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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Rescheduling Cannabis Could Boost ProfitsBy Bill Schmick,
04:02PM / Thursday, September 21, 2023 | |
Over the last month, pot stocks have spiked higher. Some have doubled in price. The news that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency may reclassify marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to Schedule III has given new hope to this beleaguered industry and investors. The effort to reclassify started 10 months ago when the Biden administration directed the Department of Health and Human Services to review the scheduling of cannabis under federal law. As a result of that review, HHS sent a letter to the DEA recommending a proposed schedule change. Currently, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse similar 0 Comments
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Krol Says Money Story a 'Political Hit Piece,' Will Seek Legal ActionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:55AM / Thursday, September 21, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate John Krol says he will be seeking legal action for defamation after The Berkshire Eagle reported allegations that he stole $6,800 from Animal Dreams. He called the story an "absolute unadulterated political hit piece" and placed the fault on Greylock Federal Credit Union for a "banking mistake" which is apparently resolved. Krol took to Facebook Live to rebut the allegations late Wednesday night and said he would be contacting an attorney as early as that evening for a defamation case in regards to the article. "The timing as such is clearly designed to derail our campaign and to take me out 0 Comments
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Dalton Officials Address Sidewalk RepairsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Thursday, September 21, 2023 | |
DALTON,Mass. — Residents and elected officials agree that a majority of the town's sidewalks need repairs but are determining high priority areas. The town has been discussing sidewalk repairs with residents since before the last town meeting where it was approved to add an additional $10,000 to the sidewalk repair budget. The town should first focus its repairs on sidewalks near schools to improve student safety and high traffic areas, Select Board members said during its last meeting. Everyone has a different idea of what sidewalks should be addressed first, Chair Joseph Diver said. "It's kind of starting somewhere and 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Spent 30% of ARPA Funds By Second QuarterBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:40PM / Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city expended $2.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act monies in the second quarter of 2023 with over half spent on addressing negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Pittsfield received the funds nearly two years ago and has expended more than $12 million of the nearly $41 million award.
"Through the end of June, we have reported a total of $12,400,000 in funds of use, which represents about 30 percent of our overall award today. Again, remember we can spend this money through the end of calendar year 2026," ARPA co-manager Deanna Ruffer reported to the City Council last week.
"We have a total of 69 approved projects at this time, 52 of
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BCHS Welcomes Author, Music Writer| 04:29PM / Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, Sept. 22, the Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes author Tom Piazza for a discussion of his latest novel. The program begins at 5:30 pm; tickets are $10 for BCHS members, $15 for nonmembers and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Tom Piazza's twelve books include the novels "The Auburn Conference" and "City Of Refuge," the short-story collection "Blues and Trouble," the post-Katrina manifesto "Why New Orleans Matters," and the essay collection 0 Comments
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Applications Available for the Governor's Youth Advisory Council | 04:03PM / Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | |
BOSTON — Governor Maura T. Healey signed Executive Order #617 establishing the Governor's Youth Advisory Council to advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the entire administration on issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence. Applications to join the Youth Advisory Council will be available through Oct. 14 for Massachusetts residents aged 16-21. "I've been so inspired by the young people I've met who have been making their voices heard and demanding more from their leaders on the most pressing issues facing Massachusetts. They deserve a seat at the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Water Quality Notice| 08:02AM / Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Department of Public Services and Utilities shared the following update Tuesday regarding the water system involving the Ashley Treatment Plant causing discolored water in the south and east areas of Pittsfield. The source of the problem at the Ashley Treatment Plant has been identified. The reservoir outlet to the treatment plant experienced a sudden increase in turbidity levels, which exceeded the plant's processing capability. Due to the quick and efficient response from the city's Water Treatment and Distribution Crews, the issue has been contained and all water delivered to residents has remained within safe drinking 0 Comments
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Central Berkshire Shifts How it Addresses Student OffensesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Central Berkshire Regional School District is shifting the way it addresses student offenses. It will focus on restorative practices and away from exclusionary action, Assistant Superintendent Michael Henault told the School Committee at its last meeting. The implementation of a more consistent code of conduct was recommended to the district following an equity audit so that there are more accountable interventions and expectations. "We want everybody to feel like they're being treated fairly in all circumstances and this specifically is around discipline," Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. The document focuses on 0 Comments
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Marchetti, Krol Move on to November Election in PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito & Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
08:56PM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
John Krol, with his wife, Cara, is hoping to demonstrate the differences between he and his opponent over the coming weeks. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Tuesday's preliminary election has narrowed the mayoral field to Peter Marchetti and John Krol. And in Ward 2, Brittany Bandani and Alexander Blumin will face off and Ward 7 incumbent Anthony Maffuccio will be challenged by Rhonda Serre. It took less than 15 minutes after the polls closed for Pittsfield Community Television to air the unofficial results. Marchetti, the current council president, polled 2,248 votes to Krol's 1,807. Left out was Karen Kalinowsky, who earned about 15 percent of 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Having Quiet Preliminary Election DayBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:09PM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
The polling station at Morningside Community School ready for voters. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is having a quiet and smooth preliminary election day.
About halfway through polling, mayoral candidates Peter Marchetti, Karen Kalinowsky and John Krol were feeling hopeful while holding signs in front of Providence Court, the polling location for Ward 3A.
The three candidates have been traveling the city to connect with voters of all wards and precincts.
Kalinowsky cited the rainy weather earlier Tuesday that had since subsided and encouraged people to go out and vote.
"Some of the people that are holding signs for me say that some areas have been steady,"
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Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association Earns Patient Satisfaction Award | 02:00PM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a "Superior Performer" for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20 percent of all eligible SHP clients for the 2022 calendar year. The annual SHPBest award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high quality service to their patients. The 2022 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall satisfaction score for more than 3,200 home health providers. With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Officials OK Paraprofessional ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:59AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An agreement has been reached between the district and unionized paraprofessional workers that ceases the use of a staffing agency to fill vacancies, increases pay, and withdraws litigation.
The School Committee last week approved a settlement agreement with the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees Local 1315 paraprofessional unit. While the vote was taken in open session, it was discussed during executive session.
"Last year, the Pittsfield Public Schools was unable to fill vacancies in some cases for students with special needs or classrooms, serving students with special needs, and in an effort to comply fully with the students' IEPs, the
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