The Berkshire Edge On-Air Wednesday - January 19, 2022

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. The Great Barrington Health Board declines to advocate COVID vaccine requirement for Berkshire Hills students and staff:https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-health-board-wont-endorse-vaccine-mandate-for-berkshire-hills/

2.  Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington explains her efforts to upgrade and reform the county’s justice system, to make sure there is no racial bias:
https://theberkshireedge.com/action-toward-justice-reforming-berkshire-county-justice-system-in-the-spirit-of-martin-luther-king-jr/
3. Of course, we can’t go long without reporting on the COVID pandemic, and how it’s affecting the Berkshires. We have an update n the epidemic and some recommendations from Berkshire Health Systems:https://theberkshireedgoe.com/berkshire-health-systems-community-update-testing-vaccination-and-treatment-during-omicron-covid-19-surge/
4. Meanwhile, in Housatonic the state has found that the village’s water system — the privately owned Housatonic Water Works, has exceeded the limits on a carcinogenic contaminant:
https://theberkshireedge.com/housatonic-water-works-exceeds-limits-for-potentially-cancer-causing-contaminant/
5. We have a new column — from an old friend —the brilliant wit Bill Shein. The title is “Reason Gone Mad” — and his inaugural entry is about living in an old house:
https://theberkshireedge.com/reason-gone-mad-heres-what-ive-learned-living-for-many-years-in-an-old-house/

6. Finally, Sheela Clary has written a profile of a student who found a new path through Greenagers — and a nudge from Yo-Yo Ma:
https://theberkshireedge.com/finding-his-own-path-derick-turner/