Zonta Club to Honor Five Local Leaders for International Women's Day

03:52PM / Wednesday, March 04, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Zonta Club of Berkshire County will host its fourth annual International Women's Day celebration on Friday, March 6, at the Berkshire Hills Country Club.

The event aims to recognize local women who have made significant contributions to advancing the status of women and girls.

This year's honorees represent a diverse cross-section of leadership in advocacy, education, and international relations:

Divya Chaturvedi (Elizabeth Freeman Center)
Lorena Dus (Berkshire Immigrant Center)
Shela Levante (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts)
Brenda Oppermann (U.S. Naval War College)
Maria Rundle (Flying Cloud Institute)

Since the inception of the annual award in 2023, the Zonta Club has recognized a total of 17 women for their professional and volunteer efforts within the community.

The evening's itinerary begins with networking and dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by the formal recognition program at 7:15 p.m.

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Berkshire Concrete Fined, Ordered to Restore Digsite

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
04:01PM / Wednesday, March 04, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — After more than a year of residents demanding action, it appears that pressure is finally being placed on Berkshire Concrete.

On March 2, the Board of Health issued a $5,000 fine to Berkshire Concrete, a subsidiary of Petricca Industries, for creating a public nuisance by allowing sand and dust to leave the property and for failing to submit an adequate dust mitigation plan despite numerous orders. Future violations may result in fines of up to $10,000 per infraction.

"The Board expects that you will submit a comprehensive dust mitigation plan forthwith including immediate action plans and long-term action plans to remedy the ongoing dust impacts from the property," the notice said.

"Strict compliance with the mitigation plan will be necessary to avoid future fines and/or court action."

Berkshire Concrete has a right to appeal the decision by requesting a public hearing before the board within 14 days of receiving the notice. The next available meeting date for such a hearing will be April 14.

In addition to being fined, the building inspector has issued a zoning order to restore the unauthorized digsite on parcel No. 105-16, following the Zoning Board of Appeals decision that it violated zoning bylaw 350-61 Section E. Restoration.

Berkshire Concrete is required to submit by March 15 a written plan and timeline of no more than a 30-day window to complete this work to avoid being issued a violation notice and a fine.

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