Berkshire County Historical Society Celebrates Plant a Tree Day

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 pm as they celebrate Plant a Tree Day with a ceremonial planting of a young American elm "Jefferson" on Park Square. 
 
The tree will be planted to honor the Berkshires' first known environmentalist Lucretia Williams. Williams threw herself before the woodsman's axe to save a towering elm known as the Pittsfield Elm on Park Square in 1789. 
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 
This free event is open to the public.
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 

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Rutledge Defense Seeks Dismissal of Rape Charges Over Statute of Limitations

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Superior Court courtroom was filled on Thursday as proceedings resumed on the high-profile case against former Miss Hall's School teacher Matthew Rutledge, with the court hearing arguments on his motion to dismiss.
 
 
On Thursday, Rutledge, represented by attorney Ryan Schiff, appeared before Judge Michael Callahan to seek dismissal of all three counts, arguing that prosecutors were attempting to circumvent the statute of limitations and had failed to disclose what Schiff characterized as "highly exculpatory evidence."
 
More than 100 attendees filled the pews, some wearing orange carnations to show solidarity with the accusers, Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon. 
 
As Rutledge attempted to leave the courtroom following Judge Callahan's departure, several attendees voiced their outrage, shouting "Shame," "You can't hide behind the bad law," and "We know what you did."  
 
Judge Callahan re-entered the courtroom to condemn these outbursts and directed court officers to record their names and bar them from attending future proceedings on this case.
 
The nearly hour-long hearing centered on competing interpretations of the language and legislative intent behind Massachusetts' statute of limitations, particularly whether Rutledge's temporary absences from the state could extend the time prosecutors have to bring charges.
 
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