Market 32, Price Chopper, Freihofer's Campaign for Melodies Center

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper are partnering with Freihofer's Baking Co. to raise funds for the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center, which provides care to children and teens with cancer and blood disorders.
 
The Melodies Center is part of the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital, the referral center for all seriously ill and injured children in 25 upstate New York counties and western New England.
 
From now through Feb. 28, 2026, a $.10 donation will be made to the Melodies Center each time select Freihofer's products are purchased. The items are specially marked with shelf tags in most stores.
 
"Facing a childhood cancer or blood disorder diagnosis is overwhelming," said Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations. "Through our partnership with Freihofer's and the kindness of our customers, we're able to help patients and their families access exceptional care and much-needed support during an extraordinarily difficult time."
 
The Melodies Center is a member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest organization dedicated to childhood cancer research trials. With state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled clinical staff of pediatric oncologists and hematologists, chemotherapy nurses, social workers, child life specialists, and more, the Center treats more than 1,500 children each year.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for our longstanding partnership with Market 32 and Price Chopper and Freihofer's Baking Co. and their continued support of the Melodies Center, which is one of a kind in our region," said Kate Halligan, MD, PhD, director of the Melodies Center and division chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. "Thanks to their fundraising efforts and the generosity of our community, we're able to advance our mission and continue providing high-quality care, close to home."
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Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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