LitNet Hires First-Gen College Coordinator

08:33AM / Thursday, September 14, 2023Print Story | Email Story

LEE, Mass. The Literacy Network (LitNet) announced the addition of Deisy Escobar to its staff as the organization's First-Generation College Coordinator.

In this newly created role, Escobar will serve as a community ambassador for LitNet by helping to develop programming, outreach, and partnerships centered around supporting and educating first-generation college applicants and their families about the college application process and related opportunities. With Escobar's support, LitNet hopes to launch its first First-Generation College-Goer Fair in spring 2024.

Escobar, a second-generation immigrant and first-year college student, graduated from Mount Everett High School in June of this year. The daughter of a Mexican immigrant and Colombian immigrant, Escobar is Spanish-English bilingual and has served as a LitNet volunteer tutor since 2021. Escobar has independently hosted a bilingual workshop for first-time college-goers and is active in the community as a co-host for the radio show Mundo Latino with her mother, Martha Escobar, with whom she also hosts an awards ceremony for community individuals and organizations who have provided outstanding support to Berkshire County immigrants.

"Deisy has been steeped and active in service in the Berkshire Community for many years now," LitNet's Executive Director Leigh Doherty said. "She is a perfect example of one we can call 'wise beyond her years!' As a new college student herself, Deisy is well-informed about the process, the challenges, and the excitement of it all. I look forward to having Deisy's first-hand, direct experience to guide us."

LitNet currently serves more than 200 individuals, the majority of whom are immigrants from South and Central America who are working on their English language skills. In 2019, LitNet launched Berkshire County's first scholarship program for prospective U.S. citizens, the Matthew and Hannah Keator Family Scholarship for New Americans, which supports recipients financially and legally and provides English and civics tutoring in preparation for the citizenship interview.

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Lanesborough Officials Begin Budget Deliberations

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
11:35AM / Monday, March 09, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board and Finance Committee last week began a detailed look at the needs for the fiscal 2027 budget from the Police, Fire and Library departments.

Both the Police and Fire departments will be asking for capital funds toward replacement vehicles.

Chair Deborah Maynard laid out the format and cautioned the participants that it was going to "be a civil meeting."

"There's not going to be any yelling or talking out of turn, but we certainly would recommend and be glad to hear questions from the audience as we discuss these department budgets," she said.

There have been recent complaints about angry comments and yelling at some town board meetings.

Police Chief Rob Derksen presented a budget increase of $277,717, around 4 percent, but noted that police salaries are currently in negotiations. He separated his budget from the Baker Hill Road District, which is currently under discussion to be dissolved. The draft said the department had a 44 percent increase, but that was combined with the Baker Hill Road District.

Derksen said the department is running under budget and that compared to the national average spending on local law enforcement of $407 per capita annually, Lanesborough spends around $313. He also said the average operating budget is 10 to 15 percent of the municipal budget and that the department is operating at almost 7 percent.

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