BEAT Green Drinks Goes Countywide

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After nearly 15 years of hosting their monthly Pittsfield Green Drinks gathering, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is expanding their Green Drinks from Pittsfield to county-wide, making it 'Berkshire Green Drinks'.
 
Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pittsfield Green Drinks took place exclusively at a restaurant or pub in Pittsfield. Starting in 2023, BEAT will begin changing the location of their in-person gatherings to different towns throughout Berkshire County every month. 
 
They're also changing the monthly events to the second Wednesday of every month instead of the third Tuesday.
 
BEAT hopes to offer Berkshire Green Drinks as a monthly hybrid event, starting in February 2023, by hosting in-person gatherings with the speaker and a virtual Zoom meeting where online participants can ask questions. 
 
The first-ever Berkshire Green Drinks will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 11, on Zoom at 6 PM. Robin Sears, the executive director of Williamstown Rural Lands, will speak about the mission, activities, and duties of local land trusts. She will outline the ways our natural environment and local demographics are changing and consider management options for land stewards to respond to and anticipate the needs for ecosystem resilience. 
 
Pre-registration is required to attend the virtual presentation. Register at: tinyurl.com/Jan2023-Berk-Green-Drinks

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Pittsfield Man Pleads Guilty to 2025 Assault, Firearm Charges

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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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