Berkshire Democrats Host Candidate Forum Friday

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Democratic town committees and political action groups will sponsor a countywide Democratic candidates forum this Friday, April 10. 
 
The forum will be held at 7 p.m. in the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church located at 74 First St.  
 
The event will feature elected state and federal officials, especially those running for seats in the 2026 election. Challengers for those seats will also address attendees.
 
Working in coalition with the Berkshire Democratic Brigades, Berkshire Indivisible, Greylock Together, Indivisible Berkshires, and the Rural Freedom Network, the Democratic town committees of Adams, Dalton, Great Barrington, Sheffield, and Stockbridge anticipate that this event will educate voters about candidates' positions on political issues.  
 
In addition, the forum will give voters the opportunity to network and to meet candidates and discuss legislation that will improve Berkshire County's economy, promote environmental justice, and reduce economic disparity in the region.
 
Candidates committed to attend include District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, 1st Mass congressional candidate Jeromie Whalen, U.S. Senate candidate Alex Rikleen, and 1st Berkshire representative candidate Andrew Fitch.  
 
Also speaking will be representatives from the campaigns for Edward Markey for U.S. Senate and for Maural Healey and Kim Driscoll for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. 
 
Sherwood Guernsey, former state representative, will be the keynote speaker. Candidates running for local office within Berkshire County will also be welcomed.
 
Residents interested in attending the forum are encouraged to register on the Mobilize app though registration will also be taken at the door.
 
For more information, contact Dalton Democratic Committee Chair Michele Marantz at michelemarantz14@gmail.com.

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Rutledge Defense Seeks Dismissal of Rape Charges Over Statute of Limitations

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Superior Court courtroom was filled on Thursday as proceedings resumed on the high-profile case against former Miss Hall's School teacher Matthew Rutledge, with the court hearing arguments on his motion to dismiss.
 
 
On Thursday, Rutledge, represented by attorney Ryan Schiff, appeared before Judge Michael Callahan to seek dismissal of all three counts, arguing that prosecutors were attempting to circumvent the statute of limitations and had failed to disclose what Schiff characterized as "highly exculpatory evidence."
 
More than 100 attendees filled the pews, some wearing orange carnations to show solidarity with the accusers, Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon. 
 
As Rutledge attempted to leave the courtroom following Judge Callahan's departure, several attendees voiced their outrage, shouting "Shame," "You can't hide behind the bad law," and "We know what you did."  
 
Judge Callahan re-entered the courtroom to condemn these outbursts and directed court officers to record their names and bar them from attending future proceedings on this case.
 
The nearly hour-long hearing centered on competing interpretations of the language and legislative intent behind Massachusetts' statute of limitations, particularly whether Rutledge's temporary absences from the state could extend the time prosecutors have to bring charges.
 
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