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Pittsfield Soap Box Derby Returns Saturday

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Westside Legends will host its fourth annual Westside Sweet G Super Soap Box Derby on Saturday, Aug. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 10. 
 
Check-in for racers starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Robbins Avenue.
 
The event features a day of activities for the whole family.
 
There will be three race classes: kids from 6-12, kids from 13-17, and an adult class, ages 18 and older. Trophies will be presented in each division.
 
The racers will “zoom” down Robbins Avenue, and the finish line will be at Southern Avenue.
 
Inspired by soap box races in Pittsfield’s West Side during the 1960s, the Westside Super Soap Box Derby was developed by the leaders of Westside Legends, who have fond memories of racing down Columbus Avenue and West Street – and are excited to bring a fun event back to the community.
 
This year’s race will feature cars built by kids who participated in Pittsfield’s Summer Playground Programs at Durant Park, Clapp Park, and the Common.
 
The race is dedicated to community member Brian “Sweet G” Goines, who died in 2020. Brian’s brother Kirt Goines races in his brother’s memory each year.
 
For this event Westside Legends is excited to partner with entities like the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Blue Q, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Green Energy Consumer Alliance, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Interprint, Mill Town Foundation, PCTV, Premium Waters and TDI-MassDevelopment.
 
Come have fun and meet the neighbors. While you are there, please enjoy the food by Grampie’s Hot Dog Stand, Officer Darren Derby’s “Operation Copsicle”, and Cravin’s Ice Cream. Green Energy Consumers Alliance will have several electric vehicles on display.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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