Saturday, March 14, 2026

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. 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. Photo by Jamie Tilley.

written articles

Great Barrington town manager presents several fiscal 2027 budget scenarios

Instead of formally submitting a proposed fiscal 2027 budget at the February 3 meeting, Hartsgrove spoke of three potential budget scenarios.

S&P downgraded Great Barrington’s credit rating in October

According to S&P, “The downgrade reflects Great Barrington's weakened economic metrics relative to the nation, as well as an anticipated decrease in the town's reserve position and exhaustion of its unused levy capacity, which we believe will increase operating pressure.”

Andrew Fitch of North Adams to run for 1st Berkshire District seat in State House

According to his campaign website, Fitch is running on a platform focused on community development, education, and transportation, along with affordability and regional collaboration.

W.E.B. Du Bois’ great-grandson to star in play celebrating his legacy

In a celebration of his great-grandfather's legacy, Jeffrey DuBois Peck will star in the title role of "W.E.B. Du Bois: An American Hero" at Monument Mountain on Feb. 21.

From the school committee to the streets of Great Barrington, Berkshire County braces against threat of ICE

As Berkshire Hills Regional School District prepares for possible ICE enforcement, over 200 residents take to the streets in Great Barrington against the agency and the Trump administration.

Pittsfield resident dies after being rescued from house fire

The fire remains under investigation by state and city officials.

Two businesses in Great Barrington take part in general strike against ICE

"We want to do everything we can for those among us who are most at risk," Hart store owner Jamie Goldenberg told The Berkshire Edge. "There is nobody coming to save us. This is it. We have to do this together.”

With the need greater than ever before, Construct Inc. starts its annual Warm Up the Winter campaign

Last year’s campaign aimed to raise $125,000, but because of increased need, Construct Executive Director Joey Lindstrom said the organization has increased its goal to $150,000 for this year's campaign.

Great Barrington Finance Committee Chair to step down in May, two members to not run for reelection

Three of the five members on the town's Finance Committee will leave their posts after May's annual town elections, with Chair Richard Geiler citing personal reasons for his departure.

‘Kindness was his number one attribute’: Great Barrington resident dies after crosswalk accident

Testing after the accident found that, despite passing inspection on December 31, 2025, the crosswalk's flashing warning system was not working as intended at the time of the incident.

Great Barrington Selectboard approves settlement with marijuana dispensary Calyx over Host Community Agreement lawsuit

The town will now carry out an annual "computation and accounting of particular municipal costs that might arise as a result of the operation of the individual [marijuana] business," Selectboard Chair Steve Bannon said during the board's Jan. 26 meeting.

Budget season begins at Berkshire Hills Regional School District

As in previous years, the assessment to towns for the school district's fiscal year 2027 budget will be based on enrollment percentages.

Berkshire County snowstorm alerts

Last updated: January 25, 9:55 p.m.

‘Old time hockey’ to return to Beartown State Forest in February for fourth year

“It’s a free event to watch, and it’s a great thing to do in the middle of winter,” event organizer Alex Regen told The Berkshire Edge. “We have some very good local competition in this community.”

Lenox schools to present ‘Murder on the Menu’

“This is an interactive event that will be a lot of fun,” Theater Director Ryan Bannen told The Berkshire Edge. “The audience will get to interact with the actors, and they will have a chance to try to solve who the murderer is."

Great Barrington to revisit Trust Policy

“We want to address what we do when ICE comes to our community,” Multicultural BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant, who helped draft the 2017 policy, explained. “What are the other threats out there to our safety besides ICE? How do we balance not obstructing justice while keeping our community safe?"
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