Danny Jin
Ann Arbor, Pittsfield
Student @UMichAmCult, urban history and (im)migration history. Semi-retired journalist @BerkshireEagle @Report4America @Williams_Record. he/him
Articles by Danny Jin
A dream of serving grassroots community needs takes shape in the shadow of Pittsfield's City Hall
PITTSFIELD — The best thing about O.U.R. Resurge, Nicole Fecteau says, is that no one can take that space away from the community members who will use it. An anonymous donor provided $225,000 last fall to help Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds, the nonprofit that Fecteau co-founded in 2017, purchase a building that it is working with partners to create a community center, a stone's throw from Pittsfield City Hall.
Berkshire County’s recreational cannabis industry pulls in about $200 million a year. One company accounts for a quarter of that
Three years after Theory Wellness opened as the first retail cannabis outlet in Berkshire County, 24 licensed recreational-use companies in the Berkshires pull in roughly $200 million in yearly sales. One company, Theory Wellness, accounts for more than a quarter of that, according to estimates The Eagle derived through public records requests. “Budtenders” at Berkshire stores now help customers find products as varied as seltzers and ice creams.
'America first' Republican will take on state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier for Statehouse seat
PITTSFIELD — A self-described “America first” Republican will challenge Democratic state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier for Pittsfield’s seat in the Massachusetts House. Gina Divola, 32, of Pittsfield, said that she left her job as a nursing assistant because she felt a COVID-19 vaccination requirement infringed on her medical and personal freedom. Divola, who now runs a business called Maga Cleaning Services, is running as a Republican for the seat held by state Rep.
Rising personnel costs a concern as Adams kicks off fiscal 2023 budget process
ADAMS — Budget season is underway in Adams, and the town is contending with an increase in its fixed personnel costs. Employee health insurance, for instance, is going up. After several years without increases in health insurance costs, employee health insurance through Berkshire Health Group will increase by 8 percent this year, Town Administrator Jay Green said. Retirement benefits also will increase by 10 percent.
Adams has hired a new leader for its Housing Authority. What does that mean for residents? Plenty if the organization is your landlord
William Schrade, maintenance director and modernization coordinator for the Pittsfield Housing Authority, will become the new executive director of the Adams Housing Authority in July. BEN GARVER — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — The board that governs the town's Housing Authority has picked its next leader, and they didn't have to go very far to find him.
Pittsfield City Council, School Committee endorse 'Fair Share Amendment' ballot question
PITTSFIELD — The City Council and School Committee each have voted to endorse a November ballot question that would raise funds for education and transportation through an income surtax on top earners. Under the proposal known as the Fair Share Amendment, Massachusetts residents making over $1 million in annual income would pay an additional 4 percent in taxes on income above $1 million.
As Adams residents give feedback on Howland Avenue redesign, engineers seek additional public meeting
ADAMS — Adams residents have weighed in on the proposed two-lane redesign of Howland Avenue, and their feedback has led the town and project engineers to consider holding another public meeting this summer.
Michael Lavery, a Becket Select Board member, will run as a Green-Rainbow candidate against state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli
BECKET — Becket Select Board member Michael Lavery is running for state representative, and he is taking on the county’s longest-tenured state lawmaker. Lavery, who won election to the board in 2017, is running as a Green-Rainbow Party candidate against state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, for the newly redistricted 3rd Berkshire seat in the Massachusetts House.
Adams is pursuing a two-lane redesign for Howland Avenue, its section of Route 8, and will hold an open house on Wednesday
ADAMS — Those who drive on Route 8 in Adams know that the road needs fixing. The town, which leaders say does not receive enough state aid to maintain the road, is pursuing a redesign. The plan would reduce the four lanes at present to two lanes, while adding sidewalks and a 10-foot-wide path for cyclists and pedestrians.
Paula Kingsbury-Evans, an MCLA senior, is running for the seat held by state Rep. John Barrett III
NORTH ADAMS — A senior at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is challenging state Rep. John Barrett III in a Democratic primary. Paula Kingsbury-Evans, 22, of North Adams, told The Eagle on Thursday that she is running because she believes “the Berkshires need a fresh, new voice in the Statehouse.” Barrett, a North Adams Democrat who was the city’s mayor from 1984 to 2009, has served in the Massachusetts House since 2017, when he won an election after the death of former state Rep.
