Body Presumed to Be 19-Year-Old Recovered From Silver Lake

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A body presumed to be 19-year-old Joshua Rodriguez was recovered from Silver Lake on Wednesday morning, a representative from the district attorney's office confirmed on Thursday.

Multiple first-responder units searched the lake on Tuesday after receiving a report that someone had been in the lake around noon. The police did not identify Rodriguez as the person at that time. He had been reported missing on Tuesday. 

His body was found around 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning by two people. The body was transported to land from the Fourth Street side of the lake by police and fire personnel. 

The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the body and will confirm the identity and determine the cause of death but evidence collected so far does not suggest any foul play, according to the district attorney's office. 

Police Cpt. Gary Traversa said the police had evidence to support that Silver Lake may have been the Rodriquez's last location. 

The Detective Bureau’s investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 413-448-9700.

The DA's office also provided helplines for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and/or contemplating suicide:

• Brien Center: Call 1-800-252-0227 to talk to a trained, local crisis counselor 24/7.
• Crisis Text Line: Text NAMI to 741-741 to receive support from a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
• Department of Mental Health (DMH): Local crisis line available 24/7. Call (413) 499-0412.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988.
• The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 to speak with a LGBTQ+ Youth specialized crisis counselor 24/7.
• Trans Lifeline: Provides support specifically for transgender and questioning callers. Crisis support & guidance, call 1-877-565-8860 between 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
• Teen Line: Teens helping teens. Text TEEN to 839-863 between 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Available to anyone, even if you are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. Call 1-800- 273-8255 (then press 1), or text 838- 255. For Deaf or Hard of Hearing, call: 1-800-799-4889. Available 24/7.
   

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.