Latest news with #Pittsfield
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sidewalks to close Monday for repairs in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Several sidewalks in Pittsfield will be closed to pedestrians starting on Monday as crews conduct repair work. LIST: Ironman triathlon to cause weekend road closures City officials shared that numerous asphalt sidewalks will be replaced with concrete beginning on Monday, with work taking place across the next four weeks. The following sidewalks will begin undergoing repair work this week: North side of Columbus Avenue from Robbins Avenue to Francis Avenue North side of Summer Street from Francis Avenue to Center Street South side of Union Street from Francis Avenue to Union Street South side of Bradford Street from Francis Avenue to Center Street North side of Bradford Street from Center Street to North Street While repairs are taking place, these sidewalks will be closed for pedestrian use. Those walking in the area will be able to use the sidewalks on the alternate side of the street. These repairs are funded through the Community Development Block Grant. All work is weather-dependent and subject to change. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of rape, domestic violence in Berkshire County
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A man was found guilty of domestic violence and sexual assault charges in Berkshire County District Court on Friday in connection with an incident in 2017. Berkshire District Attorney's Office Chief of Operations Julia Sabourin shared that 34-year-old Christopher King was found guilty of Rape, Suffocation of Strangulation, and Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member. King was found not guilty on a second count of Rape. Pittsfield police seize over a kilo of cocaine, guns, and cash in drug raid, one arrested These charges and guilty verdict follow a 2017 incident involving King and an intimate partner. Court documents stated that King has a domestic violence history, and in 2017, he pleaded guilty to Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member. 'I first want to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward and testifying during the trial. I also want to thank the jury,' said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. 'This is the second guilty verdict surrounding sexual assault in just two weeks. While rape is all to common, it is extremely difficult to prosecute. The CSI effect has resulted in juries expecting evidence that simply does not exist in the real world. Domestic and sexual violence are often misunderstood allowing many perpetrators to evade justice.' King is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, May 28, in Berkshire Superior Court. 22News will provide updates as more information becomes available. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Update: Thunderstorms with damaging winds and quarter-sized hail in Berkshire County Saturday
An updated severe thunderstorm warning was released by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 6:16 p.m. in effect until 7 p.m. for Berkshire County. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail (1 inch) are likely. "At 6:16 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Pittsfield, moving east at 35 mph," according to the weather service. "Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees." Locations impacted by the warning include Victory Hill, Lanesborough, Windsor, Hinsdale, Becket, Washington, Lakewood, Berkshire, The Boulders, Coltsville, Dalton, Adams Junction, Yankee Orchards, East Windsor, Peru and Pittsfield. The weather service adds, "For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways." Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away. To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration: Lightning safety plan: When venturing outdoors, it's vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning. Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it's a clear indication of nearby lightning. Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors. Indoors safety measures: Once you've found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors. Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges. Wait for the all-clear: After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities. Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution. When indoor shelter isn't available: If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety: Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk. Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees. If you're in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people. Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning. Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks. In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety. When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Whether it's prolonged rainfall or rapid runoff, being prepared is essential. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to ensure you stay safe in heavy rain: Beware of swollen waterways: During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk. Maintain safe driving distances: Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness. Slow down and stay cautious: On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. Choose your lane wisely: Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes. Prioritize visibility Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them. Watch out for slippery roads: The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period. Keep a safe distance from large vehicles: Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely. Mind your windshield wipers: Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position. By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. Read the original article on MassLive.
CBS News
06-05-2025
- CBS News
$500 million lawsuit alleges Michigan prison guards illegally recorded strip searches at women's facility
A new lawsuit filed against the Michigan Department of Corrections alleges that the department instructed guards to use their body cameras to record strip searches at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Pittsfield Township, Michigan. The $500 million lawsuit, filed on behalf of 20 women, named the MDOC, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the correctional facility and several correctional officers. The Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility is the state's only women's prison. It alleges that between January 2025 and March 2025, roughly 500 women were illegally recorded naked during the searches, as well as while taking a shower and using the bathroom. Majority of the women, who are rape survivors, suffered psychological damage and humiliation from the alleged recordings, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that MDOC officials were aware that they were violating Michigan law, which prohibits the recording or photographing of private parts. However, officials allegedly ignored warnings and allowed officers to record until they stopped on March 24. "What these women continue to endure is nothing short of horrific. This case exposes a grotesque abuse of power that directly retraumatizes survivors of sexual assault," attorney Todd Flood said in a statement. "Despite multiple warnings about the policy's illegality from advocacy organizations and state legislators, MDOC officials have failed to fully halt these privacy violations." CBS News Detroit has reached out to the governor's office and the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility for comment. We are waiting to hear back. This comes as the department is facing another lawsuit involving former spokesperson Christopher Gautz. MDOC employee Lisa Gass alleges that Gautz sexually harassed her and coerced her into engaging in a sexual relationship to keep her job. That lawsuit alleges that Gautz claimed that he and Gass were in a consensual relationship, and she was harassing him. He resigned amid an investigation. Gautz's current employer, Byrum & Fisk Communications, confirmed that Gautz was placed on leave effective immediately and that the allegations against him were not disclosed to them.
Boston Globe
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Bella Owumi, St. Mary's block out noise, roll past Pittsfield into Division 3 girls' basketball final
Riding three first-quarter 3-pointers from senior Juliana Conte, the Spartans jumped out to an early 16-2 lead. From there, St. Mary's — appearing in its sixth consecutive semifinal — was in control, ultimately defeating No. 5 Pittsfield, 59-43, to advance to this weekend's state final at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. 'Usually when that stuff happens and we get kind of frazzled about that, we just come together and we make sure we're on the same page,' said St. Mary's sophomore Bella Owumi. 'We just have to have a positive mindset and not let the fans disrupt our game.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'We have to be there for each other, block out the noise, and just play our game,' said Conte. Advertisement The spirited Pittsfield crowd wasn't the only noise the Spartans (23-3) had to tune out. After graduating three 1,000-point scorers in 2023 — cornerstones of the program — naysayers around Massachusetts might've assumed the St. Mary's dynasty was over. On Monday, Owumi (19 points), Conte (14 points), freshman Charleigh Green (11 points), and senior Reese Matela (6 points) proved that it's very much alive. And this time, younger players on past championship teams are taking the limelight. 'I tell this group all the time [that] when we walked out of Tsongas [two years ago], there were whispers of when we would ever get back here,' said St. Mary's coach Jeff Newhall. 'We knew we had a good group back then, a young group — a lot of these kids were on the team in middle school … We're certainly happy to be back here.' The Spartans will return to Tsongas, but they'll never take the trip for granted. 'We've had a lot of appearances there, but it's not easy getting there. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication,' Owumi said. St. Mary's Bella Owumi drew contact, and a foul, from Pittsfield's Dezerea Powell in the Division 3 semifinal at Worcester State. EVAN WALSH Trevor Hass can be reached at
