The Berkshire Edge On-Air Wednesday January 6, 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. Governor Charlie Baker has outlined his plans for distributing COVID19 vaccines: First responders first.https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-polito-administration-outlines-vaccination-plans-for-first-responders-provides-vaccine-update/
https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-county-first-responders-next-group-to-be-vaccinated/

2. Meanwhile, the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee mulls the timetable for a crucial upgrade of Monument Mountain Regional High School building in Great Barrington — it’s now 52 years old and is in need of a serious renovation … which voters have already rejected once…
https://theberkshireedge.com/school-committee-faces-decisions-on-monument-maintenance-as-timeline-for-new-school-drags-on/

3.  Meanwhile, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity has proposed building 20 units of affordable housing on North Plain Road — just north of the center of Great Barrington. Predictably, the concept has aroused opposition. Selectboard will take up the matter this Wednesday:https://theberkshireedge.com/controversial-great-barrington-affordable-housing-vote-set-for-wednesday/

4. So here’s some good news as we look ahead toward summer… a local couple has donated funds to expand the Lake Mansfield town park which is a very popular summer hangout for families and kids. And guess what, the couple who donated these funds is among those dreaded newcomers:https://theberkshireedge.com/local-couples-gift-will-expand-lake-mansfield-playground/
5.  We haven’t had much snow this year — so far, knock on a piece of firewood — but Carol Owens reminds us of what could happen, such as the colossal snowstorms of years past:https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-the-great-new-england-snows/

6.  Finally, as we watch 2020 recede into the fogs of time and perhaps whisper “good riddance,” we can recapture the highlights of that Trumpian year with our year-end review of the 25 top stories of 2020 — not surprisingly, the COVID pandemic led the list of the most read;https://theberkshireedge.com/pandemic-led-the-edges-top-25-most-read-stories-of-2020-but-there-were-surprises/