Letter: Parents Should Be Concerned About Violence, Drug Use

To the Editor:

Parents. Guardians. Friends. Family. We all know that we have a problem in our schools.

Fights. Vape pens. Marijuana. And edibles (gummies) none of this is going to let up. It will only get worse.

Yes, we all know we lack resource officers. Even with the help of the officers and the school this is still going to happen. What I am worried about is the drugs that are surfacing and kids coming home telling you, if they do. That this is going on, this person has this, or that but no one does anything about it.

Why cause the school and police can't really do anything unless they know who has it, where it came from. Yes, they have videos they can look at but some kids know where cameras are. There are some kids there that don't really understand about drugs. Well it could be the wrong kid he or she hangs with and asks do you have any candy or I'm hungry, etc.

The person gives him or her candy or food which isn't candy or food. Something happens, feels funny, has no idea what's happening. This autistic kid only knows he or she ate candy or food, doesn't know who gave it to him or her just thought in his mind that someone was helping him by giving him something to eat. Classmate at that.

Ends up in the hospital or something worse. Or one of your kids end up eating a whole bag of gummies thinking it's regular gummies

You get that call somethings wrong with your child he's doesn't want to tell you what happened cause he's so high, slurring words. Seeing thing that aren't there and so on which is very frightening and upsetting. Then your blaming the school, which now your wondering how these kids are affording this stuff either by selling it or was given to sell for some one else this is why parents need to start being involved. Who wants to see there child in a hospital or worse from an overdose that could have been prevented?

So parents keep your eyes out for signs. Check bags, if possible. Call school or police anonymously and let them know.
This is the only way we can help keep our kids safe. Just because our kids are in school it's not just the schools' problem, it's ours too, we brought them into this world.

To learn from us the rights and wrongs. To get an education they are still our kids that we care and protect. Help fight violence and addiction in our schools.

Kathy Armstrong
Pittsfield, Mass. 

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.