Haddad Sock Game to Benefit Pittsfield Community Connection

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Haddad Auto Group will be hosting a Facebook game called the Haddad Sock Game to raise up to $2,000 for Pittsfield Community Connection.

Pittsfield Community Connection is a new, citywide program that aims to engage high-risk youth and encourage them to make positive choices. Specifically, this summer the organization will be offering mentoring services, as well as activities at three neighborhood community centers.

Bill Ellsworth, finance manager at Haddad Hyundai, originally suggested that the organization be the beneficiary of the sock game funds.

"Pittsfield Community Connection's goal is to provide positive role models for at risk youth," Ellsworth said. "I think it’s a great idea."

To enter the Haddad Sock Game — and benefit Pittsfield Community Connection — fans have only to post a photo of themselves wearing crazy socks to one of the Haddad Auto Group Facebook pages, using the hashtag #haddadsockgame. For every post, Haddad Auto Group will donate $1 to the organization, up to $2,000.


"We were looking for an organization to get behind and endorse that is having a positive effect on the community. Pittsfield Community Connection seemed like the perfect fit," explained Mike Coggins, Haddad general manager. "The Haddad Sock Game started with the staff trying to out do each other with their over the top socks – but we started getting comments all over town so we decided to include the community. The Haddad Sock Game is a fun, positive thing everyone can get involved with."

Adam Hinds, program director, Pittsfield Community Connection, added, “We are incredibly grateful to Haddad for their generous assistance. This boost comes at a critical time as we launch our programming for the summer months focused on local community centers."

In addition to cash donations, Pittsfield Community Connection is accepting donations of athletic equipment, educational materials, food, clothing, gaming consoles, music, and office furniture.

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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