Sunday, July 13, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Shaw Israel Izikson

Shaw Israel Izikson is Managing Editor for The Berkshire Edge. Izikson is an award-winning journalist, editor, and photographer from Baltimore, Maryland. He was the winner of the 2015 New England Better Newspaper competition in editorial writing. Izikson is the former editor of The Winsted Journal newspaper from 2014 to 2017. He was also the editor of The Winsted Phoenix from 2019 to 2021, and most recently The Country Journal in late 2021. He has been in the journalism field for over 20 years, starting as a reporter for The Irregular newspaper in Kingfield, Maine. He worked at The Lakeville Journal company for 11 years, working as a reporter at all three newspapers owned by the company before serving as the editor for The Winsted Journal from 2014 to 2017.

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Volunteerism and immigration celebrated at Berkshire Immigrant Center’s gala

"I think right now it is an important time for our community to step up to support immigrants," Berkshire Immigrant Center Executive Director Melissa Canavan told The Berkshire Edge. "We're lucky to live in a region where our immigrant community has, for the most part, been supported in the past, but we need to think about the long-term big picture. We need to think about our neighbors, families, friends, and the people who are making a difference in our community and making it a special place to live."

Cooling centers in Berkshire County

This list will be updated as more information comes in.

Pittsfield resident pleads guilty to kidnapping and other charges

Glen Chadwell, 52, plead guilty and subsequently sentenced on three charges related to a 2019 kidnapping.

Great Barrington and W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School collaborate on crosswalk project

"The students all feel a stronger connection with the community after they completed the crosswalks. They are so proud that they were able to represent the school and come up with a design." W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School science teacher Carole Aberdale said about the project.

A celebration and remembrance of Juneteenth in Lee

“It's important for me to see all cultural institutions double down on their values,” said Multicultural BRIDGE founder and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant said. “In this exhibit, you can see that it's representative of all of the cultures that make up our country, and I'm proud to be a part of that."

Bitter battle in Southern Berkshire Regional School District over teacher and staff contracts continues

When contacted by The Berkshire Edge, SBREA President Andrew Rapport, who is also a social studies teacher at Mount Everett Middle School, disputed many of the details in a press release published on behalf of Superintendent Beth Regulbuto regarding the contract negotiations.

Berkshire Busk! to return for fifth season

“We’ve always said that we will do this as long as the community wants us to do this,” Berkshire Busk! General Manager Carli Scolforo told The Edge. “When I see people meeting up with their friends or children coming and dancing every single weekend, it makes me feel like we’re doing something important here."

A celebration of meaning, purpose, joy, and happiness: Hevreh of Southern Berkshire’s 50th anniversary concert on June 29

“Hevreh has connected a sense of community where everyone feels connected,” Hevreh Senior Rabbi Jodie Gordon told The Berkshire Edge. “This is not a place where you go do Jewish activities and then you leave. We are all connected, both in people’s homes and out in the world."

Thousands attend No Kings rallies all across Berkshire County

“We have a constitutional right to speak up and speak out,” Pittsfield rally co-organizer Robin O’Herin told The Berkshire Edge. “He is stealing our government and turning it into an autocracy and a dictatorship”

Relay for Life of Berkshire County returns on June 28

Last year, the event was held outside at Monument Mountain's track. However, four hours into the event, a microburst storm hit the track, destroying the event area. This year, event organizer Ray Gardino told The Berkshire Edge they are not taking any chances and will hold the event indoors.

Stockbridge special election for vacant Select Board seat set for August 26

The special Select Board meeting, held on Friday, June 13, lasted for one minute.

Southern Berkshire Regional School District Superintendent Regulbuto resigns

Regulbuto was originally hired by the school district in July 2017.

Mount Everett Regional School teacher receives Fulbright U.S. Student Award

As part of the award, Graham will study in New Zealand, joining the Museum and Heritage Practice master's program at Victoria University in Wellington. There she will explore how the museum sector supports education from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Great Barrington Rotary Club awards 38 local students $75,000 in scholarships

“How many of us go through life with the belief that we cannot do something simply because we failed at it once before?” Rotary Club Scholarship Committee Chair Mark DeCelle advised the awardees. “Failure is part of learning, and we should never give up in the struggle for life.”

A celebration of community and visibility: Berkshire Pride Festival and parade in Pittsfield

"I think that, especially in a moment where there are so many people who have arrayed against the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s super important to come out and celebrate solidarity with joy," said Berkshire Pride board member Jeff Lowenstein

Southern Berkshire Regional School District teachers, staff, and administrators all spar over contracts

In a press release sent before the rally, Mount Everett Special Education teacher and SBREA member Roberta Sarnacki writes that the association has been attempting to negotiate “fair contracts for our workers.”
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