image description — Congressman Richie Neal, center, with former Mayor Daniel Bianchi, left, City Councilors Melissa Mazzeo and Donna River, and state Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and William 'Smitty' Pignatelli at Hillary Clinton's campaign headquarters in Pittsfield on Saturday.

Neal Rallies Support For Clinton Campaign in Pittsfield

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
01:36PM / Saturday, February 27, 2016Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is hoping the Democratic presidential primary is "put to bed" on Super Tuesday with Hillary Clinton sealing up the nomination.

The congressman joined local supporters in Clinton's Pittsfield campaign field office Saturday to rally support for the former secretary of state. Clinton is going up against Vermont's U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in seeking the nomination.

"We have a change to elect one of the most accomplished women in the world. I've known her forever and I've known Bill Clinton. A reminder: 23 million jobs, four balanced budgets, economic growth that surpassed 100 percent in some quarters, African-American incomes went up, incomes for poor people went up, the only time since the end of World War 2 that's happened," Neal said.

Neal says he believes Clinton is the one who can cut through the polarized Congress to accomplish things. He expects Clinton to win South Carolina today (Saturday) and then seal up the nomination on Super Tuesday, March 1.

"We need a big victory again in Massachusetts on her behalf. This has been pretty friendly terrain for the Clintons over the years," Neal said.

Neal was joined by state Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and William "Smitty" Pignatelli on Saturday to rally support. State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi and state Sen. Benjamin Downing are also both supporting Clinton, meaning the entire Berkshire delegation except for state Rep. Paul Mark is behind Clinton. Mark is supporting Sanders and provided the introductory remarks at Sanders' speaking event in Amherst last week.

For Pignatelli and Farley-Bouvier, it is Clinton's experience, including being first lady for eight years before being elected U.S. senator from New York, that stands out for them.

"She's best suited to be the next president of the United States," Pignatelli said.

The elected officials were joined by former Mayor Daniel Bianchi, City Councilors Donna Todd Rivers and Melissa Mazzeo, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Registrar of Deeds Patsy Harris.

"We really believe that Hillary is going to win Pittsfield, going to win Berkshire County, and going to win Massachusetts, and be our next president," Farley-Bouvier said.

Farley-Bouvier said Clinton will provide the tools needed to clean the Housatonic River, bring more jobs to the area, and implement an energy policy to resolve the proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline debate. Further, she says Clinton's foreign policy knowledge is important in today's world.

"This world is a little scary and I have confidence, I trust that Hilary Clinton can lead us and make us safe in this world," she said.

Farley-Bouvier read a letter from Mayor Linda Tyer, who is also supporting Clinton.

"Hilary Clinton needs to run the table on Super Tuesday. If she does that, this thing is over with and we can start getting ourselves organized and focusing in on the convention and November," Pignatelli said.

Tags: election 2016, president, primary,

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West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes From Pittsfield

Staff Reports 02:51PM / Friday, August 14, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Pittsfield.

The City of Pittsfield has confirmed two isolations at the Pittsfield-Richmond town line on Route 41 and the other at Garland Avenue.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.

At the time, there are no confirmed human cases of WNV, but residents are encouraged to take the following actions:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all your windows and doors.

While the City of Pittsfield and Berkshire County Mosquito Control project continue to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies, locally we are taking the following actions: larvicide application, conducting targeted education programs, distribution of fact sheets on WNV and on reducing exposure to mosquitos and treating catch basins.

Additional information about WNV and reports on current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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