Issue: October 2016
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Marijuana legalization debate heats up as vote nears
Marijuana legalization debate heats up as vote nears in Mass. By CRAIG IDLEBROOKContributing writer PITTSFIELD, Mass. Judy Harris thinks marijuana would help with pain from her childhood case of polio, but trying to navigate the state’s medical marijuana system proved too frustrating. Now she favors outright legalization. Emily Walsh photo Judy Harris wants pot, read more
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Local flavors with European flair
Hudson shop’s prepared foods make it a destination By STACEY MORRISContributing writer HUDSON, N.Y. Kate Arding and Mona Talbott show off some of their wares, including a large wheel of cheese, outside their shop on Warren Street in Hudson. Their focus is producing prepared meals and condiments with a strong emphasis on local ingredients read more
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Town may veto conservation deal
Plan to protect bird habitat clashes with dreams of growth, development By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer FORT EDWARD, N.Y. Merrilyn Pulver-Moulthrop wants to conserve 180 acres of her farm as habitat for threatened bird species, but town officials may veto the deal because of concerns it could hinder a water system for future development. Joan read more
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Refugee plan gets green light in Rutland
City leaders call for unity after divisive debate By C.B. HALLContributing writer RUTLAND, Vt. It’s official: The refugees will be coming to Rutland. The U.S. State Department has approved a plan to resettle about 100 refugees from Syria and Iraq in the city over the next 12 months. The decision was announced Sept. 28 by read more
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A cultural exchange you can taste — Fermentation festivals
Mass., Vermont festivals celebrate the variety of fermented foods By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Real Pickles, a worker-owned cooperative based in Greenfield, Mass., was among the vendors at last month’s Berkshire Fermentation Festival in Great Barrington. A similar event is planned this month in Poultney, Vt.Courtesy photo/Chris Gauthier When many people hear read more
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Berkshire Theatre Group celebrates local creativity
November festival gives stage to artists of the Berkshire By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer PITTSFIELD, Mass. Members of Funk Box Dance Studio perform on the opening night of last year’s Made in the Berkshires Festival. The festival, which showcases local artists, is scheduled for Nov. 11-13 this year. Courtesy photo/Michelle McGrady After a summer cultural read more
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2016 election preview
Here are the candidates and referendum questions on ballots for the Nov. 8 federal and state elections across the region. Because of space limitations, uncontested races are not included. A guide to political party abbreviations is at right. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk (*). Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to read more
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Raids show the failure of marijuana prohibition
The military-style helicopter hovered low over a house in Amherst, Mass., last month, its blades whirring as two men crouched in its open doorway, apparently aiming a thermal-imaging device at the back yard below. Within 10 minutes, several law enforcement vehicles arrived at the home, and State Police collected the illegal contraband they had found: read more