Pittsfield Adult Learning Center Appoints Director

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Paul Gage
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Paul Gage has been appointed director of the Pittsfield Adult Learning Center.
 
Gage applied for the position as an opportunity to use his nonprofit management and educational experience to help a rapidly expanding and diverse population gain basic literacy skills.
 
A graduate of University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, he worked for several years as a financial analyst for an insurance company. 
 
"It was a great experience but after a few years, I realized that my heart was in public service," Gage said. As a result, he started taking teacher licensure courses at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts while completing a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
 
Gage began his educational career as a special education teacher with Hillcrest Education Centers, followed by a permanent substitute teacher position at Hoosac Valley High School, and later, as a social studies teacher at Wahconah Regional High School.
 
Gage also earned a Masters of Public Administration in Non-Profit Management Westfield State University in 2008.
 
His skills were put to the test as executive director of the Louison House, a family life support center for the homeless of northern Berkshire County. 
 
"Working with homeless individuals and families, especially children, to help them achieve even a small degree of normalcy was a humbling and valuable experience during the 4 1/2 years I was at Louison House," Gage said.
 
The center is located at 141 North St. For more info, call 413-499-9530 or click here.
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Police Seeking 'Armed and Dangerous' Suspect in Thursday's Shooting

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Lanesborough man with a history of violence is wanted in the murder of 29-year-old-Pittsfield resident Justin Crawford.
 
Terry Martizna, 35, is wanted for one count of murder. Martizna should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public, according to police.  
 
Crawford was one of two individuals who were shot on Thursday, June 18, near the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street in Pittsfield. The second person, who has not been identifield, was treated for a non-life-threatening injury at Berkshire Medical Center.  https://www.iberkshires.com/story/82991/Pittsfield-Targeted-Shooting-Leaves-One-Dead-One-Injured.html
 
Police have described the shooting as "targeted" and say the charge is the result of an extensive investigation. Pittsfield Police have been assisted by members of the State Police, Berkshire County Sheriff's Department, other agencies, and in conjunction with the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office.   
 
Martizna was sentenced in 2017 to 4 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to firearms charges that violated his probation on two counts of armed assault with intent to kill in 2015.  
 
Anyone with information on Martizna whereabouts is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police immediately at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)   
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