Brien Center President and CEO M. Christine Macbeth welcomes Baker proposal to support behavioral health
Addressing historically low reimbursement rates for behavioral health, according to Brien Center President and CEO M. Christine Macbeth, is long overdue. And a proposal unveiled Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Baker would be “a strong first step” in that direction, she said. The proposed legislation would require greater primary and behavioral health care spending by providers and insurance companies, while also aiming to rein in the rising costs of health care and prescription drugs.
The 'face of Ukraine': MCLA, Williams political scientists discuss Zelenskyy's address to Congress
Local scholars are among many who have paid attention to the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. James McAllister, the Fred Greene Third Century Professor of Political Science at Williams College, said that Zelenskyy “has impressed people mostly because of the fact that he stayed in Kyiv,” despite surviving multiple assassination attempts. “He’s shown that he’s willing to take dramatic risk to his own personal safety,” McAllister said.
'You don’t know if Ukraine is going to be the same again': Ukrainian students navigate life at Williams amid war at home
WILLIAMSTOWN — Before the Russian military attacked her city, Diana Sobolieva had planned to visit Kharkiv during spring break. Sobolieva, 20, has not returned to Kharkiv, the city in northeast Ukraine that has become a major target of Russian attacks, since she began studying at Williams College last fall. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb.
With costs rising, Hoosac Valley proposes 2 percent budget increase in effort to maintain 'wisely'
As it deals with rising costs and braces for the expiration of federal relief money, the Hoosac Valley Regional School District has proposed a fiscal year 2023 budget with a spending increase of just under 2 percent. “This budget allows us to maintain, I would say, but we’re maintaining wisely,” Superintendent Aaron Dean said at a Monday evening School Committee meeting, during which the district presented the budget proposal.
Former state Rep. Geoff Diehl, Trump-endorsed candidate for governor, launches statewide tour in Berkshire County
DALTON — In pursuit of the Republican nomination for governor, former state Rep. Geoff Diehl on Thursday launched his “Berkshires to Boston Tour” with several stops across Berkshire County. Diehl, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, launched his campaign last year, in Hadley, intending to challenge Gov. Charlie Baker for the Republican nomination.
Massachusetts no longer will provide free COVID testing in the Berkshires. State lawmakers say there needs to be regional equity
Massachusetts no longer will cover free, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing at Berkshire Health Systems sites in Pittsfield, Great Barrington and North Adams, as the state downsizes its Stop the Spread program. Berkshire Health Systems will continue to provide testing at those locations, hospital spokesperson Michael Leary said in a Monday email, as it has done throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Other testing providers also will continue to operate in the county.
A new contract will keep Town Administrator Jay Green in Adams through 2025. Here are three of his top priorities
ADAMS — Jay Green’s first three years in Adams were no cakewalk, but as the Adams town administrator begins working under his new three-year contract, he sees a bright future. The Select Board picked Green for the job in 2019. Much of his first three years was spent dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, and the retirements of longtime Police Chief Richard Tarsa Jr., Town Accountant Mary Beverly and Community Development Director Donna Cesan also forced Town Hall to adapt.
Artist Lisa Mendel opens a stained-glass art studio in Adams
Lisa Mendel has opened Mendel's Stained Glass Art Studio at 1 East Hoosac St. in Adams. GILLIAN JONES — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — As a child, Linda Mendel fell in love with the stained-glass windows of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
School Committee votes to make masks optional at Hoosac Valley
CHESHIRE — School Committee members began their Thursday meeting wearing masks, but most removed them moments after voting to make masks optional at the Hoosac Valley Regional School District. The committee voted 6-1 to rescind its mask mandate, which the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education had required until Monday. Most districts since have made masks optional on buses and in school buildings, and Hoosac Valley is the latest to do so.
Adams will do away with requiring masks in municipal buildings after Select Board vote
The Adams Select Board voted Wednesday to rescind its mask-wearing order and approved an array of use requests, including one from Adams Street Fair organizer Joe Martin, left. DANNY JIN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — After a decline in COVID-19 cases, wearing face masks no longer will be required in Adams municipal buildings.
