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Youngsters participate in the basketball program at the Boys and Girls Club in Pittsfield last winter.

Boys and Girls Club to Host Basketball Skills Camp

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The 16th annual Skills Improvement basketball camp for boys and girls in grades 3 through 12 will be held Aug. 16-19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Boys and Girls Club.
 
The camp is designed to target basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on instruction in shooting, ball handling, passing, rebounding and defensive skills.
 
The camp is directed by Bill Heaphy, the coach of the Taconic boys basketball team, which has won three straight Western Massachusetts Division 2 titles and is the reigning co-State Champion.
 
Registration is $100, and checks should be made payable to the Boys and Girls Club.
 
To register online, visit bgcberkshires.org. Registration closes Monday, Aug. 16.
 
For information, contact Heaphy at billyball33@msn.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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