Photo Event to Support Berkshire Works Therapy Herd

RICHMOND, Mass. — Berkshire HorseWorks is inviting the community to its Annual "Romance at the Ranch" event on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The pre-Valentine's Day gathering offers participants the chance to take unique photos with rescued horses and donkeys while supporting a good cause.

The event, held at Berkshire HorseWorks’ facility at 101 Patton Road in Richmond, will feature hot cocoa, cookies, and a raffle to win an equine activity. A suggested donation of $25 will go directly toward medical care and food for the therapy herd.

Berkshire HorseWorks has provided equine-assisted psychotherapy, learning, team-building, and educational programs for over a decade. The nonprofit’s offerings include Horse Powered Reading and Math curriculums, serving more than 3,000 individuals across the Berkshires and New England, including at-risk youth, veterans, and families.

For more information, call 413-698-3700 or email info@berkshirehorseworks.com

Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building. 

 

Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.

 

"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said. 

 

Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor. 

 

They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."

 

The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building. 

 

North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. Scene support was provided by police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, and National Grid.