Berkshire Gas sees natural gas as part of its plan to meet state climate goals. Some observers disagree
PITTSFIELD — Asked how it will help meet Massachusetts climate goals, Berkshire Gas said natural gas will remain a key part of its plans. Consultants contracted by Berkshire Gas and other Massachusetts utilities released a draft report on Feb. 15 detailing possible strategies. Based on that report and the stakeholder process, Berkshire Gas concluded in a Feb.
Anticipating fierce opposition campaign, a local movement for 'millionaire's tax' ballot question emerges
Months ahead of the November elections, Berkshire County Democrats are beginning to spread the word about a ballot question that they see as key to funding the future of education and transportation in the state. The question, known as the Fair Share Amendment, would generate revenue for education and transportation investments through a 4 percent surtax on annual income above $1 million. Currently, all income is taxed at a 5 percent rate.
A Window World franchisee will open a showroom at the former TD Bank building at the center of Adams
ADAMS — The 10 Center St. building in Adams that formerly housed TD Bank soon will become a showroom for Window World of Western Massachusetts. The Window World franchisee, which specializes in window, door and siding installations, purchased the building last week for $350,000 and plans to make the Adams location its third showroom, accompanying sites in Belchertown and Westfield.
An Adams couple lost their home and six pets in a fire last week. Now supportfrom the community is pouring in
ADAMS — Those who know Tracy Videtta and Davion Hart say that they would be the first to step up if anyone needed help. For proof, look no further than the outpouring of support for the couple, who lost six pets and nearly all that they owned in a Feb. 16 fire. The fire destroyed the 14 Hastings St. home where they lived since Videtta purchased it in December. Friends have started at least three fundraisers that had raised more than $26,000 as of Thursday.
New oral history project aims to preserve Black history in the Berkshires
GREAT BARRINGTON — Preserving Black history in the Berkshires often begins with recording people’s stories, and a new oral history project will advance that work. Oral history interviews are sometimes “the only lasting artifact that we have of a person’s life,” said Frances Jones-Sneed, a professor of history emeritus at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
The Checkup: Number of COVID-19 patients at Berkshire Medical Center drops to single digits
As of Friday, there were 44 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Berkshire County, for a seven-day rolling average of 55.7 new daily cases. That is a 58 percent decrease from two weeks ago. Berkshire Health Systems had nine hospitalized patients with positive COVID-19 tests as of its last update. There were two new deaths reported in Berkshire County, for a pandemic total of 394.
Adams Select Board votes to keep Town Administrator Jay Green until 2025
ADAMS — Town Administrator Jay Green is sticking with Adams. And vice versa. The Select Board on Wednesday unanimously approved a new three-year contract with Green that will keep him in town through March 24, 2025. Four of the five Select Board members remain unchanged from the February 2019 group that picked Green from a field of 18 applicants and three finalists.
With undocumented clients driving unlicensed, Berkshire Immigrant Center backs Farley-Bouvier bill
PITTSFIELD — Getting to and from work, health care appointments or even just the grocery store without driving is a big ask in Berkshire County. Berkshire Immigrant Center staff say that state laws, and the lack of public transportation options, force undocumented immigrants to drive unlicensed or miss out on basic needs. “Here in the Berkshires, there’s really no other option,” said Emma Lezberg, a caseworker for the Pittsfield nonprofit.
In push for 'west-east' rail, Berkshire County lawmakers press for track upgrades west of Springfield
“West-east” rail, for state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, is more than a catchphrase. Unless track upgrades for Pittsfield-to-Boston passenger rail — it commonly is called “east-west” rail by those further east — begin in Western Massachusetts, the Lenox Democrat says, he does not expect to board that train in his lifetime. A recent federal infrastructure law will send $9.5 billion to Massachusetts over five years, and Gov.
Xavier Jones, the former BiggDaddy's owner and chef, will open a new restaurant at Adams' historic firehouse
Xavier Jones, right, and his business partner, Warren Dews Jr., left, are opening a new restaurant at the Firehouse Cafe on Park Street in Adams. “This building is a landmark, and we don’t want to be just a restaurant — we want to be a destination,” Jones said. GILLIAN JONES — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — Xavier Jones is coming back to Adams, this time to start a restaurant at Park Street’s historic Firehouse Cafe.
