Police Caution Residents To Avoid Black Bears

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This bear wandered back into woods but hadn't left the immediate neighborhood around Brayton School by Friday evening.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Black bears have been coming closer to homes around the region this spring. The most recent siting has been near Brayton Elementary School over past few days. 

Neighbors in the area reported seeing the bear in the brook behind the school and he (most likely) was spotted on Friday in a tree near the Northern Berkshire YMCA.

Police are urging people to stay calm if they see a bear and to back away from it slowly.  Black bears are not particularly hostile but can be dangerous if frightened, or over food or cubs.

Bears are attracted by food, so police say:

• Never feed bears and make sure no food, dirty grills, bird feeders (bring them in at night) or accessible trash containers are around to attract them, especially at night. Garbage containers should be frequently washed with a disinfectant solution to remove odors.

• For those with fruit or nut trees, removing fallen fruit or nuts will minimize bear activity in your yard.

The department has more information on its Facebook page.


Tags: bears,   wild animals,   

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National Grid Hosts Customer Assistance Events In The Berkshires

WALTHAM, Mass. — National Grid will hold a series of in-person Customer Assistance Events this December. 
 
As colder weather sets in, these events are designed to help customers manage winter energy bills and explore cost-saving programs.
 
In Berkshire County:
  • Dec. 4 – Town Library, Williamstown, 4:00pm – 8:00pm, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown
  • Dec. 5 – National Grid Great Barrington Office, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 927 South Main Street, Great Barrington
  • Dec. 5 – Sheffield Bushnell-Sage Library, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, 97 Main Street, Sheffield
Many of these events will continue to take place at local senior centers, making it convenient for older residents to access personalized assistance. Attendees at any location will have direct access to National Grid Customer Service Specialists, who can provide personalized guidance on payment options and energy solutions to meet each household's needs.
 
"As December begins, customers still have opportunities to find support and manage energy costs," said Bill Malee, chief customer officer, National Grid. "We're proud to host many of these events at local senior centers, ensuring customers have easy access to the support they need. Our in-person events are a great way for customers to connect with our team, learn about flexible payment options, and discover energy-saving programs that can help make a real difference this season."
 
Customers attending in-person events will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from National Grid, who will be on-site to assist with billing issues and provide information on:
  • Enrolling in National Grid's new Payment Assistance Bundle
  • Enrolling in Budget Billing
  • Enrolling in the Energy Discount Rate (for qualifying customers)
  • Scheduling home energy assessments and sharing information on other energy efficiency opportunities for homes or businesses 
These events are part of National Grid's broader commitment to affordability and reliability. Customers can also access support by calling 1-800-233-5325.
 
National Grid customers can now sign up for a new Payment Assistance Bundle. The bundle combines three solutions to make it easier for managing energy costs and paying down past due amounts over a 12-month period.
  • Deferred Payment Agreement: Spread out past-due balance into future monthly payments.
  • Automatic Monthly Payments: Automatically deduct payments from your bank account each month and avoid missing due dates.
  • Budget Plan: Break down annual energy costs into balanced monthly payments, making it easier to budget and plan expenses.
Customers interested in enrolling in the Payment Assistance Bundle can do so online by visiting ngrid.com/hereforyou, at an in-person event, or by calling 1-800-233-5325.
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