WBCR-lp Temporarily Moved Upstairs in Mahaiwe Building

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Radio Community Alliance (BCRA) operating WBCR-lp 97.7FM Great Barrington, has temporarily moved its studio from 320 Main Street to a space upstairs in the same building, the historic Mahaiwe Block building located at the corner of Main and Castle Streets in Great Barrington.
 
The move was predicated on the significant renovation of the historic three-story building (built in 1905) that has been underway since late 2022, when Ian Rasch of Alander Construction bought it. WBCR-lp's studio has been operating throughout the renovations, but now its storefront location will get its much-needed reovation.
 
"We are thrilled with our Main Street location and look forward to our return to that space. The opportunity provided to us by our landlord to move upstairs to a temporary office is greatly appreciated," said John Prusinski, President of WBCR-lp's board of directors. "The move itself was physically and technically challenging, since the FCC requires that we broadcast 24/7."
 
A group of volunteers from the all-volunteer community radio station provided the muscle and the technical expertise to move the entire studio and disconnect and reconnect the staggering number of wires in record time.
 
"To quote a childhood hero, 'I love it when a plan comes together,'" said Asa Steady Hardcastle, board member and long-time volunteer. "Our team pulled off an impressively complex move in a very short time. The temporary space is beautiful, and the Alander team has been nothing short of amazing."
 
WBCR-lp continues to grow its on-air lineup of local programmers and welcomes new programmers to submit their application at www.berkshireradio.org. Broadcasting continues around the clock at 97.7FM and streams at www.berkshireradio.org.
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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