image description
Mayor Linda Tyer addressed the city via Pittsfield Community Television on Monday.

Tyer Asks Residents to Abide by 'Stay at Home' Advisory

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Linda Tyer gave a COVID-19 update on Pittsfield Community Television on Monday afternoon asking residents to adhere to the new restrictions imposed by the state.
 
After Gov. Charlie Baker announced an emergency order on Monday morning for only essential services to continue operating, Tyer took to PCTV to explain what this means for the city.
 
"Now more than ever our obligations to one another are vital in overcoming this public health crisis," she said.
 
Tyer said she has also been in contact with the governor and the Berkshire delegation and has asked for three critical things: 
  • Expedited access to personal protective equipment from the national stockpile for first-responders.
  • Faster access to testing supplies and labs.
  • Inclusion of economic response and recovery in Community Development Block Grant applications.
The mayor said that upon entering the second week of the pandemic, things have changed. Last week only two residents in Berkshire County tested positive for novel coronavirus; now, this number has jumped to 26. This number will likely increase as testing continues.
 
She also offered her condolences to the friends and family of the first individual in Berkshire County to die from COVID-19, which was reported over the weekend. It was not revealed what town the man, who was in his 70s, hailed from. 
 
She thanked those who are abiding by social distancing and asked the skeptics who refuse to stay home to follow the new restrictions, which includes an advisory from the state Department of Public Health to stay home as much as possible. 
 
"I can imagine that our families are starting to feel the pressure of our stay-at-home restrictions. Our neighbors may begin to feel lonely and isolated," she said. "The loss of income is also detrimental ... but you must not waiver: please stay at home and keep your distance even if you are feeling well."
 
The governor's order calls for all nonessential business to be closed effective noon Tuesday until April 7. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and manufacturers of medical supplies — along with a list of "essential" manufacturing and services — will stay open. 
 
Tyer asked that those who have to leave their homes for essential products maintain the 6 feet of distance from others and wash their hands before leaving their homes and upon arrival. Those who can, should rely on online delivery services.
 
She also asked that residents continue to support local restaurants the best they can and order delivery or takeout a few times a week. She said the city will set up special "grab and go" parking starting Wednesday.
 
The mayor also said that: 
 
City parks will remain open but only for passive recreation. All city playgrounds are closed.
 
• Also because of the run on toilet paper, she asked residents to not flush anything other than toilet paper because wipes and other cleaning material can cause sewer backups.
 
• The city has brought on two additional public health nurses and that its Coronavirus Preparedness Team is constantly evaluating the situation.   
 
• Pittsfield is forming a Central Berkshire Emergency Operation Center to join the EOC established last week in North County and one to be created South County for a coordinated effort to access resources, equipment, and supplies.
 
• Long list of services that can be found on the city's website and the community impact dashboard there will be continually be updated.  
 
Those who have symptoms of COVID-19 — dry cough, sore throat, fever and shortness of breath — should continue to follow protocol and call their doctor or the BMC Link Line before going to the hospital. She also asked that residents cooperate with public health workers.
 
The mayor concluded her address by asking residents to make the best of staying home with their families and create new memories and family pastimes.
 
"If we all do our part right now and for as long as we have to are city will remain strong and recover faster," she said. "Please take good care of yourselves and right now that means staying at home." 
 

Tags: COVID-19,   


More Coronavirus Updates

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 news:


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.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories