Pittsfield Man Sentenced On Assault Charges

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Jan. 13, Louis T. Bland, 50 years old of Pittsfield, was found guilty by a jury of his peers and sentenced on the following charges:
  • Assault & Battery On Family/Household Member Subsequent -  2 ½ years in the House of Corrections
  • Assault & Battery On Family/Household Member Subsequent - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections
  • Strangulation Or Suffocation - 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections
  • Witness Intimidation - 3 to 4 years State Prison
  • Assault & Battery On Family/Household Member Subsequent - 2 years’ probation from and after prison
Bland, who has a prior history of assault and battery on a family/household member, was brought up on the current charges from two incidents that occurred in 2023.
 
"I commend the victim for her bravery and my staff’s commitment to this case. My office will always fight for justice on behalf of all victims of crime," District Attorney Shugrue said. "Unfortunately, obtaining guilty verdicts in cases of domestic violence can be extremely difficult. I am thankful to the jury for their full attention to the facts of this case and their thoughtful deliberation."
 
All sentences will be served concurrently. The conditions of his probation include no drugs and alcohol usage with random screenings, completion of the Intimate Partner Program, and stay away/no contact of any kind with the victim.  At the trial, the Defendant was found not guilty of four additional charges.
 
Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth.
 
 
 

 

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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
 
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center. 
 
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents. 
 
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager. 
 
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
 
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
 
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event. 
 
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