Pittsfield Warming Centers Available

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Due to the frigid temperatures expected this weekend, the City of Pittsfield announced the following locations will be available for residents looking for some relief from the cold.
 
The Berkshire Athenaeum, located at 1 Wendell Avenue, will be open for regular business hours on Friday, Feb. 6, from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.
 
The Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, located at 330 North Street, will be open on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
For those that are seeking shelter overnight, please visit the warming center at the Pearl located at 21 Pearl Street, which will be open from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. every night. On Sunday (2/8), the Pearl will open up at 5:00 p.m.
 
As always, to report any emergencies, please call 911.
 
 
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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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