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Election
Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here. |
Daily Digest
This is Jake
He's been lost in Pittsfield for weeks but frequently sited. He was last seen heading toward the fire station on Peck's Road. He's tired, dirty and needs seizure medication. He's chipped. If you see him, call Julie at 413-537-5616, the vet 24/7 at 413-499-2820 or animal control at 413-448-9700. |
ObituariesSales FliersWhat's Playing
The popular anime character "Astro Boy" searches for acceptance on the big screen.
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BazaarsNov. 7:
VNA & Hospice, Community Room, North Adams
North Adams Elks
10-4; Nov. 8, 9-2
Crafters, Chinese auction, bake sale
For vendor information, Melanie at 413-743-5562.
Nov. 14
Berkshire Community Church, Richmond
10-4; Crafters, bake sale. Contact Evelyn Goggia at 413-445-5747
Lanesborough Elementary School annual Fall Craft Fair from 10 to 4. Free admission, huge variety of arts and crafts, raffles, food and more. Proceeds go to sixth-grade trip to Cape Cod.
Vendors can contact Deb at 413-738-5349 or debhutton@aol.com or Lori at 413-499-0065 or lorittod@yahoo.com to secure a spot.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Contact Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here. |
Sports | Thursday, Nov. 06
Boys' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
McCann Tech 3, Keefe Tech 2
Girls' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
Blackstone Valley 8, McCann Tech 0 |
Related Stories |
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Broadband Bill Unanimously Passes HouseStaff reports
iBerkshires
12:10PM / Tuesday, July 01, 2008
BOSTON — The state House of Representatives not only overwhelmingly passed a broadband initiative aimed bringing Internet service to underserved areas, it upped the pricetag by $15 million.
The measure was approved 144-0 on Monday afternoon. Rep. Denis E. Guyer, D-Dalton, earlier filed an amendment raising the bond bill's funding to $40 million.
"The additional $15 million in funding will allow us to reach further in our efforts to provide broadband access to both unserved and underserved communities, rather than having to choose one or the other," said Guyer in a statement. "This is incredibly important for my constituents and the commonwealth as a whole."
Many of the communities Guyer represents have no access to high-speed Internet.
The bond bill was unveiled last August by Gov. Deval Patrick as a way to encourage investment in broadband capacity in rural and suburban areas.
The legislation would create a broadband incentive fund for developing public and private partnerships to invest in broadband infrastructure tools like conduits, fiber and wireless towers. The fund would be managed by a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
Some 32 communities statewide have little or no Internet access, primarily in Western Massachusetts. Other regions are locked into monopolies with no choice of provider.
To view larger map, click here |
Advocates say dedicated, dependable high-spped Internet access is critical to economic development, likening broadband efforst to the massive federal initiative more than 70 years ago that brought electricity to small communities across the nation. As more and more financial and govermental transactions are being accomplished online, it also is becoming a primary way to deliver services and information to constituents and consumers.
Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, a strong proponent of the measure and House chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, called the limited access to broadband "a detriment not only to those individual communities but to the state as a whole."
"Every day that they don't have access, we're losing the ability to cultivate our state's greatest asset – the ingenuity, creativity, and motivation of the state's residents," said Bosley in a statement. "I am very happy that the House has made such a strong commitment."
Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, said, "This is great news for our state. This is important for my district and the western part of the state in general. I share my colleagues excitement and look forward to a speedy implementation."
The bill awaits action in the Senate before being sent to the governor's desk. State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, is also a strong backer of the measure. |
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