Latest news with #BerkshireMall
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
A Town's Single Largest Taxpayer Is Also Its Biggest Headache
In its heyday, the Berkshire Mall was the place to go in Lanesborough, Mass., drawing huge crowds of enthusiastic shoppers and producing plenty of tax dollars for the small town. 'There were times you could not find a parking place in this mall — inside, it was packed,' said Timothy Sorrell, a town selectman and former police chief in rural Lanesborough, which has a population of about 3,000. For teenagers in particular, it was the place to hang out. 'It was to the point where if we had to throw a kid out of the mall, it was like we were taking away Christmas,' Mr. Sorrell said. 'They would actually cry. It was almost the end of the world for them.' The 720,000-square-foot mall, which opened in 1988, has long been Lanesborough's single largest taxpayer. In 2007, when the mall was near its peak, it generated $2.3 million in annual tax revenue. The money has helped subsidize the Police Department, schools and road maintenance. But these days, the mall is a mere remnant of its past glory. Business had fallen off sharply by the mid-2010s. Big-box stores like JCPenney and Sears closed. And the movie theater went dark in 2019. Since then, the mall has been largely shut down, and what remains is in poor shape — one of the main doors is covered with plywood after someone purportedly tried to drive a car through the entrance, and the roof needs to be replaced, at an estimated cost of $5 million. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Parolee leads Reading police, troopers on 24-mile chase reaching 120 mph
A parolee wanted for stealing his ex-girlfriend's gun was apprehended by state police near the Adamstown exit of Route 222 following a 24-mile vehicle chase that started in Reading and reached 120 mph. Troopers used spike strips to slow Carlos J. Flores, 28, then one of them used an unmarked patrol vehicle to force Flores to stop. Troopers from the Lancaster and Reading stations took him into custody. Flores, whose last known permanent address was in Ephrata, was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of a total of $110,000 bail after arraignment before District Judge Brian K. Strand in Reading Central Court. He faces felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, possessing a firearm while prohibited, flight to avoid apprehension or punishment and lesser counts of possessing marijuana and other controlled substances. According to court records: Reading police Officer William Fursin III was in a marked patrol vehicle Wednesday morning with state parole agent Christopher Hall. Shortly after 8 a.m. the data system in the patrol vehicle showed a hit by a license plate reader for an Acura TSX sedan registered to Flores. City police had charged Flores a day earlier after his ex-girlfriend reported that he stole her pistol after absconding from a halfway house. Fursin drove toward the Bingaman Street Bridge and turned on his emergency lights and siren. He saw the suspect's vehicle turn from South Fifth Street onto Pine Street. He caught up to the Acura, which began to park on the east side of the street where parking is prohibited. Fursin conducted a high-risk stop: pulling up behind the Acura, he exited the vehicle with his service weapon and pointed it at the driver, ordering him to put his hands outside the car. The driver, whom he identified as Fores, looked at him through the side mirror and then pulled away, speeding toward the bridge. Fursin returned to the patrol vehicle and began to pursue the Acura, which turned onto Route 422. Another officer joined the chase as the vehicles passed the Penn Street exit. The Acura swerved from the left lane onto the ramp to Route 12, nearly hitting several vehicles, before veering back to Route 422 westbound, continuing past the Berkshire Mall. The suspect continued onto southbound Route 222 toward Lancaster, going as fast as 120 mph. Fursin learned that state police from Reading were joining the chase. Several troopers whooshed past the Reading police car. Fursin followed without his emergency lights or siren on. A short time later, he arrived at the Adamstown exit where the Acura was stopped. He saw Flores in the back of a trooper's vehicle. Flores was transported to Central Processing. Fursin had the car towed to City Hall and applied for a search warrant. A search of the vehicle revealed the 9 mm pistol that had been reported stolen to Reading police a day earlier, a plastic bag containing about 4.5 ounces of synthetic cannabis and a larger bag containing an unspecified amount of loose marijuana. Flores has a history of violent offenses dating to 2015, when he was arrested by Reading police for stabbing a woman in her leg. In 2022, he was sentenced by Judge Thomas G. Parisi to three to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. His convictions and status as a parolee prohibit him from having a firearm.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Primary election 2025: Here are the candidates running for Wyomissing mayor
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for Wyomissing mayor in the May 20 primary. Incumbent Fred Levering will take on former borough Councilman Ronald Stanko in the race. We asked the candidates to respond to one question. What is the most important issue your municipality is currently facing? Fred Levering Fred Levering Occupation: Levering is a real estate broker for Berkshire Hathaway. Age: 74. Response: The main responsibility is in overseeing the police department, which I have done for eight years. Our department is among Berks County's finest. Additionally, I have chaired our economic development committee. Wyomissing is known as a great place to live and raise a family, but it is the commercial area that helps meet our expenses. During my years we have redeveloped much of that area. The reinvention of the Berkshire Mall is my current focus. It has tremendous potential and I will work to bring that about. Ronald Stanko Ronald Stanko Occupation: Stanko retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security. Age: 74. Response: One major challenge facing Wyomissing is the lack of consistent cooperation and transparent decision-making among borough officials, residents and developers. Too often, major decisions about development and infrastructure are made with minimal public input, which can lead to frustration, mistrust and missed opportunities. If elected, I will work to bridge this gap through proactive outreach, inclusive public forums and straightforward, accessible updates on borough initiatives. This will ensure residents and developers alike can voice concerns early, stay informed and partner with their local government. My background as a former Wyomissing mayor, current council member and attorney — with extensive experience in the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and Office of Homeland Security — has taught me the importance of fairness, teamwork and a process that prioritizes accountability. By bringing people to the table — neighbors, businesses and elected officials — we can pursue responsible economic growth that respects our borough's heritage and preserves its unique character. Wyomissing deserves leadership that listens, stays accountable and shapes a sustainable future for generations to come.
