image description — Utility workers replace a pole on West Street that was sheared off when an SUV hit it. The tracks of the SUV can be seen in the snow.

Car Shears Utility Pole Closing Pittsfield's West Street

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:05PM / Wednesday, January 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A portion of West Street is closed after a sport utility vehicle hit and broke a utility pole Wednesday morning.

Crews are currently working to clean up the area. The pole was broken into multiple pieces, some still attached to the wires.

There are no known injuries at the time and the area is not believed to have lost power.

Around 7 a.m., the Pittsfield Police Department received a report of a two-car accident in which one vehicle hit the pole. Unconfirmed posts on Facebook say one vehicle pulled out in front of the other, causing it to cross lanes and shear into the pole.

"The pole got sheared down and some wires were down across West Street," Sgt. Shaun Gariepy reported.

The incident closed a section of West Street between Valentine Road and Nottingham Drive, with traffic directed down Valentine Road and Jason Street.

This story will be updated if more information is received.

Tags: motor vehicle accident, utility pole,

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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