2nd Street Seeks Submissions for Literary Project

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street seeks submissions for Using Our Outside Voices, a literary project created in partnership with Berkshire Community College (BCC) that is designed to promote creativity, acceptance and inclusion for presently or formerly incarcerated men and women in Berkshire County. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2024.
 
Authors whose work is selected will receive a cash award of $200, and winning submissions will be published in a journal. The initial run of 400 printed copies of the free journal will be distributed locally, and digital copies will be available online. In addition, public readings will be held at various venues in the Berkshires.
 
Any presently or formerly incarcerated resident of Berkshire County is invited to submit original poetry, short fiction, personal essays or other literary works. Those who need editorial help can bring their work to 2nd Street, located at 264 Second Street, Pittsfield.
 
For more details on how to submit a literary work, visit www.2nd-street.org and click Special Projects, or call (413) 443-7220, ext. 1275. 
 
Financial and in-kind support of Using Our Outside Voices is provided by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation; by Berkshire United Way; by Berkshire Community College; and by Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield E-Bike Rider Injured in Collision

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man on a motorbike was injured after being struck by a vehicle on Wahconah Street on Tuesday. 

Just before 3 p.m., police, firefighters and Action Ambulance were called to the 400 block of Wahconah Street, near the former Bel Air Dam, for a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.

Upon arrival, first responders found a 22-year-old man, later identified as Girey Rivera of Memorial Drive, lying in the northbound lane with "obvious injuries." Police say he was struck by a vehicle operated by a Lanesborough resident. 

"Initial investigation showed that Rivera was actually riding an e-motorcycle southbound on Wahconah Street and attempted to move between stopped traffic to cross the northbound lane when he was struck by a 2014 Honda CRV being operated by Louis Baker of Lanesborough, traveling north," police wrote on Tuesday. 

"Baker was uninjured in the collision and Rivera was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with potentially life-threatening injuries."

Wahconah Street was closed for about four hours between Wilson Street and Bel Air Avenue while the accident was investigated and cleared up. The roadway was opened at around 7 p.m. 

Next to the roadway in this area is the site of the former abandoned Bel Air Dam, which contractors have been in the process of removing.

The accident remains under investigation by the Pittsfield Police Traffic Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or may have witnessed this vehicle traveling on Wahconah Street shortly before the accident is asked to contact Sergeant David Hallas at 448-9700 Ext. 560.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories