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The Pines trails behind the Senior Center are being cleared and graded to make them more accessible.

Work on Dalton's Pines Accessibility Trail Continues

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — Work on the Pines accessibility trail continues, with hopes that it will be completed within the next several weeks. 
 
Since the last correspondence with Greenagers Conservation Director Elia DelMolino, work was anticipated to continue on Monday, Open Space and Recreation Committee Chair Brandon Quail said last week. 
 
The trailhead, located behind the Senior Center, is a hidden gem in the area that needs to be protected, and more people should know about it, committee members previously said. Work on making the Pines trail more usable and accessible began last year. The town's owned the property for about seven years. 
 
The project will make the trail accessible to those with mobility restrictions, including wheelchair users.  
 
So far, it's about a quarter-mile long, and there are plans to extend it to approximately a mile to a mile and a half, Quail said. 
 
The committee has contracted with the youth environmental community organization to develop the trail, utilizing a Massachusetts Trails grant in the amount of $49,450. 
 
Greenagers hires five to eight youths who are paid to create the trail. 
 
The committee also elected Mitch Salvini as its vice chair. 

Tags: accessibility,   greenagers,   trails,   

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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