image description — A couple and their child from Arizona attended the festivities and highlighted how this was everyone's first time sledding

Pittsfield's WinterFest Celebrates Community

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:55AM / Tuesday, February 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. Community members and Berkshire County visitors braved the cold on Friday morning for the city’s second annual Winter Festival.

The event featured various activities, including a fire pit, sledding, s’more-making, a sled design contest and race, and more snowy activities.

The festival aims to bring the community together and provide fun activities for kids on winter break.

"It's been really great. There's a great turnout, a lot of kids, a lot of families, all smiling and having fun. I think it has a big impact. It's something fun for the kids to do while they're on school break for winter," said Jennifer VanBramer, recreation and special events coordinator.

"We've had a lot of community organizations come on out, like [RSI Signs, a Girl Scout troop, and Patriot Pop,] so it's bringing in the community together to have some fun and just enjoy the outdoors."

Several attendees emphasized how the event has fostered community bonding.

Participants in the cardboard sled race, Arabelle Rose and Tanner Eugene Brennan shared that they made friends with another contestant, Blaise Hanger. They mentioned that they had spent the entire day together and formed a friendship.

Also, a couple and their child from Arizona attended the festivities and highlighted how this was everyone's first time sledding.

The event continues the legacy of the Pittsfield Winter Carnival, VanBramer said.

The carnival was established in 1946 by then Pittsfield Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Jackson Perry and had been coordinated by the recreation department since.

In its heyday, it hosted speed skating and downhill championships and Olympic speed skating trials.

After more than half a century, the event’s committee was disbanded in 2011 due to the lack of volunteers and time.

The event not only brought community members together but also introduced some Berkshire County visitors to sledding.

Photos from the event are here.

Tags: winterfest,

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the POST Commission.

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub.

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission.

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted. On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April.

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday.

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads.

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline."

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