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A couple and their child from Arizona attended the festivities and highlighted how this was everyone's first time sledding
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Tanner Eugene Brenna, Arabelle Rose and Blaise Hanger
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Pittsfield's WinterFest Celebrates Community

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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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

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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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