Briefs: Motorcyclist Dies From Accident; NYC Man Sentenced in Child Rape

02:57PM / Thursday, July 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Motorcyclist Succumbs to Accident Injuries

LENOX, Mass. — A Lee man involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday has died from his injuries.

Gustavo Bernal, 49, was found by a state trooper in the northbound lane of Route 7 at the Plunkett Street intersection. Local first-responders were on their way after getting a 911 call reporting of a single-vehicle collision about 9:33 p.m.

Bernal was unconscious and in critical medical condition. Lenox Emergency Medical Services transported him to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. The incident is being investigated by local and State Police.

Staten Island Man Gets 20 Years for Sexual Assault

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A New York City man has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

David Gonzalez, 69, of Staten Island, was found guilty of rape of a child with force and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 by a Superior Court jury. The incident occurred in July 2017 while the Gonzalez was in the Berkshires.

He was sentenced to prison terms of 18 to 20 years on the rape charge and nine to 10 years on the indecent assault, to be served concurrently with the first charge, as requested by prosecutors. Defense counsel had asked for a total sentence of 10 years for both charges.

The victim and her family read powerful victim impact statements at the sentencing, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.

"Children are among our most vulnerable population. They deserve to be valued and protected by all members of society. This victim and her immediate family had their lives permanently altered by the heinous, violent act at the hands of a pedophile," said District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "I commend the victim for her bravery in perseverance in the face of this terrible act and her immediate family for the support they provided."

Andrew Giarolo, chief of the Child Abuse Unit, represented the commonwealth and Kristen Rapkowicz was the victim witness advocate on behalf of the DA's Office.

Tags: fatal, sexual assault,

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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