Methadone Clinic To Open In Pittsfield On Tuesday

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's first methadone clinic will open on Tuesday.

Spectrum Health Systems announced on Friday that the new outpatient clinic will begin treatment and counseling beginning Oct. 9.

The clinic's Summer Street location had been the cause of controversy since news leaked of the 43-year-old nonprofit health agency's intention to locate a methadone clinic in the downtown. City officials attempts to block the move ended when a federal court found in Spectrum's favor.

Now the company will begin the services that many in the city protested against, fearing the clinic would draw an unsavory clientele and hamper downtown revitalization. The court settlement did ask the company to consider moving to facilities offered by Berkshire Health Systems when space becomes available; city officials are still hoping for that.

Debate has centered mostly around the location and not as much on the need for the clinic. Officials have agreed that the city has an opiod abuse problem and cite statistics that show it has one of the highest per capita rate of abuse in the state.

"There is a need in the treatment community, and Department of Public Health data shows that," Kristin Nolan, Spectrum's director of outpatient services, said in the prepared announcement of the opening. "Local residents will no longer have to travel roundtrip as far away as Springfield and Holyoke on a daily basis to get treatment. That travel time is certainly a hindrance to an individual trying to integrate back into being a productive member of the community."

Spectrum provides counseling, treatment and after-care planning. For more information, contact the intake department at 1-800-464-9555, Ext. 1161.

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Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:18PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.

DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.

 

Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 

 

Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 

 

Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 

 

This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  

 

Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 

 

"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said.