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West Street was closed for three hours between Tor Court and Roberta Road after a worker was struck and killed.

Worker Struck and Killed on West Street

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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The work site was in the eastbound lane of West Street. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A worker died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in a construction zone on West Street.
 
Police say Shane Cassavant, 49, of Lanesborough was working in the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound 2015 Chevrolet Colorado operated by Edward Ladouceur, 87, of Pittsfield, who entered the construction zone.
 
Cassavant was taken to Berkshire Medical Center where he later died of his injuries. 
 
The crash was reported at about 7:52 a.m. in the area of  777 West St.; police, fire, and Action Ambulance responded.
 
Prior to the crash, the eastbound lane was closed to traffic for construction and vehicles were being directed into the westbound lane by a flagger just west of Tor Court. Police did not provide what work Cassavant was doing or who he was working for. 
 
The area of West Street between Roberta Road and Tor Court was closed to traffic for about three hours while the investigation and roadway cleanup was underway.
 
Police posted the road closure to Facebook on Thursday morning, reporting a serious motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. Berkshire Community College students were urged to seek alternative routes.
 
The incident remains under investigation by Police Officer David Hallas of the Traffic Unit. Any witnesses or individuals who drove through the construction zone prior to 7:50 a.m. are asked to contact Hallas at 413-448-9700.
 
Conversations on pedestrian safety have been centered on the West Street corridor this year after Pittsfield resident Shaloon Milord was struck and killed while crossing in front of Dorothy Amos Park in January.


 


Tags: fatal,   pedestrians,   

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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