Tourism Tuesday Meeting, keynote speaker will be Sen. Downing

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State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing will be the keynote speaker at this month’s Tourism Tuesday meeting, being held Sept. 23 from noon until 1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. Sen. Downing will discuss how tourism fared in the latest state budget, the MassPike information centers closing and cultural facilities funding.

Since 2006 Downing, who serves 48 communities in western Massachusetts, has represented the Senate in a variety of capacities including as a member of the Governor’s Local Government Advisory Commission, the Council of State Government’s Eastern Leadership Academy and the National Conference of State Legislatures Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Energy. In Pittsfield, the Senator serves as the Co-Chair of the Leadership Council to End Chronic Homelessness in Berkshire County.

Members and non-members are invited to attend Tourism Tuesdays, which are held to provide educational industry information, foster networking opportunities and offer an introduction to the Bureau and its activities. Lunch is a buffet with dessert, and the cost is $18 for members and $22 for non-members. For a reservation or information, call (413) 743-4500, ext. 224 by Sept. 17.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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