Berkshire Green Drinks Will Discuss Rare Butterfly Species

08:09AM / Wednesday, March 05, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Entomologist Jessica Duffy will discuss two rare butterfly species, the Veined White and the West Virginia White, at the Berkshire Green Drinks event on Wednesday, March 12.

The hybrid event will be held both online via Zoom and in-person at Hot Plate Brewing Co. (1 School St., Pittsfield). The in-person social gathering begins at 5:15 p.m., with the presentation and Zoom meeting starting at 6:00 p.m.

Duffy's presentation will cover the butterflies' natural history, including their host plants, and the impact of introduced parasitoid wasps and invasive garlic mustard on their populations. Following the presentation, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) will organize volunteer surveys of the butterflies' habitat and garlic mustard removal efforts in spring 2025 to support Duffy's ongoing research.

Duffy holds a Master's degree in Entomology from UMass-Amherst and has worked with the U.S. Forest Service and the USDA. Berkshire Green Drinks, sponsored by BEAT, is a monthly informal gathering open to the public.

This month's event is co-sponsored by Hot Plate Brewing Co. More information and registration are available at https://tinyurl.com/March2025-Berks-Green-Drinks.

Tags: BEAT,

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Berkshire Law Enforcement Officials Endorse Fenton for Governor's Council

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:11PM / Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Michael Fenton, a Springfield attorney, ran unsuccessfully for the 8th District seat on the council in 2022. He is challenging incumbent Tara Jacobs of North Adams.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ranking Berkshire law enforcement officials are putting their weight behind a Springfield lawyer for Governor's Council in the September Democratic primary over North Adams incumbent Tara Jacobs.

The Berkshires' District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Clerk of Courts Lisa Denault-Viale touted Michael Fenton's experience and approach over Jacobs, who bested him and two other attorneys in 2022.

The Governor's Council advises the governor on matters relating to judicial appointments, treasury warrants, pardons and commutations, and a number of other important executive functions. The winner of the primary will represent the 8th District, which covers more than 100 cities and towns including North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield, Greenfield, Northampton and Springfield, as there is no other candidate on the November ballot.

Gathering at Park Square on Wednesday morning, Shugrue said Jacobs does not provide the representation Berkshire County requires and deserves.

"This individual [Fenton] would conduct himself with a great deal of common sense and confidence," Bowler said.

Fenton said there are only 11 Superior Court judges assigned to Western Mass, and that too few of them are from Berkshire County.

"At one time there were four vacancies. That left only seven judges serving the entire 102 cities and towns of the western region. Seven judges serving 102 cities and towns at a time when you add Hampden County, Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee in, at a time when there were over 100 pending murder cases. Seven judges for 100 pending murder cases," he said.

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