Force 14U Softball Team Splits in Nutmeg State

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ENFIELD, Mass. – The Berkshire Force 14-and-under travel softball team Sunday went 1-1 at the Enfield Invitational.
 
The Force opened the day with a 13-3 win over the Connecticut Bearcats 13U squad.
 
Berkshire pounded out 14 hits, including four extra-base hits, in the win.
 
Mollie Crawford and Ava McMahon each went 2-for-3 with a triple against the Bearcats.
 
McMahon and Amelia Polidoro split time in the circle, striking out six in the five-inning win.
 
Then the Force had a rematch with tournament host Enfield Extreme Blue 14U, a 4-2 victim when the teams played on Saturday.
 
This time around, the Enfield Extreme came out on top, 7-2, after jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
 
Lillian MacDonald led the Force offensively, going 2-for-3.
 
Julia McComish and McMahon split pitching duties, combining for 14 strikeouts while allowing just two earned runs.
 
The Force makes the short trip to Dalton next weekend for the CRA Invitational.
 
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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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