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| News and events in South Berkshire, Mass.
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Butternut Fire 40 Percent ContainedBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire is 40 percent contained and the command post has been moved to Butternut Ski Area.
Tuesday brought welcome rain and first responders operated with a smaller crew focused on observing. One week into the wildfire, officials maintain that conditions are improving and the public should not be alarmed.
"After additional data gathered yesterday and compiled overnight, we can say with confidence that the fire is 40 percent contained," the Great Barrington Fire Department wrote on Tuesday morning.
"We expect that this containment number will grow rapidly as more verification data is obtained. Do NOT get hung up on the numbers
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Fairview Hospital Receives the 2024 Women's Choice Award| 04:00PM / Saturday, November 23, 2024 | |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Fairview Hospital, an award-winning Critical Access Hospital of Berkshire Health Systems, has been named one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women's Choice Award. The award signifies that Fairview Hospital has been ranked within the top 100 hospitals of similar size. According to the Women's Choice Award, "the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicates good patient experience positively correlates to disease management, adherence to treatment plans and health outcomes. Providing good patient experience is also good for business as it results in greater employee morale and 0 Comments
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Butternut Fire Contained; Conditions ImproveBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:49PM / Saturday, November 23, 2024 | |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire is now believed to be contained after burning nearly 1,400 acres on East Mountain. The Fire Department continues to urge people to stay out of the affected woods, as the chances of getting hurt are high, and not to start outdoor fires. Public Information Officer Lt. Brian Mead on Saturday morning said there are still hotspots and potential for flareups. "This area is very unstable. We are expecting that there are going to be tree falling, there are going to be landslides and there are going to be rocks rolling downhill," he said. "It is very steep. The area is slippery. We cannot have anybody in this 0 Comments
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Swann, Williams College Harriers Compete at NCAA ChampionshipsiBerkshires.com Sports,
11:31AM / Friday, November 22, 2024 | |
 Mount Greylock Regional School alumna Kate Swann and the Williams College women's cross country team are in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday morning to compete at the NCAA Division III Championship. Williams crushed the field at the 24-team regional championship in New London, Conn., to qualify for the national championship. On Nov. 16 at the Mideast Regional, Williams finished with 59 points, well ahead of runner-up Rensselaer Polytechnic, which collected 110 points. Swann, a junior, was the second Williams runner across the finish line, finishing 10th overall with a time of 21 minutes, 36 seconds on the 6-kilometer course. Williams has finished first or second 0 Comments
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MassDOT Advisory: South County Road Work| 11:21AM / Friday, November 22, 2024 | |
LEE, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing lane closures on I-90 eastbound and westbound for pothole repair and tree trimming. The work will take place from Monday, Nov. 25, through Tuesday, Nov. 26, during the following scheduled hours. Stockbridge/Lee/Becket/Otis/Blandford Pothole repair will be conducted on I-90 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 7.0 to mile marker 30.5, utilizing temporary lane closures and rolling roadblocks, on Monday night, Nov. 25, ending Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Lee Tree trimming will be conducted on I-90 eastbound at mile marker 4.6, utilizing shoulder 0 Comments
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Rain Slows Growth of Butternut FireBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024 | |
 GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point. It's the largest wildfire in the Berkshires since nearly a 1,000 acres burned in Clarksburg State Forest back in 2021. "We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..
"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not
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BHS And CDCSB Partner to Improve Housing Availability| 10:45AM / Thursday, November 21, 2024 | |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and the Community Development Corporation of Southern Berkshire (CDCSB) are partnering to support the expansion of workforce housing in South County. BHS will provide the CDCSB with financial support to make some units of the Thornewood available for temporary housing of healthcare workers who face barriers in finding available housing options. "As part of our mission to advance health and wellness for everyone in our community, we recognize that creating better access to housing resources for a diverse population of workers will make a real impact," said Darlene Rodowicz, president & CEO of BHS. 0 Comments
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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 AcresBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:56PM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.
Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.
The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.
Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via
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Holiday Events and Tree Lightings 2024| 12:15PM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
 This year's holiday gatherings and annual tree lightings are being announced Here's what we have so far in events below. If we're missing any, let us know at info@iBerkshires.com. Visit our Holiday Bazaars and Craft Fairs list for holiday craft fairs and markets. Christmas Tree Lightings Adams: Tree lighting and a visit from Santa at the annual Holly Days on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Town Common. Will include wagon rides, refreshments and activities. Home Holiday Decorating Contest registration is from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6, with judging on the following weekend. Look for the link online to register. Cheshire: Annual tree lighting is Sunday, 0 Comments
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Harvest Festivals and Craft Fairs 2024| 10:55AM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
 The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the holidays are approaching artisans and craft enthusiasts know what that means. It's craft fair and bazaar season! This list will be updated as we get more information. Have an event to add? Email us at info@iberkshires.com. Note that some craft fairs may run two days; those extra days are in bold. Saturday, Dec. 14 Holiday Shindy The Holiday Shindy has been a shopping tradition, showcasing artisan vendors from across the region. The Shindy features the chance to meet and watch local farms and makers weave, sew, preserve, and whittle. Longtime vendors and
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Wildfire Puts Great Barrington in State of EmergencyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:40PM / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | |
 GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The town is in a local state of emergency as responders work to calm a wildfire spread over 100 acres near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain. The Select Board hosted an emergency virtual meeting this afternoon to address the unexpected occurrence. During the meeting, the board declared a local state of emergency until further notice, recognizing that the fire poses an imminent and substantial risk to the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
It was recognized that the conditions require immediate action to protect the public and ensure effective coordination of response efforts.
The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters
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Bard College To Close Simon's Rock CampusStaff Reports ,
03:27PM / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College announced Tuesday plans to close its Simon's Rock campus in Great Barrington and consolidate to Bard's Massena Campus in Barrytown, NY, starting in fall 2025. The decision, made by Bard's Board of Trustees and Simon's Rock's Board of Overseers, responds to challenges including declining enrollment and increased competition in early college programs. "Departing from our beloved Great Barrington campus is heartbreaking — the campus has been my professional home for more than twenty years and my literal home for nearly five," wrote Provost John B. Weinstein. "It is full of memories for so 0 Comments
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