Nominations Open For BCC's 40 Under Forty Awards

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces nominations are now open for its annual 40 Under Forty awards, which will be held Thursday, March 26, 2026.  
 
To make a nomination, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/40-under-forty. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
 
40 Under Forty is an annual celebration of talented people in the Berkshires, under the age of 40, who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living and working in our community. 
 
Nominees are eligible for this award through:  
  • Their professional work and how it makes a difference; or 
  • Their personal commitment to their community; or 
  • Other efforts to improve the quality of life for those living and working the Berkshires. 
Mill Town Foundation will provide each 40 Under Forty Award winner with the opportunity to re-grant $1,000 to an eligible Berkshire-based nonprofit organization.
 
The event is made possible by sponsorships from 1Berkshire, Mill Town Foundation, and Berkshire Community College Foundation. All proceeds from this year's 40 Under Forty event support workforce programs at BCC, addressing immediate needs and helping to build a lasting endowment. 
 
For more information, email 40under40@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2185. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Radon Reading Closes Pittsfield's West Housatonic Fire Station

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The fire station on West Housatonic Street has been temporarily closed after radon levels were found to be more than twice the normal amount.
 
Personnel at the station were relocated to the department's headquarters, located at 74 Columbus Ave., on Sunday out of an abundance of caution, said Catherine VanBramer, director of administrative services/public information officer. 
 
The West Housatonic Street station, built in 1951, has an officer and two firefighters on each shift. The station's apparatus has also moved to reserve bay at the Columbus Avenue headquarters. 
 
All of the city's fire stations and City Hall were tested. Once test results indicated concentrations above the recommended action level, the city promptly closed the station and began assessment and mitigation efforts. 
 
Initial tests found radon levels three to four times higher than normal, and further testing is planned in the coming days, she said. 
 
The department's headquarters is about 1.2 miles away from the West Housatonic Street station. 
 
"There are instances where PFD personnel are on a call in one part of the city and must respond to another call in a different part of the city.  The team continues to be ready to respond to any calls that are within their service area," VanBramer said. 
 
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