Mount Everett School Locked Down Over Threat

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Mount Everett Regional School was put in lockdown Wednesday morning following threats made by a student. 
 
According to the Berkshire District Attorney's office, both local law enforcement and the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the DA's Office responded to the school. 
 
Based on the law enforcement response, the DA's Office stated, there is no active threat to the Mount Everett Regional School community.
 
The threat apparently rose from a statement, or manifesto, posted online that has since been removed. The Berkshire Eagle said it was able to obtain the document and described it as "a hate-fueled screed that includes antisemitic, anti-gay sentiment."
 
The paper also reported, based on information from a parent, that up to three students may have been involved. The very brief statement from DA's Office on the incident referred to "a student."
 
Wednesday was a professional development day for educators and a half-day for students. 

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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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