Saturday, February 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

JUST IN: District Attorney’s Office obtained a guilty verdict in domestic violence case

According to a press release, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office found 45-year-old Joseph Deleon of Springfield guilty of domestic violence charges.

JUST IN: 40 years on, DA’s office releases new suspect sketches in cold case disappearance

The District Attorney's Office and State Police have continued to investigate the case, with the focus on a separate attempted abduction that occurred earlier in the night, 13 miles away in Williamstown.

Southern Berkshire Regional School District starts off school year with improved math scores

After a review of Southern Berkshire Regional School District benchmark assessments of students from Kindergarten to 8th grade, there has been a 38 percent improvement in math skills performance.

From Ghana to the Housatonic River: W.E.B. Du Bois’ legacy celebrated

"[This] event is a remarkable collaboration between many groups and individuals that care about W.E.B. Du Bois and the principles that he fought for,” Rachel Fletcher, founder of the Housatonic River Walk, said at the beginning of the event.

Part-time Stockbridge residents up in arms over possible residential tax exemption

The part-time residents who were interviewed for this story expressed anger about the proposed Residential Tax Exemption, stating it could "damage the culture of Stockbridge in a very unfortunate and bad way."

Primary election guide

This year's primary elections will be held on Tuesday, September 6. Check below to see who will be on the ballot.

In public forum District Attorney and Sheriff candidates address issues of racial justice

District Attorney Andrea Harrington and Berkshire County Sheriff Candidate Alf Barbalunga answered questions regarding how they would handle issues involving racial justice at a candidates forum organized by The Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups through Education and moderated by CEO and Founding Director Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant.

School district merger committee confronts $150k shortfall

The Eight Town Regional School District Planning Board is facing a $150,000 budgetary shortfall and would be out of money by October 1, as projected by Project Manager Jake Eberwein at the August 23 board meeting.

Elizabeth Freeman comes home: Statue unveiled

A three-day celebration of civil rights icon Elizabeth Freeman culminated in the unveiling of a statue and plaque commemorating Freeman at the Sheffield Town Green on August 21.

Bridge and guardrail repair next week on I-90

Accordingn to a press released issued by MassDOT, bridge and guard rail repairs will be taking place on I-90 in both the eastbound and westbound directions from Monday, August 22 through Friday, August 26.

BHRSD Superintendent Peter Dillon looking forward to new school year

“Overall, I think that this school year will be a good time to move forward,” Superintendent of Berkshire Hills Regional School District Peter Dillon said. "I think the most important thing families should know is that, over the summer, teachers and the staff at our district schools have all been working very hard to prepare for this school year, and we are all super excited to welcome you all back.”

District Attorney candidates debate issues facing Berkshire County

District Attorney Andrea Harrington and candidate Timothy Shugrue debated numerous issues facing Berkshire County, including substance and abuse and gun violence, in a District Attorney candidates debate on Monday, August 15.

Monument Mountain girls basketball team raising funds

As they await the start of their season just after Thanksgiving, members of the Monument Mountain Regional High School varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams, along with their parents and boosters, are raising funds for the team's season.

Southern Berkshire Regional School District administrators earn Diversity and Inclusion certification

Two administrators for the Southern Berkshire Regional School District have earned Diversity and Inclusion certification through an online program offered by Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES: Ruby Aver brings Tai Chi expertise from the Netherlands to the Berkshires

Former professional, classical, and contemporary dancer Ruby Avery is bringing her Tai Chi expertise that she developed studying under Master Djie Han Thung in the Netherlands to the Berkshires through classes, which she calls "Moving with Change."

Selectboard listens to concerns about Railroad Street closure

After hearing concerns from a Railroad Street gallery owner about preparation activities for the Berkshire Busk series on Friday and Saturday nights upsetting their and other Railroad Street merchants' business, the Great Barrington Select Board chose not to vote on a request that restaurants be allowed to set up an hour and a half early the events.
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