Pittsfield Man Charged in Woodlawn Avenue Stabbing

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A city man was arrested and charged for a Wednesday morning stabbing that seriously injured another man.

Just before 3 a.m., police responded to a reported stabbing at a multi-family building on Woodlawn Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found a 60-year-old man had sustained at least one stab wound and he was taken to Berkshire Medical Center.

"Although he sustained a serious injury, the victim is expected to survive," police reported around 3:15 p.m.

A suspect was identified as a result of the ensuing investigation, and later that morning, Pittsfield resident Jason Wright, 40, was arrested and charged with armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a person aged 60 or older.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.