Karate Tournament Held in Pittsfield

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The Okinawan Karate School of Pittsfield hosted its 16th Annual Youth Tournament Saturday, March 19 at the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield. The tournament was open to boys and girls ages 3 to 18. The event is a forum for young students to demonstrate their progress in Karate, Jiu-jitsu and Kobudo (classical weapons) to their families, friends and fellow students, and to raise themselves to new levels of proficiency and confidence through performance. This year, in addition to events included in previous tournaments such as Kata (individual forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, Two-person Sets and Sparring, the contest included Creative Kata, Creative Team Kata and Jiu-jitsu Sparring for the first time. “As always the emphasis in this Tournament is on participation, enjoyment and doing one’s best,” said tournament directors Mark and Connie Flynn. “We strive for an atmosphere of support and encouragement, rather than pressure and competition.” Approximately 160 participants representing five Dojos (schools) from Bennington, VT, Hatfield, MA, Schenectady, NY, Bloomingdale, NJ and Pittsfield, MA participated in the day-long event. Award ceremonies concluded the tournament, which was attended by over 600 visitors. Over 25 teams of black belt officials judged the competition. For further information, please call the Okinawan Karate School of Pittsfield at 413-443-2561. Tournament results are as follows: Sparring A - Cameron Popkoski (NY), Robert Mottley (P), Calvin Mars (P) Sparring B - Matthew Johnson (NJ), Michael Haidacher (NJ), Kristen Fontaine (P) Sparring C - Brianna Conklin (NJ), Jason Konowitch (P), Kevin Squires (P) Sparring D - Jack Dixon (NJ), Anthony Corbett (P), Alaina Garzone (P) Sparring E - Jonathan Douglas (P), Kory Wagner (H), Matthew Duane (P) Sparring F - Austin LaFrance (P), Arielle Sebestyen (P), Jacob Schurch (H) Sparring G - Matthew Chapman (P), Cortland Watson (NJ), Faith Conklin (NJ) Sparring H - Emmanuel Bile, Jr. (P), Michael McMahon, Jr. (P), Steven Funk (NJ) Sparring I (Adv.) - Steven Dwyer (P), Ryan Forfa (P), Dell Fontaine (P) Sparring J (Adv.) - Alistair Black (P), Audra McMahon (P), Daniel Gomez (P) Sparring K (Adv.) - Harrison Searles (P), Conor Coyne (P), Brian Duma (P) Sparring L (Adv.) - Tucker Davis (P), Ryan Goff (H), Ryan Hall (P) Jiu-Jitsu A - Steven Dwyer (P), Audra McMahon (P), Daniel Gomez (P) Jiu-Jitsu B - Josh Giuliano (NJ), John Kelly (NJ), Alex Iwanowicz (P) Jiu-Jitsu C - Christopher Fiorenza (NJ), Matthew Johnson (NJ) Weapons A - Ari Silverstein (P), Gregory Gniadek (P), Brian Duma (P) Kata A - Alexander Gitin (NJ), Gavin Watson (H), Emily Sterritt (P) Kata B - Matthew Donnelly (P), Alexandria Fiorenza (NJ), Ryan Griffin (NJ) Kata C - Olivia Kipp (P), Jack Dixon (NJ), Charlotte Freifeld (P) Kata D - Cara Partridge (P), Keith Natale (H), Ryker Bodo (NY) Kata E - Kory Wagner (H), Andrew Poirier (H), Katie Gitin (NJ) Kata F - Sheli Schweitzer (P), Kenny Mick (P), Steven Funk (H) Kata G - Michael McMahon, Jr (P), Aaron Cass (NY), Garrett White (P) Kata H - Megan Wendolowski (H), Cortland Watson (H), Jackson Birrell (P) Kata I - Faith Conklin (NJ), Daniel Gomez (P), Logan Wilson (P) Kata J - Nico Grande (V), Audra McMahon (P), Caitlin Partridge (P) Kata K - Greg Gniadek (P), Brooke Martin (P), Joe Teti (P) Kata L - Tucker Davis (P), Katie Martin (P), Ryan Hall (P) Creative Kata A - Jonathan Douglas (P), Brandon Engle (P), Cameron Black (P) Creative Kata B - Meaghan Weeden (P), Sheli Schweitzer (P), Allison Murray (P) Creative Team Kata A - Brian Duma, Gregory Gniadek (P)/ Sarah Hinckley, Andrea Moreau (P) Alex Iwanowicz, Nick Sweeney-Cook (P) Team Kata A - Aaron Cass, Cameron Popkoski (NY),/ Andrew Poirier, Kory Wagner (H) Alexander Gitin, Katie Gitin (NJ) Team Kata B - Cortland Watson, Megan Wendolowski (H),/ Keith Natale, Jacob Schurch (H)Logan Wilson, Molly Wilson (P) Team Kata C - Allison Murray, Meaghan Weeden (P),/ Brooke Martin, Averie Prenguber (P)Allison Suriner, Donald Suriner (P) Weapons 2-Person a - Tucker Davis & Brian Duma (P),/ Owen Marks, Gregory Gniadek (P) Collin Goodrich, Ryan Forfa (P) 2-Person A - Cortland Watson, Megan Wendolowski (H),/ Andrew Poirier, Kory Wagner (H)Keith Natale, Jacob Schurch (H) 2-Person B - Caitlin Partridge, Cara Partridge (P),/ Nicole Farrar, Ryan Hall (P) Katie Martin, Audra McMahon (P)
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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