North Adams Has 2 Candidates for Mayor, 15 for City Council

The deadline for nomination papers for the city election passed at 5 p.m. on Friday and so did any chance for a preliminary election.

Media Gallery on Main Street Offers New Artworks, Local History,

Robert Giardini wants to get art on people's walls. That's one of the inspirations for his pop-up Media Gallery that opened during the season's first DownStreet Art event last month.

Kavey Announces Run for Pittsfield's Ward 5

Patrick Kavey has formally announced his candidacy for election for the Ward 5 seat on The Pittsfield City Council.

Excessive Heat, Humidity Forecast Through Sunday

Heat index values are expected to reach 95 to 100 degrees this afternoon. Heat index values could reach 107 to 112 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon for most of Massachusetts, with values between 96 and 102 locally in the Berkshires.

Cultural Pittsfield This Week: July 12-18

The Boston Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Mill Town Capital, the City of Pittsfield and local organizations, will present its first-ever free community event on the Pittsfield Common.

Community Members Seek to Rescue Clarksburg Senior Center

Nearly two dozen people attended an emergency meeting organized by Lauren and Robert Norcross at the center on Thursday night to find ways to keep the 15-year-old building open and the Council on Aging functioning.

North Adams Airport Hopes to Have Restaurant Operating Next Summer

The Airport Commission agreed Tuesday to form a subcommittee to flesh out what restrictions and preferences it wants to place in the RFP.

Memorial Statue Unveiled at North Adams Library

The city native was memorialized on Thursday with the unveiling of a bronze statue of two children reading a book set by the East Main Street entrance of the North Adams Public Library where she began her long career as a librarian.

The Independent Investor: Paid Family & Medical Leave Overdue

What do the United States, Papua New Guinea and Oman have in common? Those are the only three countries in the world that do not legally obligate employers or taxpayers to pay for maternity leave.

Wetlands Derails Restoration of Pontoosuc Beach

Wetland issues have derailed planned improvements to Pontsoosuc Lake Park. The Friends of Pontoosuc Lake received $15,000 from the Community Preservation Act with the intent to restore the beach on the Hancock Road side. The city's Parks, Open Space and Natural Resource Program Manager Jim McGrath, however, said it was found that the former beach has essentially turned into wetlands.

Clarksburg Sets Vote for School Merger Proposal

The Select Board on Wednesday afternoon set the date for a special town meeting to vote on the next steps toward a school district merger with Stamford, Vt. The special town meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Clarksburg School.

Williamstown Fire District Opts to Cancel Street Light Plan

After the committee voted 3-0 to reverse course on the bulbs, much of the crowd broke out into applause and left the meeting, but not before several of the attendees praised the decision.

Cheshire Will Try to Accommodate Hiker Camping

Town officials will apply for a special permit on behalf of Appalachian Trail hikers to accommodate camping on the Cheshire School grounds.

Body Found In Peru Confirmed To Be Missing Hinsdale Woman

A 53-year old woman who went missing from Hinsdale was found dead in a wooded area in Peru. Jacqueline Coutinho went missing in May and a K9 search, foot patrols and a helicopter were unable to locate her. Police searched for weeks to no avail. On Tuesday, loggers found a body in the woods about one mile off of Curtin Road.

Woman Charged With Misleading Officers In Jones Murder Case

A woman accused of lying to police during the investigation into the death of Asiyanna Jones was arraigned on Wednesday. Dayanlee Bracero-Quirndo, 23, is being charged in Berkshire County Superior Court with two counts of misleading a police officer. She had previously been indicted in the case but failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Bracero-Quirndo turned herself in to authorities.

Hinsdale Man To Compete In Professional BBQ Competition

George Rinaldi's skills have earned many trophies, including a first-place prize for his Ribs Division win at a recent competition in New Jersey.

Cheshire Highway Superintendent Resigning

Blair Crane informed the Board of Selectmen by letter that he plans to resign effective Aug. 2.

Pittsfield Police Advisory Board Learns High-Speed Pursuit Policy

When two men came whipping into the city with police on their tail in March, residents didn't see Pittsfield Police officers hanging out the window shooting their guns off trying to blow out the tires. That only happens in movies. In fact, residents didn't see Pittsfield Police on the suspect's tail at all. Chief Michael Wynn told his officers not to because the policy of the department is that if a pursuit comes into the city from another jurisdiction, Pittsfield officers don't join unless t

North Adams Public Safety Committee Advises Parking on Ashland

The Public Safety Committee voted to recommend metered parking on the east side of Ashland Street during a brief meeting on Tuesday.

Pittsfield Walk Raises Awareness For Pedestrian Safety

A group of residents took a walk down North Street on Monday in an effort to raise awareness of pedestrian safety.

Loggers Find Woman's Remains In Peru

The remains of an unidentified woman were found in a wooded area about one mile off of Curtin Road Tuesday morning. The woman has yet to be identified by authorities and Hinsdale and Peru Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her dealth. The body is being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Boston for an autopsy.

PEDA to Create Site-Readiness Report On Park's Largest Parcel

In other business, the Berkshire Innovation Center is on pace for an October opening. The research and development center broke ground in September and now has a new executive director on board in Ben Sosne.

North Adams Happenings July 17-23

Completion of Lafayette Trail Celebrated in Hancock

During the American Revolution famed French Gen. Marquis de Lafayette played a significant role as an ally by the United States. So much so that President James Monrow invited him on a farewell tour of the nation in 1824, celebrating the country's 50th birthday. Lafayette traveled all 24 of the United States, including going directly across the Berkshires on his way to Boston.

Adams Cemetery Commission Appoints Caretakers

The Cemetery Commission appointed two residents to take care of two historic Cemeteries. Last week the Cemetery appointed residents Allen Mendel and Johanna Maxwell as the caretakers of Daniels Court Cemetery and Bowens Corner Cemetery.