PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester, chair for the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, recently spent time visiting Berkshire County Arc's programs. Mark is also a member of the joint committee.
During their visit, they spent time discussing short- and long-term plans for human services in Massachusetts.
BCArc offers a broad range of community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and autism.
In the photo above, from left: Pam Kight, director of employment and community-based day services; Cybele Kilby, vice president of day & employment services; state Sen. Paul Mark; state Sen. Robyn Kennedy; President & CEO Maryann Hyatt; Erin Manson, Department of Developmental Services residential services director; CFO Blanca Durant; Jessica Russo, director of family support & advocacy; and Scott Barschdorf, director of brain injury services.
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DA Shugrue: One Kilo of Heroin, Guns Removed from Pittsfield Streets
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Local law enforcement agencies seized almost a kilo of heroin, along with guns and other substances, during raids in October.
On Thursday, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said this interrupted a "large-scale" drug trafficking operation. In total, about 542 grams of cocaine and 1,083 grams of heroin, firearms, and other paraphernalia were seized.
Nine people, including a juvenile, were charged with drug trafficking and/or illegal firearms.
"We're catching drugs and not a lot of cash, so it's not sold. That means that we're getting the drugs before it's sold. Here, almost a full kilo. That tells me it's not in the streets. I see a direct correlation with that. During those months, I'll see the overdose deaths go down, and that's significant to me," he said in a press conference at the Berkshire DA's office.
"But we have to keep fighting it because we have to deal with the addiction issue as well, which we're dealing with in a different light, but we have to get rid of the supply that's coming in, and we see that supply go down. I know that you've got $250,000 worth of heroin that's not on the streets today, and I'm happy with that."
After a lengthy investigation, search warrants were executed on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.
During the Oct. 15 operation, 542 grams of cocaine (with a street value of $54,000) and 83 grams of heroin (with a street value of $20,000) were seized.
Police also confiscated three guns: a 9 mm handgun with nine rounds, a Glock 19, a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with six rounds, four loose rounds of ammunition, a 10-round feeding device, two boxes of 9mm ammunition, and a rifle scope.
Seven individuals were arrested on charges of drug trafficking and possession of illegal firearms.
There were four separate incidents involving gunfire in Pittsfield this past summer. Police charged some suspects, and they are still seeking others. click for more
In envisioning a new campus, in addition to the school's population and construction, planners are considering another access road for better traffic flow, a modern library program, and whether there will be an auditorium.
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The Parks Commission recently approved the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony for Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in Park Square.
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For the next month, thousands of drivers commuting past Park Square will be hard-pressed to miss the hundreds of American flags filling the downtown landmark as part of the Rotary Club Park of Honor. click for more
The standout was organized by Indivisible Pittsfield, and accompanied by a demonstration the previous day and another on election day at the Woodlawn Avenue rotary.
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