Thursday, February 13, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Terry Cowgill

Terry Cowgill is a journalist in the Berkshires and northwest Connecticut. He is the retired managing editor of The Edge, serving from 2017 to 2022. Terry is also a longtime political columnist for CTNewsJunkie, an award-winning media outlet that covers the Connecticut state government. A resident of Lakeville, Connecticut, Terry is a graduate of Bishop's University (Canada) and earned a master's degree in humanities from Wesleyan University. Follow Terry on Twitter @terrycowgill or email him at thenews@hotmail.com.

written articles

WSBS-AM knocked off the air by parts failure; signal still available via streaming and 94.1 FM

Four separate parts failures have caused WSBS, Great Barrington's sole radio station, to be knocked off the air. The station remains available at 94.1 FM and via streaming on the station's website.

Investigation begins into fire at abandoned Searles School on Bridge Street

Great Barrington Fire Chief Charlie Burger says his department, the state Fire Marshal's Office, and the Great Barrington Police Department will be conducting a joint investigation into the cause of a fire that broke out on Sunday at the former Searles School on Bridge Street.

After months of fierce debate, Great Barrington passes regulations on short-term rentals

The selectboard's bylaw passed by a vote of 207–111. A less stringent competing proposal placed on the warrant via citizen petition failed.

Event to celebrate the life of David Grover set for July 2; gazebo area to be named in his memory

The gazebo in the park behind Town Hall, and the area around it closest to the Mahaiwe Center for the Performing Arts, will be renamed "Grover's Corner."

Neighbors take Great Barrington ZBA to court, demand board’s airport decision be reversed

The civil complaint names each ZBA member individually as defendants. The complainants are not seeking monetary damages but want the court to annul the ZBA's decision, find that the ZBA exceeded its authority, and that its actions were "based on legally untenable grounds."

Great Barrington zoning board denies appeal from angry airport neighbors

At issue is the fact that the Walter J. Koladza Airport is located in a residential zone, but was built just a few years before Great Barrington first adopted a zoning code.

The Edge’s top 25 most-read stories of 2021

The approach of a new year offers a chance to look back at what was. For us at The Edge, the end of 2021 gives us an opportunity to gauge what most interests our audience.

GB, South County Year in Review: Dealing with COVID, cannabis, and a toxic dump

Other news stories covered local elections, structure fires, the battle over short-term rentals, Zoom bombers, dangerous intersections, and a lot more.

Cove Bowling Lanes remain open, soon-to-be new owner looking for business to be ‘upgraded’

Former Cove owner Tom Hankey, who runs the bowling alley, told The Edge it's business as usual right now, with lanes and concessions open and operating under their regular hours.

Cove bowling alley sold at auction for nearly $1 million; fate of the property remains unknown

Local businessman Craig Barnum was the successful bidder at $981,000.

Community Development group eyes second housing complex at 100 Bridge Street site

Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire Executive Director Allison Marchese said preliminary plans include ownership-model housing on the north end of the property and a two-acre public riverfront park along the Housatonic.

EDGE MEMBER WEBINAR: No one likes higher taxes — except these millionaires

"We have created a system that guarantees we will become more unequal more quickly — one that will lead to the system collapsing, as it's doing even as we speak." "...It's not good for the country to have these growing levels of inequality ... it's not good for anybody, including investors like me.”

Foreclosure auction set for iconic Cove Lanes; owner vows to ‘get out of the situation’

Public records show the current owners of the bowling alley, Hankey O'Rourke Enterprises, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 21, 2019.

As lawmakers mull redistricting, Hinds tosses hat into ring for lieutenant governor

A new 3rd District map for Berkshire County, proposed by the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting, is "much better looking" than one proposed earlier by the Drawing Democracy Coalition.

School district consolidation panel hires project manager, seeks ‘essential’ public input

Students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and community members are all asked to weigh in the future of South County's schools.

‘Zoom bombers’ attack Selectboard, threaten violence, hurl racial slurs

The town of West Stockbridge uses the Zoom meeting format, as opposed to the webinar format Great Barrington employs.
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