Big Y Distributing Free N95 Masks

11:43AM / Friday, February 18, 2022Print Story | Email Story

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y will soon offer free N95 masks to communities across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Big Y is actively working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to distribute more than 230,000 high-quality face coverings to shoppers. Masks will be available in all of the markets, Table & Vine and Big Y Express Gas & Convenience locations on Saturday, Feb. 19.

There will be employee-staffed tables set up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to distribute up to three masks to each customer, while supplies last.

In mid-January, the federal government announced an initiative to distribute 400 million N95 face coverings through retailers around the country, intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. Big Y's membership in the Topco buying cooperative's aggregation capabilities are helping to meet the government's requirements. Big Y Foods and other participating Topco members were able to partner to acquire free masks to distribute.

Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Centers have also worked with HHS and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on other COVID-19 support entities, including testing and vaccinations.

Tags: big y, COVID-19, masks,

More Coronavirus Updates
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 news:

iBerkshires.com

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

rk MILES Blding Materials

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

www.rkmiles.com

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

Pittsfield Mayor Offers Police Chief Position to Unnamed Candidate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
08:01AM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A candidate has been offered the police chief position, and their name will be announced at an upcoming press conference.

On Thursday, Mayor Peter Marchetti's office confirmed that an offer has been made for Thomas Dawley's successor. The person has not been named, nor the date of the press conference.

iBerkshires.com will provide coverage on that day.

"The Mayor has made an offer to a candidate and that name will be released at an upcoming press conference," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine VanBramer wrote via email.

The mayor's office was unable to provide details about the chief's salary at this point, because they are working to finalize a contract, VanBramer said.

Police Chief Thomas Dawley announced his intent to retire late last year after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department. He was appointed the interim police chief in June 2023 and permanent chief a year later.

Marchetti was charged with appointing the new chief, and Capt. Marc Strout has led the department in the interim.

In the fall, he requested that a Civil Service assessment be conducted for a new chief, and two candidates took the test.

The two candidates who took the police chief exam in December were Lt. Marc Maddalena and Capt. John Murphy.

View Full Story