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Pittsfield Holiday Tree Lighting Dec. 2

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Halloween is over, but residents have another annual event to look forward to: Pittsfield's tree-lighting ceremony. 

The Parks Commission recently approved the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony for Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in Park Square. 

There will be remarks from city leadership, songs from the Pittsfield High School choir, ice sculpting with artists Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey, and of course, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. 

Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer reported that Santa will have gifts for kids. 


Those planning to attend are asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to The Center's food pantry. 

Generations have gathered in Pittsfield's downtown during all kinds of weather for the tree lighting. It has been a tradition for more than 80 years, and a dedicated 9-foot tree was planted in 2023.  

Last year, the evergreen fir had grown to stand 12 feet; it is expected to be 30-50 feet tall and 15-25 feet wide when mature.

Pittsfield formerly hauled in and set up a large, temporary tree for the holidays. 


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Mass Voters Retain Recreational Cannabis, Tighten Gun Laws in Midterms

Staff ReportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Massachusetts resoundingly voted to keep recreational cannabis and tighten gun laws during the midterm election on Tuesday. 

The Democratic Berkshire delegation was re-elected without contest, and unofficial results show Democratic incumbent Maura Healey taking more than 62 percent of the vote for Massachusetts governor over Republican challenger Michael Minogue. 
 
This coincides with the blue tsunami seen nationally during the midterms, with Democrats flipping seats across the United States and taking control of the House and Senate. 

Pittsfield has roughly 10 cannabis dispensaries, alongside several other retail operations and cultivation facilities in Berkshire County. At least three-quarters of the state voted against repealing the legalization that was passed 10 years ago. 

According to unofficial results, 46.89 percent of registered Pittsfield voters went to the polls. Pittsfield's 33,934 registered voters cast 15,913 votes, according to these results. 

As of Wednesday morning, with more than 85 percent of ballots counted, almost 76 percent of voters opposed Question 8, that would repeal the laws that legalize, regulate, and tax the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana in Massachusetts. It was proposed by an initiative petition. 

Similarly, as of 10 a.m., 67 percent of Massachusetts voters have said "yes" on Question 9, which sustains several changes to Massachusetts laws governing firearms: adding school administrators and licensed healthcare providers as parties permitted to ask a court to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order if an individual is a present danger to self or others, imposing penalties for possessing, creating, and transferring untraceable "ghost gun" firearms, and more. 

"At a time when the federal government is focused on the priorities of the gun lobby and rolling back national protections, the people of Massachusetts have reaffirmed our commitment to keeping our residents safe through proven, common-sense regulations," American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang said in a statement released late on Tuesday evening. 

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