Xavier Jones, the former BiggDaddy's owner and chef, will open a new restaurant at Adams' historic firehouse
Xavier Jones, right, and his business partner Warren Dews, left, are opening a new restaurant at the Firehouse Cafe on Park Street in Adams. GILLIAN JONES — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — Xavier Jones is coming back to Adams, this time to start a restaurant at Park Street’s historic Firehouse Cafe. Folks may remember the 38-year-old chef from BiggDaddy’s Philly Steak House, which Jones owned and operated in Adams from 2017 to 2018 and in Pittsfield from 2018 to 2019.
Gov. Baker has indicated support for east-west passenger rail, but some in Berkshires say it's too soon to celebrate
PITTSFIELD — While Gov. Charlie Baker has indicated that he would like federal infrastructure dollars to support east-west passenger rail, some Berkshire County officials still want greater commitment to the Pittsfield to Springfield leg. Western Massachusetts leaders have long called for passenger service to connect Pittsfield and Boston via Springfield, although Baker has said little publicly about the project.
After weighing mask mandate, Adams Board of Health opts for putting its recommendations on a sign
The state of the pandemic in Adams is that it is "not going away fast enough," Board of Health Chairman David Rhoads said. While the board will not mandate masks, it continues to recommend vaccination and masking in public indoor spaces, and it will put those recommendations on a sign to be distributed around Adams.
Athol Daily News - Bill targets dirt road upkeep in Western Mass.
Published: 2/2/2022 3:50:55 PM Modified: 2/2/2022 3:49:24 PM Many Western Massachusetts residents are well aware of what mud season does to dirt roads, but a proposal from area lawmakers asks the state Legislature to take a look at the issue. Temperature and precipitation create impassable conditions, but insufficient state funding prevents many small towns from properly maintaining those and other roads — a finding from State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s October report on public infrastructure.
At 'future of gas' stakeholder meeting, climate groups express concern with process
As ordered by the state Department of Utilities, Massachusetts utilities companies contracted consultants to analyze how those companies can help the state meet its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. EAGLE SCREENSHOT In a month, consultants contracted by Massachusetts utilities companies must complete an analysis of how those companies can help the state meet its climate goals.
The Recorder - Bill targets dirt road upkeep in Western Mass.
Published: 1/31/2022 2:22:03 PM Many Western Massachusetts residents are well aware of what mud season does to dirt roads, but a proposal from area lawmakers asks the state Legislature to take a look at the issue. Temperature and precipitation create impassable conditions, but insufficient state funding prevents many small towns from properly maintaining those and other roads — a finding from State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s October report on public infrastructure.
With restaurants struggling to hire, supporters of eliminating subminimum wage for tipped workers cite growing interest
Massachusetts’ minimum wage rose to $14.25 per hour on Jan. 1 and will reach $15 in 2023, but that minimum does not apply to all workers. Employers can pay restaurant servers and other tipped workers just $6.15 per hour, less than half the state minimum. If tips do not bring a worker’s compensation up to the minimum wage, employers are legally required to pay the difference.
As companies seek 'future of gas,' climate groups press on in call for 'future of clean heat' Original
PITTSFIELD — As utility companies ponder the “future of gas” in Massachusetts, climate groups have chimed in, asking those companies to move off of gas entirely. In March, companies must submit plans for how they intend to help Massachusetts meet its 2050 climate goals. Berkshire Gas, Eversource, National Grid, Liberty Utilities and Unitil make up the Future of Gas working group and are seeking input from customers, including through stakeholder meetings.
Here's what your lawmakers say their priorities are as the Legislature enters a busy stretch
With the kickoff of the annual budget process and the deadline to act on bills fast approaching, the Massachusetts Legislature has entered what lawmakers consider to be one of its busiest stretches. Gov. Charlie Baker filed his budget recommendation on Wednesday for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and House leaders will release their own budget proposal this spring.
Efforts to modernize Adams government will get underway this spring
Bernard Lynch, managing principal of Community Paradigm Associates, joined the Adams Select Board virtually on Wednesday to discuss the timeline and objectives for the town's government review process. DANNY JIN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — Nine Adams residents and an external consultant soon will embark on a mission to review and modernize town government in Adams, a process that the Select Board believes is long overdue.
