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Nocher Realty is now open on Depot Street in Pittsfield.

Biz Briefs: Pittsfield Couple Opens Realty Agency

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For real

As one of the leading brokers in the area, Jason Nocher, along with his wife, Jennifer, decided it was time to grow their business and open their our own agency. Their first office opened in in downtown Pittsfield at 34 Depot St. at the start of February and they kicked things off with many new listings throughout Berkshire County.

Before opening his own agency, Jason was a top seller in a large local firm. Jennifer will serve as office manager. Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking, camping and fishing. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and jogging.

Nocher Realty added a new agent in the field, Jeff King, who comes with a great land and building development background. They are also opening our doors to agents that need a place and want to work with a high-energy team.

 

Business roundtable

Berkshire Money Management has invited several Berkshire entrepreneurs to participate in the first of a series of "business roundtables" in which attendees are invited to discuss the many challenges facing local businesses during a time of great transition. The event is by invite only, and will take place on Thursday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at BMM's new headquarters at the Model Farm at 161 Main St. in Dalton. For information, call 413-997-2006.

John Krol of the John Krol Show will moderate the discussion, which will also include Fred Rutberg of the Berkshire Eagle, Barbara Pickwell of Wohrle's, Zogics founder Paul LeBlanc, Main Street Hospitality's Sarah Eustis, and BMM founder and CEO Allen Harris.The 60-minute session will be aired on Krol’s podcast. There will be time allotted for questions at the end of the roundtable.

The roundtable discussion will specifically address the major concerns put forth by Berkshire business owners, including hiring reliable, skilled employees and increases in general costs (i.e. healthcare and utilities). Per the Berkshire Business Confidence Index (BCI), a quarterly survey of nearly 4,000 local decision makers -distributed and analyzed by Berkshire Money Management - these are the two most pressing issues, alongside retirement and anticipating competition and new technologies.

 

Around the world

The Red Lion Inn is expanding its traditional culinary offerings with a new Menus of the World dining experience. Executive Chef Max Kiperman has created five regional prix fixe menus inspired by the distinctive cuisine of Provence, Southern Louisiana, Bavaria, Korea and Tuscany.



From March through May, the specialty menus will be available for two weeks, Sunday to Thursday, in the inn's Main Dining Room. Each prix fix menu includes three internationally-inspired courses with a wine or beer pairing selected by Red Lion Inn’s sommelier, Dan Thomas. The three-course dinners are $35 per person plus tax and $55 per person plus tax including the wine or beer pairings. Call 413-298-5545 for dinner reservations and mention "Menus of the World."

 

Women's Day celebration

Greylock Federal Credit Union will celebrate International Women's Day with a week-long lineup of events from March 8-15. Greylock's theme for the week is "Greylock: Strong women empowering our community." The week-long celebration of Greylock Women schedule is as follows:

* Thursday and Friday, March 8 & 9: All Greylock branches will offer refreshments and red carnations for female members and employees. A photo frame will be displayed in all branches for members to take selfies with a Greylock woman, and will encourage all to share it on social media with the hashtag #gfcuwomenpower.

* Monday, March 12: Greylock women will offer testimonials about other Greylock women that will be posted on Greylock’s website.

* Tuesday through Thursday, March 13-15: Days of Caring. Greylock women will volunteer around the community during the work day.

 

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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