image description — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester, holding gifts, visit Berkshire County Arc's programs earlier this month.

State Senators Tour Berkshire County Arc Programs

12:25PM / Thursday, December 28, 2023Print Story | Email Story

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.

Tags: bcarc, paul mark, state officials,

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Man Found Guilty of Assaulting Girls in Pittsfield Park Last Year

Staff reportsiBerkshires
02:09PM / Monday, October 19, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man was found guilty of assault after providing alcohol to underage girls in a park last year.

Chase Wood, 21, was found guilty by a jury of his peers on Friday, Oct. 9, of multiple charges connected to an assault and battery of a minor, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office reported.

Wood was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and battery, one count of assault and battery, one count of assault to rape, one count of indecent assault and battery under 14, and three counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

On Oct. 16, a judge sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in the Berkshire County House of Corrections, with an additional 2 1/2 years on and after the first sentence followed by three years of probation. The commonwealth requested a total sentence of seven to nine years in state prison.

Police said Wood connected with three juvenile girls at a Pittsfield park last summer, bringing alcohol and supplying it to them, and after consuming the alcohol, gave the three juveniles a ride on his e-bike and began attempting to assault them.

"Two girls were able to rebuff him but a third was unable to due to her position on the e-bike. He then took the third girl to a secluded area of the park in an attempt to further assault her. When she tried to resist him, he proceeded to violently drag her into the woods," the DA wrote.

"Ultimately, all three girls were able to escape."

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