Berkshire Benchmarks Releases State of the County Update

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Benchmarks data team recently released a State of the County Update for 2023. 
 
This brief report builds on the Berkshire Benchmarks State of the County Report published in May 2022 and highlights notable changes in regional indicators over the past year. The berkshirebenchmarks.org website has also been updated to reflect the most current available data. 
 
The purpose of the Benchmarks initiative and report is to highlight the region's successes and challenges.
 
The 2022 Berkshire Benchmarks State of the County report provided a comprehensive overview of our region's performance across eight sectors: Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Health, Housing, Social Environment, and Transportation.  
 
In the future, the Berkshire Benchmarks team will continue to monitor these and other indicators to aid with the regional understanding of changes in these sectors and whether the work happening throughout the region is having the intended impact. 
 
Berkshire Benchmarks is a collaborative initiative managed through Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC). Our sources are publicly available data, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Community Survey, various Massachusetts data sets, and periodic surveys of Berkshire County residents. 
 
Berkshire Benchmarks aims to work with the community to understand priorities and help inform the region on how we are doing and if we are improving. Berkshire Benchmarks enhances the region's access to quality data and analysis. 

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Two Injured in Onota Street Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Two men were injured on Tuesday night after multiple shots were fired near the intersection of Onota and Walnut Streets.

The Pittsfield Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the 200 block of Onota Street around 9:20 p.m.  People in the area also called 911.

"Responding officers located evidence including shell casings on Onota Street and intersecting streets," PPD wrote on Wednesday.

"Two adult male victims were treated at Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) for non-life-threatening injuries."

Police said they will provide no further information at this time.

About 15 minutes after the police responded, it was posted on a local scanner Facebook page that an innocent bystander was hit. Police did not disclose in today's press release if one of the injured was a bystander.

PPD told the Berkshire Eagle that about 25 rounds were fired.  Police canvassed the area on Tuesday night for suspects, blocking off the area of Onota Street between Linden and Walnut streets during the search.

This incident currently under investigation and anyone who wishes to report information is asked to PPD at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)

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