Pittsfield Community Radio, WTBR To Hold On Air Fundraiser

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Community Radio, 89.7 WTBR-FM, will be holding a one-day on-air fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  
 
All money raised during the on-air fundraiser will go towards continuing their mission of providing the community with a non-profit, non-commercial radio station to present diverse local, entertaining, informative, and educational programming.
 
The on-air event will be anchored by former Pittsfield morning radio fixture and current Coordinator of Advancement at WTBR, Bob Heck, and Pittsfield Community Television's Executive Director and Morning Drive host Shawn Serre.  The day will also feature many local radio personalities who currently produce radio programs on WTBR. There will be special guests, including Mayor Linda Tyer, City Council President Peter Marchetti, 1Berkshire President, and CEO Jonathan Butler, Pittsfield Police Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis, and many more.
 
Shawn Serre, Executive Director of PCTV, said this event is critical to the station's success and continued operation. 
 
"This station survives when the community steps up with its support," said Serre.  "We are grateful to be able to provide this programming every day of the year, and our annual Radiothon fundraiser is one way we are able to make that happen.  Donations received during this event are what keeps the lights on and the transmitter broadcasting," he said.
 
There will be gifts given away, including local restaurant and business gift certificates. Every donation of $25 or more will qualify for a chance to win a Thanksgiving dinner from KJ Nosh Catering.
 
"This year, we have proven the need for our community to continue to have a community radio station," Heck said.  "The independent, participatory community radio that WTBR provides is so rare in today's mass media world.  We're the only radio station in the Berkshires that allows community members from all walks of life to come together to listen, create, react and engage, and once a year we ask the larger community to come together and help keep us going."
 
The one-day on-air fundraiser will air all day on 89.7 WTBR-FM, as well as the WTBR Facebook page and on PCTV Select, available on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire.
 
Donations can be made by 413-445-4234 during the pledge drive or made online at wtbrfm.com

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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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