2012 Berkshire Alzheimer's Walk Slated for Sept. 29

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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Alzheimer's Association 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer's will take place on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail at Farnams Causeway on Saturday, Sept. 29.

The walk follows the accessible rail trail along scenic Cheshire Reservoir. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the kick-off ceremony begins at 9. Participants may walk as much or as little as they choose.

Refreshments, entertainment, and information will be available throughout the morning. Overflow parking with shuttle service is accessible at the Allied Waste Services lot, on Route 8 about a mile north of the walk site, and south of the site at the Sears end of the Berkshire Mall.
 
Morning highlights include a lakeside concert by David Grover, balloon magic with Bowey the Clown, and a yoga dance. A barbecue lunch will be provided by Hillcrest Commons and pizza by Papa Joe's Ristorante.
 
Donna and Steve Smith, Berkshire franchise owners of Home Instead Senior Care, are the event's honorary chairs.

"It is very evident when you work with seniors that Alzheimer's disease is an issue that touches us all, either now, in the past or in our future. It is so important that we all get involved now," said Donna Smith. Home Instead will be among the exhibitors showcasing available resources and be on hand to answer questions.

 
Dr. Paul R. Solomon, clinical director, and Dr. Cynthia A. Murphy, executive director of the Memory Clinic in Bennington, Vt., return as the clinical chairmen for the Berkshire walk.

"There has never been a greater need to join in the fight against Alzheimer's," said Murphy. "Funds raised by the walk will provide care and support services to the people of Massachusetts affected by Alzheimer's, while also contributing to advancing critically-needed research."
 
Alzheimer's disease is now the nation's sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to surge, increasing well beyond today's estimated 5.4 million Americans. The disease has a enormous impact on family members, with over 15 million providing care to a loved one, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
 
To learn more or to participate, call 413-499-0691 or visit www.alzwalkMANH.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.

Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.

There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.

"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."

Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder. 

Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.

According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.

Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.

Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.

The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.

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