Pittsfield Announces North Pole Calling Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program will be conducting the 44th annual North Pole Calling Program on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and Thursday, Dec. 11, from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. 
 
Sign up forms have been sent home with Pittsfield children in Pre-K, Kindergarten and Grades 1 & 2.
 
Fillable forms that can be saved and emailed are available through a link on the city website at North Pole Calling Program (pittsfieldma.gov)
 
Hard copy forms are also available at the City Clerk's Office in room 103 of City Hall, 70 Allen Street, as well as in the Department of Community Development, room 205.
 
Completed forms must be returned to City Hall or submitted online by Tuesday, December 9.
 
Please email completed forms to Jennifer VanBramer, Recreation and Special Events Coordinator, at jvanbramer@cityfofpittsfield.org.
 
Forms can also be mailed to:
Jennifer VanBramer
70 Allen St. Pittsfield, MA, 01201
Department of Community Development, Room 205
 
Do not send completed registration forms to the child's school.
 
This program is for City of Pittsfield children in pre-kindergarten through second grade. If older Pittsfield children still believe, please send in a form for them.
 
For questions, please call (413) 499-9371.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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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