Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County Online Auction

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County is holding their Online Auction Fundraiser on Bidding Owl for the holiday season.  
 
The auction will be held online from Dec. 1, through Dec. 12. People can access the bidding site by going to https://new.biddingowl.com/LiteracyVolunteersofBerk
 
There are over 20 items available for bidding thanks to the generosity of local businesses.  
 
Items include restaurant and clothing store gift cards or certificates, and much more.  All funds raised will help LVBC continue its 45-year mission of providing adults in the community free tutoring in basic reading and writing and in conversational English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).
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." 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories