LitNet Accepting Applicants For Scholarship For New Americans

04:37PM / Friday, March 05, 2021Print Story | Email Story

LEE, Mass. — Literacy Network of South Berkshire (LitNet) is now accepting applications for the Matthew and Hannah Keator Family Scholarship for New Americans.

The scholarship, funded by a grant through the Matthew and Hannah Keator Family Fund, provides financial support to individuals who are ready to apply for U.S. citizenship. The financial support assists candidates in obtaining legal services during the screening and the application process as well as direct support to defray the cost of the federal naturalization application. There are six available scholarships for 2021. Acceptance of applications began on March 1, 2021.

Scholarship recipients will be assigned a trained tutor from LitNet, who will work one-on-one with the applicant to prepare for the culmination of the naturalization process—the civics and literacy exams.

Since the inception of the Keator Scholarship in 2019, 12 recipients have become US citizens.

All applicants must begin their process with the Berkshire Immigrant Center, which partners closely with LitNet in this endeavor. To obtain a scholarship application or for any questions, contact Lorena Dus or Emma Lezberg at the Berkshire Immigrant Center, https://berkshireic.org, by telephone (413) 445-4881or email info@berkshireic.com.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Breathing Room

0% APY for 12 months balance transfer offer. Apply today! Click to learn more. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Rutledge Defense Seeks Dismissal of Rape Charges Over Statute of Limitations

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:55PM / Thursday, November 12, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Superior Court courtroom was filled on Thursday as proceedings resumed on the high-profile case against former Miss Hall's School teacher Matthew Rutledge, with the court hearing arguments on his motion to dismiss.

Rutledge, 63, was indicted by a Berkshire County grand jury on three counts of rape stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted students at the all-girls school in the 1990s.

On Thursday, Rutledge, represented by attorney Ryan Schiff, appeared before Judge Michael Callahan to seek dismissal of all three counts, arguing that prosecutors were attempting to circumvent the statute of limitations and had failed to disclose what Schiff characterized as "highly exculpatory evidence."

More than 100 attendees filled the pews, some wearing orange carnations to show solidarity with the accusers, Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon.

As Rutledge attempted to leave the courtroom following Judge Callahan's departure, several attendees voiced their outrage, shouting "Shame," "You can't hide behind the bad law," and "We know what you did."

Judge Callahan re-entered the courtroom to condemn these outbursts and directed court officers to record their names and bar them from attending future proceedings on this case.

The nearly hour-long hearing centered on competing interpretations of the language and legislative intent behind Massachusetts' statute of limitations, particularly whether Rutledge's temporary absences from the state could extend the time prosecutors have to bring charges.

View Full Story