Mud season has long caused driving headaches in Western Mass. A new proposal asks the state to look at the issue
Three Western Massachusetts lawmakers have filed legislation to establish a working group to look at the impact of mud season on roads in the region. EAGLE FILE PHOTO Many Western Massachusetts residents are well aware of what mud season does to dirt roads, but a proposal from Western Massachusetts lawmakers asks the state Legislature to take a look at the issue.
Asked about his ability to run a business, owner of proposed Adams dispensary defends qualifications Original
ADAMS — When pressed Tuesday on his qualifications to run a proposed cannabis dispensary, Kerry Raheb leaned on the two decades he spent working as a stockbroker. At times, Raheb found himself raising his voice over those asking questions at a community outreach meeting, which around 20 people attended in the Adams Visitors Center.
Would-be Adams cannabis merchant, a vaccine critic, seeks Senate seat in Vermont
Kerry Raheb seeks to open a retail cannabis business at 127 Columbia St., formerly home to Woodstock South. He will discuss his proposal at a public outreach meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Adams Visitors Center. DANNY JIN THE BERKSHIRE EAGLe ADAMS — The Vermont man who seeks to open a retail cannabis business in Adams is also a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Vermont and a promoter of conspiracy theories that attribute COVID-19 spread to vaccines.
Pittsfield Public Schools will shift from contact tracing to an at-home, once-a-week testing program
PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield Public Schools, along with districts across the state, is shifting to a new COVID-19 testing program that will allow students with symptoms to test at home. Students who opt in will take a 15-minute iHealth rapid test once a week, and parents or guardians would self-report any positive results to the district through a Google form. Pittsfield Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis.
Two Pioneer Valley residents want to open a cannabis retail, cultivation and manufacturing business in Adams
ADAMS — A proposal for a cannabis business would be a "good shot in the arm" for the Spring Street area. That was the assessment from Town Administrator Jay Green on Wednesday following a presentation about the proposal before the Select Board.
Adams Select Board honors longtime EMA director
Richard Kleiner is stepping down into a consulting role from his position as emergency management director and forest warden chief. The Adams Select Board gave Kleiner a public service award for his 29 years in emergency management for the town. DANNY JIN — THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE ADAMS — The Adams Select Board on Wednesday honored longtime Emergency Management Director and Forest Warden Chief Richard Kleiner, who is stepping down from his leadership position.
'Warrior ethos' aids a warm welcome
Community support, including from veterans, helps make Berkshires home to Afghan evacuees The Berkshire Eagle PITTSFIELD - Resettling asylum- seekers is typically a long process, but the U.S. military evacuation of Afghanistan in August gave resettlement agencies little time to plan. After the evacuation left around 50,000 Afghans staying at U.S. military bases, a Springfield- based resettlement agency partnered with locals to make the Berkshires a resettlement destination.
Community support, including from veterans, has helped make the Berkshires home to 28 Afghan evacuees
PITTSFIELD — Resettling asylum-seekers is typically a long process, but the U.S. military evacuation of Afghanistan in August gave resettlement agencies little time to plan. After the evacuation left around 50,000 Afghans staying at U.S. military bases, a Springfield-based resettlement agency partnered with locals to make the Berkshires a resettlement destination.
A legislative caucus will hold a Wednesday briefing on a proposal to make phone calls free from prison, jails
People incarcerated in Massachusetts are allowed one 10-minute phone call for free each week, but every 10-minute call afterward is $2.10. For families, the cost of keeping in touch with a parent, spouse or child often adds up to hundreds of dollars per month. The Massachusetts Legislature’s Criminal Justice Reform Caucus will hold a Wednesday briefing on legislation that would make phone, video and other electronic communications free in jails and prisons.
Amtrak notes progress in talks but has yet to reach a final agreement on NYC-Pittsfield passenger service
PITTSFIELD — Amtrak still needs to finalize terms with a freight rail company before it can operate New York City-to-Pittsfield passenger rail service this summer. CSX Corp. told federal regulators that it “has agreed to the terms specified” in a Monday letter regarding the proposed summer 2022 pilot of the Berkshire Flyer. Amtrak, however, has yet to agree to those terms. Amtrak views the letter from CSX as “a new proposal,” it said in a statement.
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