The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday February 17, 2021

The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

1.   A staff member at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield wrote a thank-you tribute to the Berkshire first responders whose convoy of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks drove around BMC to honor the nurses and doctors who treated COVID19 victims: 
https://theberkshireedge.com/a-tribute-to-bmc-staff-members-from-recognition-convoy-at-berkshire-medical-center/

2.  Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker noted that more than 1 million COVID19 vaccinations have been given in Massachusetts … and we must say that Marcie and I are included in that tally… we went to the gymnasium at the Middle School with hundreds of other Great Barrington residents to get our shots — our first dose. It was like a town meeting:
https://theberkshireedge.com/state-passes-more-than-1-million-vaccine-doses-administered/

3. Berkshire Hills Regional School District is beginning its budget deliberations, and has proposed a $30.3 million budget, a 3 percent increase. Meanwhile, the district is losing its top leadership of Muddy Brook Elementary School:
https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-spending-plan-calls-for-3-19-increase-two-top-muddy-brook-administrators-retire/

4. Great Barrington has joined Pittsfield in creating a police oversight panel in order to establish more community trust in the integrity of the law enforcement agencies:
https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-joins-pittsfield-in-creating-police-oversight-panel/

5. Berkshire state Sen. Adam Hinds has outlined his priorities for the imminent legislative session, including making sure the rollout of the COVID19 vaccination reaches all state residents; a strong effort to establish more convenient public transportation, including train service to Boston; and climate change:
https://theberkshireedge.com/mass-state-senator-adam-hinds-lays-out-his-2021-priorities/

And indeed, we had a piece by Jonathan Butler, CEO of the business group 1Berkshire, who also calls for reestablishing public transportation links to Boston and New York:
https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-one-mile-at-a-time/

6.  Finally, we have a story about a traditional celebration in Stockbridge, Mass. An ice festival that includes extraordinary ice sculpture:https://theberkshireedge.com/a-chip-off-the-cold-block-stockbridge-ice-festival-celebrates-historic-berkshire-industry/