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BFAIR & Greylock Federal Distribute 250 Bicycle Helmets

BFAIR's Tara Jacobson and Christine Meiklejohn hold signs at the trailhead off the Connector Road. Last year, the organization was able to distribute 200 helmets. 

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Saturday's word of the day was "safety" at the Ashuwilliticook Rail Trail as two organizations partnered to distribute hundreds of free helmets in honor of National Brain Injury Awareness Month. 

Stationed at the trailhead on connector road, representatives of Berkshire Family and Individual Resources and Greylock Federal Credit Union handed out 150 helmets for ages 6-13 and 100 helmets for those 14 and older. 

"This is our second annual bike helmet distribution in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is in March but we wanted to do it in April because the bike trail was open and more people are out here," BFAIR's Director of Development Tara Jacobsen said. 

"We are able to distribute these helmets through funding through Greylock Federal Credit Union and this year, we have about 250 helmets that we're going to be distributing today and I think they're going to go pretty quickly." 

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and community members were lined up for helmets even before the event kicked off. 

Jennifer Connor-Shumsky, Greylock's vice president of community support and events, said the credit union values its partnership with BFAIR and that, hopefully, the distribution will prevent as many injuries as possible.  

"We're just delighted to be here," she said. "[BFAIR] is a community gem and they are one of our many partners and we're proud of what they do. They provide such valuable services to our community so we're delighted, we have been working with them for a long time." 

BFAIR works with people who have developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injuries. There are six residences dedicated to acquired brain injuries, which happen after birth and can be the result of a trauma impact, degenerative disease, and toxins. 

The helmets aim to prevent any possible injuries from impact and came with a complimentary fitting to ensure the best protection possible. 

Jacobsen explained that an ill-fitting helmet is "like a car without brakes." 

"So we want to make sure that not only we're supplying resources to the community but we're actually giving them resources that they can use," she said. 

Last year, BFAIR partnered with the non-profit organization All Out Adventures Inc. in Northampton to hand out around 200 helmets. 

"It was just such a rousing success because I think helmets are one of those things that people don't always think about or don't always have the resources or the means to get," Jacobsen said. 

"And so being able to provide it to the community to help promote healthy and safe brains is really something we're looking forward to."

Work Underway On Blighted Dalton Home But Issues Persist

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:59AM / Monday, June 22, 2026

The first phase of remediating the property includes cleanup and exterior work. The property is in receivership through the Attorney General's Office. 

DALTON, Mass. — For over a decade, neighbors have called 27 Mountain View Terrace an eyesore and a safety risk, and now, after a year in court, work is being done to address the blighted condition. 

 

The single-family home was condemned by the town's Board of Health in October 2025 following little progress to address the code violations despite multiple months. 

 

The property was cited for several safety issues, including clutter blocking egresses, a collapsing roof and porch, mold throughout the house, especially in the basement where there is water damage, and the lack of water, electricity, and gas. 

 

Neighbors also attended Board of Health meetings to complain about the rats that have infested their homes coming from the "abandoned" property and the unkept grass in the back yard. According to court documents, there is evidence of pests. 

 

Kathryn Kohlenberger, who lives right next to the property, said she has been dealing with the decaying conditions for 12 years and had to put mouse boxes and cayenne pepper around her house to prevent mice from entering her property. 

 

On March 11, 2026, the Attorney General's Office approved the appointment of a receiver, TM Properties Inc., which has a four-phase plan to rehabilitate the home. The anticipated cost of the project is estimated at $160,714.00 inclusive of all fees.

 

According to court documents, the property has been vacant since 2004. It was appraised, in May 2026, at about $250,000 after rehabilitation and about $50,000 in its current condition.