Herald Puts Downing at Top of Class in Social Media

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
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Sen. Benjamin Downing at the computer. Find him online at:
www.bendowning.org/
@BenjaminDowning
Facebook
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Our state senator got an A for achievement in social media from the Boston Herald on Monday.

The Herald graded some of the political users of social media and state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing of Pittsfield was at the top of the pack with an A-minus.

He tied with Boston District 7 City Councilor Tito Jackson (no, not that Tito Jackson) and U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, who was cited for his very interactive Twitter feed. (Follow him at @USSenScottBrown)


On the other hand, Gov. Deval Patrick (@MassGovernor) and senator-wannabe Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) got Cs for their very press releasey interactions.

We already knew our state senator was plugged in — he's the most Facebookin', emailin', tweetin' solon in Western Mass. But what pushed him to the top of the class? According to the Herald, it was his partnering with, ahem, iBerkshires.com in promoting his recent livestreaming Q&A.

So great job Sen. Downing! Though we are wondering, why only an A-minus? Get tweeting!!!

Tags: Internet,   social media,   

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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 smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

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