Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
36°  H- 87%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
Thursday December 4, 2008
 Make us your homepage!
 

Daily Digest

School Closing
Conte Middle School in North Adams will be closed Friday, December 5, as the investigation into a mercury spill continues.
Light'em Up!
North Adams kicks off the holiday season with its annual treelighting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m.

Pittsfield lights its tree on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 at Park Square.
Like to Write?
Passionate about local sports? Into the environment? Obsessive about local meetings?

Let your neighbors know what's going on in Berkshire County! iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more.
Got Flu?
Track its spread through Google!
How much is heating oil this week?
How to get heating help
Win a restaurant gift certificate.
Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how.

Obituaries

Dorothy Duchardt, 92
Dorothy M. Mazza, 66
Laurie F. Mundy, 52
Mildred M. Walden, 92
Robert A. Meier Jr., 79
More obituaries

What's Playing


A television-hero pup (John Travolta) thinks he's a real superdog in the Disney film "Bolt."
Movie schedules and times

Sales Fliers

 
 

Columnists

That's Life

Dealing with Dirty Laundry

Independent Investor

Economy Will Dictate Agenda, Not President

Pick of the Week

Staind

Sports 'N Stuff

NFL Midseason Report Card



Sawxheads gets a mention in CNN Money News

Other Stuff

Federal government has 8,000 job openings
The president-elect's new Web site
www.change.gov

 Search: 
 for    

Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

News & Notes: Cell Phones — Use Them & Lose Them

By Larry Kratka - August 25, 2008
Berkshire News Network

Pittsfield Cracks Down on Cell Phones

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield Public Schools will be cracking down hard on students who use cell phones in classrooms and North Adams schools may be next. 

Last week, the Pittsfield School Committee voted to give teachers permission to confiscate cell phones used during the school day. The new policy replaces one already in effect that limited confiscation of cell phones and other electronic devices to the principal of the school. Not any more. 

The North Adams School Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. to take up the same question: should cell phones, iPods, MP3 players or handheld video game systems be banned from use during school hours?  If they vote for the ban, it would go into effect on Sept. 3.  The problem of cell phones and other electronic devices is not confined to just high schools but middle schools and even elementary schools.

Last Week of School Vacation

PITTSFIELD — This is it, the final week of summer vacation for most Berkshire County students. Labor Day is a week from today and most schools will open for business on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Pittsfield schools will open with two half-days on Sept. 2 and 3. Next Tuesday will be the first day of school for students in Grades 1 through 5, 6 and 9. There is a kindergarten parent orientation at the elementary schools but no school for kindergarten students.  Wednesday, Sept. 3, all students will report to class for a half-day session. Full days begin on Thursday, Sept. 4.

State Primary Slated Sept. 16

PITTSFIELD — September is right around the corner and with the new month comes the primary election.

From the looks of it, the Sept. 16 primary will be anything but exciting. In fact, none of the four Berkshire state representatives, state senator or even the register of probate has any challengers this year from either the Democratic or Republican parties.

The only contests on the Democratic side will be between U.S. Sen. John Kerry and his challenger from Gloucester, Edward O'Reilly. On the congressional side, Democrat U.S. Rep. John Olver is being challenged for his 1st Massachusetts seat by Robert Feuer of Stockbridge. That's it. 

Once the dust settles from the U.S. Senate primary, the winner will face Republican Jeffrey Beatty of Harwich. On the U.S. House side, the winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Nathan Bech. No Republicans are running against any of the Berkshire County delegation, who are all Democrats.

Monday Gasoline Prices

PITTSFIELD — Another Monday is upon us and that means a look at who has the lowest gasoline prices.  There is no doubt that the lowest gasoline prices in the Berkshires are in Pittsfield, with $3.57 a gallon for regular gas seen Sunday on Merrill Road. 

North Adams came in higher yesterday with the lowest price seen at $3.65 a gallon. Gas prices in Lee and Great Barrington continue higher then anywhere else in the Berkshires. Many motorists are wondering if gas prices will increase for the Labor Day Weekend but industry analysts don't seem to think so and predict that prices will continue to slide downward.

Provided by iBerkshires media partners WNAW and WUPE.
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
www.iberkshires.com
www.ateffinejeweler.com
www.iberkshires.com
www.iberkshires.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Borrow Movies
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Weddings | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 237 ms