Berkshire Green Drinks: From Pretzel Slime to Carnival Candy

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Shelby Perry of Northeast Wilderness Trust will speak at the February Berkshire Green Drinks event, covering the life cycle of slime molds. 
 
This free virtual event will take place online via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6:00 PM. 
 
According to a press release:
 
Animal, vegetable, mineral…or none of the above? Learn about the unexpected lives of slime molds (myxomycetes) in this naturalist presentation by Shelby Perry, Wildlands Ecology Director at Northeast Wilderness Trust. During this talk, Shelby will explain the life cycle of the slime mold and some of its surprising habits. Attendees will learn where and when to find them in the forest and see a variety of impressive species that live in the Northeast. Resources will be compiled at the end of the presentation for those psyched on slime molds who want to learn more!
 
Registration is required to attend this virtual event. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Feb2025-Berks-Green-Drinks.
 
Berkshire Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month that is free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. A guest speaker talks about an environmentally related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM; the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A.
 
Berkshire Green Drinks is sponsored and organized by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). 

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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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