BCHS Presents 'Poor Herman'

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society will present "Poor Herman," by playwright Elizabeth Doss, Herman Melville's great-great-great granddaughter. 
 
According to a press release: 
 
Poor Herman unearths the life of Herman Melville, who arguably wrote America's best and worst novels back-to-back in 1850 and 1851.  The production considers what compelled Melville, struggling to salvage his declining reputation while trying to feed a growing family, to write a virtually unreadable book, Pierre or the Ambiguities, in the aftermath of Moby Dick's initial failure with critics and readers. The play gives voice to the unsung people in his life, chiefly his mother, wife, sisters, and daughters who each contributed to his fame and flourishing and endured his decline and demise. While hindsight now celebrates his achievements, this production will investigate what it cost him to make history. All characters in the play, including Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne are played by five women: Diana Lynn Small, Katie Bender, Alexis Scott, Marie Ponce and Zoë Laiz.
 
 
Performances take place at Arrowhead's historic barn and begin at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 for BCHS members, $30 for non-members, $10 for EBT card holders, children under 12 are admitted free. A $45 ticket includes a tour of Arrowhead. 
 
Tickets are available by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation and MOSAIC/Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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