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Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Theme Announced

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Parade Committee announced that the 2016 Fourth of July Parade theme is “Music & Dance Through the Years.”

“Our 2016 theme emanated from a combination of suggestions we received from the community, many promoting the idea that we should honor the Berkshires’ tradition of great summer music and dance venues," Pittsfield Parade Committee President Peter Marchetti said. "The other piece is that the theme will tie in nicely with the drum corps show that will take place on July 3 at Wahconah Park.”

Parade applications are now being accepted. Applications will be mailed to past attendees and for those who would like to participate for the first time, applications may be found online at www.pittsfieldparade.com or by calling 413-447-7763.

Also, the committee has kicked off the fundraising drive for the 2016 parade. The committee is looking for corporate sponsors, small businesses and Berkshire County residents to help reach this year’s goal of $85,000. Individual and corporate donation forms are also available on the website. Individuals may elect to donate online via Pay Pal.

Companies and individual donors may call the parade phone at 413-447-7763 for assistance. All donations will be printed in the program booklet and the Berkshire Eagle if received before June 1 deadline. Deadline for all participants is also May 15 and the advertising sponsorship deadline is June 1.

The committee also is looking for volunteers to help make the July 4th Parade bigger and better than ever. Meetings are held at Morningside School in Pittsfield at 7 p.m.on the following Wednesday evenings: Feb. 24, March 16, April 13 and 27, May 4 and 18, and June 1 and 15.

The public is invited and new parade committee members are always welcome to attend.

In addition, several sessions designed to bring together potential float builders to learn the rules and regulations of putting together an award winning float will be held this spring. Ideas will be suggested on float construction, types of materials to use, size regulations, safety issues, and an understanding of the categories for your entry. The committee requires float builders and certain other units to attend one or more workshops to eliminate any problems that may arise the day of the parade.



The dates for the mandatory vehicle safety/float workshops are:

* Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.: St. Mark’s Church-Father Leonard Hall, West Street

* Monday, May 9, 7 p.m.: St. Mark’s Church-Father Leonard Hall, West Street

* Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 p.m.: Morningside Community School, Burbank Street

* Wednesday, June 1, 6:30 p.m.: Morningside Community School, Burbank Street

* Monday, June 6, 7 p.m.: St. Mark’s Church- Father Leonard Hall, West Street

For more information, call 413-447-7763.


Tags: 4th of July,   parade,   

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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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