Kamala Harris to Attend Pittsfield Fundraiser

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It appears that Vice President Kamala Harris will be attending a campaign event in Pittsfield on Saturday. 
 
Harris had been scheduled for the sold-out event before being suddenly elevated to presidential candidate on Sunday. The original Biden-Harris fundraiser is now a Harris fundraiser but it was unclear if she would continue with her scheduled appearances. 
 
The Berkshire Eagle reports that organizer Sherwood Guernsey has confirmed she will attend. 
 
The event will also feature James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, former Gov. Deval and former first lady Diane Patrick, Boston College historian and political commentator Heather Cox Richardson and former Pittsfield Mayor Evan Dobelle and his wife, Kit, both of whom worked in the Carter administration.
 
Guernsey, an attorney, is a leader of the Berkshire Brigades local Democratic organization and president of Rural Freedom Network. 
 
Tickets sold out almost immediately; they ranged from $100 to thousands of dollars. 
 
The last political fundraiser in Pittsfield was with Michelle Obama for her husband's second presidential run in 2012 against former Gov. Mitt Romney, now a U.S. senator for Utah. Taylor also performed at that event and a private roundtable was held afterward at the Patricks' Sweet P Farm in Richmond. 
 
iBerkshires has reached out to the campaign for more information. 
 

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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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