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Sen. Adam Hinds’ 2018 greeting card was designed by Lenox sixth-grader Savannah Reber.

Hinds Seeks Designs for Annual Holiday Card Contest

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School is in session and summer doesn't officially end until Sept. 23, but Team Hinds is thinking about the holidays.

State Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D- Pittsfield) has sent packages to 57 schools across his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden District inviting students in grades three through six to participate in his annual Holiday Card Design Contest.

Each December, Hinds sends almost 1,000 greeting cards by mail to friends, family, colleagues and constituents. The winning design will be used as the cover art for his 2019 holiday greeting card. The student artist will be identified on the card, featured in the senator's media and social media outreach, and win a pizza party for their classroom with Hinds.

"One of my favorite things to do is visit local schools and interact with students of all ages," Hinds said. "I love the holidays, and I love to see children’s excitement during the holiday season. This contest lets our team tap into that excitement and spread cheer throughout the community."

Last year, 348 students from a dozen schools located across western Massachusetts submitted entries to the contest. The winning drawing was submitted by Savannah Reber, who was then a sixth-grader at Lenox Memorial Middle & High School. For weeks, Hinds’ district office, located in downtown Pittsfield, was extremely festive, decorated with all the student entries.


"Visitors in my office loved looking at all the artwork last year," Hinds said. "I know I'm looking forward to seeing them all as well."

The contest is open to all students in grades three through six who live in one of the 52 communities within the senator's Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District. The winning image will be chosen by Hinds and used as the cover of his 2019 holiday greeting card. The image may also be used in the his press and social media. The printed holiday card will credit the student artist by listing their name, age, grade, hometown and school. The winning student will be announced by Senator Hinds in December and will win a pizza party luncheon with the Senator for their classroom.

Contest entries must be returned to Hinds' Pittsfield office no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Entries may be dropped off in the office Monday through Friday during normal business hours, or mailed to Senator Adam Hinds Holiday Greeting Card Contest, 100 North Street, Suite 410, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Entries can also be scanned (in color) and emailed.

Contest entry forms have been mailed to schools in Hinds' district this week, and are also available on the senator's social media pages or by contacting his office.


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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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