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Mission was popular for its regular jazz performances.

Mission Restaurant to Close at the End of the Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. —After 15 years on North Street, Mission Restaurant will be closing its doors on Halloween.
 
The news was announced in a Facebook post on Sunday.
 
"We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all our patrons for making Mission such an incredible part of downtown Pittsfield through the years. A special thank you to our team members, past and present, who brought their passion and talents to the restaurant shift after shift – though our chapter together may be closing, the memories and experiences we've shared are timeless," the post read.
 
"Finally, we would like to thank all musicians for bringing so much joy to our bar + dining area. We will always remember the rich legacy of live music you left behind in the window as we walk by 438 North St."
 
The eatery is known for having regular music —often jazz— as well as its unique menu offerings and cozy atmosphere.  It was initially opened by Jenny Benson in 2007 and was bought by Mill Town Capital during the pandemic.
 
The community is encouraged to come in and say its goodbyes to Mission for the remainder of the month.

Tags: business closing,   North Street,   restaurant,   

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Ex-Miss Hall's Teacher Indicted on Rape Charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former Miss Hall's School teacher accused of sexually assaulting students at the girls' school has been indicted by a Berkshire grand jury.
 
Matthew Rutledge, 63, was indicted on Tuesday on three counts of rape following testimony provided by Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon, former students.
 
Pittsfield Police opened an investigation into Rutledge in 2024. Rutledge was alleged to have sexually assaulted students while serving as a teacher at Miss Hall's School dating back to the 1990s. In October 2024, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office announced that there were no charges able to be brought forward at that time; however, the office kept the investigation open. 
 
In late fall 2024, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue took over the investigation, then tasked a team of special prosecutors and the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, including resources from the Unresolved Cases Unit, to continue investigating the allegations.
 
In 2025, a summary of a report authored by Aleta Law Firm was released to the public. The report, which was commissioned by the Miss Hall's Board of Trustees, consisted of numerous interviews examining the school's culture. The report detailed a pervasive and chronic pattern of inappropriate staff conduct.
 
Using information gathered by both the DA's Office and the Aleta report, the team of special prosecutors say they found Rutledge to have violated state law. 
 
"It took a long time to get to Tuesday's indictment. I commend the prosecutors and detectives who worked tirelessly to bring this case forward," said Shugrue in a statement. "Most of all, I would like to recognize and commend Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon for their bravery and continued cooperation throughout this long, arduous process. 
 
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