image description — More than 600 people participated in this year's Buddy Walk at Craneville Elementary to celebrate and recognize people with Down syndrome.

Berkshire Buddy Walk Draws Hundreds to Dalton

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:36AM / Monday, September 29, 2025Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — There was a penny raffle to support the Berkshire Arc Down Syndrome Family Group in the fields at Craneville Elementary School, but the Buddy Walk of the Berkshires Saturday morning was not about raising money.

And it never has been.

For the 19th year, the families who lift up their loved ones with Down Syndrome and one another on a daily basis welcomed the support of the wider community.

More than 600 participants registered to participate in the walk from the school down to Main Street (Route 8) and back through the neighborhoods many of the participants call home.

"I've been involved with this event from the beginning and, in some way, I believe I've been to all but last year when I got the date wrong," state Sen. Paul Mark told the crowd before the walk began. "What a great event, what a great example of the amazing supportive community that Dalton and the Berkshires is.

"And it's just great year after year to see people gathering, offering support for families and letting everybody know that this is a welcoming community and a place you want to raise a family and a place you want to be."

The National Down Syndrome Society lists more than 100 Buddy Walks nationwide plus two international events, in Japan and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Buddy Walk of the Berkshires is one of three in the Bay State, along with walks in Westfield on Oct. 4 and Wakefield on Oct. 12.

The goal of the Buddy Walk is to educate about, advocate for and celebrate the Down syndrome community.

After carrying the event's banner through the streets of Dalton and hearing the well wishes of the motorists stopped for the walk and residents who waved from their porches, the families and allies returned to Craneville for lunch, face-painting, lawn games and that penny raffle, which featured scores of prizes donated by families and businesses throughout the county.

Planning already is under way for next fall's 20th edition of the Buddy Walk.

See photos here.

Tags: benefit walk, down syndrome,

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the POST Commission.

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub.

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission.

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted. On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April.

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday.

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads.

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline."

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