,000, the bulk of its operating funds, said Executive Director Jana Hunkler Brule.

The nonprofit organization works to improve public transportation access for residents in the towns of Florida, Clarksburg, Savoy, Cheshire, North Adams, Adams and Williamstown. It provides rides to work for people who live off public transportation routes and for youth groups going to after-school activities. The funding is especially welcome because the organization is feeling the pinch from increasing fuel costs.

"We've been trying to be more efficient, such as carpooling, because gas costs have gone up so much," she said. "So far, so good."

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring  — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.

Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.

But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.

Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.

"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."

Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.

"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.

Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.

Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.

She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours. 

She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls. 

The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10  to 5 and Tuesdays 10  to 3 for the holidays. 

Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.

"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."

Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.