Tagged: massachusetts

Six cultural non-profits in Berkshire County are receiving awards as part of the the latest round of cultural funding grants from the state of Massachusetts. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Earlier this week Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced 5 million dollars in matching grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund have been distribuited to 57 cultural non-profits across the Commonwealth. The program is designed to support non-profits by providing money for improvement, upkeep, and expansion efforts.

Authorities say a Sudbury, Massachusetts man has died after being struck by a tree while walking back to his car following a James Taylor concert at Tanglewood. WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

The Berkshire district attorney's office announced Thursday that 61-year-old Lester Holtzblatt was struck by a 20-feet section of a dead tree while walking with his wife along a Lenox road at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

He was taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The death is under investigation but is considered an accident.

Federal safety and health officials are investigating how a forklift plunged through a Springfield sidewalk into a cellar.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

The Republican reported that the forklift operator, who was not identified, was hospitalized with minor injuries following the incident on Tuesday.

Fire Commissioner Joseph Contant said the operator was a MassMutual Center employee who had been moving large planters for the Springfield Business Improvement District.

Environmentalists in Massachusetts are concerned over a controversial bill they say could effectively eliminate endangered species protections in the State. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard Reports…

Sponsor of Senate Bill 1854, Gale Candaras says that the rumors and ideas circulating about her proposal to enforce landowner protections by amending the state’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species laws are misleading.

The Massachusetts House has approved a measure calling on school districts to implement a new teacher evaluation system and place performance ahead of seniority in deciding future layoffs.  WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

The legislation, which has already been approved by the Senate, resulted from a compromise struck between the Massachusetts Teachers Association and an advocacy group called Stand for Children that had proposed a statewide ballot question.

The organization has said it would be willing to drop the ballot initiative if the bill becomes law.

Riders of the largest public transit system in western Massachusetts no longer have a possible fare hike looming.  But, the  Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will need more revenue next year to avoid a budget deficit and possible service cuts.  WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

A new report details  the  huge impact existing military bases have on the economy in Massachusetts.  The report was prepared as part of an effort to save the state’s six military installations from federal cuts.   WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports