North Adams Road Closures for Emergency Response Drill

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Church Street will be closed from Hodges Cross Road to West Shaft Road on Thursday for an emergency drill at Drury High School. 
 
North Adams Public Schools, in partnership with the Department of Public Safety and Northern Berkshire EMS, will conduct a full-scale, multi-agency emergency coordination drill to advance emergency planning and interagency collaboration.
 
That section of Church Street will be closed starting at 12:30 p.m. and is projected to re-open no later than 4 p.m.
 
Residents are encouraged to avoid the area around Drury High School on Thursday afternoon unless completely necessary. Closed roads will be restricted to local traffic only.
 
The drill will focus on interagency coordination and logistical response following a critical incident. It is designed to improve real-time communication, planning, and operational response between agencies during extended emergency situations.
 
No students will be present at Drury High School during the drill. The event has been scheduled outside of the school year to avoid disruption and ensure safety.
 
The drill will take place throughout the day and include simulated emergencies, scene management activities, and coordinated agency protocols. 
 
While not open to the public, residents may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles in the vicinity.
 
Questions or concerns may be directed to the Public Safety Business Manager Meghan DeLuca at 413-662- 3101 or mdeluca@northadams-ma.gov or Police Chief Mark Bailey at 413-664-4945 or chiefbailey@northadams-ma.gov.

Tags: emergency,   emergency drill,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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