Updated June 26, 2015 06:14PM

Berkshire Battalion Hockey Moving From North Adams

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
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Battalion owner William Dadds said he'll provide bus service for fans when the team lands in either New York or Connecticut.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Less than two weeks after saying the Berkshire Battalion would return for the 2015-16 season, the club's new owner said on Friday that he is taking it to Connecticut or New York. 
 
"Thank you Battalion fans. Moving to new location," read a post on the team's Facebook page. "But I will make sure we provide bus service for several games."
 
It is unknown whether the North Adams fan base will enjoy a bus ride to Danbury, Conn., or Brewster, N.Y., the two towns Battalion owner Bill Dadds identified in a text on Friday answering a request for comment.
 
Earlier this month, Dadds said the Battalion definitely would return and popular coach Darin Lane would be behind the bench despite the legal troubles that cost Lane his job managing the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink, home of the Battalion in its inaugural Federal Hockey League season last winter. 
 
A few days later, Lane told the fan base via social media that he would not be back. 
 
On Friday, Dadds said Lane's absence helped drive the decision to take the team south. 
 
"It's a business decision," Dadds texted. "And administration with what was going on with Darin. Without him in this town. Wouldn't be the same."
 
One of the Battalion's potential landing spots already has a mixed history with the FHL. After last season, the city of Danbury kicked out the FHL's Danbury Whalers after a dispute over nonpayment of rent.

 


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Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

About 50 people waved flags to the see the Guardsmen off on their bus. The members were staying in North Adams because of a lack of hotel rooms in Bennington, Vt.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents came together Friday to see some Vermont National Guard members off.
 
The American Legion Riders organized a send off for a group of 75 or so Guard members who were staying at Hotel Downstreet.
 
"We are going to escort them to the Bennington Armory," Riders President Mike Lewis said. "They are going to gear up there, and then I am not sure where they are going. I don’t even know if they are all going to the same place."
 
Fifty or so people met in the Hotel Downstreet parking lot to show their appreciation. They waved flags and held signs. A bagpiper was also present.
 
The Riders contacted the Fire Department who helped organize the send off. North Adams Police cruisers and Northern Berkshire EMS were also on site to help see the bus off.
 
Lewis said there was not enough rooms in Bennington for the National Guard members. He added because of the trend to use vacant hotel rooms as low-income housing, the group had to look toward North Adams.
 
It's not clear where these Guard were off to, but about 500 members of 3-172 Infantry Battalion were expected to go to the Middle East with U.S. Central Command. According to Vermont Digger, this deployment was scheduled prior to the strikes on Iran. 
 
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