Flying Cloud Brings Free Science and Art Event to the BIC

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) will lead a free, hands-on science and art community event for students in grades K-8 and their families at the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

This is the sixth STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Challenge Night led by FCI, with support from the Berkshire STEM Pipeline and the BIC. The event coincides with Massachusetts' 8th Annual STEM Week to boost students' interest in STEM fields and is part of the MA Lights On After School celebration. 

"Flying Cloud Institute invites local families to celebrate creativity and innovation with us. It will be so much fun and family members can really get into the hands-on activities, too!" said FCI Executive Director Maria Rundle. 

Students and their families will spend the evening problem-solving together in ways that involve exploring, tinkering, and creating. In addition to creative science and art projects with Flying Cloud educators, several local experts and organizations will participate. Staff members from Berkshire Museum will explore how a physics zipline works, while BeatNest School demonstrates electro music stations and Berkshire Design presents a design challenge. Participants will explore 3-D scanning and printing with Berkshire Innovation Center representatives and Bottomless Bricks will help students design and build using LEGO elements. Staff from Berkshire Art Center, Greenagers, Hancock Shaker Village, Mass Audubon, and Latinas413 will also be leading kid-centered challenge activities.

Complimentary refreshments will be served. Families are encouraged to register online at flyingcloudinstitute.org but it is not required for this free event. 

This event is made possible through contributions by Adirondack Payroll Services, Associated Lightning Rod, Berkshire Design Inc., Berkshire Money Management, Blue Q, Elyse Harney Real Estate, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Guido's Fresh Marketplace, Herrington's, Interprint USA, J Kuhn Copper, Lee Bank, Onyx Specialty Papers, Warrior Trading and Webster Landscape, Inc. If you want to be a community sponsor or donate items to the event, please contact Amy Truax, Development Manager, at (413) 645-3058 or visit flyingcloudinstitute.org for the sign-up form.

 

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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
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