Superior Court Briefs: Aug. 2

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On July 31 Trevon Thompson, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on two charges stemming back to an arrest from February 10, 2023. 
 
The sentencing took place in Berkshire Superior Court and was overseen by Judge Agostini. The Defendant was arrested as a part of a greater investigation into drug trafficking in North Adams.  
 
Charges and Sentencing:
  • Possession of Class B with Intent to Distribute - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections suspended sentence for three years with the following conditions:
    • Complete substance abuse evaluation
    • Follow any recommendations from probation
    • Remain drug free
    •  Submit to random screens
  • Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute - 3 years' probation with above conditions
Law enforcement involved in the case included the North Adams Police Department and the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force. Assistant District Attorney Rachael Eramo represented the Commonwealth.
 
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On July 30, Ryan Starbird, 20 years old of Pittsfield, entered an unagreed plea of guilty and was sentenced in Berkshire Superior Court by Judge Agostini. 
 
According to a report, the case stems from a 2023 incident at the Berkshire Crossing shopping plaza parking lot. The Defendant and another man had an altercation. The report continued that Starbird was in possession of an illegal firearm.
 
During the altercation, the Defendant's gun discharged, and he sustained an injury to his own hand. The victim sustained an injury to his groin. The Defendant did not have a license to carry a firearm.
 
Charges and Sentencing:
  • Illegal Possession of A Firearm - 2 ½ years House of Corrections 
  • Illegal Possession of A Loaded Firearm - 3 years' probation from and after jail
  • Assault & Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon - Causing Serious Bodily Injury - 3 years' probation from and after jail
  • Discharging A Firearm Within 500 Feet of A Building - 3 years' probation from and after jail
  • Assault And Battery By Discharging A Firearm - 3 years' probation from and after jail
The Commonwealth requested an extended sentence with 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections for the first count, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, and 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections on and after the first count. Defense requested 1 ½ years in the House of Correction followed by probation.
 
Law enforcement and emergency responders included the Pittsfield Police Department; the Dalton Police Department; and Action Ambulance. Both individuals were treated for their wounds at Berkshire Medical Center.
 
Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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CBRSD Budget Decreases; Dalton Assessment High

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District has decreased its initial operating projections from nearly 10 percent down to 4.9 percent, but the Dalton's budget is still strained because of its high assessment.  
 
During a School Committee in January, a tentative budget was presented, which included a pessimistic look at the uncontrollable costs. Since then, updated figures have come back and substantial reductions were made. 
 
Preliminary projections had the district's operating budget at $36,375,938, however, the it is now eyeing a significantly lower operating budget of $33,767,460. 
 
The original budget included $2,881,285 in increases and just $454,040 in decreases.
 
Further adjustments — such as a $621,000 reduction in insurance costs, a $70,000 decrease in state charter school assessments, and several cuts to staff positions, curriculum, Chromebooks, insurance, capital projects, and other post-employment benefits — resulted in additional reductions totaling $1,824,915.
 
Despite these efforts, the town's assessment is at $1,148,177 — a $126,838 increase, or 12.42 percent.
 
However, when factoring in capital assessments, the increase drops to 10.1 percent. Dalton's capital assessment stands at $1,529,099, representing a decrease of $56,119.
 
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