Berkshire County Historical Society Celebrates Plant a Tree Day

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 pm as they celebrate Plant a Tree Day with a ceremonial planting of a young American elm "Jefferson" on Park Square. 
 
The tree will be planted to honor the Berkshires' first known environmentalist Lucretia Williams. Williams threw herself before the woodsman's axe to save a towering elm known as the Pittsfield Elm on Park Square in 1789. 
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 
This free event is open to the public.
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 

Tags: park square,   trees,   

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North Adams Man Pleade Not Guilty to Father's Murder

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — David Louis Boucher, who is accused of killing his father, pleaded not guilty Monday in Berkshire Superior Court.

Boucher, 48, was indicted on one count of murder and two counts of larceny.

In May 2026, Boucher allegedly stabbed his father, 67-year-old David Allen Boucher, and left him for dead in his home at 256 Walnut St. The younger Boucher lived downstairs and his father upstairs in the multi-family home.

Boucher admitted to killing his father a week later, shortly before police located the body.

At the time of the arrest, a clear motive was not established, though the Berkshire District Attorney's office suggested it may have involved a gambling debt. Authorities noted there may have also been a mental health component.

Boucher is set to appear in court again in April.

Boucher is currently being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction.

 

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