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Big Y Supermarkets Selling Adams Location
In a statement released on Thursday just after noontime, company officials said the 16,000-square-foot structure in downtown Adams cannot support the items and types of services the grocer now offers.
Hinds, Barrett Call on Big Y to Work With Adams Officials
The town's two state lawmakers are calling on Big Y to work more closely with local officials during the grocery's closing and expected transfer to a new owner.
Pittsfield Fire Dedicates Engine to Retired Deputy Chief
After 28 years on the Fire Department, Deputy Chief Michael Polidoro had to retire after being diagnosed with ALS. He had been a key member of leadership in the department and was viewed as a mentor by most. While he won't jump into the engine when a call comes in, Polidoro's legacy will.
Lanesborough Looks to Temporarily Close Police Station
The Board of Selectmen are looking to temporarily move the Police Department to another location. The town's insurance company issued a report recommending the current Police Station be vacated by employees because of the condition of the building. Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association inspected the building in October and cited a number of concerns and ruled that it is unsafe.
Williamstown Assessor Barkin Leaves Department in Good Shape
Williamstown's assessor/educator will leave his second-floor office at Town Hall for the last time this week as he retires, just shy of 33 years in the job.
Crash in Cheshire Kills Adams Man
Troopers from the Cheshire Barracks in Cheshire responded to reports of a crash, in front of house No. 80, at about 7:51 a.m.
Activists Press Neal to Support Green New Deal
Three of the activists — all students at Mount Greylock Regional School in Williamstown — went inside to make their case to a member of Neal's staff.
Krens Railroad Museum Going for Main Street Impact
The Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday approved the transformation of the former Sleepy's location in the L-shaped mall into the headquarters of Krens' Global Cultural Asset Management, a design firm specializing in museum and cultural infrastructure and management.
Metal Affection: 'Iron Florist' Fabricates Lasting Love Tokens
Matt McLaughlin's first year after leaving the Marine Corp was 2015. He wasn't sure what to do so he entered an auto mechanics program in Pennsylvania and went to call full time. On the side, he made some extra cash by welding bumpers, roll cages, or parts on off-road vehicles but he wasn't making a whole lot of money doing the jobs in his own garage.
Group Formed to Foster Pittsfield Pride, Counter Naysayers
Virginia O'Leary has so many great memories growing up in Pittsfield. She remembers swimming in the lake, the local stores of old, and cruising up and down North Street on a Friday night. She enjoyed it so much that after leaving for college and a career, she eventually came back. And she loves it here.
North Adams Votes to Adopt State Minimum Wage for Workers
The revised plan adjusts all city-side workers to the current state minimum wage of $12 an hour, also retroactive to Jan. 1. The council also approved a revised compensation plan that raises police officer wages by a half percent retroactive to Jan. 1 as part of the city's departure from Civil Service and the adoption of a light-duty policy.
Public Arts Commission Offers to Broker Talks With Pillar Artists
At Monday's Public Arts Commission meeting, the commissioners and artist Christina King agreed to discussions to find an alternative site for something similar to the pillar art.
Adams Board of Health Wants Memorial Building Inspection
The Board of Health want to make sure the Memorial Building meets all standards before allowing it to be the town's emergency shelter.
Williamstown Planning Board Advances ADU Bylaw Proposals
On a vote of 4-1, the planners agreed on a proposal that would create the potential for more detached accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in the town of 7,800.
Three Students Receive VFW Scholarships
Dozens attended the award ceremony Monday held at the American Legion building banquet hall where a combined $2,950 in scholarships were given out to Hannah Berkel, Kailey Sultaire, and Kathrine Wilson.
Adams Votes to Offer Town Administrator Post to Green
The Selectmen on Wednesday voted to offer the position of town administrator to Jay Green, an attorney and former administrative officer for the city of North Adams.
BArT Advances in League Playoffs
Isaac and Brandon Bamba Monday led the BArT basketball team past Eagle Hill at the North Adams Armory.
Mount Greylock Gets Access to School's Auditorium
Mount Greylock Superintendent Kimberley Grady said Monday that the district has received a certificate of occupancy for the middle-high school, an approval that includes use of the school's auditorium.
Pittsfield Grants Waiver For Proprietor's Lodge
The Community Development Board granted a parking waiver to Proprietor's Lodge Tuesday despite opposition from neighbors. The former ITAM building was renovated into a new reception hall and restaurant and the owner is looking to expand with a new ceremony room and a breakout space. But the neighbors feel the traffic congestion has gotten out of control and objected to the plans feeling that it will cause even more problems.
Harrington Chats Vision With Local NAACP
District Attorney Andrea Harrington doesn't see her job as simply tossing people into jail cells. Instead, she is seeking to create a culture and environment where causes such as drug or mental health problems are addressed in the community so the crimes don't happen again.
Williamstown Panels to Review Proposed Pot Planter
Ryan Wimpee, the attorney for Colorado-based Euflora Cannabis Dispensaries, has applied for permission to start an outdoor cannabis farm on 20 acres at 295 Blair Road, a property known as River Rock Farm and owned by Eric Reinhard.
