PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Jan. 13, Louis T. Bland, 50 years old of Pittsfield, was found guilty by a jury of his peers and sentenced on the following charges:
Assault & Battery On Family/Household Member Subsequent - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections
Assault & Battery On Family/Household Member Subsequent - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections
Strangulation Or Suffocation - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections
Witness Intimidation - 3 to 4 years State Prison
Assault & Battery On Family/Household Member Subsequent - 2 years’ probation from and after prison
Bland, who has a prior history of assault and battery on a family/household member, was brought up on the current charges from two incidents that occurred in 2023.
"I commend the victim for her bravery and my staff’s commitment to this case. My office will always fight for justice on behalf of all victims of crime," District Attorney Shugrue said. "Unfortunately, obtaining guilty verdicts in cases of domestic violence can be extremely difficult. I am thankful to the jury for their full attention to the facts of this case and their thoughtful deliberation."
All sentences will be served concurrently. The conditions of his probation include no drugs and alcohol usage with random screenings, completion of the Intimate Partner Program, and stay away/no contact of any kind with the victim. At the trial, the Defendant was found not guilty of four additional charges.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth.
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Berkshire County to Elect DA, Governor, More in Primary Election
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and beyond will elect a Massachusetts governor, attorney general, district attorney for Berkshire County, and other positions in the 2026 state election.
The City Council OK’d the issuance of the State Primary Election warrant, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and designated polling locations, hours, and police details.
The early voting period for the state primaries will be Aug. 22-28, while early voting for the Nov. 3 state election will be held Oct. 17-30.
In the primary election, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election held on Nov. 3.
The following positions will be on the primary ballot:
Senator in Congress for the Commonwealth
Governor for the Commonwealth
Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth
Attorney General for the Commonwealth
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth
Treasurer of State for the Commonwealth
Auditor for the Commonwealth
Representative in Congress for the First District
Governor's Councillor for the Eighth District
Senator in General Court for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts
Representative in General Court for the Second Berkshire District
District Attorney for Berkshire County
Register of Probate for the Berkshire Middle District
There are no challengers on the Democratic primary ballot for the re-election of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
On the Republican primary ballot, Michael Minogue of Hamilton and Brian Shortsleeve or Barnstable are vying for the gubernatorial nomination to take on Maura Healey in November; there are no other GOP primary races involving the Berkshires.
As there are no Republican nominees on the primary ballot for secretary of state or auditor, and no independent running in the general election, meaning the primary will essentially determine the winner in those two elections.
For U.S. senator, Edward Markey is being challenged by Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary; the winner will face off against John Deaton of Bolton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
For the Massachusetts 1st District representative in Congress, Richard Neal is being challenged by Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley; the winner will face off against independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.
Closer to home, Paul Mark is unchallenged for state Senate and Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis for state representatives in the Democratic primary, but John Barrett III is being challenged by Andrew Fitch in the 1st Berkshire District.
Tara Jacobs of North Adams is being challenged as District 8 Governor's Councillor by Michael Fenton of Springfield.
There are no Republican or independent candidates for these seats so the winners will essentially be determined by the Democratic primary.
Polling locations for Pittsfield's 7 wards are as usual; polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. during the primaries on Sept. 1.
Pittsfield polling locations:
Ward 1, Precinct A Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 1, Precinct B Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 2, Precinct A Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank Street
Ward 2, Precinct B Somerset Fire Station, 9 Somerset Avenue
Ward 3, Precinct A Providence Court, 379 East Street
Ward 3, Precinct B Egremont School, 84 Egremont Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct A Herberg Middle School, 501 Pomeroy Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct B Williams School, 50 Bushey Road
Ward 5, Precinct A Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 5, Precinct B Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 6, Precinct A Columbus Arms Housing, 65 Columbus Ave.
Ward 6, Precinct B Silvio 0. Conte Community School, 200 West Union St.
Ward 7, Precinct A Pecks Road Fire Station, 54 Pecks Road
Ward 7, Precinct B Capeless Elementary School, 86 Brooks Avenue
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
