Community

image description

Pittsfield Ice Rink Now Open

Although late in the season, the rink will be open with posted hours from dawn to dusk, but may be closed at times for maintenance of the ice.

image description

Reading Olympics Challenge at the Adams Free Library

Participants can choose from 25 non-fiction categories and read non-fiction books to earn medals. Each gold medal also earns participants a free book of their choice.

image description

MassVentures Opens START Grant Applications

START grants provide $100,000 to $500,000 to eligible companies to support critical commercialization activities, including market validation, business development, and intellectual property strategy, that are not typically covered by federal research funding.

image description

Residents, Officials Say 'No' to Proposed Berkshire Gas Rate Hike

Local officials and residents argued against Berkshire Gas's proposed 22 percent increase on the average customer's bill during a public hearing on Thursday evening at Berkshire Community College.

image description

BRTA Proposes New Routes To Help with Driver Shortage

The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is looking to realign its routes because of a driver shortage.

image description

South Berkshire Monthly Kitchen Table Talks

Combining two synergistic programs, Kitchen Table Talks/Community Care Sessions are designed for parents and caregivers interested in building their knowledge and communication skills with their children around big issues including substance use while receiving meaningful support, care and belonging in a wellness setting.

image description

Berkshires Getting Frozone Weekend

The groundhog saw his shadow and hunkered down for the never-ending winter as more snow and more cold hits the Berkshires this weekend.

image description

Winter Woodcraft Program during February School Break

The February Break program will be located at April Hill Education and Conservation Center, which serves as the headquarters for Greenagers, as well as a resource for community gatherings and education.

image description

Dalton Capital Planning Committee Takes First Steps

The Capital Planning Committee held its first meeting last week; the first step in a yearlong process of developing a five-year capital plan.

image description

Free Pet Food Drive-Thru in Becket

The drive-thru is in conjunction with the Becket Food Pantry.

image description

Williamstown, Great Barrington Awarded Wildlife Habitat Grants

The Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) awarded grants to seven organizations through the MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program (MHMGP).

image description

Pittsfield Seeks OPM for Crosby/Conte Proposal

The School Building Needs Commission met with some new members under a new defining ordinance on Tuesday.

image description

North Adams Cemetery Commission Supports Green Burials

The Cemetery Commission indicated it had no issues with the addition of so-called "green" burials at Southview Cemetery and referred the matter to the mayor's office.

image description

Lanesborough ZBA Asserts STRs Not Yet Permitted

A heated Zoning Board of Appeals meeting ended in a decision that shocked and frustrated many in the audience.

image description

Pittsfield Warming Centers Available

Due to the frigid temperatures expected this weekend, the City of Pittsfield announced the following locations will be available for residents looking for some relief from the cold.

image description

Pittsfield Council Approves 'Green' Items

The City Council approved a couple of "green" items during its meeting last week.

image description

Pittsfield Announces 3rd Annual Winter Festival at Clapp Park

As a kickoff to winter break for local Pittsfield schools, this year's festival will include a variety of outdoor activities for children and their families

image description

Weekend Outlook: SuperBowl With Love

Check out the events happening in the Berkshires this weekend, including Super Bowl parties, plays, Valentine's themed events and more.

image description

BCArc Names New Chief Operating Officer

Haecker has been serving as the Agency's Executive Vice President, overseeing a wide range of programs for BCArc.

image description

Lenox Applying for Housing Rehab Program

The town is applying for a federal Housing Rehabilitation Program to help low- and moderate-income residents fix their homes.

image description

2026 Williamstown Nomination Papers Available

On May 12, 2026, at the Annual Town Election, voters will choose candidates for several town offices.

image description

The Du Bois Freedom Center, The Scottsboro Boys Museum to Host Travel Exhibit

Presented byThe Scottsboro Boys Museum in Scottsboro, Alabama, the exhibit will remain on view through late April.

image description

MountainOne Distributes Donations, Sponsorships to Nonprofits

MountainOne announced that in the third and fourth quarters of 2025, it distributed $363,200 in donations and sponsorships to not-for-profit organizations across the Berkshires, Pioneer Valley, and the South Shore.

image description

MCLA Gets $1.2M Toward Child-Care Facility

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is getting more than a million dollars in seed money to develop an early childhood education facility.

image description

The First's Housing Resource Center Opens in Pittsfield

The First's opening was announced on Facebook by Mayor Peter Marchetti, writing that it wouldn't have been possible without the city's ARPA funds, committed in 2022, and all of the partners who stepped up.

image description

North Adams Councilors to Speak Against Berkshire Gas Rate Hike

The Public Services Committee is planning a show of force at Thursday's public hearing on rate hikes for Berkshire Gas Co.

image description

2026 Williamstown Dog Licenses Now Available

A $10.00 late fee will be applied to licenses renewed after March 31.

image description

Companion Corner: Kash at No Paws Left Behind (Update)

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

image description

Dalton Budget 'Worse-Case Scenario' Could Mean Staffing Cuts

In the worst-case scenario, the town could be forced to reduce staff if projected increases in the school budget, health insurance, and other uncontrollable costs occur.

image description

Ice Fishing Spots and Derbys This Winter

With winter really upon us and temperatures hitting negatives you might be wondering where a great spot for ice fishing might be. Throughout Berkshire county there are many different bodies of water to choose from.

<More Community News>

Berkshire Snapshot

<MORE>