Berkshire Green Drinks to Feature Presentation on Rare Butterfly Species

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Jessica Duffy will present "A Tale of Two Butterflies: Two Rare Pierid Butterflies of the Berkshires and Combined Threats" at the March Berkshire Green Drinks event on Wednesday, March 12.
 
The event will be held online via Zoom and in person at Hot Plate Brewing Co. in Pittsfield, MA. The in-person gathering begins at 5:15 PM, with the presentation starting at 6:00 PM.
 
Duffy will discuss the Veined White and West Virginia White butterflies, their natural history, and the threats they face from parasitoid wasps and invasive garlic mustard.
 
Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) will conduct butterfly surveys and garlic mustard removal in early spring 2025.
 

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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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