Adams Hires Finance Director to Replace Retiring Accountant

The town has hired Crystal Wojcik as town accountant/finance director to replace longtime accountant Mary Beverly who is retiring.

Burning Crosses Across the Berkshires: KKK Thrived Locally 100 Years Ago

The klan had a significant presence in the Berkshires by the early 1920s, at least. At first, locals traveled to meetings in nearby areas of Connecticut and New Jersey, but soon began holding meetings locally with hundreds of attendees, and large regular induction ceremonies.

Williams College Investigating 'Unsafe Party'

Williams College is investigating a Friday party that involved 80 to 100 maskless people.

Hoosac Valley Regional Looking at Three Budget Scenarios

Members of the Selectmen's budget subcommittee met with school leaders Wednesday to begin early talks on the fiscal 2022 education budget.

Conservation Commission OKs Art Installation, Charging Stations at MoCA

The 10-foot diameter precast tubs will be arranged in an arc between Buildings 19 and 25, just east of Joe's Field, and are designed to resonant with sound. They're the creation of artist Taryn Simon, whose "A Cold Hole and Assembled Audience" made a splash at the museum in 2018.

@theMarket: Higher Interest Rates Clobber Stocks

Berkshire Immigrant Center Steps Up to Serve Vulnerable in Pandemic

Keeping food on the table and a roof over your head during the pandemic is nearly impossible for millions of Americans. That is the reality for scores of immigrant families in Berkshire County. The Berkshire Immigrant Center is working to support those families now more than ever, but the non-profit can only do so much.

Williamstown DIRE Committee Member Running for Select Board

Jeffrey Johnson, 47, grew up in Williamstown, attending both the local elementary school and Mount Greylock Regional School, and currently works for the commonwealth's Department of Developmental Services in its Pittsfield/North Adams office.

Pittsfield School Committee Takes Stance Against MCAS During COVID

On Wednesday, the School Committee unanimously voted to ask the state consider suspending Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing in the 2020-2021 school year.

The Retired Investor: SPAC Attack

One of the hottest trends on Wall Street today is "special purpose acquisition companies" or SPACS. There is hardly a day that goes by without an announcement of a new SPAC, or the acquisition and merger of a private company by one.

Literacy Network Adds Two New Staff Members

The new additions come at a time when LitNet has been focused on adapting to virtual tutoring during the pandemic and has been steadily placing tutors with learners who come to the organization for help with general literacy, improving their English, and/or US citizenship application assistance.

Pool Testing in Lanesborough-Williamstown Schools Yields Negatives

Mount Greylock was one of the first districts to sign up and take advantage of a state-sponsored pool testing program. Essentially, samples (non-invasive nasal swabs) from a batch of individuals are bundled together into a single sample that is analyzed in the lab.

Pittsfield Council OKs $960K for Infrastructure Benefiting Bousquet

These funds will go toward the extension of water and sewer lines along Dan Fox Drive, connecting the lines immediately to Bousquet Mountain. Though Bousquet is an immediate part of the equation, these improvements will make the area capable of handling future growth and is purposed to promote the "much needed" development.

Greylock School Building Committee Preps Enrollment, Capital Planning Records

The School Building Committee is preparing enrollment projections and capital planning documents to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority this week.

Tyler Street Infrastructure Plans Include Roundabout, Traffic Improvements

The Department of Community Development hosted a virtual public meeting on Wednesday for the Tyler Street Streetscape and Roundabout Project to provide the public with details on the improvements and to allow questions and feedback.

Effective Monday, a Little More of State's Economy to Open Up

On Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that on Monday, March 1, the commonwealth will shift to Step 2 of Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan.

At-Home in Pittsfield Program Seeks Vendors For Pre-Qualified Contractor List

At-Home in Pittsfield, an exterior renovation loan program, enables eligible homeowners to renovate the outside of their homes through a combination of funding from local lenders and the City of Pittsfield.

Cheshire Continues Discussion on Tax Work-Off Program

The board members spent time during their workshop meeting Tuesday generating questions and concerns about the program that town meeting approved last year to help these certain members of the community reduce their property tax burden.

Pittsfield Council Votes to Ban Outdoor Commercial Cannabis Cultivation

On Tuesday, a motion to ordain a ban of large-scale, outdoor pot growing in all zoning districts of Pittsfield passed 10-1 with Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey voting in opposition.

North Adams Housing Authority to Install Free Internet For Tenants

Jason Morin, the authority's information technology consultant, told the board on Monday that he is looking at a few different options to install internet at all properties.

North Adams Council to Review Hydrant Ordinance Next Week

City Councilor Jason LaForest had initially submitted the proposal for the creation of a "Fire Hydrant Division" with a request to refer to his Public Safety Committee but on Tuesday night instead asked it be fast-tracked to publication and a second reading. The rest of the council balked at taking a shortcut in the process, rejecting the motion and voting 8-1 to send the language to the General Government with only LaForest voting no.

Williamstown Trust OKs Emergency Mortgage Program; O'Connor Won't Seek Re-Election

The board member in question is Anne O'Connor, who made her colleagues on that panel the first to learn that she will not seek another three-year term on the Select Board this spring.

Great Barrington Nomination Papers Available

Papers must be returned no later than March 23 to the Town Clerk's office.

Berkshires Gets Limited Vaccine Doses; Named 'High-Efficiency Collaborative'

Public Health Program Manager Laura Kittross said there is limited access everywhere and doesn't expect this to be an ongoing issue. She hopes to see additional vaccine allocations later this week and is "certainly hopeful for next week."

EforAll Seeking Applicants for 'Digital Business Survival Course'

Entrepreneurship for All Berkshire County is collaborating with R3SET Studios to run a free online "Digital Business Survival Course" to help small businesses improve their online marketing.