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.

Lanesborough Closes Book on Fiscal 2019

The Board of Selectmen closed the fiscal year's books on Monday after transferring some $63,538 from health insurance to cover deficits elsewhere in the budget. Of particular concern for Finance Committee member Ronald Tinkham was a $45,167 overage in winter roads supplies and repairs. The town, under the previous manager, had been creeping that budget figure up to become more accurate. Tinkham believes that should continue to eliminate deficits.

Truck/Motorcycle Collision in Adams Leaves One Seriously Injured

Police are investigating a motorcycle and truck collision on Saturday that sent at least two to the hospital, one with serious injuries.

Dr. Radin Named Grand Marshal of 64th Annual Fall Foliage Parade

The parade will be held in downtown North Adams on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. This year's parade theme is "The Wizard of Oz," both in celebration of the 80th anniversary of its Hollywood premiere, and in the promotion of the message that "there's no place like home in the Berkshires."

Habitat, Affordable Housing Trust Break Ground on Williamstown Project

DeCarolis and Gleason turned over the first sod — though not easily — and officials and board members took turns at the shovels as well. Gleason posed with a large sign with the date and plans to continue that practice to mark the project's progress.

Carmel Seeks To Improve Efficiency Of Council With Ward 6 Bid

Keep it simple. That's what Edward Carmel believes. But he doesn't believe the current City Council is doing that. He feels the council spins its wheels tinkering with things and not accomplishing anything.

North Adams Residents Presented With Five Possible Theater Parks

The city will look at five possible outdoor theater and park locations in the downtown including the parking lot off of Main Street.

Lampiasi Looks To Bring Strong Representation To Pittsfield's Ward 6

Dina Guiel Lampiasi believes there is room for compromise even if it doesn't seem that way. Lampiasi is seeking to fill the Ward 6 City Council seat being vacated by John Krol. She feels she brings a collaborative approach and a deep understanding of how government works to the table.

It's Been 100 Years Since Pittsfield Acquired Wahconah Park

In the 1800s residents really wanted a place to recreate, to hold events and dances, to play sports. George Burbank answered the call. The developer had built much the city's downtown with homes, a hotel, a theater, and many buildings in the North Street area. He had constructed some 300 buildings between 1885 and 1908.

Hamling Seeks To Bring A Diversity Of Experience To Pittsfield Council

Jay Hamling starts by listening. And his patient will tell them what's wrong and then he'll try to figure out not only what is causing the problem and how to fix it. It's what's he does. He's a nurse.

Mosquito Spraying Scheduled In Pittsfield

The Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project will be spraying the areas around Brattlebrook Park and Marchesio Park on Monday night to reduce a high count of mosquitoes. The truck-mounted spraying will target the streets immediately surrounding those two parks at 11 p.m. until midnight Monday, July 15. In the event of rain, the spraying may be rescheduled to Tuesday, July 16.

North Adams Library To Prioritize Maintenance Projects

The library trustees plan to compile a building maintenance list to review with the city administration. New Library Director Sarah Sanfilippo told the trustees Wednesday that she recently met with city officials to go over some of the maintenance issues that have been relayed to her over her short tenure.

Lanesborough, Cheshire Police Team Up For Community Bike Ride

Officer Jason Costa is often on patrol and stops and chats with children riding their bikes. Costa rides mountain and road bikes all the time. His kids ride bikes. So he'd say, hey, let's all go for a ride together. On Saturday, that's going to happen. Costa, Lanesborough and Cheshire Police Associations are teaming up for the first Ride with a Cops bike ride.

Two More Join North Adams City Council Race

Two more have joined the City Council race and now 19 will vie for the nine seats. As of Thursday afternoon sitting city councillor Paul J. Hopkins has taken out papers along with former councilor and former mayoral candidate Robert J. Moultan, Jr.

North Adams Man Charged With Attempted Murder

A city man was arrested Thursday morning for allegedly attempting to murder his wife. Michael Cook Sr., 42, of Chase Avenue was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on single counts of assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery on a family or household member, according to the district attorney's office.

UPDATED: Berkshire Mall Sold To Ohio Investment Firm

A potential sale may be pending at the closed Berkshire Mall. Recently, a new entity paid all of the town's back taxes. Durga Property Holdings, Inc. out of Cincinnati paid all of the back taxes owed to the town. Durga also owns the Orchards Mall in Michigan, which the company bought from the Berkshire Mall's current owner Kohan Retail Investment Group, along with a handful of other developments throughout the country.

Escaped Inmate Taken Into Custody On Robbins Avenue

Harry Chandler was taken into custody on Robbins Avenue Thursday afternoon. The Berkshire County Sheriff's Office and Pittsfield Police apprehended Chandler inside an apartment at 3 Robbins Avenue around 2:30 in the afternoon. Chandler had been on the run since Monday when he overpowered a Sheriff's deputy and escaped from Berkshire Medical Center. More information regarding the apprehension Thursday at 4 p.m. and this story will be updated.