School Officials Updating Greylock Elementary's MSBA Application

The roof leaks, the windows weep, parts of the school are cool and others are hot — and a water line to the outdated boiler's kept open with a clothespin. That's only scratching the surface.

Pittsfield Councilors Requested, Not Required, to Take Cultural Competency Training

City councilors will go through cultural competency and implicit bias training if they want. The council unanimously approved a petition from Councilors Helen Moon, Donna Todd Rivers, Youth Alive Executive Director Shirley Edgerton, and local NAACP branch President Dennis Powell requesting that all councilors go through the training aimed to help interact effectively with people from all cultures.

North Adams Bids Farewell to Clerk, Welcomes Police, Firefighters

Gomeau, who has served as city clerk for 15 years, choked up as she swore in her replacement, Deborah Pedercini.

Congressman Neal Teaches Civics Class at Drury High School

So the students in Stephanie Kopola's college-level world history class spent some time developing the questions they wanted to pose to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal on Tuesday.

Authorities Identify Pittsfield Murder Victim

Authorities released the name of the victim in Sunday morning's homicide on Edward Avenue. According to the District Attorney's Office, 18-year-old Jaden Salois, of Dalton, was pronounced dead on the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.

Pittsfield Firefighters Put Out Chimney Fire

Pittsfield ZBA Approves Permit for West Street Cannabis Shop

A proposed cannabis retailer received the local permits needed for a West Street location. Devin Bajardi and Mark Penna are planning to open Pure Botanicals inside the existing building at 239 West Street. The plan is to use 7,000 square feet in the rear of the industrial building for the discrete location of the retail shop. The plan estimates for nine total employees and limited alterations to the property.

Hinds Rolling Out 'Rural Agenda' In New Legislative Session

State Sen. Adam Hinds is pushing a "rural agenda" in the new legislative term. The Pittsfield Democrat is filing more than 60 bills this term, many of which are aimed at helping small rural areas.

Williamstown Planning Board Plans Wednesday Info Session on Bylaw Proposals

After months of debate and public input at its regular monthly meetings, the panel has crafted two proposals that allow more flexibility to homeowners who want to put a second or third dwelling unit on a residential lot.

MLK Committee, Shine Wire Recognize Drug Recovery Group Founder

After a morning of community service Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, those who took the day on instead of the day off met at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to recognize local community leader and addiction assistance advocate Kenna Waterman.

Woman Arrested In Pittsfield Stabbing

A 27-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly stabbing a 34-year-old man on Madison Avenue. Police say Nakesha Peltier-Tarrance is being charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and is currently being held on $10,000 bail related to the incident Monday morning.

Community Forum Set for Clarksburg/Stamford School Merger Study

Representatives from Public Consulting Group of Boston will be on hand to walk attendees through the timeline for the feasibility study on creating an interstate school district.

Berkshires Beat: Clark Art Institute Launches Free Snowshoe Program

Project Snowshoe provides visitors with the chance to borrow a pair of snowshoes from the Clark to trek the 140-acre campus during snow season.

Health Drives Much of Pignatelli's Legislative Agenda

State Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli heard a story in which a police officer witness someone die from an overdose while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Not all first responders carry Narcan and Pignatelli believes that if that police department had it, the person could have lived. As this new legislative session starts, Pignatelli has filed a bill to require every first responder in the state to carry the overdose reversal drug.

'EAT' Restaurant in Williamstown Opens in Colonial Plaza

Takeout is still a cornerstone of the business but now with more room, he wants to put a focus on dinner.

More Heating Assistance Sought as Officials Discuss Poverty

According to Berkshire Community Action Council, around 8,000 households in Berkshire County apply for LIHEAP (the low-income heating assistance program) every year; across the state, a total of 160,000 residents seek help.

Chapter Two Books in Williamstown a Place for Community

The nonprofit Friends began brainstorming what could possibly replace one of the main financial engines that has provided the group with funds to support programming and other items at the library.

Pittsfield Police Investigating Murder On Edward Avenue

Police are investigating a homicide on Edward Avenue. Authorities were called to the location shortly after 2 a.m. for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, a man was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene.

North Adams Traffic Commission Advises Rate Hike for Permit Parking

The Traffic Commission is recommending the city raise its parking permit fees for the Center Street lot for the first time in 10 years.

Northern Berkshire Annual Day of Service Set for Monday

Event organizer Kathy Keeser is encouraging those who can shovel out of their driveways to bundle up warm and head to Venable for warm beverages to start the day before dispersing to off-site activities or joining in those in the gym.

@theMarket: Markets Retrace December Losses

For those who followed my advice last quarter and have remained invested, your paper losses are rapidly disappearing. I expect that, despite continued volatility through March, the second half of the year should see all your losses recouped and I expect further gains after that.

Pittsfield Looks to Crack Down on Off-leash Dogs in Kirvin Park

The Parks Commission wants to crack down on off-leash dogs at Kirvin Park. The park off of Williams Street had long been used by dog owners as a place to let their four-legged friends run off leash. However, dogs are required to be on leash in a city park and the increasing use of the park of dogs has led to problems.

Pickup Truck Collides With Trestle Foundation in North Adams

The accident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. and initially was reported as occurring on Ashland Street.

Pittsfield Home Damaged When Car Hit Porch

A Wellington Avenue home was damaged when a vehicle collided with the porch Friday night.

Snowstorm Prompts Snow Emergencies, Cancellations

OK, maybe closer to a foot. But that's still plenty of snow heading our way. Then the frigid air returns for a super chill Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday.