Pittsfield Health Shuts Down North Street Eatery for 'Pests'

Closed sign on Iztac's front door. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Iztac Mexican Restaurant is currently shut down by the Health Department. 

A hearing at the Board of Health on Wednesday was continued at the owner's request. The Licensing Board last month issued a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, formerly Pancho's Mexican Restaurant. 

According to a Health Department notice on the restaurant's door, it was ordered to close on March 13. 

"The owner of the restaurant had requested that he needed more time to address the lease agreement that he has with the owner of the building," Director of Public Health Andy Cambi said. 

"So at that point, I said we're not going to hold it against you if you're unable to show up at this point. We will hold this in place; the suspension holds, but until you're ready to meet with the board, obviously, you cannot reopen." 

Taped to Iztac's door is a March 13 notice from the Health Department stating that it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety. The reason listed for closure is "controlling pests." 

An inspection report noted "live cockroach activity" in the main kitchen and indicated that corrective action was required. 

"This establishment has been ordered closed by the Pittsfield Health Department and may not operate until the violations noted below have been corrected and written approval to reopen has been issued," it reads. 

Cambi reported that the building owner is aware of the infestation and is working to address it, recognizing that it will worsen if left dormant. It was suggested that the tenant is not able to access the space. 

Congressman Neal Talks With Reid Middle School Students

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:44PM / Friday, April 10, 2026

Congressman Neal answered questions from students as part of their civics projects. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal answered questions from an eighth-grade class at Reid Middle School on Thursday. 

Students in Susan Mooney's class prepared questions related to their civics projects, ranging from government transparency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to sports to mental health.  

"Be discerning, be fact-driven, and you know what? As I say to my own children, resist emotional decision making," Neal told the class. 

"You generally will come up with the wrong decision if it's very emotional, and the other part I can give you, an important part of my career: you're always going to give a better answer tomorrow." 

In Massachusetts, eighth-grade students are required to complete a civics project focusing on community issues, research, and action.

Students focusing their project on ICE said they found that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is tasked with protecting citizens. They asked Neal why ICE is controlling DHS when agents "do the opposite." 

"ICE needs to be reformed and restrained, but a lot of it has much to do with the president's position on it," he said, adding that the fundamental job of the federal government is to protect its people. 

"We just need to know who's in the country for a variety of reasons. When the president says he's rooting out the criminals, nobody disagrees with that, but that's not what's happening, is it? It's now people that are just showing up in the courthouse to do what we call 'regularizing their status' that are being apprehended."