K-9 cop Ace named grand Marshal of Bark in the Park dog walk

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Grand Marshall of the 2005 Bark in the Park, Ace (pictured at left with Officer Brian Cummer, his K-9 handler in the Dover, NH police force), is a BHS alumni turned K-9 officer
Each year Berkshire Humane Society chooses one dog to be the Grand Marshall of the Bark in the Park dog walk. This is not an easy decision to make considering the many wonderful dogs that come into the shelter during the year. Each dog who enters the shelter has something unique and special about him or her. Staff members and volunteers alike become close to the animals surrendered and hope for the best adoption for each and every one of them. This year’s Grand Marshal is Ace, a 3 ½ year old black lab. Ace came BHS through the PetSafe program in February 2003. Ace’s original owner had left an abusive situation from out of state and moved to the Pittsfield area. His owner had a disability and was training Ace to be her service dog. When she entered the Elizabeth Freeman Battered Women’s Shelter, she was eligible to have her dog go into the PetSafe foster program. Arrangements were made to drive to Pennsylvania, where the dog was being kenneled, to pick him up and drive him to BHS. He then went into a confidential PetSafe foster home. Shortly after being in this foster home, the foster parent realized that Ace was a high-energy, high-drive dog that would not be suitable for the average pet owner. Ace’s owner decided to move out of state and elected not take Ace with her, surrendering him to BHS instead. Once Ace was in the shelter, staff agreed with the foster parent about his energy level and drive. “He was a great dog who needed a serious job,” said Lisa Boschetti canine supervisor. The staff found Ace to be very focused on “his job” of finding balls and toys even if it took him 15 minutes he would continue to search until he found the prize. This dog was happiest when he was working. Having previously placed dogs in successful working situation, the staff decided to contact German Shepherd Rescue of New England Working Dog Program so they could find the most appropriate home for Ace. Ace was then selected to train for the Dover, New Hampshire Police Department as a drug-sniffing dog. Although the training program for these dogs normally takes about 6 months, Ace finished his training after just 2 months. His handler, Officer Cummer couldn't be happier, and he and his family decided that even if Ace hadn't worked out as a police dog, they would keep him in their family. A fundraiser to support the Dover Police K-9 Unit and to honor Ace was held on February 26, 2005 in Dover, New Hampshire. The Atlantic Culinary Academy has been a sponsorship partner with the Dover Police since early last year. Their sponsorship of K-9 Ace has allowed the Police Department to provide this narcotics detection service at limited cost to the taxpayer. Ace, along with the other Dover Police Narcotics detection dogs were used over 65 searches last year resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug seizures. In one week of March 2005, Ace seized 12oz of cocaine, 29 grams of Marijuana, a handgun, and cash for a total of approximately $20,000. BHS is very proud of Ace’s accomplishments with Officer Cummer. This was a wonderful black lab that would have failed if he were placed as a family pet rather than a working dog. “Ace is right where he should be, doing what he was meant to do,” says Officer Cummer. Ace now resides with Officer Cummer, his wife Kerry, his two children Matthew and Annessa, a one-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, and three cats. The Bark in the Park Dog Walk will take place on Sunday, May 22, 2005 at the 1st Street Common in Pittsfield, MA. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with the walk starting at 9 a.m. The public is invited to stop by the Common to meet Officer Cummer and Ace.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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