Pittsfield Green Drinks Water Quality in Berkshire County

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elena Traister will speak at the April Pittsfield Green Drinks event on Tuesday, April 19th at 6:00 PM.
 
Traister will talk about the Clean Water Act (CWA), give a summary of the primary pollutants affecting the Housatonic and Hoosic watersheds, and briefly touch on policy aimed at continuing to improve water quality.
 
Traister has taught environmental studies at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) for 16 years, where she also currently serves as coordinator of campus sustainability. Her research mostly focuses on rivers, especially water quality and sources of pollution to streams in the Hoosic River watershed.
 
As part of this discussion, Traister will give a brief historical perspective on the CWA, then discuss some of the state's water quality monitoring findings for the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers. She'll touch on some of the primary pollutants that continue to be problematic — such as pathogens, nutrients, PCBs — and emerging concerns, like salinization.
 
This October will mark 50 years since the enactment of the Clean Water Act. 
 
Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the third Tuesday of the month. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green but the conversations are. Bring your curiosity and questions!
 
Due to COVID-19, these events are virtual until further notice. This event will take place on Zoom. Registration is required to join. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/April2022-Green-Drinks-Event
 
Pittsfield Green Drinks is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team
 

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Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to 2025 Assault, Firearm Charges

Staff ReportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man is facing up to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple assault and firearm charges from last year. 

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office has reported that on Thursday, Oct. 15, Jarvis L. Chadwell Jr., 20, pleaded guilty to 10 charges and was sentenced to 7 to 9 years in state prison following an incident on Oct. 18, 2025.

Police say that he fired a gun multiple times in a vehicle over an argument, striking the car and nearby home.  

"This incident was not just alarming because there was gun violence, but also because it occurred in such close proximity to a school. I will not waver on my stance towards gun violence in our community — gun violence must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said. 

"While I am committed to supporting those who need our help with recovery options and courts of hope, we must also protect our children and communities from the threat of violence that can claim lives in an instant. I commend the Pittsfield Police for their response and dedication to quickly solving this crime."

This occurred near Morningside Community School, which was retired at the end of the last academic year. 

Charges: 

  • armed assault with intent to murder
  • attempted assault & battery by discharging a firearm
  • witness intimidation
  • malicious destruction of property
  • resisting arrest
  • assault and battery on a police officer
  • illegal possession of a firearm
  • illegal possession of a large capacity feeding device
  • possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card 
  • possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony

Probation conditions include a mental health evaluation and aftercare; sign any releases required by probation; and refrain from abuse of the named victim, including threats of violence.

Pittsfield Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation at 65 Cherry St. just before 1 a.m. on that day in 2025. Upon arrival, police say witnesses confirmed hearing a gunshot and observing a man fleeing the area.

"While outside the 65 Cherry Street residence, officers observed a vehicle parked near the neighboring residence with a bullet hole in the windshield and an additional bullet hole in the side of 67 Cherry Street. Based on witness descriptions at the scene, law enforcement was able to quickly locate the Defendant within 30 minutes of the incident," a press release from the DA reads. 

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