Pittsfield Police Arrest Man Allegedly Involved in Fatal Stabbing

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Update: Josiah Helmer, age 27, was arraigned for murder on Friday in Central Berkshire District Court and held without the right of bail. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 10. 
 
PITTSFILED, Mass. — A 27-year-old city man has been arrested in Tuesday's fatal stabbing. 
 
Multiple law enforcement officers arrested Josiah Helmer on Thursday at a residence on Dalton Avenue on an outstanding warrant charging him with murder. 
 
The charge stemmed from the stabbing that occurred on Melville Street on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 12. Police responded at about 10:45 p.m. to the report of a stabbing on Melville Street, near the intersection with First Street. A 42-year-old man, whose identity was not disclosed, was found at the scene. Officers, firefighters and Action Ambulance Personnel provided the victim with emergency medical care and he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where he later died. 
 
Helmer was booked and is expected to be arraigned in Pittsfield District Court later Friday.
 
The collaborative investigation after the homicide led to the suspect's apprehension less than 48 hours after his violent crime. The investigation and arrest were effectuated by the following agencies and departments: 
  • PPD Detective Bureau
  • PPD Drug Unit
  • PPD Anti-Crime Unit
  • PPD Patrol Division
  • Berkshire County Special Response Team
  • Berkshire County Sheriff's Department 
  • Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit Assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office
Anyone who wishes to provide information on this case is asked to contact Detective Neil Goodrich at 413-448-9700 x554. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to
TIP411 (847411).

Tags: homicide,   murder,   stabbing,   

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Taconic High School Stages 'Hadestown: Teen Edition'

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Junior Brendan Bayles, as Hades, dancing with senior Ryley Schwarz, who plays Persephone.
 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After six transformative months of preparation and an exciting opening weekend, the Taconic High School theater department will conclude its spring musical, "Hadestown: Teen Edition."
 
This Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., the students will be hitting the stage to perform the family-friendly adaptation of Anaïs Mitchell's Tony-winning Broadway musical "Hadestown." Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for students. 
 
The jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus' mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the love of his true love, Eurydice.
 
"'Hadestown' is the first show that we've done that has had a lot of character meat behind it, where we're really delving into the motivations and the story itself," said Caitlyn Martin, theater director. 
 
Martin described how she observed the students engaging in debates with each other about the reasons behind certain events. 
 
This experience has been truly impactful because it's not just about their performances on stage; they are also reflecting on these issues off stage, she said. 
 
The students are exploring why people react the way they do and recognizing that emotions are more complex than anger, happiness, or sadness, prompting them to delve deeper into these feelings. 
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