News & Notes: Merrill Road Crash Injures 2, Ties Up Traffic
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A head-on collision that occurred on Merrill Road on Thursday afternoon sent two people to Berkshire Medical Center and snarled up traffic for several hours.
Police said the mid-afternoon crash occurred near the railroad tracks on Merrill Road when Keri L. Proskin of Pittsfield somehow veered out of her southbound lane and struck a truck driven by Charles Smith of Dalton and eventually rear-ended a third car. Both drivers were taken to Berkshire Medical Center, where Smith was treated for minor injuries and Proskin remained in stable condition.
Northbound traffic on Merrill Road was diverted to Plastics Avenue to Dalton Avenue, where it proceeded at a crawl for a couple of hours. Traffic was snarled up so badly that Pittsfield Police asked the local radio stations to issue an alert to motorists to avoid Merrill Road at all costs. The driver of the car that crossed the double yellow line was cited for a marked-lane violation.
Richmond Boat Ramp Opened
RICHMOND, Mass. — After Richmond town officials made a decision to close the public boat ramp on Richmond Pond this week, they have been ordered to reopen it again by the state's Department of Fish and Game.
Town Administrator Matt Kerwood said they did so reluctantly Thursday. In addition, Richmond is moving to put in place the self-certification program currently in use within the city of Pittsfield. This means that boaters will be asked to certify their boats are clean before being placed in the water. Kerwood said the town will comply with the state's order but its disappointed that the state refuses to support the town's decision to control access into Richmond Pond.
The state can do this because it was state money that paid for many of the public boat ramps in the county and only the state can make a decision to close them, such as it did with the public boar ramp at Laurel Lake in Lee.
Polish Festival Coming to Downtown Pittsfield on Sunday
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — If you're looking for something to do Sunday in Pittsfield, go no further then St. Joseph's Church on North Street where a Polish Festival will take place.
Organizer Joseph Guertin said the festival will have everything from a Polish band to plenty of Polish food. For almost 40 years, the Polish Festival was held at Holy Family Church but since the church was closed by the Diocese of Springfield, the festival has been reborn at St. Joseph's. Admission is free but you'll have to pay for your food.
If you prefer jazz, check out the 5th annual Heron Cove Jazz Fest at Heron Cove in Cheshire. Various jazz groups will perform beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Heron Cove is located off Route 8 in Cheshire. Just look for the signs. Admission is free but bring a chair.
Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department Planning Block Party
HINSDALE, Mass. — The Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department is offering its own version of a summer festival — a block party complete with four bands, two stages and fireworks. The Block Party begins Saturday at 5 with two bands in the front and rear of the firehouse at the intersection of Routes 143 and 8 with a break at 9:30 for a half hour of fireworks, then two more bands until midnight. Admission is $5 with the proceeds going toward the funding of the Fire Department.
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