Up Front for DeMar Race Nov. 10

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Up Front for DeMar 5-kilometer race and 1-mile walk is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m.
 
The annual event honors SPC Michael R. DeMarsico, age 20, who volunteered to be "up front"', taking the lead of his battalion, protecting them and searching for dangerous IEDs. He lost his life in Afghanistan on Aug. 16, 2012. 
 
Pre-registered runners or walkers will have a $20 registration fee. Day of event registration will be available at the starting line area from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and will be $25. Organizers also ask that participants please bring an item or items for care packages to be sent to deployed service men and women. 
 
The starting line is at the Veteran's Memorial at the intersection of Route 2 and Eagle Street. Runners will continue to Eagle Street, crossing Main Street and continuing onto Ashland Street. Walkers will turn around at the North Adams Armory and runners will continue on Ashland Street to South Church Street.
 
Runners will turn into the BFAIR parking lot at 771 South Church St., continue to the back of the lot where the water table is and then back out to exit, turning left onto South Church Street. Runners and walkers will follow Ashland Street and then turn left onto American Legion Drive. The race will finish at the American Legion. The course is a primarily open course with some police presence. Please be cautious of vehicles on the course.
 
Race packet pickup will be available on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the North Adams American Legion.
 
Shirts will be available to the first 100 registrants. Additional shirts may be available for purchase.
 
Registration is available here.
 
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Brown Street Bridge Reopens in North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Jennifer Macksey is the first to drive across the bridge, closed since early 2023.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Jennifer Macksey led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 15, marking the official reopening of the Brown Street Bridge.
 
"We are very excited despite the cold weather," Macksey said before the ribbon-cutting. "… We are chipping away at these projects, but this is long overdue."
 
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The 26-foot steel structure, built in 1952, was flagged after its superstructure rating fell to 3.
 
The reopening follows a temporary repair project designed to safely restore access while the city and state determine a long-term plan. The temporary repair contract was awarded to J.H. Maxymillian at a cost of $349,920.
 
Funding for the project included $75,000 from state Chapter 90 road funds, with the balance was covered by state flood money the city had been previously awarded following a severe storm in July several years ago.
 
The mayor emphasized the critical need to reopen the span, particularly for public safety. 
 
"The perception behind that was we have flooding on West Main Street and River Street, we have to use this bridge," she said. "We are very excited to have it open. Not only to alleviate traffic problems down at the intersection of Big Y and the intersection of City Hall, but to help our friends at emergency management with the ambulance."
 
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