Becket Police K-9 Mourned

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BECKET, Mass. — The police force's K-9 Kain died Sept. 14 after six years of service to the town. 
 
The Police Department, in a Facebook post, said Kain had "proudly and enthusiastically served as a member of the Becket Police Department since August of 2018."
 
Born in Hungary on Aug. 28, 2017, Kain was a dual-purpose police canine. He was certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association, a nationally recognized certification that he successfully renewed annually at a weeklong training conference. He also was certified as a narcotics detection and patrol utility canine. 
 
This training and certification gave K-9 Kain the ability to locate missing parties, and individuals who fled from police after committing crimes. Additionally, he was trained to detect illicit narcotics in vehicles, buildings, and luggage.  
 
Police said Kain had been an enormous asset to the town and to Berkshire County as a whole. He had been deployed in more than 10 communities assisting with the locating of suspects and of missing persons, individuals struggling with mental health, building searches, and narcotics detection in vehicles, buildings, and schools. In addition, Kain had participated in numerous canine demonstrations at schools, DARE programs and various community events. 
 
"He truly was an integral member of our community and will be deeply missed. K-9 Kain's partner, Sgt. [Michael] Hunt, and the Becket Police Department wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to our community for its unparalleled support through this difficult time," stated the post. 
 
Police Chief Kristopher McDonough says the "overwhelming support" from the community has prompted the department to establish a donation account to ensure the K-9 unit's future. 
 
"Over the last week, several community members have reached out offering to make financial contributions in memory of K-9 Kain," said McDonough in a statement. "The Becket Police Department as a whole cannot express enough how sincerely thankful we are to have such support from our community, colleagues, and extended family."
 
He said all funds will be only for expenses such as "purchasing, outfitting, caring for, and the training of a dedicated Police K-9."
 
Checks can be mailed or dropped off to the Becket Police Department, 557 Main Street, Becket MA 01223. Checks payable to: Kain's Legacy K-9 Fund C/O Becket Police Department.

 


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Prosperity Way Phase 1 Complete; Berkshire Gas Volunteer Day

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Some 55 Avangrid/Berkshire Gas employees spent the day sawing, hammering and painting at Prosperity Way.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Prosperity Way was founded on the dream of creating an affordable neighborhood where local working families can own a home, build a future, and create lasting memories. Soon, that vision will become reality as homeowners begin moving in.
 
Nearly a year ago, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its three-phase affordable housing project. Now, volunteers are putting the final touches on the six homes and have already begun phase two. 
 
"One of the homeowners is closing on her house tomorrow, so she's moving in this weekend, and then the other family is moving in next week," said Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli. 
 
During Phase 2, seven additional homes will be built, the first modular ranch for that phase has been set, and the stick-built ranch is currently in construction. There are two additional ranches on site, to be set once foundations are cured and two colonial homes are scheduled for delivery on Monday, she said. 
 
Phase 3 will have the construction of another seven homes. Central Berkshire Habitat hopes to finish the project before 2028, dependent on securing sufficient grant funding to bridge the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, Valli said. 
 
Energy ran high on Thursday, as more than than 50 employee volunteers from Berkshire Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., spent the day helping move the project forward through painting, landscaping, and construction work.
 
"We are an energy company in all aspects. We generate wind energy, we have electric utilities and gas utilities, and this crew is demonstrating their energy for a good cause today to support home building for folks who might otherwise never be able to afford a home," said Chris Farrell, Berkshire Gas' communications and government relations manager. 
 
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