Hinds Given Committee Assignments: Chairing Revenue, on Ways and Means
State Sen. Adam Hinds will serve as the first stop for many of the big initiatives coming from the State House this year. Hinds was given his committee assignments on Thursday in which he'll chair the Joint Committee on Revenue, vice chair Senate Committee on Redistricting, and will serve on the Senate Ways and Means, Joint Committee on Education, Joint Committee on Tourism Arts and Cultural Development, Senate Rules, and Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.
Farley-Bouvier Pushes Bill to Raise Tipped Workers Minimum Wage
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier is calling for the elimination of a lower wage for tipped workers. The Pittsfield Democrat joined other lawmakers and Restaurant Opportunities Center on Wednesday at the statehouse to introduce a bill that will gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers until it matches the minimum wage for all other industries.
Mount Greylock School Committee Educated About Baseball Program Change
Mount Greylock Regional School's athletic director last week appeared before the school committee to explain a program change that has riled some seventh-grade parents at the middle-high school.
The Lantern Reopened In Pittsfield
For a century The Lantern has been a stalwart landmark in the city's downtown. Thousands of people have eaten in the restaurant at the corner of Linden and North and it had remained through generations of changes to the city's downtown. But, in 2017, Mark Papas decided it was time to close it.
North Adams City Council Delays Vote on Mohawk Theater
Several councilors expressed concern that the council — and city — would lose control over aspects of the landmark theater based on the language in the request for proposals and that there were too many unanswered questions.
Tyer Pitches Program To Help Residents Make Home Improvements
Mayor Linda Tyer is looking to help residents who improve their homes. Tyer announced "At Home in Pittsfield," a program in which the city will provide zero-interest loans to residents for undertaking certain home improvement projects. The effort is one aimed to improve the again housing stock in the city.
The Independent Investor: Trump's War on Drug (Prices)
For the second year in a row, President Donald Trump called on Congress to do something about the escalating drug prices in America. The president is doggedly pursuing this campaign promise in the face of an army of special interest groups and big drug companies. Hurrah for you, Mr. President.
Wintry Mess Coming Our Way
The National Weather Service has issued to advisories for the Berkshires: a wind advisory from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday and a winter storm watch from Tuesday moring through Wednesday afternoon.
Pittsfield Schools to End 'Welcoming Day' For Grades 6 & 9
The long-standing tradition of "welcome days" is coming to an end in the schools after the state cited the district for not providing enough class time for all students. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education performed a coordinated program review last year and found that the practice of bringing incoming sixth graders and ninth graders in a day earlier to get acclimated to their new schools meant that the other students were falling short of the required 180 days of learning.
1Berkshire Calls For 'New Narrative' of Berkshire Economy
The Berkshire economy is growing, according to 1Berkshire. The economic development agency said some $1 billion worth of investment has been made in the county in just the last three years. Now, the organization is asking the business community to embrace a "new narrative" of the county's economic future and has put forth Berkshire Blueprint 2.0, an economic development plan for future growth.
Suspected Pittsfield Arsonist Arraigned
A man accused of setting fires in four places in September was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Tuesday. Phillip Jordan is facing four counts of burning a dwelling house. He was ordered by Judge John Agostini to be held without bail. Jordan is being represented by Attorney Rinaldo Del Gallo.
North Adams Properties in Real Estate Limbo
But the city's attempts to divest itself of unwanted properties has not so far been terribly successful. Some smaller lots have been auctioned off or sold to abuttors, but the larger parcels seem to be in real estate limbo.
Computer Bug Offers Expanded Services in New Location
The Computer Bug offers a wide variety of services including free diagnostics, repair and service of both Mac and Windows PCs, and the sale of new and used computers, parts, and accessories.
Williamstown's Spruces to Host Winter Festival on Feb. 16
The event will include a scavenger hunt, tractor-drawn wagon rides and a nature walk led by WRLF Executive Director David McGowan. There will be hot chocolate courtesy of Williams College, s'mores in a fire pit and food available for purchase prepared by Eat, the restaurant in the nearby Colonial Plaza.
New Committee Looks to Assist Victims of House Fires
In April 2012, Rabbit David Weiner of Knesset Israel watched in horror as his home burned, as firefighters broke window after window, and also as a neighbor wrapped him in a coat. It was a kitchen fire in his Wendell Street home. He remembers having to borrow socks from a friend the next day because he had lost everything.
In Pursuit of Beetle Happiness: Part 1
In pursuit of beetle happiness, I can cast a note of optimism about the many beetles at large in museums and private collections, that may bring us a profound joy, allowing our sense of inquiry to thrive like a child set loose in New York's American Museum of Natural History.
North Adams Library Resumes Search for Library Director
Rich Remsberg, acting chairman of the library trustees, reported Wednesday's trustees meeting that the initial search did not solicit enough candidates for the mayor to make a selection.
