News & Notes: Gas Prices Continue to Slide
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PITTSFIELD — After a brief spike in gasoline prices when Hurricane Ike blew through the Gulf of Mexico and struck the Texas coastline, gas prices have slowly been drifting downward.
Gasoline prices in Massachusetts are down six cents over last week, according to AAA Southern New England, wiping out last week's 6 cent jump because of Ike.
The lowest price for regular gasoline seen in Pittsfield yesterday was $3.51 a gallon. North Adams has Pittsfield beat with one gas station on Ashland Street selling regular gas for $3.49 a gallon. Gasoline prices are higher in Great Barrington and Lee — as always.
Monday is First Day of Autumn
PITTSFIELD — Sunday was the last full day of summer and that means that fall begins today. The autumn equinox is defined as the point at which the sun appears to cross the celestial equator from north to south.
A popular definition of fall is nights of below-freezing temperatures combined with days of temperatures below 70 degrees. The word equinox means "equal night"; night and day are the same length of time. The spring equinox is in late March.
Patrick Administration Plans 'Listening Posts'
PITTSFIELD — State environmental officials plan to begin a "listening tour" beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 24, to seek public comment as it drafts its landmark ocean protection plan. The first stop on the tour is Gloucester. The last stop will be in Pittsfield on Oct. 29.
The Ocean Act of 2008 requires that all decisions and permits related to state-controlled waters up to three miles from the coast conform to a single, science-based management plan, instead of being considered on a case-by-case basis.
BRTA Seeks Input on How to Improve
PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has been retained by the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority to assess its bus service.
The commission is collecting data from both BRTA riders and non-riders to evaluate the Transit Authority's service in the Berkshires. The commission will also provide recommendations for how the BRTA can make improvements. The study will involve the feasibility of various methods including optimizing bus service, identifying alternate routes, coordinating with shift changes and reducing wait times.
If you would like to provide input on the BRTA's services, fill out a survey online www.berkshireplanning.org.
Rockwell Museum Marks 'The Runaway's Anniversary
STOCKBRIGE — The Norman Rockwell Museum celebrated its 50th anniversary of the iconic image "The Runaway" on Saturday.
The image depicts a kindly state trooper seated next to a young boy, whose knapsack reveals an attempt to run away from home; behind the counter, an older, world-weary man looks on with a sympathetic smile.
To mark the occasion, former State Trooper Dick Clemens and Ed Locke, the original models for "The Runaway," were welcomed by the museum on Saturday. Clemens and Locke discussed what it was like to pose for Norman Rockwell, and the men also talked about how the image continues to inspire law enforcement officers throughout the country.
At the anniversary celebration, Clemens and Locke also shared their memories of living in Stockbridge in the late 1950s, when Rockwell was a neighbor.
Provided by the Berkshire News Network, Radio Stations WNAW/WUPE, news partners of iBerkshires.
