A lot has happened in the Berkshires this week. Here are some of the stories you may have missed.
Berkshire Carousel Spins Again
For the first time in years, community members of all ages rode the Berkshire Carousel. The carousel re-opened with a new patio and volunteer support. The efforts originally began in the late 2000s, and the ride hadn't operated since 2018.
Less than 20 minutes away, hundreds of people filled the side streets near the Common to protest the actions of the Trump Administration. The effort was part of the nationwide “No Kings” protest movement.
Mural Honoring 54th Massachusetts at the Center of Juneteenth Celebration
Pittsfield’s annual Juneteenth Celebration at Durant Park featured the unveiling of a new mural dedicated to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and, specifically, the Pittsfield residents who served in the nation’s first all-Black combat unit.
A Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Themed 'Young At Heart'
The Pittsfield Fourth of July parade is just weeks away. This year's event, themed "Young at Heart," will feature over 100 units, including more than a dozen floats, several musical dance performances, and other elements that celebrate the community's youth.
The Lanesborough Select Board approved a towing policy that doesn't require companies to have a storage facility in town or charge the customer for a cancelled call.
Pittsfield Adult Learning Center Graduates 62 Resilient Students
Sixty-two graduates received High School Equivalency Diplomas, Adult Diplomas, and or General Educational Development credentials during the Williams Stickney Pittsfield Adult Learning Center’s 44th commencement ceremony, held at Taconic High School.
Adams Town Meeting Approves FY2026 Budget with Amendments
Town meeting members approved all town meeting articles on the warrant Tuesday night after making some amendments to the operating budget.
Although the 108 town meeting members in attendance ultimately approved the $19,763,563 fiscal year 2026 budget that will raise $14,369,951 through taxation, they did make some changes to the operating budget.
Lever Partnering Two Companies to Use Local Wood in Berkshire Projects
North Adams-based economic development nonprofit Lever has partnered with Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and Hall Tavern Farm to supply local wood for four affordable homes in Williamstown, with support from a Massachusetts grant.
The state will replace two structurally unsound bridges on South Street in Pittsfield within a couple of years, possibly resulting in a brief closure of the main route.
Kirvin Park Staged for 'Significant' Ecological Restoration
Kirvin Memorial Park is staged for "significant" floodplain and habitat restoration beginning in the fall.
The city, in collaboration with the Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees and General Electric Co., is working to enhance the natural resources of the Housatonic River Watershed.
For the first time in 25 years, Pittsfield has a new sister city. During a signing ceremony, the city established Cape Coast, Ghana, as its new sister.
The designation aims to foster cultural, economic, and intellectual exchange.
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Soccer Hall of Fame Adds Members, Awards Scholarships
Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The 2026 CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at Berkshire Hills Country Club on Thursday.
The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve the sport's history in Berkshire County, to honor excellence within the game and to make a connection between the generations that bring communities together. With players who last played on a soccer field in Berkshire County in the 1960s to the scholarship winners at the banquet on May 14th who played their last high school game in the fall of last year, we are achieving our goal.
It is worth noting that this class of inductees is stellar. We have four County MVP selections, 14 All-Berkshire selections, eight All-Western Mass selections and, and nine captain honors, five four-year varsity starters and one five-year varsity starter.
The players were introduced by committee chairmen Al Belanger and Patrick West. The scholarship winners were introduced by Chris Dumas, a member of the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame committee. The photographer for the evening was Ricco Fruscio. Over the past 21 years, the scholarships awarded to high school seniors in Berkshire County have topped $250,000.
The 2026 Inductees:
Katie Dumas Sturm (Wahconah 2015) was a hard-nosed, and relentless four-year starter for Wahconah. She was a two-year captain in the middle of the field, scoring and assisting on clutch goals in big games. She was rewarded with being named All Berkshire, and All Western Mass in her senior year. She is married to Brent Sturm (who is also being inducted into the hall of fame this year) and has a son Banks and a 7-week-old Everett Michael. She works at General Dynamics.
Brent Sturm (Wahconah 2009) was named to the All Berkshire Team in both his junior and senior years and won a Western Mass championship during his time at Wahconah. He also went on to have a stellar career at Wentworth Institute. He and his wife, Katie, are the first husband and wife inductees into the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame in the same year. After college, he helped coach the Wahconah Soccer and basketball teams. He works at General Dynamics.
Nicole Gamberoni (Lenox 2019) was an impact player on her team for five years while at Lenox making All-Berkshire teams four times. She was captain twice, finished with 107 points, and was the league MVP two times. She also went on to play soccer at AIC. She is working at Lenox High School while she is getting her master’s degree.
Drivers traveling along Route 8 in Cheshire and Adams should expect delays, lane restrictions, and intermittent closures on Sunday, May 17, due to the MountainOne Steel Rail Races. click for more
In five years, the city has dispersed almost all of the $40.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. click for more
CT Equities is planning an $8 million redevelopment of the former St. Joseph's, which last operated as a high school nearly a decade ago. click for more
The National Grange is finding its way through the 21st century by building on past success and modifying its mission for modern America.
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