Berkshire County Braces for Another Winter Storm

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Guess what? More snow
 
The US National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Wednesday, Jan. 25, for Berkshire County.
 
The watch is in effect from 11 am to Thursday, Jan. 26 at 4 pm.
 
Expect heavy mixed precipitation with total snow accumulations of 4 to 9 inches. A light ice accumulation is also possible. 
 
Snow will develop early Wednesday afternoon, becoming moderate to heavy through the evening with rates of .5 to 1 inch per hour. The snow will become a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain Wednesday night before temperatures rise above freezing and precipitation turns to rain.
 
Wind gusts could blow as high as 35 mph.

Snow Emergency Declarations

Pittsfield has declared a snow emergency effective 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 through 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27.
 
Trash and recycling pickup will begin at 6am on Wednesday, January 25, servicing Tuesday's
routes. Pick up for the remainder of the week is still on a scheduled one-day delay.
 
For the duration of the snow emergency, residents are asked to use off-street parking.
If off-street parking is not available, residents may park on the street observing the following
alternate side parking regulations:
  • Between 7 a.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday: parking is allowed on the odd side of the street;
  • Between 7 a.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday: parking is allowed on the even side of the street; and
  • Residents in and around downtown Pittsfield are encouraged to use the McKay Street parking garage for overnight parking which will be open to the public free of charge starting, Wednesday through the duration of the emergency.
All other existing and signed parking regulations remain active. Non-permitted vehicles are prohibited from parking or standing in any open municipal parking lot between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7 a.m.
 
Vehicles found in violation of the above parking regulations may be towed at the vehicle owner's expense.
 
City residents are further advised that sidewalks and ramps abutting their property must be cleared of snow within 24-hours of the storm's end.  Residents are also encouraged to clear snow from around fire hydrants located near their properties.
 

Tags: snow emergencies,   winter event,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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