'Reading the Tea' with Pulitzer Prize Winner at Arrowhead

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning author Debby Applegate to Herman Melville's historic home on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 pm for a special afternoon benefitting BCHS restoration, education, and preservation programs. 
 
The afternoon begins in Melville's study—where he wrote Moby-Dick inspired by his view of Mount Greylock—where Applegate will read selections from her writing. Following the reading, guests can interact with the author while enjoying tea, hot toddies and an array of sweets. 
 
Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org and selecting the events tab. Tickets for a live, on-line presentation of the readings are available for $35.
 
Debby Applegate is an American historian and biographer. Her first book, "The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher," an account of the famous 19th-century preacher, abolitionist and Berkshire resident, won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography. Her second book, "Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age," was a New York Times Editors' Choice for Best Books of 2021, and won an Earphones Award for best audiobooks of 2021. 
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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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